Oh, but they can. Years ago I was at Best Buy looking at speakers and eavesdropped on a sales guy selling a couple a Home Theater In A Box. He told them that they wouldn’t be able to get Surround Sound unless they upgraded to the S-Video cable*. I was soooo tempted to jump in and tell them that, no, they don’t need S-Video cables to get surround sound. Everything they needed to get surround sounds was right there in the box in their hands. I like to beleive that it was just an idiot sales guy, but he was probably just trying to sell them a $25 S-Video cable. Considering how naive this couple was, I’ll bet he managed to talk them into the Monster one as well.
*Just to be clear, this was many, many years ago. Back when you either used S-Video or Composite. Back before component had really gained any traction. So it’s not like he was trying to get them to buy an (overpriced) HDMI cable. At least I could understand that.
FTR, yes, it’s true that they would need an Optical or Digital/Coax cable, but he was selling upselling and S-Video cable…without which surround sound wouldn’t work.
Since they no longer hand out paper “job application” forms and now have computers taking the application, I wonder how these people even get into the system.
I have a niece who was none too bright (her parents were in the school system and made sure whatever she did was OK) but even she (now a stock clerk at a big box) would know this one.
I just have to concentrate on forgetting the incident. Unfortunately, I was looking at her when she spoke those immortal words and the facial expression and the words are just so damned indelible.
I’m going to say this wasn’t totally on the employee.
You were in the bulb department yet you told the employee you were looking for lamps. Bulbs and lamps may be closely related but they are two separate items and might be located in two separate areas. So the employee was correct in seeking clarification about what you were seeking.
The ‘light bulb’ isle is part of the electrical department. Lamp is the correct technical term used to describe light bulbs. Anyone who doesn’t understand the term ‘lamp’ in this context probably can’t help in the light bulb isle.
Since I had two light fixtures in my arms, and was at the lamp display (an entire aisle, approx 50’), I cannot imagine why this person could not comprehend my purpose.
I thought of responding “No I’m looking for a lumber flood lamp, but the light is better over here”, but bit my tongue.
For a scary thought: this person is undoubtedly allowed to drive a car. Imagine the shock and surprise she must find when a light changes color.
99% of the time, I eschew the service of folks who offer to “help” at the store (except for the last time I was at Lowe’s. I knew what I needed, but didn’t know the name of what I needed, and stumbled upon a nice young lady who actually was able to understand my description and help me track it down. She’s a peach!) My favorite “help” at the big box store (actually, it was Home Depot,) was about five or six years ago, when I was looking for cement sealer and cement paint, because I couldn’t stand the smell of the spot where the previous tenants had kept their cat box. The husband was with me, and he always says “yes, sure, here’s what I’m after” when someone asks if they can help. Mr. Helpful Home Depot Guy made sure to remind me to let the paint dry thoroughly before walking on it… because I looked like an idiot, I suppose? I let him live, but threatened my husband with dire, awful threats if he ever accepted “help” on my behalf again.
99% of the time, I’m the person folks ask for help at the store: “Do you know what spices my Granny puts in the Thanksgiving dressing*?”** “Where would the chocolate chips be?” “Does it matter which kind of oil I use for frying chicken?” “What size diapers would I buy for a kid who’s about 2 years old?” Etc. I guess I look like a middle aged lady who knows her way around the grocery store, and I don’t mind - I hope someone is patient with my kids someday when they’re asking these questions, or with my parents when they can’t reach a top shelf. But if I want help, I’ll ask, thanks.
*That’s stuffing for many of you. Usually baked in a pan, not in the bird, which may account for the difference in nomenclature. And far superior in the pan, because (a) less risk of salmonella, and (b) crunchy edges!
**That was an actual question from a young woman a couple of years ago. I invited her to come eat Thanksgiving dinner with me if her meal didn’t work the way she wanted. I always feel so bad for poor college kids who can’t make it home for holidays!
It’s always pleasant to read stories about people being rude to minimum wage workers.
You could have treated her like a human being and explained nicely what incandescent meant; it would have taken 30 seconds and she would have remembered it for probably the rest of her life. Instead you were rude, belittled her and came across as a jerk. Congratulations.
I hope you feel better about yourself. I can’t wait to hear your next tale about embarrassing store clerks with your superior knowledge.
But the prices are cheaper than at the local hardware store that is staffed by knowledgeable employees. Might even be seventy-five cents less! I wonder how those big box stores keep the prices so low? Probably going to put that local hardware store right out of business.
That was my first thought. I’d usually be thrilled at Home Depot to have an employee offering to help me (or to find help). Usually I have to trek three departments over and ask someone in house paint to help me find gutter guards.
Interestingly, our Home Depot is arranged so the light bulbs are right next to the gardening tools, grills and other outdoor stuff. I assume because it’s the main aisle when you enter and bulbs are a main reason to come to the store. Electric and lighting fixtures are a way down, along the same path but at the back of the store. You wouldn’t say that the light bulbs and electric are in the same place.
If they were the main draw, they’d put them in the back so you had to walk past everything else. Like the big grocery store putting milk in the back or Walgreens having the pharmacy in the back corner. It’s probably that they’re one of the higher markup items. That way when you go in to get something else you see the bulbs and remember that you need some, and as long as you’re there, you might as well grab them. The shelf space at the front door is premium space, what they put on it has to make money. You’re almost required it look at it (50/50 shot of going that way or turning). But the chance of you going down some other aisle is much lower. If you go to Home Depot for a can of paint, you’ll walk past the light bulbs, but you probably won’t accidentally walk past the garbage cans or PVC fittings. So what they put on that first shelf is going to be the money makers.
Same as in a grocery store, the stuff you see on the shelf next to the checkout is usually marked up higher then the items in the rest of the store.
I don’t believe it’s ever justified to be rude to anybody, but I also don’t think it’s the OP’s job to educate the worker here. I fault the companies for being too cheap-ass to train their workers properly.