Live and learn!

Well i figured there was something behind all of it.. They tell you they don’t work off commission and I guess they are telling the truth.. but the do get incentives! ha

Believe me… HP pays WELL to have them push their brand!! HP was actually the first PC company to sell through best buy and other retail channels, so now that Gateway and Dell are taking that route… HP is getting hit in the sales dept.

I am sure the SA’s (ASSociates) are getting a $10 spiff or something like that for every HP they sell, or talk a buyer into buying! LOL

I used to hold contests to drive higher margin products.. we had 4 triggers: Software, Training, Warranty and Financing. If a SA got all 4 on one sale… they got a $25 bonus per sale!!

I have not bought in a BB store in a long time for this very reason man… I buy from a Hadji shop locally when I need parts in a hurry, otherwise… its eBay for me!!

Kim and i got matching Dell lpatops last year, new, in the box on ebay, for $300 each. They were still in the orignal shipping boxes and shrink wrapped… probably stolen!! lol

Well it’s always good to hear the “other side” of the story ha!

I think a lot of my problem with our local BB is that I use to spend quite a bit of time in there back when I was building more computers back in the day… I always dreaded going because I knew what I was in for. BUT, i can definitely see your point as I also know how the sales market world works (to some degree) Maybe I was just feeling cocky haha.

I do still wonder what kind of kick backs they are getting from Dell compared to the other brands. It just seemed really odd that 2 of us had the same experience within a few days… not just trying to push software, but a completely different product!

I can understand the warranty too, although I normally don’t get them, I can see where they are needed!

Online IS the way to go! IMO

Thanks for the comment! Ya’ll be sure to let us know if you ever come to any of the Yadkin Valley wine festivals!

Since I used to manage a Gateway Computer store – I am going to represent the defendants here for just one second.

I used to get phone calls from Customers complaining that the PC didnt have this program or that optical drive on it, and they didnt know how to do this or that. My reply was always… (After apologizing of course) Did your sales associate mention it to you in the store? Well… yes, they told me it didn’t come with MS Office, but I didnt think it meant I didnt get Word or Excel! Office is only for business right?

Its one of those double-edged swords from a sales perspective. If you offer it and they dont need it, thats one thing… but when they DONT offer it, people get mad when they find out it was not included.

Ultimately, we had a checklist we went over with every customer, to the point that I made them get the customer to sign a waiver of warranty extensions. “I agree that I do not want the extended warranty, and acknoledge my warranty expires after 12 months of the date of purchase”. Out of warranty repairs accounted for 16% of our store operating cost before the form went into action. I actually had a Pastor come in and chew me out at one time because his 2 year old PC lost a hard drive, after his 1 year warranty ran out. I am like you though and hate the sales process just as much… the only 1 thing I buy with anything though… usually a warranty extension.

From a managers point – we hammered the sales staff to help the customer as much as possible, and yes, sell them as much as possible, so they had everything they needed on the first visit.

We also had what they called “Secret Shoppers”. They were people the corporate office would send in to see if the troops were following company policies. Often, there were 4-5 company incentives going on at any given time (Ex: Geek squad, Training classes, Software, Warranty, Financing) and if the sales people got a shopper and did not mention it to the buyer, they only had 3 chances to get it right before they were dismissed!! LOL

I know its a crappy thing the way they hardball you… but in their defense, they were just doing their job!

BTW – I am the SAME WAY when I go in! Give me stuff and let me go already!! LOL I think thats why I buy online 99% of the time! BTW – Congrats ont he Dell!! They make great stuff!

Mark

Some times warranty’s are good, like if you’re buying one for your “daughter” and you know she’s probably gonna “tear” it up! (Ash) But most of the time, the factory warranty is good enough for most electronics (IN MY OPINION)