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

        • vivasawadee on 13/03/2016 - 23:07

          @HuntsmanII:

          Exactly. I bought a fitbit charge, it broke after 11 months and with no help at all from Fitbit support (they were bloody hopeless, always regurgitating the same support spiel) I went back to Officeworks with my receipt.

          They gave me a full refund, no questions other than what was the problem.

          I have bought nearly all my electronics for OW when I could.

  • RorBag on 10/03/2016 - 19:10

    JB HIFI staff have always been nothing but helpful. Politix clothes on the other hand…..

  • garffi on 10/03/2016 - 19:46
    +1

    I do my research beforehand. Ask for a deal, buy it, then go home.

    Haven't had a staff come up to me and ask if I need help. I always have to look for them. I think they're hiding somewhere.

    • gerrys on 10/03/2016 - 19:57

      +1

      I always do research before visiting JBHifi. I don't want to waste their time for explaining this and that. Once I know what I want, ask for the deal, buy it then go home.

      Never had issue so far.

  • spider man on 10/03/2016 - 20:04
    -2

    Arrogant staff

  • test123123 on 10/03/2016 - 20:59

    Have not bought anything from JB. Rude staff and never get any good deal from them.

  • stow5920 on 10/03/2016 - 21:03

    I've had good and bad experiences with them, nothing bad enough for me to avoid the store if there is something I want there. I've had this one douchebag tell me I can't look through the boxes of blurays under the shelves when the movie I'm after wasn't on the shelf and I've had a champion spend half an hour looking for the last copy of a film for me. The only constant annoyance I find are the servers at the checkout, they just talk and talk and talk even when there are people queued up, I just walk up and interrupt if they look over, see me/people lined up and then go back to talking, tough shit, do your job.

  • Talonparty on 10/03/2016 - 21:04

    It's not always the sales persons fault. I worked in a big electronics warehouse during their opening weeks around 15 years ago. There were tiny red stickers on all of their loss leader products and we were specifically told NOT to sell them because they lost money and it would come off our monthly profit targets. We were told to say all sorts of things about how they were unreliable and we'd had returns etc. make it out like we were doing the customer a favour. It forced us to be really pushy.

  • LittleKatie on 10/03/2016 - 21:13

    Maybe it's something about you OP

  • nedski on 10/03/2016 - 22:57
    -6

    I work for the Government in a consumer protection related field. I no longer have any fear of sales people. Recently I went into HN to assist someone with a laptop purchase and challenged everything the sales guy said which was fun.

    HN: "Nah we dont sell Go-Pro's, the Sony cameras are better"
    ME: "Are the sales commissions higher for the Sony cameras and is that why you stopped selling the Go Pros?"
    HN: Stuttering response

    HN: "Tell me the price of the laptop you were looking at and I will see if I can find you a better one for that price. Hmmm so for an extra $80, instead of the i5 laptop, I can give you an AMD one and we can put in an extra 8gb of ram"
    ME: "No thanks, just the i5 laptop please"
    HN: "BUT WHY? HE IS JUST GOING TO BE USING IT FOR WEB SURFING, HE DOESNT NEED AN i5" <The caps was for the raised agitated voice>
    ME: "Thats true, but if he is only surfing the web, why does he need the extra 8gb of ram?"

    HN: "You can flexirent the laptop"
    ME: "Nope, no way, uh uh, terrible idea, flexirent is a really bad option, dont even bother"
    HN: "Hey, its for a business, its a smart choice and im just trying to do my job"
    ME: "Oh ok, so tell me why paying double for the laptop over three years and not even owning it at the end is better than just paying for it out right? Can you even tell me what the final payout figure will be to own it"
    HN: "I cant tell you that until I process the application, anyway I am just trying to give some advice here"
    ME: "Is the commission for selling a flexirent product higher than selling it outright"
    HN: "Hey, Im just trying to do a job here"

    So much fun.

    • hixx101 on 11/03/2016 - 01:59
      +7

      sounds like you were being annoying to someone just doing what hes told to do

      • nedski on 11/03/2016 - 08:09
        +2

        You are entitled to think that I spose but as an informed consumer, you are allowed to ask those questions as the answers can affect your purchase choice.

        • spare13 on 11/03/2016 - 09:37
          +2

          And you can also say: no thanks. I'd prefere xyz instead of abc. And that's perfectly reasonable

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 11:52
          +5

          There's being reasonable, and there's being a d**k. Plain obvious from reading that as to which category you fall in.

