Gettin Dissed at Tweeter!

PolkThug

Tweeter probably has some of the same problems CC has.

1. Problems from the top-down. Managers ride your **** about quotas and indexes. It gets to the point where you try to make your "numbers" just so you can avoid extra speeches and role-playing about how to sell extended warranties.

2. Most of the employees can't afford the stuff they sell, even at a discount, so their real experience is very limited.

Regards,
PolkThug

[Deleted User]

Originally posted by Jstas
I also refuse to have them do an install because they use Monster Cable and Monster Cable accessories for installation.

Is it because they sell bad product or is it political? I have seen some great installs come out of tweeter. I'd also have to say that they have the most qualified installers out of all the "big box" retailers.

shack

I have visisted Tweeters in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, Greenville and a couple more and in my opinion they are a decent mid-fi retail audio/video store. A cut above CC and BB in terms of product and knowledge and a bit below your average highend audio store. They carry some decent brands that I enjoy such as Vienna Acoustics (in the past), Sonus Faber, Denon, Sony ES, B&K, Martin Logan, etc.... In each case the salesmen, while they may not have been the most knowlegeable in the audio realm, for the most part they had a decent knowledge base and seemed quite willing to help. I had some in-depth discussions at a few of the stores and a couple of the guys obviously were audio nuts and knew their stuff. I don't really ask for assistance other than product specific info such as price etc... so they can't really mislead me. If Tweeter has something I'm interested in, I would not hesitate to give them the opportunity to make a sale.

VR3

The one in Charlotte is a decent store...nothing special...

Next time you're in Charlotte man...

Check out Sound Systems -

http://www.soundsystemsinc.net/

They carry Mcintosh, Definitive, B&W, and other brands...etc - awesome place...

Jstas

Originally posted by Josh
Is it because they sell bad product or is it political? I have seen some great installs come out of tweeter. I'd also have to say that they have the most qualified installers out of all the "big box" retailers.

Both, really. I dislike Monster Cable products. Always have. They are like Bose and overly marketed. They spend more money on advertising than anything else it seems. Consequently, eventhough they claim this, thier R&D never makes it better than the cheapy stuff I can get at Home Depot. It's over-priced crap and honestly, the Audiovox stuff at Pep Boys is on the same level. For thier "high end" stuff, you can do a hell of alot better for the money. Overall though, I find thier products lacking and would prefer the likes of Streetwires or Esoteric Audio or Scosche over Monster Cable any day.

As far as political stuff goes, after seeing what they do to any company, big or small, with legal crap, I cannot support such a narrow-minded view of things. They are not out for a fair market. They are out for a Monster Cable market and that's bad. That's bad for everything from the economy to my choices in the marketplace for what I want to spend my money on. So I'll tell Monster Cable how I feel about that BS by shutting my wallet and avoiding thier crap cable like the plague.

Also, I never said thier installs were junk though. I agree with you about the "big box" installers and Tweeter being the best of the bunch. If I had to get it done for me, Tweeter is one of the places I would consider for an install. I just don't want the Monster Cable stuff in my vehicle.





cfrizz, snobbish attitudes? Did the commentary in this thread hit too close to home? Was that kind of a shot really needed? I don't think I have a snobbish attitude about it and I don't go out of my way to make an issue of it. I just like to have questions answered honestly. If they can't answer it then tell me so. Don't give me a song and dance. Honestly though, I have over 12 years experience in car audio. It's not just hobby level experience either. I've competed in several competitions and won shows too. I do know a bit more than the average salesman. There is no need to be snobbish about it but if a salesguy gets the elitist attitude and starts downing my gear or treating me like a know-nothing slobbering fool, I will not hesistate to put him in his place.


Bottom line over all of it. I have money to blow, they want it. If they want to have it in thier hands, make me happy. I do not get happy when being treated like an idiot or not listened to.

And yeah, I do walk out or find another salesman. Problem is, in this particular Tweeter that amulford has visited, it is my experience that all the salesmen are the same.

Jstas

Originally posted by F1nut
John, I understand exactly what you are saying and I also understand that, that kind of experience can happen at any retail store. My point would be that it's not the name of the store so much as who you're dealing with. In case like that one could just leave the store or ask to speak with another salesman or the manager.

