How to Know If You Are Getting Bad Advice at the Hardware Store
If you need help from a hardware store employee, the advice you receive may vary depending on the knowledge and experience of the person helping you. Most of the time, the sellers in hardware stores offer good intentions, but sometimes even well-meaning advice can be far from the truth. In addition to the fact that training for salespeople in large branded stores can be more focused on how to get people to buy things, rather than how to help them, sometimes the retailers simply do not have the experience to give you proper advice. Here’s how to tell good advice from bad advice.
Avoid advice overwhelmed by obvious sales tactics
First, if someone offers you advice that relies heavily on the idea that more expensive fixes – or ones that require more and more equipment or materials than you planned to buy – are the only solution. it is a sign that the person you are talking to is promoting you. If you suspect this is happening, ask for specific examples of how the recommended tools or materials will make your project better, easier, faster, or in some way more durable. Checking these facts can help you determine the motive of the person giving you the advice.
Experience matters
If a salesperson has experience with a particular type of tool or material, he will often refer to that experience when explaining its benefits. This is a sign that the person helping you is directly versed in the craft. If so, you are most likely in good hands. Of course, it is a red flag if a sales rep claims to know everything there is in the store – it only means that they are probably exaggerating their experience in order to get a sale. There are probably a few hardware store workers who have a huge amount of experience with a very wide range of products, but they are undoubtedly more rare than those who have some experience with a particular department or application, or maybe who knows. a little about a lot. A salesperson who is honest about their experience is more likely to give you good advice.
Ask what add-ons are useful for
If a salesperson makes a strong case for a more expensive product, they should also be able to tell you about less expensive options. There are many good reasons to spend more money on a tool or material if you have special needs, such as if you need something that is resistant to heat or cold, or if you plan on using the tool a lot. But if you need an extension cord to plug your cell phone into a wall outlet in the bedroom and are being offered weatherproof, waterproof, tool-resistant protection, you’re probably getting bad advice. Remember how you will be using the product you are looking for and make sure it matches the advice you receive.
There are real mistakes, here’s how to spot them
There are also salespeople who really try, but just don’t have the knowledge to help you. These people will be more difficult to spot if you are not very knowledgeable about what you are trying to buy. In this case, it is helpful to ask a few questions. In this case, you might find bad advice by asking for a second opinion. Obviously, you don’t need to verify the employee’s fact in front of him, but you can safely Google what they tell you when they finish their presentation. You can also ask them if they have ever used what they are talking about, or if they know anyone who has used. If they are genuinely trying to help, they probably wouldn’t mind introducing you to a more experienced colleague. Retailers face a lot of doubts these days, so kindness is essential if you go to them for information.