So I was fully ready to work on the Sempron 3300+ article alongside my dual core stuff for next week...except the two Celeron D 345s that I ordered, from two separate places, didn't arrive until after the NDA had already lifted...so that kinda threw a wrench into things :) But now that I've got the CPUs, I'm running those tests in the background while I work on stuff for next week.
Also while trying to run Sempron 3300+ benchmarks earlier, I realized that all of my Socket-754 boards up here are no longer functional (all two of them). In order to remedy the situation, I had to run down to CompUSA to pick up a board so I could have the article ready for Monday. The one thing I dread the most about going to places like CompUSA or BestBuy is having the dreaded service plan pushed on me. I'm sure their tactics work on some folks otherwise they wouldn't still be doing them, but there is nothing more annoying. Luckily my trip to CompUSA today wasn't nearly as bad as past experiences; the two sales gals stopped pushing the plan on me only after having me say no twice - usually it takes many more tries before they give up. I've literally tried everything from telling them I'm never going to use the product and I just bought it to keep in my attic, to telling them that my company won't authorize me to purchase anything above and beyond the base price of the item - nothing seems to work. How do you all handle this problem (other than just shopping online, which I do most of the time but there are times when I need to get something right away and for that I have to go to BB/CompUSA)?
Also while trying to run Sempron 3300+ benchmarks earlier, I realized that all of my Socket-754 boards up here are no longer functional (all two of them). In order to remedy the situation, I had to run down to CompUSA to pick up a board so I could have the article ready for Monday. The one thing I dread the most about going to places like CompUSA or BestBuy is having the dreaded service plan pushed on me. I'm sure their tactics work on some folks otherwise they wouldn't still be doing them, but there is nothing more annoying. Luckily my trip to CompUSA today wasn't nearly as bad as past experiences; the two sales gals stopped pushing the plan on me only after having me say no twice - usually it takes many more tries before they give up. I've literally tried everything from telling them I'm never going to use the product and I just bought it to keep in my attic, to telling them that my company won't authorize me to purchase anything above and beyond the base price of the item - nothing seems to work. How do you all handle this problem (other than just shopping online, which I do most of the time but there are times when I need to get something right away and for that I have to go to BB/CompUSA)?
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~niko ^_^ - Monday, April 18, 2005 - link
LOLAt least it's good to hear that it happens to all of us, even the gods of tech review sites. ;)
:-D
~niko ^_^
OzzFan - Monday, April 18, 2005 - link
I've had similiar experiences here in northern IL. Although BB & CC has gotten better lately, I used to have to damn near get rude with them before they'd take the hint. Sometimes I'd actually buy just to get them to leave me alone (which, I know, is exactly what they wanted). Now I just tell them, "I'm not interested, thanks" very politely and it seems to work well. Perhaps someone complained to upper-management and they got the hint?I can understand companies trying to increase their profits, but being pushy is just one reason why I wouldn't step into a Best Buy for over 9 months. I used to work for an internet company that would insist on pushing "service plans" because they knew the payout was tremendous. On average, most people won't need them and it's just money in the bank. For the few that do, it's just pennies on the dollar that they made. Before that, I worked at Target and had to push Target charge cards and I'd get angry customers that were sick of being asked.
I guess every company is just trying to make money (obviously), but there's a point were you just have to understand you're customer's wants too, and not just your shareholders'.
In closing, if it's really bad over in CT, perhaps a polite letter to upper mangement explaining the understanding of doing business and your frustration in feeling harrassed. Perhaps they'll get the message. You know, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar... not that you want to catch flies. :)
Turnip - Monday, April 18, 2005 - link
#21... People like Anand? ;))wbwither - Sunday, April 17, 2005 - link
Funny, most places around here really aren't that pushy with the service plans. Twice is the most I've ever had to say "No." I think that being a young guy has something to do with it, though.... I bet they give a lot harder sale to older folks or those who look like they might be uncomfortable with the technology.Doug - Saturday, April 16, 2005 - link
I agree with Anand, but things aren't as bad with CompUSA or BestBuy in Georgia. I bought a $150.00 Xbox and the guy at the counter asked me if I wanted to buy a $250.00 service plan and I politely said, "Nah, thanks".I always love it when they say, "I bought my Xbox in December (I purchased mine in January) and it's hard drive is already going bad, so you might want to think about it."
Now, service plans are still useful for big items like laptops and TVs. My laptop went bad and if I hadn't purchased the service plan, I was going to be pretty much out of luck as my original 1-year warrantly had expired a couple weeks earlier.
Usually a "No, thanks." does it for me.
RColvin - Saturday, April 16, 2005 - link
To a certain extent, I go with poster #3 above. I buy things at CompUSA (my wife calls it 'the geek store') fairly regularly. The folks at the register ask every time of course and I've found that a simple "no,thank you" mixed with sort of a chuckle of laughter works every time to keep it from being asked again. Not entirely certain how they react that keeps them from asking again but it seems to work.Captante - Saturday, April 16, 2005 - link
Hi Anand... Tell me, did you go to the store in Orange Ct?.... If so, I wish I decided to work yesterday, (I'm a part-time factory rep for a networking company on Fridays & weekends) because I very likely would both have seen & immediately recognized you...bummer... prob just as well for you though, as you likely would have been signing autographs! ... oh well, hope they at least got you the right motherboard & that you escaped the evil service-plan gremlin, somthing I just flat-out refuse to sell, but then I don't work for the store so I can get away with saying no.. the reps will be canned in a heartbeat if they don't push those mostly worthless plans.Tanclearas - Saturday, April 16, 2005 - link
I only say "no" once. If they ask again, they get one of two things. If I don't REALLY need the item, or I can get it somewhere else, I simply walk away without saying anything. If I HAVE TO purchase the item right then, I simply don't reply at all.Just so you know, I used to work (8 years ago) at Staples (used to be Business Depot here in Canada). Yes, we HAD to ask about those damn service plans. I would ask once, and believe me it was simply a "You want this?" attempt at a sale. I didn't work on commission, so I had no intentions of trying to sell something I didn't honestly believe was worthwhile. They tried running contests for the person that could sell the most of them. Despite the fact I worked more hours than any of the other staff in the department, I pretty much always came in dead last.
MarkHark - Saturday, April 16, 2005 - link
#14- IronChefMorimoto :D:D:D ROFLAnand, you could just tell them you'd gladly buy their service plan as long as they agree on providing you service in Brazil (or India, or Antarctica, or wherever ;) )
brent - Saturday, April 16, 2005 - link
Tell them you don't buy replacement plans on things you can afford to replace. Its a bit snobbish, but it works.