For once, I like salespeople who get commissions.

[Deja Q]

Going to a store whose name, to protect the guilty, I shall rename to "Bogus Buy", I was lookin' at digital cameras. I saw what looked like a nice point'n'shoot. But the unit was dead. I asked the blue-shirt if he would replace the batteries or hook up AC. He said no because it would involve turning off all the security systems (a lie; the ones I've seen everywhere else can be disabled for specifically each item hooked into it). So I said I'd go back the next day.

OTOH, maybe he doesn't like "Bogus Buy". That's cool.

So I went to another place. The Kodak P850 looked like a true winner but the demo's batteries were fried. But the rep had no qualms in opening up a packaged model to use its battery. :bounce:

Until I saw the Minolta D-SLR for only a slightly higher price via mail-order, I nearly bought the Kodak too.



In short, sometimes it's good to have a person being baited by commission to help you out. :D

[LeftyMom]

1. Don't go to bogus buy

I used to work for them and it was the worst job I ever had. They treat thier employees like shit and can't be bothered to train them, because thier turnover's so high it's a waste of time. Circuit City's a bit better in terms of training and taking care of thier employees (and the pay was much better, at least when I worked for them,) so if you're stuck with the big chains I'd go there.

[Az]

3. I swore off Circuit City

The pressure there to sell the service plans is cranked way to high. Had a salesperson lie like crazy on the plan. Claimed no blaim return full replacement. I asked him "You mean even if I drive a screwdriver through this thing I can return it for a fullreplacement?" He claimed I could. Within a week I honestly had a crack in the unit. Manager stonewalled me. Claimed only mechanical failure was covered.

[LeftyMom]

5. Well yeah, those things are a freakin' ripoff

Don't get me wrong, they paid my bills for years but I almost never get extra warranties now. I do have one on my digital camera because they're touchy and my four year old likes to use it, they're not a bad idea on small expensive items like that.

If a salesperson says something that blatantly false, come back later and find somebody who isn't a liar (such people can be found, except in stores where greedy managers weed them out) and stick with them for everything. Such a person is worth thier weight in gold, no matter what store they work for. :D

[jmm]

13. I had the same experience with them

I bought my first computer from with and was foolish enough to buy the four year warranty. I was promised it covered everything. When I got it home and opened the box the screen was cracked. I was in the process of moving so I called up and asked if I could bring it in to the nearest Circuit City in a couple of weeks when I moved and the said that would be fine. When I brought it in I was promised they'd call me in a week or two when it was done. Two weeks later I didn't hear from them so I called and was told they don't know why it wasn't returned yet. This dragged on and the excuses got lamer for about six more weeks until finally I called in and was told it had been sitting in the store for five days but it was repaired. However when I went to pick it up I was told they didn't even touch it because the damage wasn't covered by Circuit City's warranty and that I had to contact the manufacturer and see if it was still covered by their warranty.

That's when I got ugly. In the middle of the store I started to scream about the hell they put me through and how thanks to all of my time they wasted it wasn't covered by the manufacturer's warranty anymore. As customers walked out of lines and left the store or gathered around me I threatened to cry and call a reporter I use to babysit for among other things. Basically I vowed to lead a one woman protest against them until agreed to refund the warranty and repair it. They even had it delivered to my place but I'm guessing that's because they didn't want to see me again.

[tyedyeto]

8. I refuse to patronize Circuit City

Back in '98, I purchased a new computer from them. Took it home and it did not work. So, I took it back a couple of days later after several long phone calls (the store was 1 1/2 hours from where I lived at the time). Their techs tried to get it to work to no avail. So, they would give me a different one, right? Ooops, it's out of stock, but upgrade to this other one, it's only $200 more. And BTW, we have to charge you an open box fee of $100 for each box. So, that's another $200. I tell them to shove it and get my $$$ back minus the $200 and buy elsewhere.

I wrote to their corporate consumer complaint dept and guess what? I never did receive a reply from them. That is why I will never spend a dime at Circuit City ever again.

[Deja Q]

14. I won't ever again. (BTW: I failed their personality profiling test...)

So despite knowing more than those blue-shirt fools and the members of the dork 'geek' squad, I couldn't get a job.

