[esk369]

You're right esk369, it seems to be unfortunately true.

In a perfect world TX in a perfect world its a nice concept.

[hreiner1]

In any of these stores you can not even get a BB phone,
Or try to find someone at any mobile company phone stores to sell you a BB

No sales person can explain you the bridge or how the bridge browser works
or explains you the multitasking

I was at Atlanta airport last December and visited the BB store there, the 2 sales people were falling asleep

[Tre Lawrence]

Salespeople are consumers first... just some food for thought.

[DuexNoir]

Sounds to me like the sales reps are letting their personal opinions and bias creep into their sales ability. They are directing customers to what they think is good but not necessarily what the customers want or need.

[Mhatham]

I think the other factor that might contribute to the overall push of Apple products is the aftermarket accessories. Any store you go to, you want speakers, covers, docks, etc. its for Apple products. Not only do I sell you a fairly expensive product (and possibly an extended warranty), now you may be back for accessories; doesn’t hurt that there are thousands available.

I will say that from my experience Staples has seemed to be the most open to selling the PlayBook or any other non ipad tablet. Whether this is directly associated with no commission, I don’t know. However my local Staples just setup and new ipad display with a dedicated Apple rep there, therefore you deal with a “Staples” person for the other tablets and the Apple person for the ipads.

[Tre Lawrence]

Sounds to me like the sales reps are letting their personal opinions and bias creep into their sales ability. They are directing customers to what they think is good but not necessarily what the customers want or need.

There has always been bias.

Part of RIM's dominance came from the fact that salespeople (the same set of folks we now call "idiots") breathed BB. I remember when I went Treo shopping way back when. The salespeople all had BBs (save one) at two different locations. They loved their BBs, and having anything else was stupid, and they didn't try to be bashful about telling people that.

Sadly, at the time, I was not to be swayed from Hotsyncing, and well, I was a stubborn lad.

When I finally did switch, but I do find it funny now that folks besmirch salespeople. They sell what they like. The only way to overcome that human bias is to make them like something else, or show them the money.

[Tre Lawrence]

I think the other factor that might contribute to the overall push of Apple products is the aftermarket accessories. Any store you go to, you want speakers, covers, docks, etc. its for Apple products. Not only do I sell you a fairly expensive product (and possibly an extended warranty), now you may be back for accessories; doesn�t hurt that there are thousands available.

I will say that from my experience Staples has seemed to be the most open to selling the PlayBook or any other non ipad tablet. Whether this is directly associated with no commission, I don�t know. However my local Staples just setup and new ipad display with a dedicated Apple rep there, therefore you deal with a �Staples� person for the other tablets and the Apple person for the ipads.

Good point. I think that they make their highest margin off of accessories IIRC.

[pmf73]

I personally despise Best Buy and the likes. Typically their salespeople are ill-informed about the majority of products and have a decent amount of bias towards certain products.

I understand that they are given incentives and whatnot to push certain products, and they do work on commission, so will naturally want to lean a customer more towards what sells well. (iAnything) However, 9 times out of 10 if I do step foot in the store, I have already made up my mind on what I'm there to buy.

This is why I avoid most of these stores when all possible when it comes to the actual purchase. I'll do my research, then perhaps go to the store to put hands on what I'm looking at. I'll play with it, and see how it feels. If I like it, I just go to Amazon or E-Bates and buy it. 90% of the time it's far cheaper, plus free shipping within a few business days.

I bought my 64GB PB thru E-bates for 20% cheaper than any store in my area and actually got some money back from the website. I got free express shipping and had it in my hands within 2 days. Sure, you don't get the instant gratification of having it in your hands on purchase, but I'm patient. ;-)

[conix67]

The stores, including salesmen, try to sell as many products as possible, especially ones that more profit for them. If certain product is hot and popular, they will try to sell more of it, or try to promote "comparable" product.

Unfortunately, RIM's products aren't so hot these days. You can't blame the stores or salesmen for this. "No wonder RIM's not doing well" simply doesn't fit the situation today. It's the other way around.

In the end *you* may find PB the best tablet there is today, regardless of the price, but will everyone agree with you? I hope the lady OP ran into finds the PB a suitable device for her.

[Terry1100]

If it's any consolation, staff in the UK at Dixons/Currys/PC world (the same company anyway) as well as Staples, Comet and all the others - are just as bad.

And don't even start me on their camera knowledge (other than specialist photo shops - and even they push "their" brands))

[esk369]

And who said this thread had no legs?
If it were not for the simple fact that I'm a instant gratification type person I would try to avoid the big box stores like a SCORCHING CASE OF HERPES.
I do like being able once I decide on what I want to be able to go and buy it rather then wait for it to be delivered kinda like when as a kid when you got that cool toy for xmas or chanaka and no batteries a time before stores were open 365 24 you just had to sit and look at it till you could get your batteries

[airbbtran]

Hey everyone,
I am sorry for ranting, and as much as I hate saying it, some stores salesmen are bunch of idiots.

