As a former CC salesperson, I agree with this entirely. I am glad that I got out of retail before the Internet "hit." It may not take 3 to 5 years. They may be acquired (for their land holdings). -----Original Message----- From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Don101 Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 10:18 AM To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Fw: Best Buys Return Policy The brick and mortar stores can not offer more than internet stores without charging more for the same product. It is a vicious circle which will ultimately result in customer service levels dropping to the same level as online (non-existent, via email or after 2 hours of elevator music and then in a foreign language). As trained and competent sales people disappear from the brick and mortar stores, so will their customers. That is one reason that Circuit City is having its problems. In our area, CC no longer pays on commission. All their trained and competent salespeople went elsewhere since hourly wages are no where near what they could earn on commission. Opinion: I expect CC to close all or at least most of their brick and mortar stores within 3-5 years. If their stockholders are lucky, their internet store will survive. Don ----- Original Message ----- From: "Glenn Folkvord" <glenn@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 9:02 AM Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Fw: Best Buys Return Policy > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Larry Southerland" <larrysoutherland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > > >>I agree. However, the brick and mortar stores have a "problem:" assume >>that >> they hire competent salespeople who read the manuals and play with the >> products, attend training classes, etc. They have to pay these people >> more >> than the people who aren't competent. That means that the prices have to >> be >> higher to reflect the seller's higher costs (e.g., commissions). >> Customers >> then come into the store, pump the salespeople for information and then >> purchase from some internet company which has a lower price, free >> shipping >> and no sales tax. > > That may be so, but a) that will force the brick and mortar stores to > compete by offering something else, and b) if they choose to not spend > more > on competent staff they have to accept to spend more on returns. > > glenn --------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To unsubscribe or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to: pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx --------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________ No viruses found in this incoming message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5 http://www.iolo.com _______________________________________ No viruses found in this outgoing message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.3.5 http://www.iolo.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember to trim your replies (including this sentence and everything below it) and adjust the subject line as necessary. To unsubscribe or change your email settings: //www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk To access our Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/ //www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/ To contact only the PCTT Mod Squad, write to: pctechtalk-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------