Thursday, December 11, 2014

Clueless, Retail Divison - A Rant

Back story.  I’ve spent most of my adult life working on a commission or fee per job basis.

The computer monitor started acting up. After installing a spare, took the old one to Best Buy, as they offer electronics recycling.

I submit, someone entering a store to drop off something for recycling might, just might, be in the market for a replacement. When that person then wanders over to the monitor displays that would be a very large clue that a motivated buyer is present.
The three “associates” one aisle over must have thought their conversation was too important to interrupt for a mere customer. Likewise, the manager type at the front desk, who saw me walk in and directed me to the recycle section, didn’t seem to notice.

I refuse to reward piss poor behavior even if I’m inconvenienced. I left.

Over the years, I’ve patronized Best Buy. They seem to have a decent selection and reasonable prices. I’ll probably patronize them in the future.


Regarding the three salespeople and the manager, if they worked at any car lot I managed, they would be looking for a job. While not always apparent on a balance sheet, the largest single expense a retailer has is getting someone to walk into their establishment.

Final rant. When you put salespeople on a shitty hourly wage, you get shitty salespeople. No amount of "motivators" will make them anything but shitty. 

Don Chalmers, Renton WA, 1986, speaking to sixty+ throat ripping commissioned salespeople, "No company has ever gotten in trouble paying salespeople HIGH commissions". Truer words have seldom been spoken.

7 comments:

Ami said...

I don't love Best Buy. We bought a television there in the not too distant past. They're really not interested in a sale, what they're interested in is selling you a service contract with their Geek Squad, extended warranties and other bullshit. They're more knowledgeable about those things than the products they sell. Also, things like cables, SD cards and other peripherals are ridiculously overpriced there. Much smarter to pick those things up at Sprawlmart or the equivalent.

Send your rant to corporate Best Buy. See what you get.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Usually buy cables, etc. at Radio Shack. Doubt the corporate suits at Best Buy will be impressed. They seem to be of the bean counter mentality.

DoninSacto said...

I was working as an hourly parts counter guy in a Harley-Davidson franchise when the owner asked me one day "whats your goal here." I told him that I wanted him to be the richest H-D dealer in the world. He then put me on my regular hourly plus commision.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

And sales increased in the parts department, I'll bet.

Momma Fargo said...

Amen! I have the same reactions in the same situations.

Scotty said...

After about the 4th time of going to Best Buy to purchase an item they had on sale and them telling it sold out, I no longer go there. Rain checks were not allowed. Most of the folks I've come across at Best Buy would starved to death on commission.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Most people working retail would starve on commission. Not their fault, a fish starts rotting from the head down.