Don't Be Deceived By Staff At Department Stores

[THAIJAMES]

I just want to bring something to your attention in case you have not noticed.

Ever wonder why most department stores int Thailand have an over supply of staff just standing around?

The reason is that they are not actually staff but sales persons provided by companies to push their products. They usually wear the uniform of the department store for example global,home pro, electronic plaza, etc. so you might be mistaken into thinking that they are staff there. However when you ask them where a certain product is or for advice on a product they will only show you their company's products.

In fact a competitors products might be in a different section so you may never know they exist.

So you have a situation where you have competing sales persons and you can't trust anyone for advice because they will only show you their products. Look closely they will usually have a small company logo somewhere on their uniform even though it may say home pro, they will only push their own company's. Very deceiving.

So the moral of the story is if you are looking for something don't immediately trust the advice of a sales person, but look around some more as there is likely to be many more choices available often at better quality or price.

[onthedarkside]

That's one of things I hate about HomePro. I fend the sales staff off while I look at specifications, I make my choice, and then ask them to get the item from stock. Without fail they immediately recommend something else. I politely decline, yet they still push something else. Really annoys me

[Tywais]

The worse are the BigC and Lotus auto section. I have to play musical counters before they get the hint I don't want to see them. I'll be looking for a certain product and they push in my face something completely unrelated. Looking for car wax, here you go sir a nice car vacuum.

[trainman34014]

In my experience most staff know less than I do about most products. Trust your own judgement on most things and you won't go far wrong.

[mesquite]

I rarely go shopping at these stores, but have gone to Robinson's looking for shoes only to find the oversupply of sales people cannot identify something called "shoes" and could care less. They don't push alternate products. They just stand there and take up space, admittedly less space per person than I take up.

[jackr]

So the moral of the story is if you are looking for something don't immediately trust the advice of a sales person

I don't trust the advice of ANY person here!

[Thakkar]

I appreciate that these guys are just trying to make a living, and I hate myself for being mischievous, but sometimes, instead of they cornering me, I corner them to ask persistently about rivals' products! In my defense, it's the only entertainment I get when forced to go shopping with Mrs.T

T

[bluweyze]

So the moral of the story is if you are looking for something don't immediately trust the advice of a sales person

I don't trust the advice of ANY person here!

What a way to go through life! You don't trust anybody or only Thai's? Either way for me there is something very wrong.

[hellodolly]

The worse are the BigC and Lotus auto section. I have to play musical counters before they get the hint I don't want to see them. I'll be looking for a certain product and they push in my face something completely unrelated. Looking for car wax, here you go sir a nice car vacuum.

I believe there is another thread looking for a car vacuum have you notified him of this novel approach to the sales people.

In all fairness some times that is a great system Siam uses it. In housewares I know what I want and if they don't have it they will generally turn me over to another sales Person. I generally say yes that is close but do you have one that will do what ever.

One other thing to take into consideration although they are trying to lead you down the garden path. Not all Thais that can speak English understand it.

[LawrenceChee]

normally when i get telemarketing calls for credit cards I dont need, I pretend to be an insurance agent and counter sell them insurance they dont need...it's fun and a great way to while away an afternoon when you have time for calls like this.

So the next time you are in this, ask them do they health, endownment, general, auro, home insurance...they will get what you want in a jiffy to get you off their backs :-)

welcome to CM ...love it ...in shanghai and the bird flu is scaring everyone off kFC ! It's empty

[Pond Life]

I appreciate that these guys are just trying to make a living, and I hate myself for being mischievous, but sometimes, instead of they cornering me, I corner them to ask persistently about rivals' products! In my defense, it's the only entertainment I get when forced to go shopping with Mrs.T

T

Hmmm, a bit like asking the Singha girl to bring you a Leo

[FolkGuitar]

A few years ago we went into Tessco to buy an airconditioner. I knew exactly what I wanted and asked for it by name.

