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

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

Related Stores

JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

Comments

    • Something like this happened today, do you think a complaint to management is warranted? I angered me profusely.

      Let me set the scene. It was somewhat busy, I was wearing a slim fit shirt, and skinny jeans. (No possibility to hide things on my person). I have been to this JB hundreds of time, and spent even more dollars, I am even on greeting basis with the main security guard. The only dodgy encounter being a shoplifting bust which occurred in the same aisle as me, though my existence was not acknowledged. I went in to buy a record, upon making my selection, I decided to kill time by circling the store before making a purchase. I put the record back in its place as they are bulky to carry. Once my exploration started I realized a staff member in a repulsive olive MA-1 bomber was not only staring at me but tailing me. This severely hindered my shopping experience, a feeling of paranoia set in. Out of fear of being accused I was not able to casually inspect other I items I may have wanted to purchase. After the fear surpassed an anger set in. I decided to lead the "olive bomber swine" on a small loop. At the conclusion of this loop I decided, (profanity) it, i'm about to give you guys $30, I should have the last laugh. I approached "Ryan Gosling's mediocre cousin", about to say "Hey, What department are you in?", a means to prove once and for all I was tailed. The guy, I kid you not, leaped into the staff room. I successfully purchased my record and departed.

      I know for a fact that there is adequate CCTV and a security guard, alongside workers scattered through out the store. Why was my youthful appearance an excuse to exercise draconian tactics.

      The reason I want to complain is, being a regular shopper at this JB, I know that the other staff are friendly and genuinely knowledgeable. My JB seems to have been spared of the "alternative employees". This one guy soured my day. I now have a new found appreciation for those who lived under the STASI.

      So would a complaint even be accepted?

      • In HK, if you go into a not-so-busy store (especially beauty stores!), 90% of the time there will be a staff following you around until you literally leave the store. As soon as you pick an item up or stare at a product for more than 5 seconds, they'll come right up and start their sales speech about how good this product is or that you really need it for your flaws.

        So perhaps the guy following you around was just a desperate sales guy who needed to meet his KPIs. By keeping an eye on you, he can ensure he'll be the first sales guy to approach you and sell you the item- especially since you're probably the main type of customer JB Hifi attracts.

        Carrying backpacks (especially large empty bags) definitely raises suspicions. It is unfortunate that there are people who do steal for money/thrill/fun/dare and ruin it for the honest people. The second hand market for electronics is huge!

  • +8

    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"

    This actually sounds like good advice.

    You ARE paying $2000+ for an item, so why are you going to cheap out and use some crap (probably Chinese made) adaptor when you can get a genuine Apple one that will last you for years?

    He's absolutely right in that there's much more of a chance of something going wrong with a non-Apple product. He's also right in saying that if you use something 3rd party and it blows up, Apple probably won't be likely to help you. If it's their genuine product, they would be much more likely to help you.

    You're making it sound like the sales guy was being ridiculous when he wasn't, he gave what sounds like pretty fair advice, you don't have to take it, but I think it's well within reason.

    • +1

      You ARE paying $2000+ for an item, so why are you going to cheap out and use some crap (probably Chinese made) adaptor when you can get a genuine Apple one that will last you for years?

      It depends what it is… if it's an important component, then it might be a good idea to go with the original accessory if it's not that much more in price.. but for a USB adaptor that the OP is referring to, there's not really that much of a difference as long as the functionality is there. What's to say that the aftermarket adaptor won't also last for years? If you know what you're looking at and you know what you're getting, then you can save some money.

      We know that some of the accessories are definitely way overpriced. It's like a salesman saying that because someone can spend $5000 on a TV, they might as well spend the extra $299 (or whatever it is) on a Monster HDMI cable. But anyone that knows much about HDMI cables will know that a $10 cable can do the same thing.

      • +2

        The thing is, OP stated that

        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.

        From what I understand, the power passes through the hub to reach the computer, thus, you'll be plugging the charger into this hub in order to charge the notebook. This might be fine, it might work well, I'm sure many 3rd party products work well. However, 3rd party chargers are known to cause trouble. I'm all for using cheap stuff (it's why I'm here), but when it comes to things such as chargers, always use good quality ones (originals if possible) because the risks are extremely high to both your safety and your product.

