got to love those LFS employees

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by Myanth

BINGO. We have a winner. Do you want to pay even more for your stuff to have knowledgable staff? Or just do your research and buy what you need? I have yet to see a LFS with all their stuff behind the counter. It's just a matter of how hard you have to look for it. And believe it or not... There will be someone there that knows his @#$ from a hole in the ground. IME anyways.

Mike

Well exactly, if a LFS started paying to keep good people around they would have to raise prices. There would be an absolute stampede across town to who ever was a couple bucks cheaper. When I was working in the store I actually had a guy complain that our prices on AC300s were $3 more than a place clear across town. I also knew from asking him 30 seconds earlier that he lived WAY in the opposite direction. If the guy wants to drive clear across town in rush hour over $3 he can be my guest. He seemed offended when I offered advice on how best to get there given the typical traffic problems at that time.

Okay, yes that was an extreme example and yes people do have a legit gripe about prices in some cases. Stuff like this does happen regularly though and it hurts the case of someone with a legit question. You can save $50 if you buy 150 pounds of argonite from California? Fine, give Fedex my regards when you hand them $100 for shipping.

The other thing that would be impacted is the know-it-all power trippers would have to find something else to do with their time. You couldn't assume anymore that everyone in a LFS was a moron and treat them like crap. Some people really seem to enjoy that. Mind you I'm not above saying "If you know everything already why are you asking questions?", I'd kinda miss that.

Everyone needs to realize that in addition to not making much money your LFS employee needs to deal with the public all day. That isn't much fun.