A question of morals

michael_w · February 2006

I've been somewhat unemployed since I quit my **** job at a gas station about a year ago. Five months ago I picked up a sweet internship where I work at a big company, and have been loving it (even though no money is involved). I also picked up the job as the bookkeeper for the company I've worked for for three years now. It pays amazingly well but getting six hours a month doesn't pay the bills. Now I'm only 17 so the only bills I have are my cell phone and whatever I put on my Visa, but being strapped for cash all the time is not my style.

I was offered a job at The Source CC (radio shack :rolleyes: ) the other day from a good friend of mine. It is close to me (single bus to get there) and I'd be working with a friend. I'm certain I could do the job well since I know a little about audio and computers and pretty much everything they sell. The problem that comes into play is that I'm not sure I'd be able to watch myself let someone buy that crap. Radioshack has gone down the tube in terms of quality and EVERYTHING, except maybe some entry level banana plugs, is junk. There's no way I'd be able to sell mock LSi7's made by centrios for $70 a pair. Its not a question of whether I'd be physically able to push the products but more of knowing I'm selling useless crap.

I could take the job and try it out for a while and enjoy a slight cash flow, but I'm just not sure. I've been looking at real audio stores and they want someone with like three years of experiance selling audio.

What would you do?

steveinaz · February 2006

You're not there to make decisions for the customer, if they want RS equipment, sell it to them. Let's face it, we all have to do things at work that doesn't exactly mesh with our personal beliefs---welcome to the world.

RS is paying you for a service; that service is selling their items, plain and simple. Don't read into it too much. Take the job.

reeltrouble1 · February 2006

Take the job, dont misrepresent what the product can do. What about the internship??

RT1

Ron-P · February 2006

Yep, like Steve said, the rat shack would be paying you to sell their product. Your personal stance on that quality is irrelevant. Do the job they're paying you to do, that's it.

cfrizz · February 2006

There is a market for Radio Shack. Whether you like them or not part of the equation. Just sell the stuff to those who are interested in buying & get the extra money.

ohskigod · February 2006

I get little things at Radio shack all the time, spades and whatnot. the interconnect I use with the little T-amp (2 rca's into one minijack) I got from Radio Shack. It does have it's place int he world and if they want to pay ya, then go for it.

Willow · February 2006

Michael, take the job if you don't sell them crap someone else will. I say go for it. Think of it as learning experience for you and not for the customer.

steveinaz · February 2006

Shoot, I work for the Government...imagine the contradictions, dumb ideas, and bad decisions I live with every single day...LOL!

michael_w · February 2006

Alright thanks for the opinions. Not exactly the response I was expecting but I appreciate the responses.

I'm not sure if it's commision or not... I don't think it is but if it turns out to be I'm not sure I'll take it. I'll find out some more info and let ya know what comes of it.

The internship is great. It's with a big company that deals with data collection (eg. those scanners fed ex use) for companies like boeing, rolls royce, volvo, bombardier and many others. I don't actually deal with the product but more then internal computer stuff. I work with the two network admins and have learned a lot, but I don't see it turning to a paying job right now.

danger boy · February 2006

why not try and up your job.. apply at some place like Future Shop instead.. a little higher end on the food chain. Unless you need the money and can get past selling the RS goods.. move on to something else.

michael_w · February 2006

That's one thing I was contemplating. I'm not into Future Shop because I've known people that worked under a commision and from what I've been told it pretty much destroys any relationships you might form with other employees. There will be the sale sniper guys that get really mean and all this complicated crap that I don't want to deal with. Best Buy was a thought for a little while but I'm not sure... I think with either I'll be screwed with minimum wage ($8 cdn/hr), which will be a massive downgrade from what I make bookkeeping, but that's life right?

Lots to think about, but it seems my choices are fairly limited. (in semi-interesting jobs anyways)

janmike · February 2006

Michael, look at it this way.