        The example with the Monster HDMI cable is that HDMI cables can do nothing to break your TV. A USB hub which likely has a pass through so you can charge the computer could well short circuit and take your computer with it.

        • yeah chargers is one area you don't want to skimp ….. do they have enough current ? I saw an article where a person cracked open 4 different types …… build quality varied from greatly as dod the design of the circuitry with some cost cutting more than others. I skimp on cables and batteries but not power supplies.

        • You're right in that voltage passes through the hub, but the voltage that does pass through to that hub has already been converted by the original apple power adaptor from the wall, so it's only about 15V instead of 240V.

          It's like replacing a USB cable only with a non-original when you charge your phone (while still using the original charging adaptor).

          The risks are almost negligible. So if you get a reputable brand, there's definitely not really much to worry about.

        • @bobbified:

          It's like replacing a USB cable only with a non-original when you charge your phone (while still using the original charging adaptor).

          I have personally had all sorts of problems with using 3rd party USB cables, they're unreliable, often break easily…etc.

          The risks are almost negligible. So if you get a reputable brand, there's definitely not really much to worry about.

          You're right, I agree with you that the risks are small.

          However, that's not my argument. What I'm saying is that the salesperson didn't give absolutely terrible advice, as OP is suggesting, in fact, I think the salesperson gave reasonable advice which I generally agree with.

    • +2

      Literally everything is made in china. iphones are made in china. Made in china does not mean bad quality

      • -2

        Made by Apple (in China) does not mean good quality.

        • Made in OZ means shitty product, for example, cars… So have to be made in overseas to be good quality…

        • @maxall:

          Oh ok, coz it's so much better overseas. Yep, when people think quality, they straight away think Great Wall…

        • @Spackbace: depends on how much do you want to pay…I guess

        • @maxall:

          I make sure I buy tools that are made in Australia. They are considered to be some of the best in the world. Australia manufactures some quality goods but the population here would rather buy the cheap and nasty. When I lived in Spain I saw Hard Yakka selvage jeans made in Australia on the traditional looms that were selling for $300…I have no idea where you could buy them here and they were made here.

  • +9

    There's a new-ish trend in retail where each staffer is expected to greet you if you make any eye contact with them. This has been going on with Bunnings for a few years, but recently I've noticed BigW staff are required to greet every single customer on the floor.

    To the management of those stores: if I need a staff member to help me I will call them. I do not need to be greeted by the 6th person I meet in the store. Your sales results will not improve even if every single salesperson in store greets me and asks me how I am (ugh!). In general, please leave me alone until I signal that I desire assistance.

    • +4

      I figure if you deliberately avoid making eye contact they will flag you as dodgy - and you earn a bag search on the way out. Hard to win in that situation.

      Welcome to costco

      • So true

      • lol that was funny

    • +14

      Your majesty, have you ever considered that for every one of you introverted "please don't make human contact with me" customers, there is at least one "why isn't anyone coming and helping me" customer out there?

      Ever just considered saying "hey" back to them and then going about your business? It works fine for me. They're real people too, you know.

      You may be the centre of your own little world, but you don't represent the majority of shoppers out there. I myself know a handful of people who will get a rough idea of what they need/want and will then head into a store hoping someone who works there will fill in the gaps in information. Understand that retail has a LARGE pool of demographics to cater to and unfortunately socially-awkward, OzBargaining introverts aren't a large percentage of that.

      Just be a polite human being when you're shopping. If you're after a sweet deal, remember that manners cost nothing.

      • +3

        They're real people too, you know.

        Unfortunately they're not. They are NPC's…

      • I don't think anything of value is lost getting rid of greeters. You could have one more person on the floor.

        Also mandated chit chat is just awful to both the employee and customer IMO - why should a checkout person ask "how are you going?" every time? It's just insincere if they are forced to - and it ends up percolating through society as a result.

      • +1

        yes, be polite, they are trying to earn a living, and you are making that harder by squeezing for best price already.

        I feel sorry for cash register operators and customers who don't acknowledge their existence but talk on their mobile phones …..

        not sure if technology and being connected has made us a better mannered society or rudeness and impatience has just become normalised.

        • +2

          Nobody is saying be a jerk to operators - but if I have to choose between having a fake conversation and a autocheckout - the autocheckout wins.

