Bad business or touchy customer?

[Zac911 317]

IMHO, that is the worst advice one could ever give to a parent!

In my opinion, skates are the number 1 priority, even before the helmet. You can never go wrong buying good skates but I feel you really don't need the higher end protective until your kids get to PeeWee and there is hitting and slappers.

You wanna know why I feel that way?

When I first started playing this game, I had one of the cheapest pair of skates you could buy. My ankles were the only part of the skate that was on the ice. Support, support, support, especially when the kids are young. I've coached for 10 years and I honestly don't care if the majority doesn't agree with me. You can spend $50.00 for a good helmet for your kid or overpay and spend over $100.00 for a helmet that will protect them almost exactly the same. You do that same comparison with skates and the differences are much greater. A One95 boot compared to a One35 is light years in difference.

That is the point I was trying to make. Not that a helmet isn't important. Skates are the most critical when it comes to buying quality.

That's all.

my problem with that statement is that the parent buys a skate that is three sizes too big. there is no skate that can do it's job properly when the kid is wearing a skate that is too big for them. people need to listen to the shop help. there is a balance between getting the right support and a skate with a little room. proper support is another issue- lacing three eyelets upright and wrapping the laces around is not support- is restrictive and does not allow the skater the proper flex needed while skating. skating is tough enough as a kid without your skates are holding you back. i have coached for 15 years and my biggest gripe is kids that are out there trying to play with the wrong size gear- it's either a stick that is too long, skates that are too big, pants that are too big, a helmet slipping over the kids head, or protective that is flopping all over the place on the kid. most shop employees are there to help. the kicker is that rather than listen to the help the customer is busy thinking how the help is trying to screw him. there is so much misinformation out there it is retarded.

[interpathway 9]

the customer can decide for them selves wether or not the upgrade is worth it to them.

key words, decide for themselves...and worth it to them

love sales guys like you, its their money, let them have some decision on how it is spent! present the facts, not the decision

[eric42434224 1]

I understand what you are saying, but when I get a customer who doesn't want to listen to me at all because he doesn't think black people play hockey therefore couldn't know anything about hockey equipment, then it's a problem. I'm just saying that there are people who come into stores with a notion that they cannot be helped because they know more, and those customers are difficult.

Black people play hockey?

[jimmy 194]

We usually show people models one up and one down from what they need or are asking for, and then let them decide. We've given up trying to advise people that they don't need high end for their once a week house league or their beginner beer league. Both kids are stubborn and parents are stubborn, so we just try to explain features. If they are focused on high end, we'll sell it to them. On the other hand for example, when someone chooses say a lower end model skate that has a carbon steel blade, we'll let them know for just a $30 upgrade they can get a skate with a stainless blade that will pay for itself in just a short time in reduced sharpenings. Armed with this, most choose the stainless model. Now are we steering, nope. But customer leaves knowing, they made right decision.

Lastly, everyone is getting down on salesmen, but that's their job, to make the most money for their boss. Everyone makes it sound like a bad thing. It's only bad if you are deceiving the customer.

[chippa13 1844]

I understand what you are saying, but when I get a customer who doesn't want to listen to me at all because he doesn't think black people play hockey therefore couldn't know anything about hockey equipment, then it's a problem. I'm just saying that there are people who come into stores with a notion that they cannot be helped because they know more, and those customers are difficult.

This is why you should fill your shop with posters of Willie O'Ree, Grant Fuhr, Jarome Iginla, Dancin' Anson Carter, .............. ahh, you get the point.

[jrgretzky99 1]

IMHO, that is the worst advice one could ever give to a parent!

In my opinion, skates are the number 1 priority, even before the helmet. You can never go wrong buying good skates but I feel you really don't need the higher end protective until your kids get to PeeWee and there is hitting and slappers.

You wanna know why I feel that way?

When I first started playing this game, I had one of the cheapest pair of skates you could buy. My ankles were the only part of the skate that was on the ice. Support, support, support, especially when the kids are young. I've coached for 10 years and I honestly don't care if the majority doesn't agree with me. You can spend $50.00 for a good helmet for your kid or overpay and spend over $100.00 for a helmet that will protect them almost exactly the same. You do that same comparison with skates and the differences are much greater. A One95 boot compared to a One35 is light years in difference.

