rollin

In retail there is no such thing as a stupid question.

But there sure are a lot of stupid people out there.

Mr. Beanz

Yeah, that's why I avoid the LBS!.

Last visit to a well known local shop (I can't name names cause their BF buddies get their feeling hurt!)

Sales Dope: Hi, can I help you?

Mr Beanz: I need a Continental Grand Prix 4000 Black Chili Compound tire.

Sales Dope:...uhhh, a what?

Mr Beanz: I need a Continental Grand Prix 4000 Black Chili Compound tire.

Sales Dope:...hunh,..... what?

Mr Beanz: I need a Continental Grand Prix 4000 Black Chili Compound tire.

Sales Dope:...you want a black whaaaaaat?

Mr Beanz: Nevermind, I guess you can't help me.

I spotted the tire myself within 2 minutes.

FTR, I called Performance and asked if they stocked the tire. Without hesitation, the dude quoted the price and gave me a count of how many they had in stock!

Eclectus

Of course you confused the guy. It's 4000, not 400.

BTW, anyone know the difference between the 4000 black which has Chili (other colors do not, the Chili nanoparticles are black, so I guess you'd have weird speckles or sumthin) and the 4000S black which has Chili? Seriously, any structural difference?

Mr. Beanz

No, my typing sucks!

Atol

If you think that's bad, try selling computers.

coasting 

stupid people are either funny or annoying. just like drunks are funny or mean.

RJM

There is no place for condescending elitism when you are trying to sell something.

coasting 

but if they are so stupid you don't want to sell to them, it is open season.

Quel

I was at a bike store last weekend helping my sister buy a bike. The bike salesman told us how he was fired from his previous bike salesman job at a different shop, and then when I asked him to explain the difference between women's and men's bikes (to reaffirm to her that it's mostly a shorter top tube, not a huge deal, and that she could ride a men's no problem if it fits you), he only brought up the width of the seats on womens bikes. "Women's bikes have wider seats, because of their larger pelvis. You know, women have a larger pelvis because they need to bear children, and have wider hips. You know, because of the uterus". Yes, when asking him to explain women's bikes to my sister, he brought up her uterus. And didn't bother mentioning the different frame geometry. :facepalm:

The moral of the story: you don't need good customer service to work at a bike shop. Though after that the manger came over and helped, and he knew what he was doing, so maybe you do need good customer service to run one.

naiku

+1

I used to work in a computer repair shop, people would come in with an old 386 and ask why they could not load Windows XP on there, and then complained at you for telling them that they basically needed a new computer.

carpediemracing 

"The fork measures x mm, as listed in the description. If you want the size in inches, just divide by 25.4. In this case the fork is x/25.4, or y inches. If you have any other questions, let me know. Thanks, MeMyselfAndI"

Tulex

Bingo

Grumpy McTrumpy

so you blew the sale because you didn't want to just do the math for the guy and tell him the answer?

Tulex

I don't think it's about this one sale. I think it's more about "if this is what it's like".

RiPHRaPH

I think people confuse stupidity and ignorance.

Everyone loves making fun of 'word problems' in math or general studies in school. But alas.... life is one big word problem --> with variables and fixed values. Kids who aren't equipped to learn grow up to become adults who aren't equipped to learn.

There is a basic decay of decency due to less interaction with society (internet, ipods, drug abuse & psychotropic medications) that cannot be reversed.

You can't legislate behavior or morality for that matter. It is stupid for them not to learn coping mechanisms, but it is ignorance that sustains this interaction.

Being liberal with your life (not politically speaking) means being lazy with your life. If it feels good then it is OK (liberal) If we are to name this year the Year of Personal Responsibility then we'd better begin now.

Jinker

The 4000S has silver labels instead of the normal orange Conti labels. You know, in case it clashes with your paint scheme.

From the website:

"The all black Grand Prix 4000 S catches the eye with its big silver labels. Aggressive and posh alike it matches every high-end racebike perfectly. With the reduction to black and silver the Grand Prix 4000S does not clash with the frames` colour or rim stickers. S stands for sport, special and “schwarz“ – the german term for black."

gcasillo

Selling on eBay can be incredibly frustrating, but I've made mistakes in listings where folks asking such questions helped me correct said mistakes. Look at it this way, you can't be so rigid when selling stuff. The art of the deal is in making a customer feel like he's getting a great deal. Doesn't actually have to be a great deal, but perception is reality. If he senses that you're working earnestly to create value for him, you're gonna make the sale.

Tulex

Not only that, but if you reply with an answer, the dimension is on you, not him. People are not always as dumb as they appear.

Kotts

Properly fixed.

Yaniel

I completely relate here. I changed my major away from anything computer related because I got sick of people asking what my major was, hearing the word computer, then asking me for free help with something they could've googled. Same way I get annoyed when don't use google and rather have you hold their hand through anything, bike questions, car questions, how to program a tv remote, etc.

is it that hard to go to the search box of any browser and type " 205mm to in "

that said, I'd squeeze my stress ball, scream serenity now, and give them the answer then grumble about what an idiot he is all the way to the bank.

jdon

Stupid people are experts lacking education. Educate them.

Tulex

No. Stupid is for ever. Ignorance can be fixed.

hurley.girl

One of the tricks I use to figure out if I want to do business with an ebay seller is to ask a question about the item. I can usually tell by the response if the person is a jerk, or if it's someone I want to deal with. Maybe this person was doing just that - testing the seller. Ask a dumb question. If you don't get a response, don't bid. If you get a snippy or rude response, don't bid. If you get a professional response, bid!

I'm just trying to find a possibility other than "person is too stupid or lazy to do the conversion himself". I've also been a seller and can say many buyers fall into that category.

Yaniel

meh, that's what feedback numbers are for. lots of feedback + >99% positive + good price means do business regardless of snippiness.

Grumpy McTrumpy

I do the opposite. I'd rather buy from a grouchy amateur than a professional seller.