My father in law wanted a Playbook because he wants something more portable than a 15.6" laptop when hes out on a construction/project site.

i went to the local Staples and they were sold out of all 3 models. i asked the guy if they're getting anymore soon, he said not sure because staples and RIM are trying to clear available store stocks to make room for the new Playbook 2.0 thats gonna be coming out soon and if i wanted a tablet, i should just buy an ipad or samsung because they're better any ways. so i just walked away from the and left the store.

then i went to the near by Bestbuy and they were also out of stock. so while i was standing looking at the accessories and screen protectors, a woman comes by and asks the salesman if the playbook was made/available in a 3g/4g model, and the says no rim doesnt make such product and they only have a wifi version which isnt that great anyways.

so as the woman was walking away, i spoke to her about what the PB can do and its features are when you bridge it to a BB handhel d(she had a bold 9900). she was amazed and went to customer service to see if she can pre-order one.

why arent these salesmen up to date on info and more informed. no wonder RIM gets a bad rep with people through word of mouth.

cheers

you are saying you know everything possible at your job? If you don't, are you an ? Most of their salesmen are probably part-time worker and got training for the popular products. You don't expect them them to know every brands and their details right? how many hardwares are in the store? so if they don't know viewsonic is coming out with a new tv next year they're too? The should be rim for not doing a better job with their product and their marketing. if the product was a success it wouldn't be put in the back-burner of every stores. Also, tell me when the last time you saw an ad for 4g playbook?

people need to stop being so butthurt about a product or brand. brand loyalty means nothing, just buy what works best.

[terminatorx]

@airbbtran nobody expects those sales people to know everything. However, when they give out wrong information and say things like "just get brand x it's better" then of course it's not going to go over well.

Picture for a minute, you had a product and store xyz was your distributor. Everytime someone asks about your product, sales guys just point to another shelf and say "get this one instead it's better." Think about that for a sec.

[airbbtran]

@airbbtran nobody expects those sales people to know everything. However, when they give out wrong information and say things like "just get brand x it's better" then of course it's not going to go over well.

Picture for a minute, you had a product and store xyz was your distributor. Everytime someone asks about your product, sales guys just point to another shelf and say "get this one instead it's better." Think about that for a sec.

If you read what OP said, he asked about playbook and the sales guy said said dont have it anymore. What you want the sales guy to do? just end it there? or sell a similar product, the one that happens to be the most popular one.

That picture looked wrong? you want the sales guy to talk to u for an hour how great playbook is even if they are not carrying it anymore? or instead sell you another similar product.

think about that for a sec

[airbbtran]

@airbbtran nobody expects those sales people to know everything. However, when they give out wrong information and say things like "just get brand x it's better" then of course it's not going to go over well.

Picture for a minute, you had a product and store xyz was your distributor. Everytime someone asks about your product, sales guys just point to another shelf and say "get this one instead it's better." Think about that for a sec.

also, it is their opinion if xxx brand is better than playbook. so is it only right information if they said playbook is the best tablet? i think many people would agree with xxx brand is better than playbook also, and I'm pretty sure its not because people don't know how great playbook is either, unless you hardcore playbook user know something no one else know.

[ajst222]

Oh yea...many of these associates are complete idiots. I can't stand them

[terminatorx]

If you read what OP said, he asked about playbook and the sales guy said said dont have it anymore. What you want the sales guy to do? just end it there? or sell a similar product, the one that happens to be the most popular one.

Now you're stretching and spinning it around. I did read what the OP said. OP says that sales guy told OP and his father in law "if i wanted a tablet, i should just buy an ipad or samsung because they're better any ways." This comment is stupid, and is the primary reason why many people would agree that this sales person is INDEED an idi0t. You don't care otherwise, because you're probably not a fan of RIM or the PlayBook, and thus could care less.

That picture looked wrong? you want the sales guy to talk to u for an hour how great playbook is even if they are not carrying it anymore? or instead sell you another similar product.

No my friend, the better thing to do would have been to check the computer stock and point out the other Staples stores in the area that might have the PlayBook (as sales person said he was not sure if they are getting any more in). Or suggest where he could get it. He could also have simply told customer, "would you like to look at our other tablets?" instead of blowing off the PB and saying to get this or that because 'they are better.'

also, it is their opinion if xxx brand is better than playbook. so is it only right information if they said playbook is the best tablet? i think many people would agree with xxx brand is better than playbook also, and I'm pretty sure its not because people don't know how great playbook is either, unless you hardcore playbook user know something no one else know.

Stop muddying things up. The customer did not ask the sales person for their opinion. They asked if they had the PlayBook.