You're right. It's not the name of the store that is the problem. However, I have visted several Tweeters in the past and I have been met with similar circumstances so while it may seem like a generalization to use the store name as an identifier in the problem it is merely because I have yet to experience anything different. Yes you can find good people in a "big box" store. They are few and far between though because they do not offer an environment that is worth the time of those who really have something to offer.

Then again, you are also in a different position. You walk in and people see a guy looking for stereo equipment with some money to blow. Mainly because you look mature in your years. I go in and unless I haven't shaved for a few days, I'm treated like a kid because I still look like I'm 20. I get asked if my AMEX Gold Card is my dad's card. I was even denied using it because of some dumb sales guy's assumption that it was my dad's, even after I showed him 3 different forms of I.D. So I guess it's all in the perspective with which one views the situation.

PolkThug

Originally posted by Jstas
I just like to have questions answered honestly. If they can't answer it then tell me so. Don't give me a song and dance.

Some of the "sales kids" at my CC have this problem too. Its like they are afraid to tell a customer "I don't know", so they spew out whatever.

swerve

I think anyone with a good amount of knowledge looks to sales people as someone to get into a confrontation with.

-adam

jdhdiggs

Originally posted by swerve
I think anyone with a good amount of knowledge looks to sales people as someone to get into a confrontation with.

-adam

Ditto that... It's hard not to, as much as the sales person is biased one way, you are biased another.

It would be like Spyderman and Bullwinkle showing up at a polk gathering: Sure it's entertaining for a while, but sooner or later everyone leaves pissed.

Jstas

Originally posted by swerve
I think anyone with a good amount of knowledge looks to sales people as someone to get into a confrontation with.

-adam

Bad choice of words. I don't think anyone is LOOKING for a confrontation. I know I certainly don't go into stores looking to get into it with sales people. I dread that confrontation if it is going to happen though 'cause it's not about knowledge. It's about simple courtesy and respect and alot of people think that courtesy and respect is just a bunch of BS or whining. If you are going to pitch a sale, do it AFTER you answer my question. If I say no, leave it at that. We aren't patsies soon to be separated from mass quantities of monetary units. We are people with a desire to achieve a certain result from our efforts. When a weenie salesman is standing in our way and giving us a pitch that a marketing department thinks is what we really want and not listing to what we are saying well, that sucks. Might as well bang your head into a brick wall. That's more productive 'cause at least you'll bleed!

Then teh big retailers wonder why they are losing business to online companies. Simpel reason, when shopping online, I don't have to deal with thier weenie henchmen. I find what I want and the info I need for a price I can afford.

swerve

Awww man... i just got shut the F&^% down. But i'd much rather shop online than have to deal with someone telling me about their warranty plan and the discount I get when I sign up for their credit card.

-adam

Jstas

Originally posted by jdhdiggs
Ditto that... It's hard not to, as much as the sales person is biased one way, you are biased another.

Yeah but why do you have that bias towards salesmen? I mean seriously? It's there because you've obviously experienced it more than once, right? If you experienced it more than once, the first time it happened, did you go in thinking you were going to get treated like a sales figure or did you expect the salesman to be even slightly helpful with at least helping you find what you were looking for? Probably so. Most people I know don't go into a store and, for example, asking for Polk Audio speakers because they really wanted Bose speakers and they knew the salesman would show them what they REALLY wanted and just didn't know it.

Jstas

Originally posted by swerve
But i'd much rather shop online than have to deal with someone telling me about their warranty plan and the discount I get when I sign up for their credit card.

EXACTLY!

I don't need the sales pitch! I need you to help me find what I am looking for and let me pay for it in a manner as quickly and painlessly as possible.

swerve

Originally posted by Jstas
EXACTLY!

I don't need the sales pitch! I need you to help me find what I am looking for and let me pay for it in a manner as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Would you like our Performance Gaurantee for just 15 dollars for 2 years you can be covered from:
skips,
sticking buttons
LED burning out?
rotary knob falling off.
you get 1 free cleaning for 2 years.
If something goes wrong you can bring it in, if we can't fix it we will ship it to service and it'll be back within 7-10 days.

^^My sales pitch for Head Units... I get like 95% of the people too. I feel bad for them putting down for something they will never use.

-adam

exalted512

i would probably get it, $15 for 2 years is nice...
-Cody

swerve

Originally posted by exalted512
i would probably get it, $15 for 2 years is nice...
-Cody

You lose alot of people when you say... send it away. I never get it on speakers...... but that's o.k. Also alot of people buy it on their DSR receivers.... but yea we just replace those no questions asked.