        • nedski on 11/03/2016 - 11:54

          @Spackbace:

          Bows

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 11:59
          +4

          @nedski:

          But why would you choose to be a d**k? Especially in front of someone like a friend or relative. See it on the odd occasion with car sales, someone will bring in their husband/son/brother etc that supposedly knows how to negotiate. They try to fire quirky questions at us, talk down to us, etc just in attempt to prove their superiority, when really it does the opposite (rather funny to watch you put someone in their place who has a superiority complex, especially right in front of their family member). They also ruin the whole experience for the person actually buying the item, and 99.9% of the time they don't get any better deal than what the other person could get, because they don't have the rapport.

          So, do you feel like a big man talking down to the <25yo serving you? If so, you really need to take a long hard look at yourself.

        • nedski on 11/03/2016 - 15:19

          @Spackbace:

          Im not talking down to anyone just asking questions back. To be honest, I just wanted to pay money and get out of there. However when I got challenged with the AMD vs I5 issue, he was the guy coming at me with the attitude.

          There was no negotiating going on here. I was just to recommend a computer and get out of there. I don't haggle.

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 15:30
          +2

          @nedski:

          "Are the sales commissions higher for the Sony cameras and is that why you stopped selling the Go Pros?"

          .

          "Is the commission for selling a flexirent product higher than selling it outright"

          Why do you feel the need to ask a salesperson about their pay structure? How would you like it if someone went into your job and just asked how much you get paid?

          and challenged everything the sales guy said which was fun.

          And unnecessary.

          I was just to recommend a computer and get out of there.

          But it's coming across, based on what you're saying alone, as you weren't just there to go "yep I'll take that one".

        • nedski on 11/03/2016 - 20:40

          @Spackbace:

          So you are saying that instead of finding out whether the recommendation for the GoPro or Sony is influenced on what makes him more money, I should just believe that the sales person has my best interests at heart?

          I know nothing about the Cameras, I was there to recommend a laptop and thats what I did. When we veered off into Camera territory, I tempered his recommendation by seeing if there was a technical benefit of one over the other by finding out if there was anything else affecting his recommendation. Financial planners also have to do that as we are also relying on their advice.

          I found the laptop, I instructed my friend to buy the laptop. I only got re-engaged when they pulled the AMD stunt and tried to get the guy to flexirent it.

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 20:52
          +1

          @nedski:

          So you are saying that instead of finding out whether the recommendation for the GoPro or Sony is influenced on what makes him more money, I should just believe that the sales person has my best interests at heart?

          How old are you? Do you have zero life experience that would tell you that salespeople are paid on varying bonuses, and this would affect their level of bias? There's absolutely no need to ask them about it, it should be common knowledge that you take their advice with a grain of salt.

          If you went out to dinner, and you asked the waitress what was a good choice, would you then ask her if she gets a bonus for selling more of those dishes? You wouldn't would you, it's a very impolite thing to do, so why do it to the poor guy at an electronics store?

        • nedski on 11/03/2016 - 21:33

          @Spackbace:

          Im aware of commissions hence why I ask if it influences the advice he gives.

          As for waitresses, im not sure the analogy works when it comes to people knowing food vs the continual evolving state of technology.

        • darkchoc on 11/03/2016 - 22:48
          +1

          @Spackbace: interesting debate chain here! I can see both points of view.

          @spack… Generally i don't think people go out of their ways to be d###s as you suggest. I think people can make other people feel awkward with direct questions which can be considered impolite. People are different and if i find myself labeling someone a d### by my standards, it means that i have not understood them. It also means that i will treat them poorly and lead to a negative reaction from them. I've really had to learn to think that i have not walked a mile in that person's shoes, so who an i to judge them and put my social norms on them.

          Buy if people do annoy me, i gently let them know i have limited time and let them know I'll be back. Gives me a chance to get away from them and talk to people i like to get my mental state good again. Then id approach the first set again.

          And i agree asking about sales structure and bonuses etc is not really relevant to the purchase. And I'm guessing the question nedski was really asking was "what makes you recommend product A over product B, when i think product A is better".

          a sales person sees people buying everyday and will have a preference to deal with a certain type of customer. But as a buyer, mostly, we rely on the sales person to help us find what is best for our needs and take advice at face value. It's a fact of life that a sales person has a conflicting agenda at times (e.g. commission) but as the sake person is usually seen as the expert, giving incorrect or bad advice will
          for the sales persons gain is no worse than being pulled up on it.

