Do You Avoid Going to JB Hi-Fi Because of The Rude, Pushy Sales People?

coco1458 on 09/03/2016 - 19:30
Last edited 09/03/2016 - 19:41

Have you had an encounter with JB Hi-Fi where the sales person has been overly rude, offensive or using pushy sales tactics?
Should this be an acceptable way of shopping?

Recently bought a high ticket priced item $2000+ Apple product and the sales assistant although offering me a price match with Officeworks, was rude saying "you're spending $2000, what's another $130 for buying a genuine adapter?" I told him "No,I can buy a third party one that has more features and is better priced" He then returned with "You should be less worried about spending more money and more concerned that that's a third party product and could void your warranty if anything goes wrong"
Firstly, it can't void my warranty if the port decides to give way.
Secondly, if I say no, that should be the end of the sales pitch.

Should it be acceptable for sales people to be pushy, rude, offensive, falsifying facts in order just to gain commission on a sale?

Poll Options

  • 360
    No
  • 160
    I just go in, get the product and get out as quick as I can
  • 47
    Yes
  • 8
    I don't really mind
Electrical & Electronics

Related Stores

JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

Comments

  • adzzz on 09/03/2016 - 19:39
    +93

    Why don't you include "I haven't encountered pushy salespeople as a rule" as one of your options? And No, in my experience, JB staff are generally helpful, it just sounds like you had a bad experience…

      • Ughhh on 09/03/2016 - 21:46
        +22

        consideration that I'm there to get the best price.

        Putting aside whatever you experienced, just based on your above comment. It's not salespersons job to get you the best price ever. Its their job to make money for the company and themselves, while keeping the customer happy and coming back.

        Afaik, stores don't actually make much money off Apple products, hence rely on accessory sales.

        • ThithLord on 10/03/2016 - 09:49
          +1

          Absolutely correct - they barely make an GP on the main Apple products - a lot of GP in the accessories, though, of course.

          That's likely why the Salesperson didn't give a flying flip about the sale.

      • wyrmy on 09/03/2016 - 22:40

        What about the Doncaster store? That one is good because Apple store is in the same centre and they occcassionaly send an Apple employee to help with product demos. I'm guessing the sales approach rubs off as well because the jb staff were great to deal with.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2016 - 23:54
        +34

        Might not be the staff, if it's happening in multiple places. Might be the customer ;).

      • jacross on 10/03/2016 - 09:45
        +1

        That still shouldn't preclude a reasonably intelligent mind from determining that 'no bad experiences' is a potential experience for someone and furthermore that given the sample size it is probable that there would be at least one respondent who would have that experience.

        Or are you just wanting to have a rant, and are gaming the thread and the poll to suit your agenda?

      • nikey2k27 on 10/03/2016 - 22:01
        +1

        Just say no i stop at no. if some your tell what i think of it.

      • theguyrules on 11/03/2016 - 11:36
        +2

        Chances are the common denominator is you.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2016 - 20:43
        +2

        The title of your forum post seems like a poll and then you've got a separate question underneath it that also looks like the poll. All results thus far are basically useless in figuring out how people feel.

    • neonlight on 10/03/2016 - 12:23

      not really depends which store and which hipster you get. Some of them are quite rude and careless

  • montorola on 09/03/2016 - 19:41
    +90

    I reckon if you go in with tattoos/piercings with your hair dyed either green/pink/blue, they'll think you're one of the staff and leave you alone lol

    • silverrat23 on 09/03/2016 - 20:22
      +15

      And a beard.

      • tonyjzx on 09/03/2016 - 20:59
        +17

        And a manbun.

        The OP's experience is the same as mine and I avoid them at all costs, not hard since I find their stock to be not good and their prices to be uncompetitive.

      • YoursTruly on 11/03/2016 - 02:21
        -3

        Joy Bros , High Fiving each other!

        • TurkishDelight on 11/03/2016 - 21:30
          -2

          More like Junky Bruh's, High Fiving each other.