          Maybe the autocheckout should have "welcome to coles - how are you going?" written on the screen so nobody feels left out?

        • Honestly sometimes I prefer the ones on their phone :)

        • +3

          As someone who has worked a job similar to a cashier but not 100% the same I don't want customers to 'acknowledge my existence'. I want them to not get in the way of efficiently executing the transaction.

          Give me all the information I require and nothing more. I don't need them to be my friend.

      • +2

        absolutely, e.g you go to a butcher 1kg of sausages - butcher can't do exactly 1 kg without cutting a sausage so whether he puts 1 sausage over or 1 sausage under there is always going to be the clowns who carry on that if someone asks for 1kg he shouldn't have gone over because blah blah blah, he shouldn't have gone under because blah blah blah. if you don't want the butcher to go over - then you tell him that before he starts. I often find people who act like this do so because they are never assertive in life they always whinge afterwards.

        When I was young the butcher used to put the extra sausage and charge you for the 1kg and i think some people are expecting that sort of service. sadly those days are long gone

        the staff at the deli always laugh when i say doesn't matter what you do someone will whinge whether you go 1 single gram over or under, they all experience customers like that.

      • +1

        I have aspergers, and am one of those 'please don't make human contact with me customers'.. Am I not allowed in the store? I can't really see you point? If I want help I will ask for it, not have it shoved down my throat.

      • Hey maybe its not necessary to engage with every customer, and the slightly dull ones who don't know anything about the product they want can go and ask the store employee who also knows 3/5ths of f. all about it. Why assume all the customers need their hand holding?

    • Try working on a help desk or call centre, every call, 'How are you?'…let's just get on with it FFS.

    • Welcome to Uniqlo!

  • JB Hi-Fi : "Hand panted signs all over the store to make it like an 8 year old is running the shop"
    https://youtu.be/5QlBWFiCuK8?t=1m24s

  • +5

    I often find I get completely ignored because I'm too young to have money? For example, I went into JB to buy a $300 GPS which was locked in a display cabinet. There were two staff members chatting to each other two isles away in perfect view. I waited for a while, looking around for assistance. None came. A much older male customer came along and stood about a meter away from me and got assistance straight away (but not from the two staff members that continued chatting I might add).

    Another time I went in to buy a $100 portable HDD. Plenty of staff walked past or saw me but no one asked if I needed help. I ended up just leaving and buying elsewhere.

    If I go with my mother, everyone seems to ask if we need help! There have been some good staff though.

    • +7

      Whether they are judging you or not…mate you need to be more assertive just for your own benefit.

    • I find the same although I'm not young. Probably 75% of the time I walk in they are always standing around talking. Sometimes you can't tell if they're talking to a customer or it's two employees because they don't wear a uniform. I understand it's part of their image but I find it annoying not knowing who is some random tattoo'd pierced person and who is an employee. Yeah I'm pretty sure they have lanyards but they don't always seem to wear them or I can't see them.

  • +7

    I bought 2 of my floor-standing speakers in JB and while it took a little while for someone to serve me the dude was cool and did know what he was on about. He even opened a few different CDs so I could listen to the music I liked. I had two different speaker options and he never pressured me to buy the more expensive ones. He also offered me a better price than I could find online and admitted that I shouldn't buy the banana plugs they had in stock because they were crap.

    Frankly, there are too many whinging posts like this one on Ozbargain that follow the same basic format: "I was in a store and this one particular server/salesperson was rude. Let's all sit around and complain about how crap that store/franchise/human being is." Additionally, we're only hearing one side of the story. I've seen far more rude, patronising customers abusing staff, usually for something beyond their control or pay-grade, than I have seen rude staff.

    Some sales people are crap, or having a bad day, if you feel so strongly about their attitude you just walk away from the sale, there is nothing legally binding you to the sale.

    • Some are great, the ones that sell you what YOU want/need, not what they want.

  • -6

    JB sales people ARE the worst i have come across. They are hired for their looks, not their knowledge. (Half the time i am correcting them, the other half i don't even bother)

    • +2

      They are hired for their looks, not their knowledge.