          The best sales people i have ever dealt with make me feel acknowledged, and diffuse an awkward situation calmly and quickly.

          Australia is so multicultural now, with people with different attitudes, expectations and demands. The onus is on sales people to adapt to each person and make them comfortable. E.g. in some cultures, they will only purchase if they feel there is a discount, where in others it is awkward to ask for a price reduction. I would imagine a great sales person makes every person feel good without wasting too much time.

        • spare13 on 11/03/2016 - 23:34

          @nedski: IMO: That's not an appropriate question to ask. What you should ask is: What's the advantage of this over that? What's better about this product? etc etc. And then you look at the answers and make your own decision.

          There's many reasons a sales person could be recommending one product over another:
          - He knows he has that product in stock, but he doesn't have the other.
          - He earns more money from it
          - It is better value for the customer

          And all of these are possible to be combined. Eg. Go pros. The sony cameras are better value, have more features for the price, and likely earn the sales person more money. Therefore a good recommendation all round. There are downsides (as with any product) - eg. accessories availability.

  • clubberlang on 11/03/2016 - 00:43

    I'm really starting to go off of JB Hi-Fi more due to their lack of CD/DVD/Blu-ray stock. I realise there is probably more money to be made in things like phones, cameras, computers etc but get sick of checking the stock on their website of a DVD or BR I want to find out it's only available at a store interstate so I need to get it delivered. They recently jacked up their delivery prices too from $1 per item to $1.70 per item.

    On the weekend I went into a local JB store to buy 3 Blu-ray's it was a "Buy 2 get 1 free" sale plus they had 20% off that weekend. They only had in store 1 of the 3 BR's, the girl at the counter said no point in me trying another JB store because the other 2 BR's are only in stock at interstate stores so why don't I just order them all online. I said because I wanted to avoid paying $5 for delivery. She then tried to convince me their delivery fees are only $1.70 per order not per item. I said no it's per item she insisted it's not and even had the cheek to say you're saving x amount on those BR's anyway due to the sale so why do you care if you have to pay $5 for delivery? I mean really.

    JB might have hiring idiots down to a fine art but Harvey Norman's are the dodgiest. I remember when I went in a few years ago to buy a $700 plasma TV there were none left other than the display one. I was unsure not knowing how long that TV might've been on all day for and thus concerned about the longevity of the plasma. I said I'm going to pop outside for a smoke and then I'll come back in.

    When I came back in the jailbird looking guy that had been serving me was pacing around behind a more senior looking staffer and my guy quickly said his co-worker was right now on the phone with a customer who was willing to buy that very display TV. I let out an audible sigh and shrugged knowing very well what they were doing. He said quick you've got to make a decision right now because this guy on the phone wants to buy it. I said oh well you can sell it to him then and started to walk off. He then yelled out you got in first you can still have it if you want so turned around and got it. Even though they were trying to lock in a sale they unbeknownst to them already had it convinced me to probably never buy anything serious from HN again. Five years on the TV still works perfectly though.

    • cloudy on 11/03/2016 - 08:26
      +1

      Australia post has risen delivery fees of letters from 45c to $1…. So I wouldn't think it's JB's fault for increasing delivery.

      • clubberlang on 11/03/2016 - 11:22

        I realise that but almost doubling in price? I'm sure big businesses like JB would get serious discounts too for the amount of business they do for Aus Post. It's not like they post things out individually either.

        FWIW, I did order them online and it was $5.10 delivery for the 3 BR's not $1.70 total like that girl at JB tried to tell me. I know how they work I've bought things through their website for years she's probably been working there 5 minutes.

        • cloudy on 11/03/2016 - 12:48

          I'm not sure if big business gets deals from government own agencies. In fact, I dare say they don't, but I can't be sure.

      • McFly on 11/03/2016 - 11:42
        -1

        Australia post has risen delivery fees of letters from 45c to $1

        Not sure what that has to do with blu-rays, TVs, etc.

        • salbee28 on 11/03/2016 - 11:52

          Their range is probably diminishing because physical content is a dying form, a lot of people are just getting all their content online now, so maybe they looked at all their figures & decided it just wasn't worth as much to them as it used to be.

          Personally, the last time I bought a CD or DVD was probably about 4-5 years ago. I'm not sure how much of Gen-Y are the same in regards to this, but I suspect probably a large portion.