I wanted a model made by "Carrier." I was informed by two very aggressive 'staff members' that "Carrier" brand was absolutely no good at all, and that I should purchase a "Genutenflex" or something like that, made right here in Thailand. I thanked them, and asked to see a "Carrier." I was then told that "Carrier" was 'finished' and that they were having a special sale on "Genutenflex" today only. I again asked for a "Carrier." By this time there were four very aggressive 'staff members' all insisting that "Carrier" was terrible, and besides 'finished' and I really should buy the "Genutenflex" without further delay. I smiled, thanked them, got on my phone and called one of the Tessco managers who was a friend of mine. As he was approaching from across the store, a ripple of fast talk spread through the four salesmen, who quickly beat feet out of the area. I asked the manager for the "Carrier" model I wanted, he got on the phone to his backroom staff, then asked me at what time I would like it installed?

[pilm]

I like the 'Oh that one no good mistah' when you look at another manufacturer.

'Why?'

'Ummmmm,...... that one no good mistah.'

[jackr]

So the moral of the story is if you are looking for something don't immediately trust the advice of a sales person

I don't trust the advice of ANY person here!

What a way to go through life! You don't trust anybody or only Thai's? Either way for me there is something very wrong.

Oh dear, looks like they were let out early today.

[MESmith]

I appreciate that these guys are just trying to make a living, and I hate myself for being mischievous, but sometimes, instead of they cornering me, I corner them to ask persistently about rivals' products! In my defense, it's the only entertainment I get when forced to go shopping with Mrs.T

T

Hmmm, a bit like asking the Singha girl to bring you a Leo

Hmmm, not quite, Leo & Singha are made at the same chemical plant

[richard_smith237]

This thread should be called.....'Don't be deceived by your own stupidity'....

Anyone would have to be pretty daft to assume that any shop assistant in any store has your best interests at heart. They simply want a sale especially when working on a commission basis.

Was this really such serendipitous discovery that THAIJAMES had to make a thread ?.... well, I guess so, but what epiphany garnishes the horizon next ?.... that these shops also profit from us ?....

[hellodolly]

This thread should be called.....'Don't be deceived by your own stupidity'....

Anyone would have to be pretty daft to assume that any shop assistant in any store has your best interests at heart. They simply want a sale especially when working on a commission basis.

Was this really such serendipitous discovery that THAIJAMES had to make a thread ?.... well, I guess so, but what epiphany garnishes the horizon next ?.... that these shops also profit from us ?....

Well I would agree with you most of the time.

How ever when I bought my TV at Siam I got a Toshiba mostly because the salesman was honest with me. He explained that the cheapest one was the best for sports that was a plasma one. The best for over all was the LED and for practical purposes the LCD was a good bargain. It being the middle price one. I chose the LED as quality was what I was looking for and he did not give me a line of bull.

Not many salesmen recommend the middle price one. And he did not in any way indicate it was not a good set. Or my choice of LED had any draw backs.

[Loptr]

So the moral of the story is if you are looking for something don't immediately trust the advice of a sales person

I don't trust the advice of ANY person here!

What a way to go through life! You don't trust anybody or only Thai's? Either way for me there is something very wrong.

I guess it depends on how many times you have had to remove the knife from your back, where it was placed by a so-called friend.

[chiang mai]

It's not a case of product /supplier staff, in most cases it's driven by commission, sales staff are given a list of various products the store wishes to sell aggressively and staff are paid commsssion accordingly, Even in our local Rimping, staff in the wine section are paid a bonus for recommending certain wines and it's become an open joke between the girls who work there and myself.

[PoodMaiDai]

I am pretty rude to most of them these days and I run them off quickly. I'll ask one question, if they don't know the answer I tell them to leave me alone. 99% of them are a waste of oxygen.

[BookMan]

A few years ago we went into Tessco to buy an airconditioner. I knew exactly what I wanted and asked for it by name.