      My local JB staff are actually pretty knowledgeable & approachable…and definitely not hired for their looks…nice folks, but let's just say I've seen better heads on middies & schooners! ;)

    • I dont think the geeky specky looking guy from the computer sector nor the afro man with lots of tattoo from the gaming section in my local JB is particularly good looking. But they do know their sh!t when you ask them what is the difference between an i5 and i7 processor.

      • That's great. I should go to your local jb. I didn't say they were good looking. I said they were hired for their looks. (I feel like they are going for the cool/fun sales assistant look, tats, scruffy hair) i mean there's a lot of stock at jb. It makes sense that they would want to prioritise learning about the most expensive things/most popular items (apple) but i feel like i know more than them about most items (though maybe i would be a crap at convincing people to buy the most expensive things and addons

    • Yep, I am more tech savvy than the entire local jb staff combined, I easily know more about computers, TV, audio, cameras, etc, than any JB staff member I have come across. But I am not your average person, I'm a tech head, but this also points out that JB staff aren't tech heads, they only know enough marketing lines to come across as smart to the average person, when it comes to being recommended a product JB staff are useless in my opinion, they will just recommend whatever makes them the most commission, or whichever product is marketed best, because they know no better, they are not tech heads, they are just hipsters.

  • I haven't bought anything from JB for a while. I still go there to check the prices for expensive purchases.

    I generally buy from HN or the TGG, prices are the same or better, and the service is infinitely better.

    Plus, HN and TGG save my details and can and have provided a reprint of my receipt 2 or 3 years afterward. Also they accept AMEX without a surcharge.

    JB use to be great back in the day, but their prices are not that great anymore. The last few items I priced up at JB, the sales person couldnt match HN/TGG.

    • HN? Is that hardly normal? You must be a professional lol

    • +2

      I actually thought you were a fan of JB, JB1.

      • I know HN gets a bad rap, but I get good service and prices at Knox City VIC.

        I suppose most HN stores are different as they are run by franchisees. YMMV.

        Haha, JB is actually my initials. Added the 1 because someone took JB.

      • Not JV fan ?? Come onnn

  • It is there job to be pushy! but it can get to a point where it is rude, I like how they try to tell you that flexi rent is the best option BBHABHABHA

  • +4

    Incentive drives behaviour. But i find that JB Hifi people are not more or less rude than other sales people.

    A little but off topic but i assume you bought the new macbook with just one usb type c port for everything? If so I understand where he was coming from. A dodgy usb type cables can cause a major damage to the motherboard (why would jb hifi sell a cable that they aren't willing to guarantee I dont know)

    http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/02/google-engineer-finds…

    • The simple reason of why are willing to sell a cable they aren't willing to guarantee is because they make a lot more money off them than the genuine apple adapters. Also if that adapter fails, JB isn't going to do jack with it, they will probably just refer you to the manufacturer to resolve issues.

  • my local store you can't find a sales rep if you tried. I have walked into that store about 10 times in the past few years and walked out with nothing because of it. If sales rep is pushy then be assertive and they will back off, your just lucky to get someone who is willing to assist you

  • +4

    I avoid going to JB simply because of the intrusive door bitches. Ditto Discount Chemist Warehouse

  • +1

    I definitely have had more trouble getting a salesperson to speak to me at JB than to get a pushy one, but this is why online sales are killing the retail space. Retail stores are getting more desperate being more pushy to get a sale, but that just drives more customers away.

  • +2

    They do tend to often be a little bit smug or arrogant, not "pushy" per se but always seem to be in a rush. However they're the best of a bad bunch.

    The Good Guys as per the name have the nicest salespeople but they don't know anything about the products. To be fair it's a big store.

    Harvey Normal are greasy and will not hesitate to make a sale under any circumstances (ripping off old/poor/green people etc).

    • green
      /ɡriːn/

      (of a person) inexperienced or naive.
      "a green recruit fresh from college"

    • JB staff are the equivalent of retention staff in a call centre.

  • +2

    Is it just me or does this post seem like "buyers regret" ;)

  • +5

    I don't really avoid them, but it is annoying.

    I bought a TV once, salesman tried to push the extended warranty, I declined. At the counter he tried to push it again, I declined. Then another staff member walks past and comments that I haven't taken the extended warranty, and the salesman whispers to them that I have declined it, as if I was declining the existence of gravity or something. Then the manager comes over, shocked I haven't take the damn warranty, asks the salesman if he offered me the damn warranty, which he said he had, which causes more shock from the manager who then tries his own sales pitch for it, which I decline, and the the manager acts as if I am inconveniencing them and has to type aggressively into the computer like some movie hacker in order to set the world back into alignment, after I of course threw it out after declining this extra warranty.