That is the point I was trying to make. Not that a helmet isn't important. Skates are the most critical when it comes to buying quality.

That's all.

my problem with that statement is that the parent buys a skate that is three sizes too big. there is no skate that can do it's job properly when the kid is wearing a skate that is too big for them. people need to listen to the shop help. there is a balance between getting the right support and a skate with a little room. proper support is another issue- lacing three eyelets upright and wrapping the laces around is not support- is restrictive and does not allow the skater the proper flex needed while skating. skating is tough enough as a kid without your skates are holding you back. i have coached for 15 years and my biggest gripe is kids that are out there trying to play with the wrong size gear- it's either a stick that is too long, skates that are too big, pants that are too big, a helmet slipping over the kids head, or protective that is flopping all over the place on the kid. most shop employees are there to help. the kicker is that rather than listen to the help the customer is busy thinking how the help is trying to screw him. there is so much misinformation out there it is retarded.

Who ever mentioned anything about the size of the skate??????????

I was simply making a comparison.

If you hated the educated customer who knew what he wanted and didn't want all of the fluff the newbies get, would you call yourself a well rounded retailer? I would think the proper response would be to adjust your styles to each and every customer.

Most of the "educated customers" aren't nearly as educated as they believe they are.

Keyword being "Most"!

This thread is named "Bad Business or Touchy Customer"?

I think I would classify as the touchy type don't you think?

Whatever you do, please don't touch me.

[jbyun04 7]

Not exactly my personal experience but one of my co-workers had someone like this on the phone:

"Hi I'd like to talk to someone who knows Under Armour REALLY well."

"Yes, I can try to help you."

"I was looking for something better than 'try' but whatever. Do you guys have compression shorts? Do you know what that is?"

"We have a few different ones.....whi-"

"Do you have Heat Gear? Do you know what that is?"

"Yes we do."

"Ok. *click*"

Can't stand those type of customers.

[Zac911 317]

IMHO, that is the worst advice one could ever give to a parent!

In my opinion, skates are the number 1 priority, even before the helmet. You can never go wrong buying good skates but I feel you really don't need the higher end protective until your kids get to PeeWee and there is hitting and slappers.

You wanna know why I feel that way?

When I first started playing this game, I had one of the cheapest pair of skates you could buy. My ankles were the only part of the skate that was on the ice. Support, support, support, especially when the kids are young. I've coached for 10 years and I honestly don't care if the majority doesn't agree with me. You can spend $50.00 for a good helmet for your kid or overpay and spend over $100.00 for a helmet that will protect them almost exactly the same. You do that same comparison with skates and the differences are much greater. A One95 boot compared to a One35 is light years in difference.

That is the point I was trying to make. Not that a helmet isn't important. Skates are the most critical when it comes to buying quality.

That's all.

my problem with that statement is that the parent buys a skate that is three sizes too big. there is no skate that can do it's job properly when the kid is wearing a skate that is too big for them. people need to listen to the shop help. there is a balance between getting the right support and a skate with a little room. proper support is another issue- lacing three eyelets upright and wrapping the laces around is not support- is restrictive and does not allow the skater the proper flex needed while skating. skating is tough enough as a kid without your skates are holding you back. i have coached for 15 years and my biggest gripe is kids that are out there trying to play with the wrong size gear- it's either a stick that is too long, skates that are too big, pants that are too big, a helmet slipping over the kids head, or protective that is flopping all over the place on the kid. most shop employees are there to help. the kicker is that rather than listen to the help the customer is busy thinking how the help is trying to screw him. there is so much misinformation out there it is retarded.

Who ever mentioned anything about the size of the skate??????????

I was simply making a comparison.

If you hated the educated customer who knew what he wanted and didn't want all of the fluff the newbies get, would you call yourself a well rounded retailer? I would think the proper response would be to adjust your styles to each and every customer.

Most of the "educated customers" aren't nearly as educated as they believe they are.

Keyword being "Most"!

This thread is named "Bad Business or Touchy Customer"?

I think I would classify as the touchy type don't you think?

Whatever you do, please don't touch me.

and what i was saying was that a cheaper skate that fits properly will be better than a skate that costs 3 times as much, so the parent buys it three sizes too big to " save money ".