Originally Posted by
bb10adopter111 Those days are long gone. The margins are so thin that most retail electronics jobs are part time and near minimum wage, with no budget for training. We get what we pay for.
That's true... but the relevant information is MUCH easier to get today, by doing online research. While a handful of people could still benefit from a salesperson, most people don't need them anymore - and I suspect that will continue to be more true as older generations die off and newer generations who have grown up with the Internet take over.
It's far cheaper to invest in posting a quality web page for a product, with lots of good pics and a clear, detailed description, than to educate 800 sales reps across the country - especially when there is going to be turn-over and a constant flow of new reps that now lack the training.
Retail salespeople used to add value because they were often the ONLY source of information. Since that's no longer the case, their value has diminished significantly, which is why they're being phased out. That's only a bad thing for those unable or unwilling to do their own research - a group that continues to shrink.