Mega-lame.

I'll likely stick with CC...

[DainBramaged]

2. Wait, did you buy the camera

or waste the sales guy's time and buy it mail order? Having owned retail, I have no greater loathing than for people who wasted my time and then bragged about it.

On edit.

I HATED the clowns who bought it elsewhere and came back to tell me they saved $5 bucks. I made sure to make them feel like shit so they never came back. Or just reminded them that supporting mail order or the big box stores fucked their community. They waste more time to save $5 than it's worth, and have no one to answer the inevitable questions that follow the purchase.

[baldguy]

9. It's what's called a "free market".

Nearly everything hardware-related can be found cheaper via mail-order than retail. The only thing a body in a storefront can offer is service.

[DainBramaged]

10. And when the bodies are replaced who gives you service?

And free market is why the Pukes control everything. Mom and Pop are working for Wal-Mart.:spank:

[baldguy]

15. You can't make money selling hardware.

The only thing you got to offer is your knowledge. If you give that away too, you can't make any money there either. Sure, it sucks but it's reality.

I deal with VARs everyday who do the same thing. They nickle & dime on the hw, don't charge for their services - then wonder why they can't make any money. Well, duh!

Service isn't free, you've got to pay for it.

[Deja Q]

19. Which might be a factor as to why he thought I'd be a good rep too.

Mind you, I dislike the concept of money in general... but then, I always see outside the box. Some people are too blind to find the windows...

[DainBramaged]

20. You don't get it.

We're not talking pro shit, we're talking daily shit people need. I sell my service now every hour by the hour instead of hardware. Why? Because I can't physically do retail anymore. All of you experts won't pay 10 cents for service unless something breaks, and then you still complain about the price. I hear it every day, day after day. Haggle about the price to fix it after your kid breaks it. If people are so smart, they'd fix it themselves.

This is about the crap you need every day. People haggle about the price of electronics thinking that there is a gazillion percent markup, but act like sheep in the grocery store. Milk and food is way overpriced, and the fact that coupons exist is proof. But yet when it comes to leisure or luxury items, a salesperson's knowledge or experience is worthless after you've picked their brain and bought it online.

If it wasn't for the internet, there would STILL be intelligent people to buy from.

[Deja Q]

17. Bingo. & I kinda like service. particularly for things w/mechanical parts.

It is worth the price.

[Deja Q]

16. BTW: HE told me to wait for the 8mp version, amongst other things...

I was ready to buy the 5mp model, and he thought I might make a decent rep given my knowledge of cameras. O8)

So take your prejudice and flush it. (other DUers have treated me far more callously, BTW...)

The Minolta as a total coincidence, but I am waiting for the reviews of the 8MP model.

There's more to this story, but I doubt you're going to believe (let alone give a damn, given your existing attitude) a syllable of what I say.

[tyedyeto]

22. Seeing the actual product can be a deciding factor

when deciding whether to purchase a product by mail order or online. For that reason alone, checking out the product in a big box store can be of value when a person is thinking about the purchase. If I am undecided about product A or B, I will go check it out. The amount of money saved is a concern to many people but I would never go back and gloat that I had saved $5 or $50 on the item.

[NewJeffCT]

4. "Bogus" Buy

Whenever I go into a Bogus Buy, you have to hunt through the store to find a blue shirt available & able to help you... and, then you're lucky if they are more knowledgeable than you about the product.

I'm guessing most of the "sales" staff there work there only to get an employee discount.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. Last time we went there, we were asked every 15 feet if we needed help...

it was so annoying.
Duckie

[Name removed]

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[crispini]

11. It is pretty sad, isn't it?

I make a point of buying a certain percentage of stuff locally to be sure I am supporting local business and paying my city sales tax. It's tough, the internet is sooooo easy to just reach out and BAM! order.... but I want to support local businesses.

[DainBramaged]

12. I used to offer the "match this price in NY" clowns

The toll to go over the GW Bridge to buy it there. 9 times in 10 they bought it from me. And my prices were within a couple of percent of the worst NY discounters and all the big box stores. Same problem with hardware. I only go to my local hardware store, and will go there today. In rare instance, the price difference isn't worth the trip to Home Sleezepo or Lowes.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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