A shopping experience for new MBA.

[india349]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to post quick about something just happened to me...

This evening, I decided to stop by Best Buy on my way home to check out the new MacBook Airs. I was really just curious to see what the new 11.6" model would feel like compared to my much loved 12" PowerBook. But anyway...

I walked over to the Apple section and I saw the new 11.6" Air and went to go check it out. An employee came over to talk to me, asked me if I had questions, and I told him I was just looking at the new 11.6" Air.

"Oh," he said, "That's the 13" model. We don't have the 11" on display."

I looked at him oddly, because there was NO WAY this could have been the 13" model. It was far too small. There was a polycarbonate MacBook right next to it, just to emphasize this. I said I didn't believe him.

"Well, the screen is measured diagonally."

Thank you. I'm so informed. :/

Lastly, I realized that the 13" model has an SD card slot while the 11" does not. So I told him this.

"Oh, really? Well, then..." he begins, as it gets awkward. "Is there anything else you'd like to know about them?"

Not from you, evidently, I thought to myself.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever had an experience like this. I don't hold it against the guy, heck, I'm positive that not everyone at Best Buy is a computer expert. But still, I find it somewhat frightening that this guy was trying to sell computers, but can't even identify the models he's trying to sell. I don't feel as if I asked hard questions at all. I really feel you should be somewhat knowledgeable when you try to sell something. I feel sorry for the people who walk into Best Buy (or anywhere, really) and want to buy a Mac, only to be misinformed or even lied to.

I could lament the public's knowledge of computers, but I won't. I'm glad that Best Buy exists, if only that it brings computers to people who may not otherwise have them. I just wish the people working were knowledgeable and honest and did their homework, like you would be expected to do to perform a job well.

Thoughts?
-india349

 

[0007776]

Most retail store employees don't know much about what they are talking about. I always do research online and buy what I want without listening to the salespeople.

 

[maflynn]

Most retail store employees don't know much about what they are talking about.

Agreed and this includes apple store employees. I was shocked a few years ago by the sheer ignorance on some of the most basic computing questions I lobbed at them. Clearly some of them are great, but so far I've really not found too many knowledgeable store employees

 

[GoCubsGo]

I don't believe all Apple store employees are hired based on knowledge. I apply this theory to Best Buy as well. Finding a knowledgable person at BB to sell me a computer is actually quite challenging.

Bottom line is know about both machines and only go in store to handle them. There's no sense in wasting your time hoping someone will just know.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I don't believe all Apple store employees are hired based on knowledge. I apply this theory to Best Buy as well. Finding a knowledgable person at BB to sell me a computer is actually quite challenging.

Bottom line is know about both machines and only go in store to handle them. There's no sense in wasting your time hoping someone will just know.

Agreed. It is always best to do your own homework before going to the store. As others have said it is quite hit-or-miss if the salesperson actully knows what they are talking about.

 

[chrmjenkins]

The ones that do know what they are talking about tend to be the most discouraged by their work environment too.