Wasting sales associates time...

[DISH]

I just can't understand why some people take up to 40 minutes of a sales associates time during the busiest time of the year, when they have no intention to buy!

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

[Driftwood]

Heh I used to work in retail back in the day, I feel your pain. Don't waste your time on the tire kickers... I hate to say it, but if they're like that be pushy. Close the sale or move on. Christmas is the only time you'll be able to rack up the big commissions. Not to mention that other customers are waiting to be serviced. I used to have customers walk out of the store because they got tired of waiting.

[advantage21]

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

1. It's illegal to pay someone only on commision, unless they are independent contractors.

2. If you are talking about tire kicking on a $20 item, yes, I agree. If you are talking big ticket items, then you are dead wrong. I "wasted" a lot of salesman time before I dropped 4.5 grand on an LCD TV. I went to several stores and some sales were nice, some were pushy and some was brushing me off when they felt I wasn't going to buy right when they wanted me to. Guess who I went back to when I was ready to buy?

[CodecX81]

Girlfriend works in a clothing store. Last week a couple came in, the man started to pick outfits for his wife..

"try this on".."try this on".."try this on, try this on" etc.
They took an hour trying on clothes.. her manager came and started to assist.

Finally the man said.. All this is no good merchandise. and left.
>:(

I can only imagine the burning sensation they had coming from their eyes.

[Rehan]

1. It's illegal to pay someone only on commision, unless they are independent contractors.
Then it would be very odd that CRA even has on their website instructions for setting up payroll for commission-only employees.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site:cra-arc.gc.ca+commission-only

[mbg]

I just can't understand why some people take up to 40 minutes of a sales associates time during the busiest time of the year, when they have no intention to buy!

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

I don't think it's up to people to do their own Internet research, although I would do it myself. What is a salesperson supposed to do, if not assist customers? Just ring up the sale? That's what cashiers do... salespeople are supposed to be knowledgeable and help someone pick what's right for them by analyzing their situation/budget and answering their questions. I know that type of thing has fallen by the wayside with the uprise of Future Shop and friends, but many people still expect it.

Anyway, I don't know which store you are referring to... but in the case of Future Shop, it's better that you don't ask the salespeople any questions because they usually don't know and will substitute lies in place of knowledge gaps.

I agree, though, that if they have no intention to buy, they should be leaving their window shopping until after the busy Christmas period.

[Carnage]

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

As others have said it depends on what they're selling.

If it's big ticket TV's then they won't be making multiple sales in those 40 minutes.

If I'm going to be spending thousands of dollars on a TV I surely am going to talk to the guy for 30-40 minutes at least. anything less and I'd say you're rushing in to quick.

The CSR's job is to help the customer understand everything so that they can make a smart decision. There job is not to just process a purchase, that's what a cashier is for.

[lip1978]

I agree, having spent a few months at a FutureShop, while it it the customer's right to ask 40 minutes of questions, it certainly is annoying.

Also, FS employees get paid either a base salary of around $7/hour or the amount they make in commission, whichever is higher. If in December, you're still making base, you should never ever try to sell anything again in your life.

[ferkel]

1. It's illegal to pay someone only on commision, unless they are independent contractors.

You are so wrong there. A lot of sales people work on commission only. If you are in retail.. ya.. you usually get minimum wage plus your 2% commission

[vacitah]

if commision is for people that sell the items for example you sell a $10,000 tv. you make a $150 in commision. if the person returns it do they take the commision back or do you get to keep it. if you are allowed to keep it you can always buy item at one place and return them else where to make money.
this question has been bothering me for years :D

[rookie]

I see both sides on this topic, therefore I will keep my comments out of this one. I personally do my own DD and do must of my purchases over the internet.

[lip1978]

You lose the amount of commission.
If you sell $150 worth of commission on anything, and someone returns a $10 commission item, you will get $140 on your paycheck.

If you sell $150 during a 2 week period, and you get your pay check, and then someone returns a $100 item, they will remove $100 from your commission from the next 2 week period.
However, if you only are making $75 commission during that 2 week period, you will go down to base ($7/hour) pay.

This is why December is soooo good, and January is soooo bad.

[watewate]

At some stores, any returns (and related commissions) are traced back to the sale person to be dedcuted from his current pay. Other companies (primarily ones with older systems) can't track down the salesperson if the merchandise if returned to another store. So commissions earned on goods returned at another location are not subject to deduction from his pay. Then there are companies that take returns under the 'store', and the associate doesn't suffer in pay.

So sum it up, it all depends on the company.... Most companies with newer systems usually trace back all returns to the salesperson who sold the goods.

[DISH]

I'm talking about $200-$300 digital cameras. Spending upwards of 40 minutes answering stupid questions like " Where does the film go?" or " Can you take off $60 ?"