    • QuickToThePointless on 09/03/2016 - 22:01
      +9

      So true.lol… At my closest jbhifi, there is a chick with pink hair, another girl with heaps of tatts and a dude with sleeves, a beard and a carefully manicured high ponytail

      They all seem to have skinny indians running security - if you are indian, just wear white shirt, black slacks and get a belt holster for your mobile and theyll also leave you alone

      • tonyjzx on 09/03/2016 - 22:19
        +1

        The ones I see they just use MSS or whatever contract security.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2016 - 13:27

        Do they discriminate over these things while hiring ?

        • QuickToThePointless on 10/03/2016 - 13:32
          +18

          Yes - job app says "non-conformist lemmings need only apply"

          The irony of going out of your way to look so individual is that you end up looking the same - the reality of this must hit hard when you rock up for your first staff meeting at JB hifi

          All of a sudden, in the same room, you realise 3 people have the same unique celtic tattoo, 4 others have a scruffy beard, and two others share your flouro hair color - and half of all staff are wearing retro thick rimmed glasses while a third have nose/eyebrow piercings

          The most 'original looking' person is the TV sales nerd with short back and sides wearing coloured socks

        • gillyske on 11/03/2016 - 01:20
          +9

          @pointless comment: Or you know… that's just how they want to look. I guess the irony of a superiority complex is that you just look insecure by making vapid remarks about people you've never met.

        • Zhouism on 11/03/2016 - 15:03
          +8

          @pointless comment:

          What a pointless comment.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2016 - 18:18

          Why am I downvoted for asking a question ?

        • QuickToThePointless on 11/03/2016 - 19:18
          -4

          @StiffHindQuarters: dont worry about it champ, i get downvoted all the time and im still awesome - downvotes are worht less than upvotes - and they mean nothing

        • QuickToThePointless on 11/03/2016 - 19:19
          -1

          @Zhouism: have an upvote for popping your comment cherry with such a great line!

          Looking forward to your second comment

        • JV159 on 11/03/2016 - 23:51
          +2

          @StiffHindQuarters: because too many whingers at OzB. I'm here for the deals and to read the banter :)

        • QuickToThePointless on 12/03/2016 - 00:54

          @JV159:

          because too many whingers at OzB

          Too many tattlers and dobbers too

        • JV159 on 12/03/2016 - 09:50
          +1

          @pointless comment: exactly lol

    • neonlight on 10/03/2016 - 12:23

      Yeah you need to be a hipster to join the fun and games. Perhaps get a better deal

    • kryptoz on 10/03/2016 - 21:50

      You are likely to have encountered that type of person staffing most any music store — though in Australia now JB is virtually the last man standing, there is little competition in the bricks&mortar music business, though now JB makes most of it's money from electrical goods and accessories, whereas when it started it was primarily CDs\DVDs\stereo systems.

    • YoursTruly on 11/03/2016 - 02:19

      Edit: oops wrong place, please delete

  • chumlee on 09/03/2016 - 19:42

    They make no commission on apple products so he is trying to push the accessories to make a dollar

    • salbee28 on 10/03/2016 - 09:04

      There is also no margin on Apple accessories either, so no reason to even push the genuine apple ones.

    • kryptoz on 10/03/2016 - 21:53

      I suspect staff commision is based on stock gross, not percentage of margins, or they would be less inclined to give out massive % discounts at sales.

  • PJC on 09/03/2016 - 19:53
    +13

    JB Hi-Fi is a good shop for looking at what is available, but I have not found a bargain there for a long time.

    • TailsK on 11/03/2016 - 07:40
      +1

      This. JB used to be great at beating other prices, but now they're not very competitive. I used to love getting a JB vouchers, now I would rather something like a Coles/Myer or Big W voucher, because they're better deals.

    • syousef on 11/03/2016 - 11:33

      There are definitely bargains when the sales happen. Picked up a Nikon D7100 around Christmas for $850 and it came with a $150 gift card. (I've only used $69 from the gift card so far. No, not a rude joke.)

      Don't order anything online for pickup though. They just fulfill the order whenever the heck they get around to it. Stock levels aren't accurate either.

    • theguyrules on 11/03/2016 - 11:38
      +1

      Good for blurays.

      • stonkered on 12/03/2016 - 13:29

        Yep, that's thw only reason I go.

