[Elecraft] Re: Rat shack

[Mike McCoy]

> So now maybe when they ask "Can I help you?"  I will stop replying "Not in
> my experience."
> and instead say "Probably not, but I can help you with your PB&A figures!"

Since RS sales associates aren't rewarded on the profitability of the store,
that won't help either. In fact, as some have probably noticed they're
likely to then say 'Well if you do need any help I'll be over      --->
there' (as they walk toward a customer standing in front of the Sprint
display).

It's because sales associates are are paid purely on commission (and
occasional 'spiffs'), reaping only about 6% of their total sales $$$ as
compensation. A sales associate must sell about $85/hr just to begin
exceeding gross minimum wage ($5.15/hr). That's thirty $2.79 DIN plugs every
2 minutes. Or an Olympus camera every 2 hrs.

Thus employees are motivated to develop their product knowledge & focus on
the customers that are buying 'big ticket' items and unfortunately the
awareness that RS even carries a $2.79 DIN plug falls to the very bottom of
the list of 'Things I need to know to make a living working at RS'.

As Phil said, 'time will tell'... Indeed, but I fear our 'beloved' corner
parts store is going the way of the
5 & dime, Jimmy Dean.

-Mike