[redshifter]

I stopped by the Sony Style store in Seattle U Village today to look at DVD players. I see one for $99 that upscales to 1080p, so I ask the saleman if he wants to sell it to me.

Salesman: Okay!
Me: Can you tell me if this player decodes SACD discs?
SM: (Reading same info card I just did, but takes much longer) Hmmmm, I don't see that here...
Me: Does this player have a spec sheet I can look at?
SM: I'll get it. (Goes in back for ten minutes)
SM: (Does not have spec sheet for me) What is that "SLDC"? Is it some kind of European format?
Me: (What?!) It is "S A C D" Super Audio CD. Sony invented it! Mutlichannel surround audio in high def!
SM: OH! SACD! (pause) I think that is a European format. This player does not do that.
Me: (!!!!????) OK, but it will upsample to 1080p, right?
SM: (Looking at info card again) Aaaaaaahhhhhhh, no.
Me: (Points to card in his hand) It says it upsamples to 1080p right here.
SM: Oh, yeah, it does.
Me: *sigh* OK. can you tell me if it has a coax digital out?
SM: Coax doesn't do that. Coax is for cable.

etc...

Finally I told him I should be selling DVD players, not him. I got one anyway, but it does not play the "European format" SACD.

 

[colonelkernel8]

Wow, that guy was an idiot.

 

[RYCeT]

I think it's not a case of lies or deceit here. You just met someone that is incompetent & tried to look smart. He's better off saying that he didn't know anything and just handed you the manual booklet. Then again, I find it unsuprising seeing how many incompetent BB or CC guys being shop assistant. You should go & tried to buy a laptop from bestbuy, you'll find it your experience in that Sonystyle store pale in comparison

 

[vagarach]

This is why I try to never go into sony style shops (sometimes I do when I have to kill time at the mall, they usually have some discovery HD on their XBRs) .

Card-reading salesmen irk me to no end, especially ones trying to sell stuff at msrp.

 

[no1likesme]

I love making salesmen feel stupid. last week I went into an ABC warehouse store and started asking the guy about headphones. He had the stupidest look on his face when I asked if they had anything more high end than bose. Although it would be annoying if I were actually trying to get useful information.

 

[fatcat28037]

It's so hard to find good help anymore.

 

[usc goose]

I'm reminded of that scene in High Fidelity.

You guys are such snobs.

We're tech geeks, those salesmen are just trying to eek by on minimum effort, I can understand that. Anyways...

edit: I will add that it's annoying of salesmen to try and speak about something of which they have limited comprehension. But I rarely try and get any useful tech information out of most salesman so I guess I've been spared that.

 

[3x331m]

When you hire someone and pay at minimum wage, you don't expect much.

I think many of us have some stories to tell about hi-tech sales.

 

[J-Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1likesme /img/forum/go_quote.gif I love making salesmen feel stupid. last week I went into an ABC warehouse store and started asking the guy about headphones. He had the stupidest look on his face when I asked if they had anything more high end than bose. Although it would be annoying if I were actually trying to get useful information.

Yeah that sounds like fun, giving a guy who's trying to make an honest living a hard time just because you felt like it

redshifter: that's not really all that uncommon in retail. I worked a hell hole job as a sales guy in the Best Buy computer section and when we were trained they pretty much told us just to read off the yellow cards below the computer since 90% of the people didn't bother to. I do appreciate the irony in a Sony employee not knowing about the SACD format though, speaks volumes about how well it did

 

[EFN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah that sounds like fun, giving a guy who's trying to make an honest living a hard time just because you felt like it redshifter: that's not really all that uncommon in retail. I worked a hell hole job as a sales guy in the Best Buy computer section and when we were trained they pretty much told us just to read off the yellow cards below the computer since 90% of the people didn't bother to. I do appreciate the irony in a Sony employee not knowing about the SACD format though, speaks volumes about how well it did

I agree, if I encountered any salesman/salesgirl who seems to be clueless on the stuffs I inquired, I'll shift to silent mode not asking any more Qs - I prefer not to irritate myself. These people make a living out of sales and it's not an easy job (for a lowly pay). Those brave enuff to take on this low paying jobs are more likely not as knowledgable as full blown professionals that made those stuffs - so go easy on them.

 

[J-Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFN /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree, if I encountered any salesman/salesgirl who seems to be clueless on the stuffs I inquired, I'll shift to silent mode not asking any more Qs - I prefer not to irritate myself. These people make a living out of sales and it's not an easy job (for a lowly pay). Those brave enuff to take on this low paying jobs are more likely not as knowledgable as full blown professionals that made those stuffs - so go easy on them.

Well said. It's really not that different from being a BMW owner and going into a Honda dealership to drill the sales guy about the M3 you just bought just so you can snicker about it and feel good about yourself. I will take a shot in the dark and attribute this to low self esteem or self worth.

What no1likesme was referring to is one of the many reasons I'm embarrassed by the term audiophile.

 

[Spareribs]

Interesting stuff. Sales people know very little generally. Sometimes, you will get a sales guy who is fairly knowledgable. But sadly, I suspect that many of these sales people have very little interest in audio technology.

 

[Jigglybootch]

It's nice to see that Sony stores are packed with competent employees.

 

[no1likesme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah that sounds like fun, giving a guy who's trying to make an honest living a hard time just because you felt like it redshifter: that's not really all that uncommon in retail. I worked a hell hole job as a sales guy in the Best Buy computer section and when we were trained they pretty much told us just to read off the yellow cards below the computer since 90% of the people didn't bother to. I do appreciate the irony in a Sony employee not knowing about the SACD format though, speaks volumes about how well it did

If it were at a place like best buy I wouldn't mess with the guy but the store I went to pays commission on top of normal wages (a guy i know that worked there got $15 per hour and commission), as soon as you walk in they are trying to pressure you into buying something and that annoys me so I mess with them.

 

[Seaside]

That sales man has to be prepared bit more than that, especially when he is working for specialized store.

We see sales person like him all the time, don't we?
Sales person that doesn't know what he is selling, manager that doesn't know what he is talking about, repair man that can't fix, etc etc.

It is shame to have people like them in front of you, but remember they're just people trying to make a living out of it. And no person can possibly have every answer on every question customer might have. Jobs dealing with people sometimes are extremely stressful and exausting. You don't have to make a fool out of him because of his lack of certain knowledge... unless he goes rude or treats you like fool first.