  • iratepirate on 09/03/2016 - 20:09
    +11

    I see JB, HN, TGG as show rooms for the products I'm going to buy online at a much cheaper price.
    I know there may be an advantage when it comes to warranty claims, but i've had dramas in brick and mortar stores too.

    • ankor on 10/03/2016 - 23:17
      +1

      Ah the old- statutory warranty is two years, no its one year.. then you trot out the "harvey norman just got in big trouble and paid a massive fine for saying EXACTLY what you are saying"- and they still don't believe you.

      So then I offer to show them the news link (so sue me it's not a primary source) - and they stfu.

      • Nicktorious on 13/03/2016 - 19:56

        Just had a 5 year old tv replaced. Cant complain the system doesn't work.

  • the-mal on 09/03/2016 - 20:39
    +54

    JB staff pushy? I wish. It usually takes me an age to get served!

    But when I do get their attention they've always been helpful. Never been pushed into a purchase in the slightest.

    • kryptoz on 10/03/2016 - 22:00
      +1

      I completely agree — for a store that's staffed by people who care about their product area to know what they are selling and what potential issues products may have, they are often great for advice, unless you are looking for a fairly niche item that they don't carry. The annoying aspect for me in the 5 JB stores I shop in, on top of noise levels, their stores feel like an asian/indian grocery store, with densely packed shelves, narrow aisles and almost always crowded — it is unpleasant enough to want to do your business quickly and get out of there ASAP.

      • ankor on 10/03/2016 - 23:20

        I don't know if it's a Qld thing, but the qld stores are fairly well set out but for the main thoroughfares through the stores where they have their specials or whatever bullshit that then creates bottlenecks..

  • spackbace on 09/03/2016 - 21:25
    +9

    Uh oh, next we'll have a complaint about pushy car salespeople…

    Oh wait

  • spackbace on 09/03/2016 - 21:27
    +14

    Firstly, it can't void my warranty if the port decides to give way.

    That's not what he's referring to!

    The power adapter is the thing which means 240V doesn't go straight into your laptop… So his sales pitch of 'use genuine, have nothing to worry' is OK because a lot can go wrong with the wrong power equipment! Just look at the dodgy wall chargers that supposedly gave that girl burns.

    It's not about what it will do to the hole…

    So this:

    sales people to be pushy, rude, offensive, falsifying facts

    Is so OTT it's in the stratosphere

    • coco1458 on 09/03/2016 - 21:44
      +3

      Sorry, I should clarify this, I'm using the power adapter that is included with the Apple product, therefore a genuine one.
      The sales person was referring to the USB-C Digital AV multiport adapter. I told him firmly at the beginning that I didn't want the product as third party options had what I needed, simple 3 USB to USB-C and Apple didn't even have a product that was similar in any way.
      And so he was pushing me with all these warranty things like if the port dies with use of a third party hub, it's not covered under warranty so you're better off spending $130 on this hub since you're already going to spend the $2000+ on the laptop. So what he's basically telling me is that if I use anything that isn't an Apple product with this Macbook, i'm not covered at all. Now I think that's falsifying facts

      • spackbace on 09/03/2016 - 21:47

        Did you call him on it, or just nod your head and came home to vent?

        • coco1458 on 09/03/2016 - 21:50
          +3

          Simply went straight to the counter, paid and left

      • Ughhh on 09/03/2016 - 21:56
        +24

        Next time sales people try to sell you something you don't want, just say you already have one (genuine one) and they'll say no more. By saying too much ie. mentioning using 3rd party, you're giving them reasons to give you more sales talk.

        • garage sale on 10/03/2016 - 06:17
          +2

          yeah, just get you want and leave …… it's like their over priced HDMI cables ….. but it's their job, upsell ….. and extended warranties …….

          bought a camera on price match, they tried to upsell to include case or memory card, said I already had them and the conversation stopped.

          the thing with 3rd party add ons isn't that it will blow up your device, it's if you have a problem apple don'y offer end to end assistance …. e.g my iPhone doesn't charge with my belkin charger ….

      • smpantsonfire on 10/03/2016 - 10:38

        IF the port is shorted in any way, they can and probably will tell you that your warranty is voided.

