Man I have to mention the phone call I just had with a music store about 1/2 hour from me. Talk about (and I'm going to use the harsh words), "uneducated idiots" who have NO idea what they're talking about. When I called I asked for the keyboard department. Well thinking I'd get someone who works specifically in that department that knows their stuff..... BOY WAS I SORELY MISTAKEN.

They're an authorized Roland and Yamaha dealer, so I thought great let me see what they have on the floor. I started with Roland to see what they have (hoping they may have a G-70 or the new GW-7 on display). They didn't have these models, and when I mentioned the G-70, EXR line, VA line, and the GW-7, this guy was TOTALLY clueless. He said and I quote " I don't think Roland makes those models and I'm certain that they are all discontinued."

It gets better. I asked about what Yamaha's they carry. He said well we've got the DGX and the P-60. I said do you carry any PSR's. Again he said and I quote "The PSR line is something Yamaha discontinued."

I flat out told this guy on the phone he is the most uninformed keyboard salesman I ever talked to, and advised him to visit the Roland and Yamaha website to update himself on the current models. Geez what a dope. How in the world do these people get hired????

Man I wish George or DanO were near me.

Squeak

I supposed that’s one of the reasons that arranger keyboard manufacturers don’t put their arranger in certain stores. They want to make sure that the sales people in the store can and are willing to explain the capabilities of the arranger keyboard.


Most keyboard stores today just concentrate on synth workstations and don’t have a clue about the latest arrangers and their enormous capabilities. (As illustrated by the topic starter).

I think even if a store just sells synth workstations, they should be made aware of other type of keyboards by the brand manufacturer they are selling.

Like with other professions and fields, one should always keep up to date with what is on the market even if you are not directly involved with it. So someone who sells just synth workstations like Yamaha, should know that Yamaha still makes PSR key boards. If not any thing more, it increases the sales person’s credibility and shows that the sales person knows what he or she is talking about.

On the other hand, if I went to that store and the sales person told me that Yamaha does not make PSR keyboards (and I know they do), I would not trust the sales person even if synth workstations are what the store specializes in.

Hey Squeak.....Just think of the number of people that the sales staff told this to that believed it...you didn't and you challanged it....but how many believed what they heard because of the position of the staff...because they are there, they must know.....Bull....I agree with you, it's a shame that some are in the position of knowing and know nothing......
Tony Rome

to the genesys,
It was bad enough he didn't even know the PSR line. I even asked him if he carried the Motif ES line. Guess what he asked when I said that? He said "hmmmmm, Motif ES..Roland makes that one right???" My patience with the guy was really starting to drop.

Squeak

Just because they work there dosn't mean squat...
I blame the management for hiring these nitwits, your YOUR OWN BEST Informations source,
BUYER BEWARE!!

I wouldn't be so hard on the help. My son, who is now in college is working for Home Depot full-time during the summer. They trained him to work in the special order section which means he help people with doors, windows, etc. He tells me they move him to Kitchens, Lumber, outdoor, and paint sections all the time and he doesn't know what the heck he's doing and they are not training him. They put him there because they are short handed and need the coverage.

These young people are trying their best to help the customer and make some money. Please try to show some respect for them.

Al

Wow...Thats insane!!! What a moron! I mean PSR line... thats like 7 different boards right there! Motif line... thats 2 there. I dont know what models he could know! Thats just about all of them there! Even though ive been keyboarding for about a year now, I know just about everything about keyboards back and front. When I get a car Im hoping I can get a chance to work at GC or something and actually be a knowlegable salesman.

Phil

It's hard to find them now Penny. I can also understand where kbrkr is also coming from. However, selling keyboards is an area where you have to know what you're doing. Not everyone that walks in knows how to play. You can't rely on the customer all the time demoing the board for themselves. The salesperson MUST know how to operate EACH keyboard their store sells, and be up to date on current (and even past models as well). I used to work in a music store years ago, but I knew what I was doing. I sold a lot of keyboards because I knew how to demo and use every board we sold. That's why I'm helping a local store right now on the side. Periodically I'll demo keyboards, and even drum machines for customers to help him make sales.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 05-29-2005).]

Face it....arranger enthusiasts are a minority.....synths lovers are everywhere.
zuki

Arranger people are just smarter..