I wanted a model made by "Carrier." I was informed by two very aggressive 'staff members' that "Carrier" brand was absolutely no good at all, and that I should purchase a "Genutenflex" or something like that, made right here in Thailand. I thanked them, and asked to see a "Carrier." I was then told that "Carrier" was 'finished' and that they were having a special sale on "Genutenflex" today only. I again asked for a "Carrier." By this time there were four very aggressive 'staff members' all insisting that "Carrier" was terrible, and besides 'finished' and I really should buy the "Genutenflex" without further delay. I smiled, thanked them, got on my phone and called one of the Tessco managers who was a friend of mine. As he was approaching from across the store, a ripple of fast talk spread through the four salesmen, who quickly beat feet out of the area. I asked the manager for the "Carrier" model I wanted, he got on the phone to his backroom staff, then asked me at what time I would like it installed?

You could have saved some time and just called your friend first...

[FolkGuitar]

A few years ago we went into Tessco to buy an airconditioner. I knew exactly what I wanted and asked for it by name.

I wanted a model made by "Carrier." I was informed by two very aggressive 'staff members' that "Carrier" brand was absolutely no good at all, and that I should purchase a "Genutenflex" or something like that, made right here in Thailand. I thanked them, and asked to see a "Carrier." I was then told that "Carrier" was 'finished' and that they were having a special sale on "Genutenflex" today only. I again asked for a "Carrier." By this time there were four very aggressive 'staff members' all insisting that "Carrier" was terrible, and besides 'finished' and I really should buy the "Genutenflex" without further delay. I smiled, thanked them, got on my phone and called one of the Tessco managers who was a friend of mine. As he was approaching from across the store, a ripple of fast talk spread through the four salesmen, who quickly beat feet out of the area. I asked the manager for the "Carrier" model I wanted, he got on the phone to his backroom staff, then asked me at what time I would like it installed?

You could have saved some time and just called your friend first...

I only play a trump card when I need it, not when I want it.

[naboo]

For a time in my early twenties, I was selling electronics on a commission basis. One brand was very keen to make its way into the market, but their product was dreadful. However, they were paying double the commission of the other brands and offered the customer a 14 day money back guarantee but still paid the commission. What a wonderful thing that was. I sold it repeatedly, had the customer coming back to return it which I did with a smile and then sold them what I should have sold them in the first place.

Never trust a salesman, they are motivated only by their back pockets.

[PoodMaiDai]

For a time in my early twenties, I was selling electronics on a commission basis. One brand was very keen to make its way into the market, but their product was dreadful. However, they were paying double the commission of the other brands and offered the customer a 14 day money back guarantee but still paid the commission. What a wonderful thing that was. I sold it repeatedly, had the customer coming back to return it which I did with a smile and then sold them what I should have sold them in the first place.

Never trust a salesman, they are motivated only by their back pockets.

A SALESMAN would know something about their product. Most of these people have no clue about anything. I would welcome a real salesmen who could give me real answers, but that hardly ever happens here.

[Somnambulist]

Once at HomePro my wife and I wanted a certain brand, certain BTU air conditioner. The two staff guys said no it's out of stock, how about _____ brand? So we said, Just forget it, we'll go somewhere else and started to walk away. We hadn't gone more than a few steps when one ran after us and said wait a minute let me see if I can find one at another branch. He disappeared briefly then came back and oh lucky day he found one for us.

On the other hand, when we were looking for a large flat screen TV, the staff at Saha Panit on Chang Phuak Rd were very informative and patiently answered all of our questions. Can't promise that guy is still there, though.