      • lasertip on 11/03/2016 - 00:41
        +1

        Wouldn't think too much into it. Even as an ex computer tech, I like apple products because of their quality, even though they're incredibly overpriced. I often chat with the (friendly) staff at Jb Hifi and I'd chalk up what he's saying as personal opinion.

        Now that you've got your experience out here, no need to lose any sleep over it. And enjoy your new MacBook!

  • Daxamite on 09/03/2016 - 22:27

    A little bit, most times when I go in there it's just for a browse so it does get annoying when every sales person who walks past asks if you need help.

  • retiredfeline on 09/03/2016 - 22:27
    +8

    When I walk into JB, they avoid me because I'm rude and pushy. :)

    • btiltman on 13/03/2016 - 09:16

      and green

  • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2016 - 22:27
    +3

    never had an issue with jb hifi with my last sales of 10 years worth of product from them

    use of non genuine items can cause damage and yes if apple deems it of been the cause of the fault they can and will deem warranty void in all cases

    what i find ironic is someone can spend 3000 on a tv or laptop and use a cheap sh!t power board on it

    shakes head

    • This Guy on 12/03/2016 - 00:24

      I'm not sure what you are buying with an expensive power board.

      Power boards don't convert voltages, nor do they fix up power quality issues. You shouldn't need a surge protector as you surely turn off your electronics and disconnect them in the case of a thunderstorm (most surge protectors are underrated for a direct lightning strike). Even most of the cheapest boards have over load protection.

      If you really want to protect your $3000 tv and laptop I recommend a UPS with an isolated pure sinusoidal output like this one: http://www.powervar.com/single-phase-ups/gts-series/

      A power conditioner is another complete waste of time as TV’s and Laptops already do this in their own power supplies (just like that UPS is a waste for your laptop).

  • bobbified on 09/03/2016 - 22:46
    +24

    "you're spending $2000, what's another $130 for buying a genuine adapter?"

    I love it when salespeople try to pull that kind of line on me…
    My response is always "yeh.. if it's really not that much, why don't you just throw it in with the deal?"

    Works for negotiating on cars too..

    Dealer: "You're walking away from the car over just $500?"
    Me: "You're losing a sale over $500?.. I can go down the road and get it at the same price".
    Dealer: "ok.. done! lets go do the papers!"

  • virhlpool on 09/03/2016 - 22:58
    +1

    Sales people are all same in the most stores. They tend to behave that way for 1) Pressure from top to achieve targets and 2) Low fixed income and additional income/commissions linked to sales. I believe it has got less to do with the store's culture - the behaviour will be such as long as these two factors are at play in any store.

  • Symbiotic on 09/03/2016 - 23:27
    +24

    I'm a big fan of average prices, yellow, the Comic Sans font and bag searches. You can't keep me out of JB Hi-Fi.

      • kima on 10/03/2016 - 09:32
        +5

        I can see why its offensive. I have maybe been asked about 5 times my whole life, and they were mostly when i was in school - I had one loser follow me around a store. Its always been done in a accusatory manner. Its not routine and they are not stopping everyone and checking, and yes it is implying that you are not trustworthy and they are not doing it discreetly.

        I went shopping with an aboriginal friend, I was never once asked for my bag to be checked, she got asked 8 times in one day and she is a very middle class respectable looking lady. She is so used to it, that its incredibly sad

        • enzioFirenze on 10/03/2016 - 10:02
          +1

          racial profiling at work?

      • Lysander on 10/03/2016 - 09:52
        +9

        Sorry mate but you are wrong.

        Bag searches are routine in Australia but that does not make the concept right.

        If you think about it, bag searches do imply that unless you show your bag to prove you are not the shops work on the basic assumption that you are a thief.
        So, here the basic assumption is that you are guilty of theft unless you prove your innocence.

        Now apply the same reasoning to criminal law and you would not be so accepting of that approach anymore.
        Also, Australia would have to build 100 more prisons and they would all be full with people presumed to be guilty who have had the bad fortune to be unable to prove their innocence probably because they live alone and cannot produce a witness etc.

        Other countries do not have this concept and have in fact less stuff stolen. This is one more superfluous job in the Australian landscape. Like the floorwalker in old English series "Are you being served" (Captain Peacock)!

