What's it like working in a Hi-Fi Shop

I have been thinking recently about what it might be like working in a hi-fi shop. On the one hand it seems like it could be really interesting, dealing with all sorts of people, getting to use the latest kit and generally helping people enjoy their hobby more.

On the other hand I wonder if you do loads of dems and get no sales, spend lots of time answering pointless questions and whether it's a nightmare dealing with manufacturers/distributors and their "processes", amongst other things.

Anybody out there got any first hand experience on the pros and cons?

 

It's a lot more fun than having a proper job!

Ed - The AudioWorks, Cheadle.

 

don't all jobs eventually become tedious? Who knows, there may even be some bored porn actors out there: "oh bloody hell - not another three hours of have my member sucked by a couple of hungry girls - I really should've finished my ACA ".

DT

 

:ffrc:

 

I wonder what it feel like for an audiophile to be working in Dixons or Comet?

 

Dealing with the manufactures for me has been no problem at all,big thumbs up for Sonneteer & Neat,in the US stillpoints and Audience,and the distributers here so far have be fine,it's hard work,it becomes a job more than a hobby,you have to sell to survive.

You need to learn about the customer in a few seconds,don't pre judge,be honest,don't give them no BS,be polite,give them your time and the best thier budget can offer,like all jobs it has it's good times and bad times,not all people are easy to deal with.

 

I nearly did it when I needed the money. Luckily I got turned down! I was surprised really as I doubt there was anyone as well qualified and I felt the interview went pretty well.

 

perhaps they were worried that if you knew the stuff was sh*t then you'd find it hard to convince customers it was good...

 

If its your business then it might be good.

Long time ago I worked a record shop, in the classical department (which was biggest in Scotland, now sadly closed down of course), spending all day listening to music I liked and talking to people who liked the same. Regardless, after a year I hated it.

 

I'd have loved to work in the hi-fi industry be it a shop, manufacturer or the press. Bit late in the day to jump horses now though

The only problem is having to sell stuff you know to be absolute crap because it's what the boss decides to stock, unless you are the boss of course.

 

I expect there would be good days and bad days.

It would be hard if you're not into what you're selling, I mean what if it was a Linn or Naim culture and you loved tubes and panels or vice versa? Also, faith in humanity must be tested a lot on the assumption that the general public displays the lack of manners and general respect for others that you see in just about every other aspect of life. Except in our pastime there are an awful lot of smart-a55es as well. It must also test your enthusiasm when all your energy and expertise has informed a customer who then disappears (having then bought that ex-Dem from Shadow or one of the many low-overhead advertisers in the rags that you can't compete with on price or having bought 2nd hand instead). The know-it-all customers, those infected with the attitude of superior knowledge and lack of patience or ability to buy with no heart in it, the collection of 5 albums and a vulgar display of upgrading because they can and it's a self-fulfilling pastime of it's own. Repetitive music must become like water torture, not Dire Straits or Madonna or Dildo (sic) again surely...

The upside is presumably the relative freedom from the corporate or industrial working life pressures, learning continuously in a favourite pastime, the understanding and patient customers, the customers who become friends, watching customers enjoy the systems you helped them develop and perhaps achieve goals that were really financially tight but important to them, the funny incidents and mistakes that become legend (and I learned some great ones that one can not really post), those periods when there's simply a fun atmosphere that just flows through everybody in there, the discovery of music and those days when it all just gels and perhaps significant sales are achieved.

It always strikes me as a transient thing though as there's no money in it meaning that you need to find a Saturday position. I always fancied this until family commitments (older and younger!) rendered it no longer feasible.

 

Don't knock Shadow, they are great for non-demming-vulgar-upgraders-because-they-can-type-people-(with-five-records) like me.

 

I see your trident is prodding here and there across the web then James. SME back in action or still poorly?

 

I did my work experience in a hi-fi shop. It was certainly an eye-opener. On the first morning, I was basically told;

"right, we're going to be out the back all morning, here's a bell to press if you need us, but don't press it too much".

Then the two full-time members p*ssed off out the back of the shop, leaving me (aged 15) to attempt to serve any customers that came in.

Amazingly, that shop is still in business....

 

Not enough acne, probably.

 

probably a little less soul destroying than most retail jobs. i guess it's not that well paid. sounds like a load of grief to me

 

how much do shop assistants get these days anyway..? is it commision based..??

 

Yeah, what's not to like about it? All the people I've encountered in hifi shops, with one exception, have seemed to be very happy in their work.

 

depends where of course, but most of the poor sods seem to on about 10 bob over minimum,

 

SME fine thanks.