    • +3

      Okay here is a tip for you. If you're being pressured to buy a warranty that means they are being highly rewarded or pressured (or threatened) to sell the warranty. Let's say it's $250 on a TV. You push back, you say you're not interested. However when they keep pushing you offer that if they give you another $200 discount off the TV then yes you will take the warranty. They get to sell the $250 warranty, you effectively only pay $50. Win win right?

    • I had similar experience at the good guys, they all make their margin in warranty, make little from the causal tv sale.

    • Aaah, good post, lol

  • they are paid to be pushy? Any true ozbargainer won't be persuaded to part with their money unless there's a good reason for it.

  • My experiences at JB have been mostly alright. Except one:

    I was taking a look at TVs and hadn't decided what I wanted yet. I had a staff member approach me and ask if I needed help. I don't want a salesperson to decide for me, so I politely declined his assistance, twice. After I came to the counter and had decided what I was going to buy, I spoke to the person there who said that the TV was out of stock here but there might be stock at another store. The one who had previously asked me if I wanted help overheard this and decided to rudely butt in with "I ASKED YOU IF YOU WANTED HELP! WE'RE NOT HERE TO JUST ANNOY YOU!". Unfortunately I didn't get his name so couldn't lodge a complaint. I can definitely say he's the only obese scotsman in the store though.

    • +1

      While his reaction was very OTT, nothing to stop you flagging a salesperson on a specific tv and:
      a) Ask for a better deal, and
      b) give him a sale

      Sure, you might have been buying it for ticket price, but the salesperson would still get something out of it. Before his outburst, it sounded like he didn't harass you or anything.

      And you should always ask them to do something better :)

  • The one bad thing about JBs is Christmas Casuals… I wonder how many of these experiences are as a result of hiring someone that is quickly trained, and knows there job is only going to last a couple of months and then they're out? These are the people that don't approach you, likely due to their lack of knowledge on the product. The ones that are happier having a conversation with their colleague than the customer.

    I went into a store just before Christmas to buy a GPS for a customer. I was in my work clothes, with the branding on there. Should I add, I was also with the GM of the dealership (had to use his credit card, long story). Knew what GPS I wanted (online research), just wanted to get it, pay for it, and go. Went to the GPS section, waited in front of the rack while others were being served around me. That was fine, they were there first. Guy came up, I said exactly what I wanted. Couldn't find it. On his way back to me, he proceeded to greet customers standing about 3m away from me. Now, it wasn't a simple 'hey sorry I'll be with you in a minute", it was "hi, how can I help". The guy knew he wasn't making commission out of me, or maybe not even a sale if he couldn't sell me on another product, so he'll 'tag' that customer so no one else gets the sale.

    Needless to say, the store Manager helped us, bent over backwards to earn the sale, even threw in a $30 DVD for my GM because the model wasn't there (had been counted wrong) and I had to take the slightly lesser model. At no point were we rude, arrogant etc, we knew and understood their job.

    TL;DR - Don't judge a store by 1 employee

    • Another experience:

      Was chasing a specific game, called 3 stores.

      First store - Sorry we don't have it, try second store
      Second store - Sorry we don't have it
      Third store - Sorry I don't seem to have it, have you tried Store 1 or 2? Ok well it's showing stock at store 4 (which are across town). Tell you what, I'll give them a call, find out if they have it, I can get it delivered to this store for you to make it more convenient. (Calls me back 2hrs later or so) Ok they have it, but it's pre-owned. Tell you what, I'll do it cheaper than it's showing.
      Go in store (when it finally came in), made sure I asked for that sales guy, made sure he got the sale :)

      • +10

        Was chasing a specific game, called 3 stores.

        Never heard of it.

        • +2

          Slow claps

  • Was in there last year for a wonder and looking at the M43 cameras, a sales person came over, made a Fonz 'Aaayyyyyeee' noise, I looked up, he pointed to a camera I had in my hand and said 'you should buy that, you know why?', 'why?', 'because it's good!'

