Rasta,
Yes, most of the stores attempt at teaching product knowlege runs on a reward system. There are rewards for knowlege, length of time and sales at most stores. The interesting part is...that at almost every store...depending on the store, the reward has been a book, or a particularly large discount on one item or another. Now if that is not encouraging product knowlege I really do not know what is. I have seen stores put on seminars, have weekly meetings where new products are reviewed.
On another note..."so called expert". I dont think I ever called anyone an expert. There are very few people in this hobby that I would EVER call an expert as there is just so much to know. Yes, the most knowlegeble people are usually the ones who are busy. However, have you guys tried to develop a relationship with this so-called "expert". I think that taht is one of the most important things. its a hobby, think of lots of hobbys...you dont take your car to get detailed just anywhere, or you dont buy your RC car from someone who doesn't know what motor to putin it.You need to deveop that relationship. There are however a hell of a lot of people who are self proclaimed experts in this hobby. Both hobbyists and workers and you have to watch out for these people. They can talk the talk but can they walk the walk...
THERE IS JUST SO MUCH TO KNOW!
When I worked at a store, I can remember certain customers, ones tht were more on the friend side of the equation, coming in, after they have proved me wrong in something that I made sure I was not giving them a definant answer (grammar? my high school english teacher is rolling over in her grave). Anywyas,, they would come in to tell me I was wrong. It is good to learn together, and I have learned many things over the years from customers.
Lastly, some customers do not take no for an answer, whther you have a great explanation or not, and they will just buy it from the guy down the street. The reason someone opens a business is to make money. The reason people open a business catering to a hobby is (usually) because they enjoy that sort of thing. So next time you are in your LFS, why dont you ask an employee what they have at home ( they often, like customers love to talk about their own creatures, seriously), find out what they are into, and maybe ask them about an experience they have had with a particular thing( I know I was the first to tell people I could not keep a damn carnation alive).
It is agoldmine...but after reading some of the past posts, I think it is one that is surrounded by a mine-field, and a bunch of barb-wire...
Thanks again
PS it appears as though I myself have lied. . . 3 posts in under 24 hours...
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