        • cloudy on 11/03/2016 - 12:46
          +1

          Clubber was saying delivery has jumped from $1 per item to $1.70.

          I'm saying postage costs have generally gone up. Ie letters, I'm sure parcel prices has gone up too.

        • McFly on 11/03/2016 - 14:33
          -1

          @cloudy:

          I'm sure parcel prices has gone up too.

          Not that I know of, certainly nowhere near the percentage letters have.

  • Julesinnovations on 11/03/2016 - 00:57
    +1

    The experience of one salesperson isnt always indicative of everyone in the firm in any business. Yes we all like bargains, yes we are more experienced than the average punter however without supporting these businesses we would only be left with online. It is much better to support an Australian business and person in a job than send our money overseas. The retail sector has the 2nd largest workforce in Australia and by not shopping in these stores we may not be creating a future for our own families. If I don't get the service I want I try another person or go elsewhere but I do my best to support local business.

  • Untameable on 11/03/2016 - 01:22

    No. And what you've described sounds pretty lighthearted to me.

    Try buying a car. I wouldn't say it's "pushy" but it can be a pain in the butt with the stupid tactics the salespeople try to use near the end of the sale. Or read Whirlpool about trying to buy blinds or roller shutters and the ridiculous hoops they jump through calling their boss in front of you over and over and cutting the price 50% then trying to force you to advertise with a sign at the front of your house.

    That is unacceptable.

    Someone suggesting you buy a genuine adapter? Get over it. What kind of adapter are you getting anyway? Third party power adapters are well known to be designed like crap and to fry MacBooks (look it up). Some USB 3 cables have done the same thing (look it up especially re: Amazon). Neither would be covered by warranty.

  • FittyFitty on 11/03/2016 - 01:37

    OP comes across to precious here; I mean a whole ozbargain post for some shopping incurred angst, ffs…. Conclusion; OP doesn't sound like a fun person to hang with.

  • g12345567 on 11/03/2016 - 02:44
    +1

    Never encountered push staff. I'm the kind of person who likes to research stuff I'm looking to buy before heading into stores. So its not often I need service in JB. Although went to JB last Sunday here in Sydney. With there non existent staff. It was impossible to find anyone to serve you. The problem I find is trying to get staff to serve you when you need them.

    Purchased a premium Pioneer car stereo of them about 2 years ago. Got it for $115 with discount because I had to get them to match there advertised price of $118. Not the snickered price. As the salesman told me he sold one earlier for $168 (40% of ticketed price $279) not the actual cheaper advertised price. Making sure of prices before going in helps as well. As I bet alot of people get sucked into whatever price the sales person offers to make the sales seem good.

  • Alpacino299 on 11/03/2016 - 07:18
    +2

    From memory, they have a margin of 10%~ on apple products so a discount leaves little if anything for them

  • Leeroy Jenkins on 11/03/2016 - 08:32
    +1

    Rude, yes, more than half of the times.

    Pushy, quite the opposite, it seems they don't give a (profanity) and don't feel like talking.

  • Brianqpr on 11/03/2016 - 09:29
    +2

    The thing I hate with JB is the bag search at the door. I've got to the point now where I only go in if I am not carrying a bag. Does JB get more theft and any other electrical store as they don't have this nonsense?

    • Marcsie on 11/03/2016 - 09:59

      I don't mind at all as I have nothing to hide :)

      • Brianqpr on 11/03/2016 - 12:36

        Nor do I, its just irritating when other similar stores don't feel the need to do it.

  • dlakers3peat on 11/03/2016 - 09:48
    +2

    jb hifi has a policy of trying to hire people who have the most tatts and piercings. every store has least of 2-3 of these people.

    • salbee28 on 11/03/2016 - 12:00
      +1

      I don't think it is a policy of specifically trying to hire these people, probably more of a policy of not discriminating against piercings & tattoos which more businesses should do.

  • geoffs87 on 11/03/2016 - 10:01

    is this a joke?

    I've never had anything but excellent service from JB staff! Maybe they just didnt give you the price you wanted?

    While i'm not suggesting they have bad service - but haven't you heard the saying "you get what you pay for"… if you're going in for the dirtiest, cheapest price - don't EVER expect the best service available.

  • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 11:22

    It is not clear which question the poll is answering:

    1) Title question: “Do You Avoid Going to JB Hi-Fi Because of The Rude, Pushy Sales People?”
    2) Text question: “Should it be acceptable for sales people to be pushy, rude, offensive, falsifying facts in order just to gain commission on a sale?”