    I locked eyes with him until he felt awkward enough to walk away, guy was 30s, what a tool, hope he doesn't get a penny above minimum wage for life.

    • +6

      It reads more like you came across as the creepy, staring, awkward one that can't navigate a bit of jest regardless if you think it was a poor approach.

      • +1

        I see why you would say that, perhaps much of that experience was lost through typed words, it was the sort of you had to be there scenarios.

        Having said that, the poor approach triggered a cause and effect, not unalike to getting a call from telemarketer and hanging up on them without sparing them the moment they think they deserve.

        Edit: having thought about it some more, I don't think it was the approach, but the execution of approach, like not everyone can tell a campfire story example.

  • Got Tom Clancy game pricmatched there with target $24 saved $45 even though target were out of stock
    Just showed them the ozbargain post
    Done before, will do again
    Pricematching non existing deals is pretty good
    Especially when I figured out there isn't a campaign mode and it's really online only 5 Min in despite

  • +1

    why don't you just buy the computer and simply just say no thanks after his adapter spiel? No need to even talk about 3rd party adapters and get in a debate. Be minimal my friend.

    • I think this is a game people play.

  • +4

    "Hey can I help you find anything?"
    "No thanks, just looking"
    "Hey can I help you find anything?"
    "No thanks, just looking"
    "Hey can I help you find anything?"
    "No thanks, just looking"
    "Hey can I help you find anything?"
    "No thanks, just looking"
    "Hey can I help you find anything?"
    "No thanks, just looking"

    Then I have to leave the store before the rage sets in.

    • +1

      cant say i ever passed the 2nd one Just looking

  • -1

    Agree with OP- at the height of the iPhone 6 shortage, went into JBhifi to pick one up- when I was paying for it and the realised I was paying the amount in gift cards, the mofo serving me actually accused me of being dodgy because I wasn't paying cash for a so called premium item!
    While it might have been a one off, I haven't been to JB since

    • Unbelievable.
      Generally though, in my experience JB salespeople are no dodgier than the rest (dodgier-looking maybe!)

  • +1

    I once went to a JB in Maribyrnong to buy a new TV. It shows on the sticker the TV I wanted is going for $1500. So i spoke to two individual JB sales person to get their view. When I decided to purchase, both of them argued over who spoke to me first (which implies who is getting the sale). They both engaged a discount war in my presence. I walked away with my new TV for $1300 (with 2 year warranty extension thrown in) without doing anything. It was hilarious, I love those JB guys.. !!!

  • I generally don't have a problem at JB HiFi. I always know going in how much something costs there and how much I might be able to get it elsewhere. I've bought Three or four Apple Macs there over the years and never paid full price, generally haggle them down to what I know is a good deal, or the same as EDU (this was before the 10% off sales were a regular thing). They can be a bit pushy but they aren't holding a gun to your head, you don't have to buy anything if you don't want to. If you are armed with the knowledge of what an item costs elsewhere, then generally I find they will match it or even go a bit further.

    Having said all though this, these days they are a lot more expensive than other stores on some items. They have that bargain discounter image with handwritten price tickets etc but in my opinion they certainly aren't the bargain that they used to be.

    Oh and PS don't fall for the "do you need cables/software/a crappy MS Mouse" routine.

  • -2

    I only go into JB HiFi to see if there are any new products out. I then go online and buy them for half the price. JB HiFi is a rip off.

    • Surely that can't be true, all their stores have huge yellow signs stating how crazy and cheap their prices are.

  • I have to say I have never had this problem.

    the times I have purchased items from a simple flash drive to a 1700 dollar PC and they have never been pushy.

    I had purchased LoP adapters and a Logitech wireless keyboard k400r and they where happy to knock off $50 from the total price which was the amount that my gift voucher was and I was stoked…. happy to go back there.

  • +1

    "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"

    This conversation never happened. Let me guess, then the rest of the theatre stood up and applauded and a hot girl gave you her phone number?

