I get sales talk from sales assistance...

Martin Fry of ABC whines and moans about love lost

in one of his classically kitschy tunes he says that he gets "sales talk from sales assistants"

I hate getting sales talk from sales assistants

tonight after a late dinner with the family I ran some errands while the boys watch a movie and lisa decompressed after a yoga session that followed a full day with the boys

it was getting late when I left the house

I parked the car and strolled into Hudson Trail Outfitters ten minutes before they closed

in an effort not to be too annoying I quickly selected a few things from my list of must have purchases

trying to buy stuff and not shop

this was a credit card shopping spree... not an evening of browsing

there was a mental note which held a short list

commuter back pack... cycling shorts... cycling shoes... and this pair of pants that I thought I could wear at work
these things and maybe a few more!

well... the cycling shoe selection was a tad overwhelming

they had some Sidis for cheap... but maybe not in my size... maybe not in that shop

I asked for 48s and was willing to try 47s

not sure what he said or what he heard

it did not seem like he could get past that he did not have 48s
the bike shop attendant was on the computer checking things but seemed a tad distracted

I asked if he could measure my feet

to which he directed me downstairs

knowing I had a list of things to get and shoes were not imperative I went downstairs knowing that this person may have other tasks to tend to before he punches the clock to end his day

I had already been downstairs where I had grabbed some Keen sandals that I had been thinking of getting

they were on sale which seemed enough initiative for me to grab them

I thought that maybe the sale price would bring them down to the same price as online

not to mention it is always good to support your local businesses

so... I got these Keen sandals after getting some shitty sales service from some kid who knew nothing what he was talking about

he was a good little bull shit artist

which meant he was attractive and intelligent
he was either college age or post college... more than likely the off spring of some affluent parents

this sales assistant spoke with confidence and conviction

but quickly lost credibility because he lacked content
as I listened I could tell that he was making up things as he went along

I asked the difference between the shoes and he said something about one lasting longer or one being more comfortable or something this or that
there was talk of more ankle support and some other stuff

when the differences were really a combination of different materials and then different designs that offered different ventilation

I ignored his telling me that the one shoe by Keen pretty much sucked while the one for ten dollars more was really good and just had him grab the pair which was most similar to the pair I previously owned

in an effort not to over stay my welcome I tried one shoe on and then moved on to looking for a back pack

there were lots of back packs

I scanned the rack for something that looked bicycle specific

I read some of the labels and such in an effort to find something made to suit my specific needs

unable to find what I was looking for I got distracted by some pants

I looked for the knickers version of the pants

then my shoe salesman came over to help

I asked if they had knickers

he said shorts

I said no... knickers.... pants that go below the knee

he started in on something

and I interjected...

are you new here? you don't seem to have such good knowledge of the stock

I tried not to sound like an asshole

then I thought I would give him one more chance

he defended that he knew a good deal about what he was familiar with

he mention a few things so I decided to ask for his assistance on a pack

this young tan college age boy in his khaki pants and madras shirt lit up with the opportunity to redeem himself

his enthusiasm got me excited that I was going to get the pack I was looking for

after hearing a few sentences about my bicycle commuter needs he quickly spit out something about Black Diamond having a good climbing pack that should work

I stopped him

I told him that he should not misdirect me

I told him that he did not know what he was talking about

I slowed and stalled on each sentence and each thought

I tried not to be mean and I tried to apologize
yet I could not contain my frustration

I could not contain myself

he had struck out... three efforts and three failures

it was not so much that he failed me

but it bothered me that he may be directing people to the wrong products each and every day

how helpful is that?

the kid was helpful in he was there in body and mind
yet he was not helpful in that he did not know anything about what he was selling
it seemed as if his job was to assist someone in making a purchase
not in directing the customer in making the correct purchase

it always amazes me when I go in Hudson Trail or REI and I get this sales person who knows anything and everything about the products... this was not the case here

I went in to buy a few things... ended up buying two
I could have spend a grand
instead I spent two hundred dollars
this lack of knowledge displayed by this kid in Hudson Trail makes me wonder about the short comings of shopping online
I can read the caption and shop for myself rather than being misguided by a future financial adviser or future doctor

it was frustrating... and I still do not have the gear that I need