        • kima on 10/03/2016 - 10:10
          +6

          I have never seen a thief put the stolen goods into their bag, I have seen them shove things down their pants plenty on times though. So maybe the store should be asking everyone to remove their pants because everyone "might have" put something down there

        • kryptoz on 10/03/2016 - 22:08
          +1

          @kima: So true, only a true amateur (or a junkie) would use a bag for five-finger discounts — much easier to fill the pockets of a puffer jacket or a hoodie with goods — which is why security always keep a close eye on teen males wearing them, esp. in warm weather.

        • YTW on 11/03/2016 - 12:40

          True. I detest having my privacy invaded because they presume me to be a thief. The contents of my handbag are personal.

          Our local JB security guards are particularly enthusiastic about their job, so I haven't bothered going in there for the past 10 years. It has probably saved me a small fortune.

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 12:45

          @YTW:

          Go in there with a nice big vibe in your handbag next time, when they check your bag I doubt they'll look beyond it :P

        • YTW on 11/03/2016 - 12:57
          +1

          @Spackbace: Hahaha…they'd probably demand to see the batteries in it to make sure they weren't stolen.

        • ankor on 11/03/2016 - 20:08

          @kryzstoff:

          Don't forget the mothership of all hidey holes, the back of the pram..

        • beaudilo on 12/03/2016 - 12:12
          +2

          Bag searches are routine in Australia but that does not make the concept right.

          Completely agree.

          Slightly off topic (sorry OP), but have you set foot in a K-Mart store recently?

          In WA, the stores have been 're-vamped', so that the checkouts are in the middle of the store and as you leave the store (after paying), there is often an invisible queue of three to four customers waiting to have their bag(s) checked by one attendant. There is plenty of space to go around the attendant, but most wait out of obligation to the attendant/store policy.

          I'm pretty sure that they can't deny you an exit, so I awkwardly shuffle past, feeling like a social pariah as I do… I don't shop much, but try to avoid them went out with the better half.

      • Symbiotic on 10/03/2016 - 20:54

        I said I'm a big fan. I've been in for another few searches today.

        Also, while I'm here, the word "uncoordinated" doesn't require a hyphen.

        • ruukuu on 14/03/2016 - 14:33
          +1

          I'm so lucky you're here; if you hadn't cleared that up, no-one would have understood what word I had meant.

          Thank you for taking the time to correct such a trivial mistake.

        • Symbiotic on 18/03/2016 - 01:52

          @ruukuu: No problem at all. Do you mind if I have a quick look in your bag?

      • Brianqpr on 11/03/2016 - 13:32

        Its irritating, feels like an accusation and similar shops don't feel the need to do it. Are JB particularly targeted by thieves over other stores? I very much doubt it.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2016 - 19:19

      be glad, the old guy at our JB makes you empty your pockets!

    • FatBlanket on 12/03/2016 - 16:47
      +1

      Often if I have a bag on me I won't bother going in. I'm not a criminal and only ever feel like one when security is rummaging through my bag looking for stolen goods.

  • FW190 on 10/03/2016 - 00:00
    +2

    didn't had much run in with sales people, however, one thing I have noticed in JB is, especially during quiet times, if you enter the store with a backpack/bag, there will be staff members watching you in every aisle, pretending to be cleaning up the shelfs/checking stock and what not.

    sometimes, it would be the same person who follows you around the whole store…………

    I know that they are doing their job by trying to minimise shop lifting, but ffs can they at least make some effort to make it not so obvious? (you can see them peeping at you out of the corner of their eyes, while just picking up and putting down the same cd/dvd over and over again)

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2016 - 08:16
      +8

      You should ask them if they would like to hold your bag, to save them time sneaking around

      • FW190 on 10/03/2016 - 14:14

        TBH I was tempted :)

      • Lysander on 11/03/2016 - 15:14

        They won't do that either. I tried.

        Once I just dropped my bag at the feet of the bag search person when entering and then picked it up again on way out. The guy did not even have a chance to protest.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2016 - 09:48

      Ahaha, you know how I can tell you're not white? :D

      • FW190 on 10/03/2016 - 14:11
        +2

        lol so you are saying JB is doing racial profiling? :)

        yes I am not white

      • rr64 on 12/03/2016 - 20:02

        I'm white they still do this.

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