Yea i'm going to knock off $60 on a $200 digital camera with maybe 20% mark up so I can lose money on the sale >:(

Spending time with somebody on a item and answering there questions is fine when it's no busy and they actually have the intention to buy within a few days.

But answering loads of questions about a $200-$300 camera when they plan on purchasing it next year is frustrating. We probably won't even carry that camera a year from now anyway.

bottom line is this is the only time of the year for sales associates to make any real money. Don't waste there time if you don't have the intention to buy.

[d_jedi]

Maybe some are "advance scouting" for boxing day deals? :->

[mbg]

I'm talking about $200-$300 digital cameras. Spending upwards of 40 minutes answering stupid questions like " Where does the film go?" or " Can you take off $60 ?"

Yea i'm going to knock off $60 on a $200 digital camera with maybe 20% mark up so I can lose money on the sale >:(

Spending time with somebody on a item and answering there questions is fine when it's no busy and they actually have the intention to buy within a few days.

I agree. That is taking it too far... they should wait until after Christmas.

[d_jedi]

Did you try something like:

Sir, I appreciate your interest in this product and I do wish to answer your questions and assist you in any way necessary. However, during the busy holiday season, I cannot do this as well as if you were to come back at a later date.

[canook]

Many wonderful reasons to avoid stores that pay commissions. I can't stand it... I remember when FS took up the whole "Introduce yourself and shake their hand and ask them their life story" line of attack. I avoided the place for months after that.

I've also had Futureshop employees try to pressure me into ringing through items I'd found and picked up myself under their name so they'd get a commission. If you didn't help the customer at all, just spotted a box under their arm that they're planning to buy, is it right to push for the commission?

[Degenerate]

I do my own research because most of the time the idiots don't know anything themselves. Of course none of the idiots have posted in this thread :cheesygri. This way I don't waste my time and I don't waste their time.

[TenzoR]

i use to work retail

i dun mind spending time with a customer (though my boss told me i shouldn't when its busy) ..

the customers who usually need help are very nice and kind to me ..so I always give them opinions and price them a nice computer ..it may not be the cheapest the I usually suggest higher end stuff ..for better quality ..

most cutomer don't mind ..if they are apying a few hundreds more :)

working in retail gives you the best experience and improvement on communication skills

[midg8]

People should do their own research and decide. They should only go ask a sales rep. when they can't decide between two models. Everyone should know that just because they work there doesn't mean that they have instant knowledge of every product in their department. I never ask questions or anything because I know exactly what I want and go and buy it.

With that said, I do go into Futreshop (and only Futureshop) and ask ******** question because they don't know what they are talking about and try to feed me their lies. They are also too pushy with their expensive suggestions when clearly that is not what I want. And I feel that its only payback to waste their time for wasting so much of mine trying to make me buy something I obviously don't want too.

[brownstein]

I've also had Futureshop employees try to pressure me into ringing through items I'd found and picked up myself under their name so they'd get a commission. If you didn't help the customer at all, just spotted a box under their arm that they're planning to buy, is it right to push for the commission?

For the times that this has happened to me it has helped me to avoid waiting in line, so I didnt mind if the guy made a couple of bucks off of me, it may have been that he was busy with someone else but just didnt get the chance to help me out before I picked the item out myself. It didnt cost me anything extra. :|

[putty]

I like to go into stores and browse and comparison shop before I buy. I always want to be left alone when shopping because many CSRs don't know what they are talking about and I feel they usually waste my time.
I usually do my research ahead of time but there are always questions you want to ask.
When I am first approached by a csr when I enter a store I tell them I am just browsing. They usually say something to the effect of "let me know if you have any questions".
Always, as expected they will approach you a second time after a while. I try to brush them off as to "not waste their valuable time".
In most cases they are persistent and want to help so I then say to myself well, I'm not going to buy anything but since they want to waste my time, I may as well waste theirs. Most times they dribble on about how great product A is and product B is almost as good and of course they always seem to want to sell you the most expensive product based on the fact that they would make the most commission from this.
Since I have usually done my research I laugh to myself as they tell their tales of inaccuracy.
Every once in a while you get someone who actually knows what they are talking about but it is so rare.
Anyways, thats a customers side of the story. Can't we be left to shop in peace?

[putty]

For the times that this has happened to me it has helped me to avoid waiting in line, so I didnt mind if the guy made a couple of bucks off of me, it may have been that he was busy with someone else but just didnt get the chance to help me out before I picked the item out myself. It didnt cost me anything extra. :|

hehe, I've seen these guys, they try and pick you off before you make it to the line. I assume once you are in line you aren't fair-game anymore. Its always the same line, "has someone helped you to pick out that item sir?"

