[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Have you ever had the guy behind the counter try your patience?

Ya, I know it goes both ways but get a load of this gem! (I will try to recall the conversation as accurately as I can.)

"Can I help you sir?"

"Yes, I am looking for a small aluminum spinner that threads right on the prop shaft."

"Do you have a part number?"

"No, I was hoping you would be able to find the part number. It's for a Saito FG11."

"I need a part number."

"All we need is the thread size and pitch and we will know which one fits."

"What's the thread size?"

"I didn't look it up before I came, you sell them, I thought you could look it up for me."

Gets on the computer and after many mouse clicks - "We are out of stock on those."

"Does it say what size the thread is?"

"No." Turns the monitor around and points to the stock prop nut.

"The engine came with one of those, I want one that looks like a spinner and holds the prop on."

"Oh! You want one of these!" Opens the door behind him to show a whole display of spinner nuts.

"Yes!"

"Which one?"

"The one that fits the FG11."

"I need a part number."

(Lord give me the patience to not make a scene... PLEASE!!)

"We just need to fine the thread size."

"I don't know what it is."

"Ok, let's try this, you have a brand new FG11 over there in the display case, let's check it out!"

"You expect me to open all these spinner nut packages to try them on?!!"

"No lets go over there, get out the box and look the size up in the instuctions."

"Oh." Gets the box out and opens the papers. "I can't find it."

"Give it to me."

Goes back to the computer, comes back over.

I tell him "I found it."

"I still can't find it on the website."

I repeat "I found it, it's a 7mm x 1."

Gives me a blank stare, I walk around to his side an pick the right one off the wall.

"There! That one."

"Is that it sir?"

"No, I want an electric motor, where are they?"

"What did it come off of?"

"It didn't, it's going on a plane I'm building."

"I need to know what it came off of!"

"Show me your motor display case." Leads me over to it.

"That one right there!"

"But it's a 670kv!?"

"Yes I know, I want it."

"You need a speed control to go with that too."

"I have one thanks."
I'm NOT going down that road!!... I'm envisioning the.. "and what did it come out of?" drill again... and walked away before my veins burst!

Now if this was a snotty nosed kid fresh out of school... but this guy has to be past 40!

[bair]

What can we say... When you are paying minimum wage this is what you get...

I do find it sad that someone can be so thick - but I have been watching such people proliferate for years. They grew up with a TV and Computer as guides and no common sense or real world experience.

Trying to get them to 'Think outside of the box' is next to impossible.

The REAL PROBLEM here ... is that they both VOTE and BREED!

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

And here is the real kicker, I get home and turn the spinner nut package over and guess what I find?

An alphabetical list of nearly all the engines know to man and their shaft thread sizes!!!

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Originally Posted by bair

The REAL PROBLEM here ... is that they both VOTE and BREED!

And not necessarily in that order unfortunately!!

[Mike Sebastien]

I think you are being a little harsh. To expect a sales person to go over and pick the right item off the wall for you is really asking a lot. These guys have little training and usually have some expertise in one part of the RC world. Maybe if you ask him about RC cars he could of lived up to your expectations.

The day of the salesman who has worked in the appliance dept for 20 years and is a expert on all the stock is gone

In my experience going to any store whether it be a hobby shop, Home Depot or crappy tire, I do my homework first. With the internet so readily available it is pretty easy.

[Mad_Mike]

Good story!

Sadly, some folks aren't well suited to the jobs they've got.
ALL the employees at my 2 LHS are really good, if they don't have the answer they find somebody who does.

[Arceenut]

Many years ago, I was in the process of repairing an engine (10 HP) off of a generator. Went to the local engine shop to buy a replacement shaft seal. Went to the counter with the old one in hand. I showed it to the counter person and before I could tell him what it was or for what engine, he says to me "shaft seal for 10 HP Wisconsin, model xxxx)". Walked to the stock shelf went right to the box and brought me one. All this while my mouth was hanging open in surprise. His memory was better than any supercomputer. Counter people like that are long gone, sadly.

[hellyeh]

Mervin , from a few points in your story , I am guessing that this shop is located on Gateway Boulevard in Edmonton . I am also going to guess that this fella had dark hair . I have experienced his level of incompetency myself , and refuse to deal with him at all . Not sure why he still works there , must be related to the owner .

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Correct in all points Gerald. I didn't name the place because I have dealt there with some very competent people in the past both in person and on line. Their on line service is second to none in my experience.

Sorry Mike I don't have time to learn everyone else's job in order that they can have a day free of any need to think, learn or expend any effort to take my money. I don't expect that of our customers where I work, do you? Yes that is harsh!

[flytoit]

Just a little to go the other way . I recently purchased a couple of used planes and stopped at a Hobby shop near the 401 to get some items I wanted to upgrade them . The young man that served me was excellent ,he was not totally knowledgeable in the items I wished to purchase but went online looked up what he could and I decided what best suited . They received an $80 sale and I was happy . I am not sure if he is just there for the summer but I wish him all the best and will deal there as often as I am in that area .