    The answer is opposite for those two questions. So the poll is meaningless.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2016 - 11:24

    next time buy online

  • rollypollym on 11/03/2016 - 11:29

    On my visits to JB I have generally struggled to find someone to assist me. Last time I went in there the few staff present were at checkout of tied up with other customers, so we gave up and left.

  • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 11:31

    I avoid JB HiFi because of pushy staff.

    I avoid Harvey Norman at Bondi Junction because the security guys there make me feel like a criminal.

    I went to Microsoft Store and talked to the so-called experts there. Three questions to three different experts received one wrong answer and two "I have no clue" answers.

    • spare13 on 11/03/2016 - 11:57

      May I ask what the question was?

      • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 12:08
        1. Is this laptop HD or FHD?

        Answer: HD. Reality: It was FHD.

        1. Does this laptop use PWM?

        Answer: You can check DXDIAG to see if it has that feature. (PWM causes eye strain, so it's not a feature.)

        1. How do you use the page-up key on this Dell XPS (they put page up on the arrow keys, but I couldn't get it to work with Ctrl, Fn, or Alt)?

        Answer: I have no clue. You can just swipe up, cos it's a touch screen.

        0/3 for the "experts".

        • spare13 on 11/03/2016 - 12:11
          +1

          Fair enough to Q.1+3. But 2 I would definitely not expect anyone to know unless they've specifically had a need to research it.

        • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 12:16
          +1

          @sparky13:

          "Experts" should at least know what PWM is. Every laptop review on notebookcheck tests for it. Of course, computer companies and shops like Microsoft Store wouldn't benefit from customers knowing about it. They call their salespeople "experts" in order to give ignorant customers a false sense of security.

        • McFly on 11/03/2016 - 12:29

          1. They should know, but they sell more than 1 or 2 models of computer, nobody will know every spec of every model in the shop.

          2. Maybe if you'd said 'does the backlighting use PWM' they may have more of an idea, but I'd bet that you were the first person to ever ask them such a question.

          3. Again, they sell a lot of computers - do you really expect them to know a key combination on one of them?

          Edit: Oh, that was at Microsoft(?) Well, then they should be able to answer 1 and 3 (as sparky said.)

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 12:29
          +4

          @worldwidehappiness:

          If you could easily find out the answer, why did you feel the need to push them about it? They could've known 80% of the features of that laptop, but because they didn't know the remaining 20%, you're going to go on a forum and berate them for it.

          Another person with a superiority complex.

        • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 12:33

          @McFly:

          "1. They should know, but they sell more than 1 or 2 models of computer, nobody will know every spec of every model in the shop."

          If you don't know, you say "Let me check."

          "2. Maybe if you'd said 'does the backlighting use PWM' they may have more of an idea, but I'd bet that you were the first person to ever ask them such a question."

          So?

          "3. Again, they sell a lot of computers - do you really expect them to know a key combination on one of them?"

          They should know basic use of the product, or find another staff member who knows.

        • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 12:39
          +3

          @Spackbace:

          I didn't push them. You invented the claim that I pushed them.

          I didn't berate them. You invented the claim that I berated them.

          No I don't have a superiority complex. If you judge people who have a superiority complex, then that means you think you are superior to them because you are free of such a complex.

          Let's not make a federal case out of this. I just said that Microsoft sales people are called experts yet cannot answer three out of three questions.

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 12:44

          @worldwidehappiness:

          I didn't berate them. You invented the claim that I berated them.

          Oh ok, so every comment you've made attacking them for not being what Marketing classify as 'experts' isn't berating them?

          http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berate

          to scold or condemn vehemently and at length

          Pretty sure this is 'at length' now…

        • McFly on 11/03/2016 - 12:58

          @worldwidehappiness: Again, I agree on 1 and 3. With 2 I wouldn't expect, well, anyone to know that without checking.

        • spare13 on 11/03/2016 - 13:31

          @worldwidehappiness:

          "'2. […] I'd bet that you were the first person to ever ask them such a question.'

          So?"

          If no one has ever asked it before, it likely means that there is no need for them to know.

          It would be like asking whether the i5 processor in the surface has a 1mb cache or 2mb.

          My response would be: I have no clue, as it's not something that is going to drastically affect performance. If you'd like I could look it up for you?? (Watch me as I google the specs and have a look - something that you could have done yourself).

        • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 13:50

          @Spackbace:

          "http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berate

          to scold or condemn vehemently and at length

          Pretty sure this is 'at length' now…"

          What's at "at length" now is your irrational attack on me. Here's a link for you:

          http://www.britannica.com/topic/projection-psychology

        • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 13:55
          -1

          @worldwidehappiness:

          No no, not an attack, an observation :) If I was attacking you, my comments would be deleted. This is me biting my tongue.

        • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 13:55

          @sparky13:

          Let me reiterate the point I was making:

          0/3 questions answered by the "experts". But I agree that some questions are harder than others.

        • spare13 on 11/03/2016 - 14:25
          +1

          @worldwidehappiness: A side point, MS's 'experts', just like Apple's 'genius's are not experts and geniuses. They're retail works with some extra training.

    • darkchoc on 11/03/2016 - 23:03

      with the proliferation of products and cost cutting with staff training, i can't imagine a sales staff to be a technical expert to the level you are asking. Generally, the shelf life of a product is so short, there is very little chance for staff to develop deep detailed technical knowledge for questions like what you ask in my opinion.

      If a sales person was able to memorise all detailed features on constantly updated products, understand the acronyms you've used, be well presented and succinct with his answers and sell products that meet sales targets, that person would be far too talented and hence probably have loftier ambitions than working for an electronics store!

      But occasionally you do get lucky and gwt someone that meets all the criteria because they are putting themselves through uni or some other reason why the stars align for you!

      :)

  • theguyrules on 11/03/2016 - 11:44

    I have 4 JB Hifi stores within 10 minutes drive where I am in the Gold Coast.
    The closest one is alright, but seems to be entirely run by 'older' people. They're lovely and friendly but far less knowledgable than some sales people. PLus it closes really early.

    The one at Bundall seems to be the best, imo. Great staff. I often buy blurays there and the staff at the counter often start a conversation about the movies etc. Very friendly and not just pushing you in and out for a sale.

  • mavis30551 on 11/03/2016 - 11:44
    +1

    No I just find a young pretty girl, flirt with her a bit and get a good deal.

    feels good man

    • Ughhh on 11/03/2016 - 11:48
      +2

      Only works if you're good looking. Otherwise she might charge you more than RRP (and might fall for it!)

    • sepa on 11/03/2016 - 15:50
      +1

      Sucked in. She's flirting with you, man. You got ripped off, haha.

  • randomhero24 on 11/03/2016 - 12:39
    +1

    OP the salesman is right is every single way, but as a salesmen should keep his mouth shut.

    But everything he said was correct.

    Do with that what you want.

  • worldwidehappiness on 11/03/2016 - 12:46

    Regarding the supposed need for salespeople to be pushy:

    1. If it were a one-off transaction, then maybe pushiness would be the way to go, but even that depends on the type of customer. But if you want the customer to come back, then pushiness is a bad tactic. Much better to build trust.

    2. There are many alternatives to the hard sell. For example, a softer approach is to say, "Hey, what do you think of that mobile phone?" This invites the customer to give their opinion. Then the salesperson can suggest better alternatives or correct the customer's knowledge.

    • spackbace on 11/03/2016 - 12:58
      +1

      But if you want the customer to come back, then pushiness is a bad tactic. Much better to build trust.

      Staying on topic to the industry discussed, sales guys on the floor at any electronic store wouldn't care about repeat business, wouldn't care about whether a customer will come back to them. They know as soon as they're out the door, the deal is lost (in the majority of times). If they can't get a sale out of you today, they won't get one at all, won't get the commission/sales bonus/hit target (whichever bonus level they have). People won't recommend certain salespeople at certain stores, they'll just recommend the store (ie I had really good service @ HN Perth store today… or along those lines).

      So it's their job, and in their best interests, to get the sale that day. How they do it, and sales style, is up to the individual and how they've been trained. But rest assured, they don't want you walking out the door without buying.

      • darkchoc on 11/03/2016 - 23:09

        Can't agree more.