If you drove an import, could you sell a domestic brand. Sure, why not. Not everyone has the resources or needs to buy what you own. That is your opinion. Some people are quite content with RS products, bose, Polk Audio or whatever. You selling a clock radio may not be something that you would purchase, but the customer may think it is the best thing since sliced bread. I know people that would not even look at Polk. You should look at like you are providing a good service for the end customer. If that becomes a problem that you are having difficulty with it, 2 things. Stay out of sales and/or open your own company and only sell items that you would purchase. Do not criticize other people for what they want or like. It's their money. Just my opinion. Good luck and if was me, I would take the job.

dragon1952 · February 2006

If we all had morals we wouldn't have any lawyers and then where would we be.

On second thought.........

cfrizz · February 2006

This thread dovetails quite nicely with the other one of needing separate threads for high end vs everyone else!

This isn't a matter of morality, this is a matter of snobbery!

OMG I don't want to lower myself by selling (inexpensive) audio gear to the ignorant masses!

What this should be about is, this is a job that could potentially pay you more money do I take it or not?

sda2mike · February 2006

i worked for rs shack for a few years in the early 90s. was the top sales rep in the region pretty much all the time.:rolleyes: i enjoyed selling mass produced crap to witless consumers! i would play up the 'quality' of this **** like a used car salesman. i had to. we were in a mall and right up stairs was a major electronics dealer. i would say working there was very important in my development to the salesman i am today. one word of advice: don't assume you know what the customer wants.....ask them! i used to ask EVERY customer if they wanted a new vcr today...even if they were buying batteries! when you're #1, there's a reason you're #1. good luck!;)

michael_w · February 2006

Well to me it's all relevant. Have you been to a rat shack lately and had a listen to the stuff there? IMO it's brutal no matter whether you're an audio nut or not. I just might have some troubles pushing a product that might not be the best for the customer -- In other words they could get something much better for a little bit more money.

The wage thing is an issue but that's something I have to deal with myself. It isn't about making more than what I currently do, but adding to my income all together. I have absolutly no intention of dropping the bookkeeping (because it pays double what this will) or the internship because its an amazing opportunity.

schwarcw · February 2006

Take the job and start looking for a good college. Radio Shack has good stuff for their market. Not everyone cares about the high quality audio gear. RS has Ipods, Verizon, Sony, etc. Not a bad line up of products. Great place for need it in a hurry connectors, shrink tube, solder iron tips, etc. etc. Do your best no matter what you do. RS is a legit company. It's not like your working for the mob or selling stolen goods. There is absolutely nothing wrong with RS, you'll probably learn a lot there if you keep an open mind. Take the job, do you best and start planning for school.

janmike · February 2006

Michael, if you want sales down the road take the ethical road. The sleezy cars salesmen are everywhere. The high-end IT or whatever are rare. Get the degree/diploma first.

michael_w · February 2006

Thanks for the tip. I plan on taking around a year off to hopefully figure out where I want to explore later in life (what I want to take in school). A friend of mine wants me to go to Australia with her for a year so that's something to think about as well, and then when I get home I'd go back to school.

VR3 · February 2006

"Never forget whos brick your laying."

You sell Radioshack products for Radioshack, not for you. If they want Ratshack products - sell it to them. A job is a job, and for people our age - its a rare thing.

StopherJJ1980 · February 2006

Funny I read this after going to Radio Shack today. I went in really quick because I needed a coax cable splitter and it was the closest shop. So I go in and the guy hands me a $12 cable splitter! I asked him if that was the cheapest one they had and he said yeah and acted kinda bewildered why I would even ask. So I said thanks but no thanks and went across the street to Home Depot and picked one up for $3.

Not only do they have nothing of good quality in there but if it is all as overpriced as this simple little part then they are in big trouble as a business.

sda2mike · March 2006

i read recentlt they're closing 700 stores!!! when i worked there a cable splitter was $3.99! not 12!:eek: tuner cleaner was $3.99. then a bunch of kids around the country got into huffing and they raised the price to $9.99! they do seem like a company in trouble. that's why they have so many other brands now.

A question of morals

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