Futureshop SUCKS!!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Calgary Flames

That's what you get for doing your shopping anywhere during a Saturday. Lemmings central man...
.

That's the oddest comment I've ever heard.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Whenever I buy something for anywhere, I always ask a few questions I already know the answers to. If I catch you in a lie, I'm gone. However, usually if I am quiet the salesperson tries to fill the silence and keeps talking. Often talking themselves right out of a sale.

I do that too, always ask questions I know the answers to. The trick is one of the oldest in the book. Only thing is, make sure you know the answer you think is correct, I've had idiots tell me they caught me in a lie, when I was right and they were wrong. By that point you no longer care about the sale, but grabbing the manual, or pulling up on the screen the specs that prove you're right.

Also, for the salespeople out there, silence isn't a bad thing, let the customer think and weigh some options. Always break the silence with questions and not statement "what do you think?" "any concerns?" "any other features you were looking for?"

[Burninator]

Does anyone remember that electronic store that was in chinook probably like a year ago? I think it was called International stereo...anyways i had most pushiest salesperson.
I was with some of my buddies and right as we walk in the store he says to one of them "well your a big F***er aren't you?" Sounded like something you would say if you knew the person (he didn't know him). So we looked around for a bit, and the salesmen tailed us around making comments like "its a pretty sweet setup, hey." and "yeah that tv is awesome 1000dpi-blah-blah-techno-mumbo-jumbo-optical-blah-blah."
Then he turns to me and says "buy something."
me "uhhh what"
"yeah buy something, anything, i don't care, just buy something"
"are you joking? i don't want anything"
"buy some headphones or a tv or anything, just buy something"
"no i think i'm ok"
"spend 1000 dollars or 5 dollars, i don't care, just buy something"
"how about no"
"buy something"
"no"
"buy som-"
"###### off" followed by storming out
Needless to say i never went back to the store, and thankfully they are out of business, with crap like this its clear why.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Product Experts (who are the only ones that are 100% commission) cannot make "packages" like what you describe, let alone pleeb Sales Associates. Absolutely no one in the store is allowed to move on either PSP or Monster prices unless they want to be immediately fired, so the only thing a PE can do is change the TV price. If anyone has told you otherwise, they're either lying to you or they've been conned.

That is the honorable route. But then again, considering some of the salespeople's "sell at all costs" route there, a little leverage for the customer can be handy. Considering some of the outrageous return rates at FS (some PE return rates can be as high as 50%!), there's a bit of a disconnect between what a customer wants and what the PE pushes on them.

A more open strategy would be for the customer to threaten to do that exact tactic, keeping the PE in check.

Actually Future Shop allows the PEs to do package prices; it still only takes money off the TV and not the PSP etc. but then it makes it so the customer has to return the whole package, not just the "extras" and get that TV for $100 over cost.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Actually Future Shop allows the PEs to do package prices; it still only takes money off the TV and not the PSP etc. but then it makes it so the customer has to return the whole package, not just the "extras" and get that TV for $100 over cost.

Where did you hear this from? My information is from someone who actually worked at FS three weeks ago. What's yours?

[jroc]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Where did you hear this from? My information is from someone who actually worked at FS three weeks ago. What's yours?

Shazam you are correct... we are allowed to package products... but not service plans... we can also just drop the price directly with no packaging at all

[BlackArcher101]

So I bought something last week, and decided to return it. At the time of purchase, he was trying to pawn off monster cables on me, and I agreed only if he lowered the price $20. He said he could do that.

My surprise.... When I returned my purchase, he had taken $20 off that price, not the cable. So now I ended up paying full price for the cable which I used and cut.

[ChrisC]

The salespeople at Future Shop and Best Buy are there for one reason and one reason only...to sell you an extended warranty.

Take my advice and don't buy it! It's a total waste of money and the cost far outweighs the risk.

Other than that..do your research before you go.

[Flames_Gimp]

I Always say No to extended warranty before he even offers it LOL that sure throws em off guard.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by jroc

Deerfoot Meadows

Thats far... I'm like at the other end of the city.

But ya... I go in asking questions I have absolute answers to... aka pretending to know nothing. (Of course, you never give them the right answer). Most of them would talk you out of a sale if you even stop and think.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

The salespeople at Future Shop and Best Buy are there for one reason and one reason only...to sell you an extended warranty.

Take my advice and don't buy it! It's a total waste of money and the cost far outweighs the risk.

I will agree that many times the extended warranty can be a waste of money, I just can't see how you can make such a blanket statement though. It's a form of insurance; and if you can't afford the alternatives it might be something to look into. It's all a matter of the cost, and if it's worth it to you.