        But sometimes, people being people, some sales people really do care and build a mini brand for themselves even in jb

  • Boombadaboom on 11/03/2016 - 13:37

    Hmmm tbh I don't think that is rude.
    It's just his reasoning against yours. Differences in point of view and approach. Even if he's chasing a bottom line or commission you can't really classify that as rude he is saying those argument in a well meaning way, his responses are reasonable and not in anyway breaking a social norm of what is rude IMO. Maybe he came across as uninformed… or insensitive.. but hey one does not need to be a sales person or have to work at jb hifi to come across like that…

    I'd encountered way way more intense sales pitch than that… maybe you just have not had much encounters so far… IMO that sales pitch is tame and not pushy. I think he was just trying to follow up his point of view with an explanation. (Note: I don't agree with him myself). But I don't think I'd get offended if I were responded in such a way. Instead I'd just think to myself: "Hmm this guys is interesting/weird/silly"

    Next time just say that you've already got one, and continue shopping lightheartedly

    In any case here's a tip:

    Why waste time and stress about something you CANNOT control. Instead try to see every experience as a way to grow learn more on how to act, how to not act, and how to counteract in such situations/scenarios.

  • paloverde88 on 11/03/2016 - 15:02
    -2

    It is not the customer fault that Apple refuse to let retailers have fat margin the way say, OPPO mobile does. However Apple is doing JB a favor by letting them carry Apple products, not the other way around. Apple is very picky who they let sell their products on top of many criteria retailers must also promise to be happy with a miserable margin, no generous discounts ever to be offered to customers ever as they smear the good name of Apple. If the retailer finds it hard to make a buck with Apple, then don't. Get rid of the entire Apple shelf. JB would never do that. JB would get rid of all other stuff in a heart beat but not Apple. That's why their staff have to scramble to find other ways to rip customers off. Whether you got good service or bad service, the rip off occurs. That's just facts that cannot change. Electronics retailers in Australia are all Harvey Normans in various disguises.

    • ibfragalot on 11/03/2016 - 21:34

      Mmmm I have to agree with the Harvey Normans part… at least he's honestly expensive.

  • sepa on 11/03/2016 - 15:28
    +2

    I avoid JB because they have goons at the door who search my bags. I'm not a thief. Don't treat me like one. Besides, JB is not even cheap.

    • cloudy on 12/03/2016 - 15:23
      +2

      If ur not a thief u don't have to worry.

      I was stopped by a police once, who was just doing their job, I could have given them the "I'm not a criminal, so don't treat me like one", instead I gave my license and answer the simple questions and I was let off moments later.

      People are just doing their jobs. Chillax.

      • sepa on 12/03/2016 - 17:10
        -2

        Plenty of other stores that don't search your bags. I prefer those stores that respect their customers. As for just doing their job, that's what the SS said, but I don't blame the guys on the door at JB, I blame the management who put them there.

        • cloudy on 14/03/2016 - 23:26

          Those door dudes probably cost 200-300 bucks per day, if theft wasn't a big issue I doubt management would bother. So u blame them for trying to stop theft?

          Again, it's pretty similar to my police story.

      • paloverde88 on 13/03/2016 - 15:26

        People are just doing their jobs. Chillaxative.

  • racerm911 on 11/03/2016 - 16:23

    I happen to think their level of customer service has actually improved significantly in the past couple of years.

    All the staff I have dealt with are always really helpful, even though i do often go there just to browse at stuff without the intention to buy.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2016 - 18:05
    +1

    I don't buy from JB because they don't price match anything I have ever tried with them, but I have had the experience of encountering a sales assistant at one of the Melbourne City stores, that thought it was somehow acceptable to swear conversationally to customers every two minutes. I wouldn't buy something from a (profanity) like that.

  • Trickey on 11/03/2016 - 19:34

    Haven't had a bad experience at a JB. The Enex 100 store has excellent staff, and surprisingly very good retention.

    As for the accessories saga. I think you should just play them. Say you already have a third party accessory (as you did) and when the spiel starts about how it could void your warranty etc etc, tell them it's a Belkin and that if you're not mistaken, they happen to sell Belkin accessories.

    Whether you're telling the truth or lying through your teeth, you are really going to make them look stupid.

  • rodinthink on 11/03/2016 - 19:49

    I showed the OZB top voted bargain to one of sales chap, ignored right away

  • dingleburg on 11/03/2016 - 20:22

    Wow really?

    I find JB Hi Fi to be a lot better than EB Games, there they try and get you "carrots" for your EB card.

    It's also funny watching the people before you, mothers or foreign parents who have only arrived at the store because their child has told them to and these EB sales people pounce on these poor suspecting customers trying to weasel out warranties on GTA 5 or some crazy T-shirt discount.