[Mousehound]

Stores (big and chain) all over the world work pretty much the same way. There are two systems working at the same time in many stores. Buyers have a territory in the store, determined by what their department or departments are. eg a fashion buyer may run say a department that has womens shoes and also run say the sportwear department. In some stores (not so commonly now) the buyer also is responsible for the sales and staff of that department. More commonly the store manager and the buyer are jointly responsible for sales of the department. Buyers are very protective of their suppliers and like to control brand names so that other buyers in the same store can't get in on the action. To a customer this competition can be a problem as staff in one department are not interested in selling a product from a different department, as this adds to the "opposition" departments daily figures. To combat this in many stores the - staff do not belong to a department but have to sell accross the whole floor. The problem with this is they can't know the detail of what they are selling. This can be further compounded by the fact that the modern trend has been to have fewer buyers and they are often buying for branches of a chain where there are distinct regional differences in requirements and the buyer does not appreciate these. Then there are the departments that are possibly run by the store but the staff are paid for by a "Brand name" this is typical of cosmetic counters. They naturally want to sell only their product. Some of this type of department are totally staff independent and the brand payes rent to the store. In any case stored find it hard to give the service and product knowledge that a private and independent specialist shop can give you. But you often pay a little more for the service. I started in despatch and receivals of a moderately large store (4500 employes) and worked my way up to the stores head buyer then moved to New York to work there. I ended up as merchandise manager for a group and that meant I pretty well got to know most of the stores in Europe, Australasia and Canada and a fair few in USA. The move from small shps to Department Stores to Shopping Centres and to "box shifting warehouses" has been very interesting. The shift to stores that are really warehouses with commission based salespersons has been very evident in the last twenty years. Now these operations are in turn under preasure from the internet trade. In fact I get more help from good internet traders than staff in mosttraditional shops or stores. Also if you have a real gripe the internet trader can be very vulnerable to bad reviews. If you have a problem with a tradional store's product you are just one small voice. Purchasers are now far more likely to research online before they make a choice and can easily become informed, often to a level far higher than a salesperson in a store. I now do about hyalf the family purchases online. Even my next car will most likely be an online purchase. I already purchase insurance online as well as most of my clothing, books, computer gear, phone, and am now looking at direct purchase and delivery of the weekly groceries via the net. Shops will try to hit back with direct advertising. Your position is known already - by your phone. As you pass a store a message will flash to you with details of the specials within that store (only privacy laws can halt this). Details of the product can if neccessary be also communicated, thus eliminating the need for staff. The days of the checkout chick are also numbered and in many parts of the world the check out staff have already gone. The days when great department stores ran fabulous themed events and were fun places to shop and where staff knew their stuff are sadly rapidly becoming part of history.

[rebo]

I am pretty rude to most of them these days and I run them off quickly. I'll ask one question, if they don't know the answer I tell them to leave me alone. 99% of them are a waste of oxygen.

Strong stuff ...!

So - for the sake of efficiency - what to give them to breathe?

BTW - German roots, by any chance ...?

[PoodMaiDai]

I am pretty rude to most of them these days and I run them off quickly. I'll ask one question, if they don't know the answer I tell them to leave me alone. 99% of them are a waste of oxygen.

Strong stuff ...!

So - for the sake of efficiency - what to give them to breathe?

BTW - German roots, by any chance ...?

I'm convinced they all take multiple deep breaths of pure nitrous oxide before going to work. a) It causes the weakest of them to go to sleep on the job. It causes the strongest of them walk around like brain dead zombies.

No German roots. Just a general lack of patience for incompetence.

[hellodolly]

I am pretty rude to most of them these days and I run them off quickly. I'll ask one question, if they don't know the answer I tell them to leave me alone. 99% of them are a waste of oxygen.

Strong stuff ...!

So - for the sake of efficiency - what to give them to breathe?

BTW - German roots, by any chance ...?

I'm convinced they all take multiple deep breaths of pure nitrous oxide before going to work. a) It causes the weakest of them to go to sleep on the job. It causes the strongest of them walk around like brain dead zombies.

No German roots. Just a general lack of patience for incompetence.

To be honest with you I am surprised at this superior attitude and indifference to other peoples feelings from you. It is not in keeping with most of your posts.

[Thighlander]

he's probably offended by the really pretty ones, too, which are actually quite numerous. Saw the DeWalt rep on the moat one day....."drill" was the first thing that came to my mind.