-adam

spwuinmk67

Unfortunatly, being that they most likely work on commission, they will go for the more expensive product, no matter what you ask. There are a few good salespeople, generally few and far between, but I personally try to listen to what the person wants or is looking for, before I sell something. If I don't know about something, or know enough, I'll come out and say so, but offer to find out. Adam, do you get spiff(or maybe its called something different, thats what rs calls it) on guarentees? That's why a lot of the people push them so much, I'm guilty of it too, but sometimes it does make sense. For instance, a $50 phone, if it needs a battery in a year, batteries are covered in the service plan, and normally are like $15, buy the service plan, they're free, for the period of the plan. And lets say the plan is $25 for 3 years, I get like $3 directly added to my paycheck. In a single day, I can get about $50 added to my paycheck, just from service plans and such. So you can't just blame them, they're trying to make their money, as well as keep the boss happy, make their numbers, etc. A lot of bosses are like "Come on, make that sale. Why didn't you make that? Did they get the service plan?" and it sucks.

F1nut

Originally posted by Jstas

Then again, you are also in a different position. You walk in and people see a guy looking for stereo equipment with some money to blow. Mainly because you look mature in your years.

Hey, I resemble that remark! However, you did forget to add that I'm handsome, charming and smarter than the average bear.

swerve

Originally posted by spwuinmk67
SNIP

No we don't get anything... only thing we get is the ability to keep our job..

-adam

spwuinmk67

Originally posted by swerve
No we don't get anything... only thing we get is the ability to keep our job..

-adam

Sometimes, that's all you need...

swerve

Originally posted by spwuinmk67
Sometimes, that's all you need...

yea... it's really not that difficult either

maggiefan

Last week I went into CC and got "Bourne Supremacy" and I couldn't believe it when the salesguy that rang it up offered me a service contract on it! A DVD! They've gotta be kidding. :rolleyes:

MacLeod

No way! He had to be kidding?

Why would a DVD need a service plan? Especially when you can buy DVD's for like $9 now!

goingganzo

i will have to say i like my ppi and older alpine. they dont make them this good any more. i also have a newer alpine head with a alpine eq. i might upgrade when hi def raido is at a good price.

maggiefan

Yeah, it was something like $2.99 for a years protection against scratches or something. Totally stupid. And, no, I didn't get it!

swerve

Originally posted by maggiefan
Yeah, it was something like $2.99 for a years protection against scratches or something. Totally stupid. And, no, I didn't get it!

Chance for profit, is it stupid from a business stand point? no... we aren't losing money by asking. I bet you weren't happy whenever they asked you if you needed a gift card or batteries either? If we don't ask it is our **** at the end of the month. It's o.k. though... the DVD and CD thing is kind of extreme, but everywhere is doing it now so we have to compete.

It's 1.99 for 1 year. And I've seen some people treat their dvd's and movies like **** so I know some people do buy it.

-adam

TheReaper

Originally posted by swerve
...we aren't losing money by asking...

Actually, Best Buy is loosing money on me. I buy my DVDs at CC because BB asks all those anoying questions at the check out.

swerve

Originally posted by TheReaper
Actually, Best Buy is loosing money on me. I buy my DVDs at CC because BB asks all those anoying questions at the check out.

yea. i hate the subscription bullcrap they do.

-adam

maggiefan

Hey swerve, I didn't mean it to sound like I was ragging on the CC employees. I just thought it was carrying the service plan thing a little too far. I didn't look at it from the other side. I know the guys are just trying to make a living like the rest of us. I guess from a business standpoint, you gotta do whatever it takes. You're sure right about some people abusing their discs. It just took me by surprise and I spouted off too quick. Please don't take offence.

swerve

Originally posted by maggiefan
Hey swerve, I didn't mean it to sound like I was ragging on the CC employees. I just thought it was carrying the service plan thing a little too far. I didn't look at it from the other side. I know the guys are just trying to make a living like the rest of us. I guess from a business standpoint, you gotta do whatever it takes. You're sure right about some people abusing their discs. It just took me by surprise and I spouted off too quick. Please don't take offence.

No offense taken, i personally hate those questions but I normally do buy the coverage... because the manufacturers sometimes can be a pain to work with. The first 2 months at cc I was scared out of my life because I didn't think I would ever sell the service plan... and I thought I was going to get canned. But now I really don't care, If I get it I get it... if I don't I don't.

-adam