Anyone working at a computer store? I need some advice.

[RealGamer]

I had interviewed to be a part time worker in a local retail store (in Malaysia by the way).

 

I am fairly confident about my knowledge towards CPUs,Graphic Cards, Ram and Motherboards, thanks to LinusTechTips, Salazar Studio (Science Studio), JayzTwoCent and you guys.

 

But what caught me off guard is during the interview, I was tasked to promote something that is out of my league (Mice,Keyboards and LED Strips, not into that kind of stuff, so I don't really do research on that topic), and I barely make it.

It makes me wonder, what if a customer asked me something and I can't answer??

 

Anyone dealt with this kind of situation before????

If yes, please share it with me how you guys deal with this matter.

I hope to learn something from you guys and give the people in the shop a good impression.

 

Many Thanks.

[MANIDY inc]

you get a job in retail for being a sheep and upselling, not by actually knowing stuff

[Guest]

im 

 

[LordofSavages]

7 minutes ago, RealGamer said:

I had interviewed to be a part time worker in a local retail store (in Malaysia by the way).

 

I am fairly confident about my knowledge towards CPUs,Graphic Cards, Ram and Motherboards, thanks to LinusTechTips, Salazar Studio (Science Studio), JayzTwoCent and you guys.

 

But what caught me off guard is during the interview, I was tasked to promote something that is out of my league (Mice,Keyboards and LED Strips, not into that kind of stuff, so I don't really do research on that topic), and I barely make it.

It makes me wonder, what if a customer asked me something and I can't answer??

 

Anyone dealt with this kind of situation before????

If yes, please share it with me how you guys deal with this matter.

I hope to learn something from you guys and give the people in the shop a good impression.

 

Many Thanks.

Mice and keyboards are just personal preference, just choose which you think is comfortable and has good reviews and doesn't break easily. LED strips are even simpler, just use something from a good brand and also one that fits your needs.

[RealGamer]

4 minutes ago, MANIDY inc said:

you get a job in retail for being a sheep and upselling, not by actually knowing stuff

Not planning to use that technique, besides it would only work on normal consumers, if someone like Linus or Jay walks in, i am screwed.

 

[Rune]

[Works for Microcenter]

If there is something you do not know, simply tell them you do not know and offer to do your best to look it up for them if you can. It is better to have them leave empty handed with more knowledge versus having them come back a week later having to return something that doesn't fit their needs. Serve the customer, not the numbers.

[MilkJugg24]

If you're getting a job at a retail store in the tech department, learn a lot about TVs and Mobile device supplies. Occasionally you'll meet the person who cares about the technical aspects of things, but people just mostly want to know what the obvious differences are between things.

[RealGamer]

1 minute ago, YaqinHasan said:

Mice and keyboards are just personal preference, just choose which you think is comfortable and has good reviews and doesn't break easily. LED strips are even simpler, just use something from a good brand and also one that fits your needs.

Thanks for adding that into my knowledge

[RealGamer]

1 minute ago, Rune said:

[Works for Microcenter]

If there is something you do not know, simply tell them you do not know and offer to do your best to look it up for them if you can. It is better to have them leave empty handed with more knowledge versus having them come back a week later having to return something that doesn't fit their needs. Serve the customer, not the numbers.

 

Just now, MilkJugg24 said:

If you're getting a job at a retail store in the tech department, learn a lot about TVs and Mobile device supplies. Occasionally you'll meet the person who cares about the technical aspects of things, but people just mostly want to know what the obvious differences are between things.

Thanks for the tip

[MANIDY inc]

1 hour ago, RealGamer said:

Not planning to use that technique, besides it would only work on normal consumers, if someone like Linus or Jay walks in, i am screwed.

 

well thats when you say talk to my manager, its a retail job your not being paid big bucks dont put in more effort then you have to. in the end of the day a raise or promotion is based on corporate not your boss.

 

and if you dont know you dont know, not your fault for being a human, just point them to a person who knows.

 

 

[RealGamer]

Just now, MANIDY inc said:

 

and if you dont know you dont know, not your fault for being a human, just point them to a person who knows.

 

 

A good advice, I'll keep that in mind

[MANIDY inc]

1 hour ago, RealGamer said:

A good advice, I'll keep that in mind

I worked in maintenance at a truck stop and everyone would assume i knew stuff I didnt, so i delt with that daily, they would be like why is the DEF not working on the fuel pump and even my boss would have me look, id go out there and be like i have no idea why. i didn't even know what to look of when my boss would say go look and see whats wrong with it.  just be honest and dont try to fake stuff. the worst thing is misinforming people. 

[RealGamer]

1 minute ago, MANIDY inc said:

I worked in maintenance at a truck stop and everyone would assume i knew stuff I didnt, so i delt with that daily, they would be like why is the DEF not working on the fuel pump and even my boss would have me look, id go out there and be like i have no idea why. i didn't even know what to look of when my boss would say go look and see whats wrong with it.  just be honest and dont try to fake stuff. the worst thing is misinforming people. 

Got it

[GeorgeKellow]

Just sell, they don't care much about your knowledge

 

 

I love science studio <3  

[Djole123]

As far as I know, not a lot of people search for PC components. Do a research on TVs, laptops and cell phones since most people buy that.

 

If you don't know something, just say "I'm not sure, let me look up". You're a human. You can't know everything.

[Akolyte]

Just watch TechQuickie and LinusTechTips tutorials and videos honestly.  I'm just saying, there is a lot of material that covers that stuff and basically how stuff works so it might be worth building up basic knowledge.  