  • ibfragalot on 11/03/2016 - 21:33
    -1

    JBHIFI often set prices ABOVE RRP, so the next week they can claim 9000% OFF SALE!!!! Biggest load of crap. Never had issue with pushy sales people though…

  • DiscoJango on 12/03/2016 - 09:49

    bought many things from many electrical stores over the years, never had pushy sales people, but then again, i go in knowing what i want, if they ever ask if i need any help, "no thanks" is my response. And even if they do start talking crap, i just pretend to play dumb, i really cant be bothered arguing with some random sales person when i know what the truth is. i think it does mainly come down to what kind of person you present as, and im assuming that most of the people that create these types of threads, unknown to them, come across as aggressive and arrogant, which will never get you a helpful response from a sales person.

  • argamond on 12/03/2016 - 11:07

    I go to a place because it offers the cheapest price for the product. I don't go for the service

    Isn't this the ozbargain way?

  • xseta on 12/03/2016 - 11:07

    When purchasing my LE PS4 at the old Eastland store the sales assistance was very pushy, she wanted me to get PS Plus and extra crap. (She was the 'Gaming' specialist.)

    She also wouldn't take no for an answer.

    I just played along, then asked her where the manager is after our transaction. (Entire thing was on video)
    It's pretty simple training wise, if the customer says no. DO NOT keep pushing/going for it.

    Most people have worked retail in their life and can understand, that being said they price matched some Bose NC headphones recently for me and chucked in a free 3 year extended warranty.

    Then again this time the assistant was an audiophile and knew exactly what I wanted without any brand bias etc. or being sales driven. Knowing the products and getting what's right for the customer was his priority.

  • wkd on 12/03/2016 - 12:12

    i didnt know jb hifi workers get commission

  • AndrewK001 on 12/03/2016 - 14:24

    I don't go there because of their security staff demanding to look through my bags when I leave. I know it's their right etc, but I don't like it, so I don't go there.

  • User166092 on 12/03/2016 - 14:58

    I went in once and they tried to sell me a bunch of other stuff I didn't need along with an xbox I was going to buy. In the end after they'd asked me whether I wanted to buy a bajillion other things I found I'd brought the wrong amount of cash. They put it on hold for me and I left and never came back because I was afraid I'd just get another 5 minutes of sales questions. They're literally like a human advert.

  • Blottski on 12/03/2016 - 19:51

    What's with the JB hiring policy?

    must be either

    1. emo.
    2. hipster with a beard
    3. dyed hair
    4. a female with armpit hair.

    Finding a normal everyday looking person is just a rarity in JB staff.

  • Aceboy884 on 12/03/2016 - 23:16
    +1

    Rude people are a reflection of the individual

    Rather than the store

    Hornsby NSW store are full of dick heads, the guy try to bull shit his way around price match policy.

    Contrary the guys at Chatswood are great.

    I wouldn't make a conclusion on a store based on one individual

  • OzzieTiger on 13/03/2016 - 06:43

    Not surprised that their sales people get pushy. Our neighbors daughter works for them and was told that if she did not meet a $30,000 sales target that she would be fired.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2016 - 08:35

    never really bought retail but had to, coz the gf wanted her bday present NOW

  • Mrgreenz on 13/03/2016 - 09:15

    I had a cashier go from plesant and cheery to drop the reciept on the table and push the bag over to me and walk away in the space of “are you sure yo dont want 3 year extended warranty”

    Which I didn`t when the warranty costs 1/2 the price of the goods

  • johnno07 on 13/03/2016 - 10:48
    +2

    Have you ever considered you're maybe just a bit delicate, OP?

  • cnrmlj on 13/03/2016 - 18:43
    +1

    I find the staff in the CD/DVD sections are fairly friendly and helpful but the people selling hardware - camera's, tv's computer etc are pretty pushy and unfriendly. We tried to get them to negotiate on a camera a few years ago, not much of a reduction but they were quite rude about it. I really don't care though, i usually research online, touch instore and buy from whoever has the best price unless a salesperson is particularly helpful and is in the ballpark on price.

  • lette on 14/03/2016 - 15:32

    I avoid them because of the creepy hulk like security guards who have absolutely no concept of courtesy, personal space or creating a welcoming atmosphere(at the three stores in my area anyway). I didn't just walk into a seedy nightclub, you're not a bouncer, stop acting like I'm about to sell drugs or stab someone. Unprofessional for retail.

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