I'd like to answer "yea, me, sign me up for the commission"

[canook]

For the times that this has happened to me it has helped me to avoid waiting in line, so I didnt mind if the guy made a couple of bucks off of me, it may have been that he was busy with someone else but just didnt get the chance to help me out before I picked the item out myself. It didnt cost me anything extra. :|

In this case it was that I was standing there looking at something, the guy was behind a counter. He saw what I was holding and tried to push his card on me saying "Show that to them when you go through checkout". He was rude about it, he was not offering to help me in any way, and figured he'd just make a couple bucks off a poor shmo who wouldn't even figure out what he was doing.

No, thanks. I'll go the extra mile and then some for people who are friendly and / or helpful, even if they're trying to sell me something. I have no time for pushy or rude salespeople.

[mbg]

Most times they dribble on about how great product A is and product B is almost as good and of course they always seem to want to sell you the most expensive product based on the fact that they would make the most commission from this.

I've seen them try to sell cheaper products than what someone is interested in, just so that you can afford the extended warranty.

"I don't want to spend that much."
"Well, if you take this cheaper one, you can also get the extended warranty."

[flowerchild]

I've also had Futureshop employees try to pressure me into ringing through items I'd found and picked up myself under their name so they'd get a commission. If you didn't help the customer at all, just spotted a box under their arm that they're planning to buy, is it right to push for the commission?

ugh, that happened to my boyfriend at futureshop once. he was getting some CDRs and i think headphones, and we were still looking around when this sales guy comes out of nowhere and is like 'let me help you with those' uuuuuh no thanks we already picked them out OURSELVES and we're still looking. so he goes, i'll take them to this side counter and ring them up when you're ready' WTF? then he proceeds to snatch the items out of my bf's hands and trotts away with them

so my bf is like f-this, and grabs another pack of cds and headphones and we go up to the front. and as we're waiting in line the psycho comes up and is like 'what are you doing with those? you're supposed to pay for them at the side......blah blah......' dude sounded angry too!!

boyfriend says whatever, i wont buy them at all then. and we left. the nerve of that guy! you're not getting any commission THAT way!

[canook]

ugh, that happened to my boyfriend at futureshop once. he was getting some CDRs and i think headphones, and we were still looking around when this sales guy comes out of nowhere and is like 'let me help you with those' uuuuuh no thanks we already picked them out OURSELVES and we're still looking. so he goes, i'll take them to this side counter and ring them up when you're ready' WTF? then he proceeds to snatch the items out of my bf's hands and trotts away with them

so my bf is like f-this, and grabs another pack of cds and headphones and we go up to the front. and as we're waiting in line the psycho comes up and is like 'what are you doing with those? you're supposed to pay for them at the side......blah blah......' dude sounded angry too!!

boyfriend says whatever, i wont buy them at all then. and we left. the nerve of that guy! you're not getting any commission THAT way!

Exactly why I hate shopping anywhere that gives commissions. Next they'll be expecting tips for selling you things. I can't believe people already believe that consumers should do all their own research before asking a salesperson. That's just lazy - I mean, used to be salespeople loved a customer who didn't know what they were doing, for obvious reasons. Now it's just "pick up your stuff and give me my commission so I can go back to chatting about last week's party".

And people wonder why internet shopping is so big. :)

[bionicbadger]

In Japan, many stores have the manuals for the items on display so that customers can find out the informaiton on the item for themselves. I haven't seen this done here.

[mbg]

In Japan, many stores have the manuals for the items on display so that customers can find out the informaiton on the item for themselves. I haven't seen this done here.

This is a great idea. I usually check the manual of something online before I buy it, but having them in-store would be even better.

I suppose part of the problem is that they don't really care if you are getting what you want, and you'd just block the aisles reading the manual.

[pluto]

And people wonder why internet shopping is so big. :)

Is it though? I think the VAST majority of the public still would rather shop instore and let the sales person inform them about the product than do their own research.

RFD'ers are a unique breed.

[canook]

Is it though? I think the VAST majority of the public still would rather shop instore and let the sales person inform them about the product than do their own research.

RFD'ers are a unique breed.

We can't be that unique or the online retailers wouldn't be rolling in it. :)

[TrevorK]

Wow - this thread is just as stupid as the ones about waiters demanding big tips regardless of service.


You're getting paid to do a job. People browsing comes with the job. Don't like it? Get another job.

[eliteblaze]

exactly and when I worked to help people I was happy to show people to the washroom, help them with questions etc. You need to be willing to help people in retail or you should really quit since you or the customer won't be too happy over time.

work b2b where you can stay "efficient" in making the sales that count

[Pyro]

i remember one time i was at a clothing store and a guy was helpng me wth some stuff, but then his shift was over
so hes like "so you're ok with this then?" and i said yeah its cool

so as hes leaving (putting on his jacket) he says "oh heres a 20% off card, i found this in my jacket and prob wont use it so since you're gonna buy it anyways"
and then he left.

probably the only time i was really pleased to give the name of the person helping me