Then why do you not ask them?

[Opalin]

Customer came in and had about fourty minutes worth of questions. This is fine, as he had no issues with me occasionally ducking out to help other customers. He is polite, although his son seems to have issues with basic written instructions as presented by our consoles. "Should I wait for it to load, how do I advance? What is the "x" button?" kind of thing. Anyway, he decides he wants to buy the metal gear solid V guide. When I ask if he has a rewards card, he says no. I tell him that our free one will knock 2$ off the price, but he goes: "nah, I usually shop at "Buying Best", I just didn't have enough on my gift card to cover the guide book earlier."


If you usually shop at that store... and you paid for this with your credit card, why did you not just get it there? And why not ask all the questions there? I don't mind, but it is a bit frustrating that you seem to think we're better for information, but not to purchase from. Just... bleh. I don't know, I should treat him equally, but I do feel that he should ask the questions at the store he actually intends to spend well over 800$ at judging by the questions. (He was trying to work out which new console was best for him, and if he should go with Lego Dimensions, Disney Infinity or Skylanders for his son, along with about fifteen other miscellaneous games)

[BlaqueKatt]

If you usually shop at that store... and you paid for this with your credit card, why did you not just get it there? And why not ask all the questions there?

they want the low prices and don't care that the service is bad/staff un-knowledgeable, because they can come ask the questions at *your* store without having to pay for the service.


It's a type of "showrooming"

for the record I do "showroom" on occasion, but I will not take the staff's time when I'm looking at items I have no intention of buying* from said store.


*If it' something I need vs. want I will usually pay the higher price, and I don't go into a store "just" to look at items I'm getting elsewhere, I'm usually there to get "item 1" and if they have "item 2" I will look at it and compare prices.

[Opalin]

they want the low prices and don't care that the service is bad/staff un-knowledgeable, because they can come ask the questions at *your* store without having to pay for the service.

Valid point, but then why not just get the guide there as well...

[Jay 2K Winger]

I admit to "showrooming" at times as well, but I'd rather buy what I'm getting from the brick-and-mortar than get it online, because I want what I'm buying NOW, dammit, not three days from now.

The "showroom" comes in when I'm compiling stuff to add to my Birthday/Xmas wish list. Mom has mobility issues, so she orders everything online. So sometimes at the bookstore, if I see a book that interests me but I don't need to have now, I'll snap a pic of it or make a note to myself to add it to the list.

If I ever have to ask for assistance at a store to have them answer questions, I'm more likely to buy it at that particular store, rather than have Store A do the legwork, and give Store B the sale.

[wolfie]

When I was shopping for my first car (bought new), I went to dealers for pretty much every brand offering an entry-level car, asked a lot of questions, and took a test drive. When I was ready to buy, I went to the dealership for the brand I had decided on and asked for the salesman I had dealt with. Turns out it was his day off, and the manager wasn't able to reach him. He asked if I was willing to deal with another salesman, and I told him "Salesman X was the one who actually made the sale - today I just need someone who can fill out an order form. It wouldn't be right for them to get the commission on a sale that Salesman X had made". Manager filled out the order form and (told me that he had) put Salesman X's name on it.

[rose_metal_nz]

Wolfie that is awesome. Never worked in sales, never will, but that seriously was a cool move on your part