  • IMHO the issue I have with the shopping experience at JB Hi-Fi over the years is:
    * claustrophobic small confined store space, often pushing past other shoppers
    * sales staff can be pushy and the 'bargaining culture' they have than just promote a low price
    * when you do need assistance, staff are often busy with others
    * cashiers sometimes behave like they're in a nightclub rather than serving you in a store
    * the pimp security guard who you pass on the way out, just like a club bouncer

    It has been like this for years. I still go there to check out their prices and they make money and attract customers.
    My most recent experience - I went there for a HDMI cable and the cheapest they had was circa $40.
    Went to Officeworks and got a high speed one for less than $10. JB may brand themselves as a bargain store, but aren't necessarily.

  • Thought HN is even worse, at least in my local area of Cannington

  • +1

    I'm the type of guy who picks up something from the shelf and goes straight to counter. I don't require any assistance or whatsoever. However, the previous two times when I bought a phone, I had to wait around for someone to bring the phone to the counter so that I could pay for it. The checkout people couldn't do it themselves. Quite inefficient.

    • +3

      Similar thing happened to me when I recently bought a TV. Pre-booked it at lunchtime, then went back to pay for it. Wandered around the TV department for 5 mins looking a salesperson. Went to the counter and they said they couldn't help me, I had to speak with a TV saleperson so they called for a one and told me to wait to the side. Waited 10 mins, then was asked why I was there by someone else. I told them, so they called a TV person again. Waited a further 8 mins for someone to finally help me - who of course had no idea about any TV being held for a customer. But eventually found it. Overall a quick pay and pickup took just over 30 mins.

      Oh and this was the TV that someone had stepped on and bent, smashing the screen. Quality goods and service there!

      • Same thing happened for me last time I attempted to buy a TV there. Sales person was helping me then said he had to do something and left me for like 10 minutes.

        I ended up deciding not to buy the TV I was interested in, leaving, walking to The Good Guys and buying a TV there.

  • +1

    I find JB the best place to shop. I have never encountered anyone rude or pushy. They are helpful, proactively ask if you need a hand, they know the products and they always price match or do better.

  • +4

    I work in one of these stores (for about a year so far) and agree sometimes you get the occasional one staff member in a store that pushes customers and annoys them too much, usually we frown upon this and ill even blatantly tell them to leave someone alone.

    The whole tattoo/dyed hair/hipster thing is getting kinda old, like its become a meme - they just don't discriminate against how someone looks, doesn't mean everyone working there needs to look like that.

    I always do my best to make people happy and that's the goal we are given, to give good experiences so people will come back, i sometimes spend hours troubleshooting problems and helping people on quiet days even if they didn't buy from us, because I know they'll come back and see me next time.

    The best way to approach a jb store is to have an idea what you want and do a little bit of research and then ask for a better price.

  • Had a shitty salesperson last time there.haven't been back since. Unfortunately i had to go there to use a gift card

  • I spend a maximum of 10 mins in there, I go in get my stuff and get out. I've never experienced any pushy or rude staff, they just ask if they can help me today and I respond with the usual "I'm good thanks". It probably depends on the store/area.

  • I find my two local Just fine.

    OP, some people will complain: " why the sales person didnt push me to get the $130 adapter, that would have protect the device".

  • There was no rude or pushy sales people… but just full of BS! my housemate was asking about HDMI cables and the staff assured he could tell the difference in image quality comparing different cables.

  • I have found staff there to be friendly and much more open to exploring possibilities when I ask for a low price on an expensive item. I dealt with 4 sales people there in the last week for a purchase i made yesterday. All 4 were friendly and helpful. The deal i got was fantastic … more than 20 percent lower than digidirect who i was pushing harder for a deal.

    2 other items i bought elsewhere as they just couldnt get near the 20% off deal on ebay for items that were also fantastic prices.

  • +2

    Went to JB to buy a Lenovo Tablet. The dude in store kept saying it was crap, giving false specs etc. because he wanted to clear an old Samsung model. Needless to say took a 5 min trip to office works (they have better warranty procedure anyway)

    • +1

      I always buy electronics from Officeworks where possible even if slightly more expensive because their warranty service is great.

      • +1

        What's the warranty service like at OW? I'd like to know, I've never had to use the warranty of anything I've bought in JB so far so no idea how bad it is.

        But stuff not breaking than good service afterwards though.

        • +1

          Warranty service at OW is (in my experience) a direct refund/replacement, no questions asked.

        • Warranty service at JB Elizabeth st is hopeless. The Bourke St store is fantastic though.

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