If anything is out of your league, say you are a sales person and need to get your manager or the most knowledgeable guy in the store to give the customer advice.  You'll be fine. 

[RealGamer]

4 minutes ago, Djole123 said:

As far as I know, not a lot of people search for PC components. Do a research on TVs, laptops and cell phones since most people buy that.

 

If you don't know something, just say "I'm not sure, let me look up". You're a human. You can't know everything.

That shop only sells things that are related to PC, peripherals, components, etc.

Thanks anyway.

1 minute ago, Mike_The_B0ss said:

Just watch TechQuickie and LinusTechTips tutorials and videos honestly.  I'm just saying, there is a lot of material that covers that stuff and basically how stuff works so it might be worth building up basic knowledge.  

If anything is out of your league, say you are a sales person and need to get your manager or the most knowledgeable guy in the store to give the customer advice.  You'll be fine. 

Thanks, in fact I downloaded a few and save it into my phone

[LogicalDrm]

If its any bigger store and you kinda wander around the aisles, shops tend to position specialist for different areas near those products. So if you are already in PC hardware section and someone asks about peripherals or monitors, just guide them to your college who has more knowledge. Or if you don't know something, google. Or act like you would know. And let the customer make fun of you later.

[dr_sepheroth]

I am a qualified computer repair technician, but I am unable to work because I am Autistic, Epileptic and have learning difficulties, Dyscalculia particular prevents me from being able to do basic maths, despite the fact I can do complex mathematics I would not be able to get a job, in anything other then being a monk. 

 

However as a computer geek, I can tell you I have volunteered in several computer jobs.

 

My experience with, lighting strips, keyboards and mice in this day an age is if they look cool and pimped out they sell.

No one seems to want a old fashioned basic keyboard, everyone is after a touch pad keyboard, or keyboards that are themed and have built in lighting. 

Mice have to look like the breast plate from Iron Man's suite to sell. And Lighting strips, well as long as they can flash, dance to music, display geometric sequences and use low power, they will sell as well. 

[RealGamer]

10 hours ago, dr_sepheroth said:

I am a qualified computer repair technician, but I am unable to work because I am Autistic, Epileptic and have learning difficulties, Dyscalculia particular prevents me from being able to do basic maths, despite the fact I can do complex mathematics I would not be able to get a job, in anything other then being a monk. 

 

However as a computer geek, I can tell you I have volunteered in several computer jobs.

 

My experience with, lighting strips, keyboards and mice in this day an age is if they look cool and pimped out they sell.

No one seems to want a old fashioned basic keyboard, everyone is after a touch pad keyboard, or keyboards that are themed and have built in lighting. 

Mice have to look like the breast plate from Iron Man's suite to sell. And Lighting strips, well as long as they can flash, dance to music, display geometric sequences and use low power, they will sell as well. 

 

12 hours ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

If its any bigger store and you kinda wander around the aisles, shops tend to position specialist for different areas near those products. So if you are already in PC hardware section and someone asks about peripherals or monitors, just guide them to your college who has more knowledge. Or if you don't know something, google. Or act like you would know. And let the customer make fun of you later.

Thanks for the tips, will keep in mind

[RealGamer]

17 hours ago, GeorgeKellow said:

Just sell, they don't care much about your knowledge

 

 

I love science studio <3  

Same, he's builds are more "down to earth" whereas Linus' builds are more like a wet dream. 

[imreloadin]

On 11/19/2016 at 2:18 AM, RealGamer said:

Not planning to use that technique, besides it would only work on normal consumers, if someone like Linus or Jay walks in, i am screwed.

 

If someone like Jay or Linus walks in they're going to already know what they're getting and will most likely only ask you where it's located in the store.

They're not going to like quiz you on stuff lol.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

On ‎2016‎-‎11‎-‎18 at 11:18 PM, RealGamer said:

Not planning to use that technique, besides it would only work on normal consumers, if someone like Linus or Jay walks in, i am screwed.

 

If someone like that walks in, they don't have the intention of getting help, they have the intention of being an ass and making a big scene.

[minibois]

If you don't know the answer, you look it up. Having the basic knowledge would be great, but anything else is a matter of looking up how it exactly is. You will catch up on the features and such very quickly.

Plus, mice and keyboard are very subjective, LED strips are very basic (in terms of explaining) and there is a ton of information on both of them.

 

I would recommend you look up the basics on mechanical keyswitches (knowing Cherry MX and what at least their Blues, Browns and Reds do differently from each other is good fundamentals), the basics of Optical vs. Laser to know some good fundamentals on mice and what would be good knowledge to have to is knowing a bit about printers (mainly laser vs. inkjet).

 

If you have any questions, be sure to ask them  

[RealGamer]

6 hours ago, Minibois said:

If you don't know the answer, you look it up. Having the basic knowledge would be great, but anything else is a matter of looking up how it exactly is. You will catch up on the features and such very quickly.

Plus, mice and keyboard are very subjective, LED strips are very basic (in terms of explaining) and there is a ton of information on both of them.

 

I would recommend you look up the basics on mechanical keyswitches (knowing Cherry MX and what at least their Blues, Browns and Reds do differently from each other is good fundamentals), the basics of Optical vs. Laser to know some good fundamentals on mice and what would be good knowledge to have to is knowing a bit about printers (mainly laser vs. inkjet).

 

If you have any questions, be sure to ask them  

Thanks for the tip