[91300zx]

Its called commision. The more you sell the more you make. Ofcourse they will push the crap pad lol. I run into people like that all the time in stores so I educate them about the PB then move on.

[Bash_Man]

you are saying you know everything possible at your job? If you don't, are you an ? Most of their salesmen are probably part-time worker and got training for the popular products. You don't expect them them to know every brands and their details right? how many hardwares are in the store? so if they don't know viewsonic is coming out with a new tv next year they're too? The should be rim for not doing a better job with their product and their marketing. if the product was a success it wouldn't be put in the back-burner of every stores. Also, tell me when the last time you saw an ad for 4g playbook?

people need to stop being so butthurt about a product or brand. brand loyalty means nothing, just buy what works best.

My issue isn't about them knowing everything, my issue is when I ask about a certain product, I'd expect to get a answer about that product, not about something else or something else is better.

When I asked the salesman about the playbook, I expected an answer about the playbook, not ipad or other tablets. Making stuff up like "rim is no longer making a wifi version and making space for Playbook 2" is kinda a stupid answer.

And yes, I am a loyal blackberry owner and will support the Canadian company to the last drop and it absolutely pisses me off when gives me random crap that's not even true.

When something comes up at my work or someone asks me something, I don't just make up random crap..I tell the client that I either dont know or direct them to someone else who would know the answer.

[airbbtran]

My issue isn't about them knowing everything, my issue is when I ask about a certain product, I'd expect to get a answer about that product, not about something else or something else is better.

When I asked the salesman about the playbook, I expected an answer about the playbook, not ipad or other tablets. Making stuff up like "rim is no longer making a wifi version and making space for Playbook 2" is kinda a stupid answer.

And yes, I am a loyal blackberry owner and will support the Canadian company to the last drop and it absolutely pisses me off when gives me random crap that's not even true.

When something comes up at my work or someone asks me something, I don't just make up random crap..I tell the client that I either dont know or direct them to someone else who would know the answer.

First of all, he gave you the answer already. He said he's not sure. You think he will know if a discontinued product that sells poorly will be restocked? He was wrong about the playbook 2, but how does that change the answer to your question at all? He can say playbook 10 for all you care. Is it odd that someone might be wrong on something? especially on a non-popular product? You think he lied about playbook 2 coming out? does that help him at all? You came in asking about the playbook and he gave you the answer of not sure if it will restocked.

2nd, he did not give you an answer about something else, he gave you the answer to your question already then he introduced you to another product. So it is wrong that he try to make a sale on another product in a store with MANY other products? what you expected him to do? tell you to gtf0 we dont have the playbook here?

Also, get a grip on yourself. This is not about some national pride crap. this is about the tablet.

[airbbtran]

Now you're stretching and spinning it around. I did read what the OP said. OP says that sales guy told OP and his father in law "if i wanted a tablet, i should just buy an ipad or samsung because they're better any ways." This comment is stupid, and is the primary reason why many people would agree that this sales person is INDEED an idi0t. You don't care otherwise, because you're probably not a fan of RIM or the PlayBook, and thus could care less.



No my friend, the better thing to do would have been to check the computer stock and point out the other Staples stores in the area that might have the PlayBook (as sales person said he was not sure if they are getting any more in). Or suggest where he could get it. He could also have simply told customer, "would you like to look at our other tablets?" instead of blowing off the PB and saying to get this or that because 'they are better.'



Stop muddying things up. The customer did not ask the sales person for their opinion. They asked if they had the PlayBook.

How did i stretched and spin it around? Please tell me.

So because the salesman think another product is better after answering his question that is stupid? that made absolutely no sense. So to you if anyone thinks another tablet is better than playbook that will make them an idi0t?

Stop muddying things up? The sales person can't give an opinion? When is it wrong to give opinion? They already answered the playbook question.

Let me guess, if the sales person said playbook is the greatest tablet ever, then that opinion is ok right?

[hkkelvinlee]

If it's any consolation, staff in the UK at Dixons/Currys/PC world (the same company anyway) as well as Staples, Comet and all the others - are just as bad.



And don't even start me on their camera knowledge (other than specialist photo shops - and even they push "their" brands))

Families and myself having been using two PBs for a while now. Travalled to London, and just picked up a third one (64GB) from a Currys megastore around Syon Park at �129 minus tax refund. One salesman there told me PBs run Android OS!!

The saving grace was all salespersons there were very helpful and nice, and actually offered three copies of Norton anti-virus sort of stuff for Android for free....well, I talked my friend into buying 5 PBs. they said they had a deal of sort with RIM ordering lots of PBs and hence cheap price. Prices for 32GB is only �10 cheaper, and they focus on selling only the 64GB version. Great to consumers.

BTW, an Indian saleslady there (called Jinto, I think) was super gorgeous. Sorry I digressed.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

[Michelle Haag]

Closed by request.