When people are hired to deal with the public at an electronics store, we expect they have had job training to be able to answer legitimate questions about the products they are selling. Maybe the reason they were hired is they already have knowledge and skills that qualify them for a position where they might be asked a question by customers. I would think they would be trained to say, “I don’t know” if they really don’t know. It never ceases to amaze me how many times I have been wrong. What drives me “through the roof crazy” is when they make up an answer that sounds good enough that they think you should believe it. You can actually see the wheels turning as they get this glazed look in their eyes and they think of what they can tell you. It feels like trying to push boulders over just to get them to understand what you need and can they find someone who can answer the question.
I guess I have a very low tolerance for incompetence. I have been told I need more empathy because if I was in their position, I would do the same thing. Oh, seriously! I ask a question because I want an actual answer based on fact. I don’t want to hear something made up that sounds good. This is what happened when we went to a big box store that specialized in electronics. Now you understand…… Oh dear, goodness gracious. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing especially when combined with a great imagination.
Do I have empathy for incompetence? No. I expect them to be honest with me when they don’t know the answer. They had plenty of time when I was buying an expensive, big-commission item. Now, they don’t want to deal with me when I just need an adapter to make the previous purchase work. I hope that I will not be going to a big-box electronics store in the near future or I might have a meltdown right in the aisle as if I was a 6 year old. Hopefully you won’t see me on the evening news. LOL.