$20 warranty on a $50 VCR, not interested.

$200 warranty on a $3000 TV; I might consider it.

The reason for these differences; if a VCR dies I can afford to drop $50 on a new one; even if it dies the day before payday. If my $3000 TV dies, then it's going to take a bit of saving to replace it.

If you are considering getting the warranty, make sure whatever is offered is put down in writting. I've heard stories where salespeople will say it covers everything other than neglect; and then a lamp goes in a DLP TV and that $300 repair (or maintanence; depending on how you look at it) and it comes down to your word against a guy who no longer works there.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by ken0042

If you are considering getting the warranty, make sure whatever is offered is put down in writting. I've heard stories where salespeople will say it covers everything other than neglect; and then a lamp goes in a DLP TV and that $300 repair (or maintanence; depending on how you look at it) and it comes down to your word against a guy who no longer works there.

I've learned my lesson after getting dinged once.

[jroc]

Originally Posted by ken0042

If you are considering getting the warranty, make sure whatever is offered is put down in writting. I've heard stories where salespeople will say it covers everything other than neglect; and then a lamp goes in a DLP TV and that $300 repair (or maintanence; depending on how you look at it) and it comes down to your word against a guy who no longer works there.

and the customers word will always prevail.... they just dont want people getting ****ed off and not returning... they want your business

[mbrown]

I've always liked Soundsarround.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

It's a total waste of money and the cost far outweighs the risk.

I don't 100% agree with you.... but most cases its true. The only time I ever bought an extended warranty was on an inkjet printer. I knew exactly how many inkjet printers I had broke in the last 2 years (it was like 3-4 cuz science courses use soooooo much paper). so then I purchased the extended warranty knowing that it would break due to the amount I used it. Surely enought it did, and I got my money back (full credit on the printer).... but it took them 2.5 months to give me my money back, but after enough complaining, speaking to the manager and head office it got done.

I am sure they do their research on warranty programs and statistically it is in their favour.... but if u know your usage habits and how you handle things.... its not a bad deal like in this case.

[Fuzzy McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Krieger99

Get it for less, guaranteed. Da da da da da da da.

What a lie.

I purchased a big screen TV at Futureshop. A couple of months later I saw the same TV advertised elsewhere for $300 less. I took the ad to Futureshop and within 10 minutes I was out of the store with $300 + GST in my pocket.

I might not have paid less at the time, but it worked out.

[Saint Troy]

I've always been very happy with London Drugs and Soundsaround (on MacLeod), they seem to have people that know what they are talking about. We are really lucky in Calgary to have great audio places where the service is awesome, sounds of music and general audio are excellent and don't treat you like a fool for asking questions.

[Bobblehead]

A few years ago (4 or 5) I was haggling with a salesman at Soundsarround (32nd NE) over a subwoofer. He told me the price, I told him what I would pay, he said he couldn't do it, I walked out, and he chased me into the parking lot and agreed to my price. I guess he wins though, I noticed a couple weeks ago that the sub was no longer working.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

when it comes to warranties, the methode I used when selling them was "would I buy this" if I wouldn't, I wouldn't sell it. Peeved my managers off from time to time, but I'd argue "it's just not worth it, I know the 1 in 10 will buy it, but it's unethical to sell something I wouldn't buy". My numbers made up for any lack of warranty sales on fake security cameras, or Panasonic TV's.

Cordless phone batteries I always asked, and would tell customers "I've got it, I've had it replaced, they don't last 3 years." or on rechargable AA's, "I put a pair through the wash, didn't want to risk leakage or anything, so I had them replaced, keeping a set in your pocket is fairly common, I do it all the time".

Research, and ask questions, I've had customers ask me "Jon, your honest opinion, get it or no?" When a colleage would be ringing them through, there are times I'd say yes, times I'd say no. When I'd say no, I'd explain why afterwards to my co-worker, that in the end honesty keeps your sales up, how I was consistantly at the top.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

I've always been very happy with London Drugs and Soundsaround (on MacLeod), they seem to have people that know what they are talking about. We are really lucky in Calgary to have great audio places where the service is awesome, sounds of music and general audio are excellent and don't treat you like a fool for asking questions.

We have purchased 95% of our current home electronics from London Drugs.
Great deals, price matching and very knowledgeable. See Chris (Manager at the McLeod location, he knows his stuff). I would never go anywhere else, unless LD didn't carry what I wanted. (Like my MP3 player, had to buy it at Future Scam)