The Laptop Salesman

Buying a laptop is not an easy matter and then when you get help from the 'sales guys' in the retail shops and showrooms, it could actually turn out into a nightmare.

I decided to buy one and and the first step I took was to go through the renowned companies websites about the latest models and their basic features. I also did a fair amount study on the net reading up reviews by different magazines knowing fully well that they are always biased more often than not. So armed with some reasonable homework and shortlists I first visited a well know retailer here in Kuwait.

I went round the shelves and laptops on display and could find none of the models shortlisted. The explanation was that they were yet to be introduced in this market, or they were not meant for this market, or they are now obsolete or whatever other reasons you could think of.

Having resigned to the fact that I have to depend on market availability I sought help of a salesperson. The conversation as follows:

SP: So what exactly are you looking for?
Me: Err, I was uh. looking for a laptop.
SP: Do you have any choices?
Me: (I took out my pocket notebook)..uh...well none of them are here.
SP: So what kind of a model are u looking for?
Me; Meaning? I want a reasonable laptop.
SP: I know. (Thanks a lot!!). Which company?
Me: Maybe HP, Dell. Lenovo?
SP: Why don't you try Asus?
Me: (Then why did yo ask me) Well I am not sure, soooooo.
SP: Why don't you see this one . Its an I3, 2 Gig, 500 SATA, in built webcam, 512 Nvidia, and we are giving you a bag free!!! Price XXX.
Me: The display is a bit small.
SP: Oh, you did not tell me.
Me; You never asked!!
SP: We have this bigger display and this is really selling sir. HP 15.6 inches, I5 Chip, 500 SATA, 3 GIG and SAME PRICE!!!
Me: Then why didn't you offer me this one before!!
SP; The earlier one came with a bag also sir!!
Me; Thanks for your help. And by the way what's difference between I3 and I5.
SP: Sir I3 and I5 not much of difference.
Me: But the two models you showed me...the clock speeds were different too!!
SP: That won't make so much of a difference!!
Me: Thanks for your help!!

I was seemingly confused and imagined how a normal customer without any knowledge of PCs would be a taken by this massive misdirected ride by the SPs. They would hound him with I3/I5s and I7s, throw in some Gigs(Giga Ram memory), and some other technicalities leaving the extremely confused as ever.

The next stop was at a major electronics special store and the conversation went somewhat similar to the eaelier one except that I was enlightened with some more details like AMD chip, Radeon vs Nvidia Graphic Card, USB 3.0 vs USB 2.0 and more.

But basically all these technical innuendos determined my resolve to crack them quickly so that I could have my product in hand the next day!! The next few hours at home had me searched through Chip sites, Chinese reliability, video cards and their errors, and all other such concerns.

So I had decided on what I wanted and then when I went next day to some other showrooms I finally got extremely confused on Prices, Model Nos like 57xgtuJ vs 88789PC vs GTYPP98. Why can't the manufacturers keep the model names simple!!

I finally gave up and called my knowledgeable friend and told him that these are the things I want my machine to do. Not hang(too much to ask!!), reasonable graphics for amateur photo editing, would still be under Microsoft OS(purely becos this was cheaper :-P), good amount of storage, some gaming and Office 2007!!! I got my answer in 5 minutes and I was crystal clear on what I needed to buy. I wish the Salesperson behaved more like a consultant in these showrooms rather than hounding poor customers with technical mumbo jumbo. Are these the type of Sales Reps companies want at their front ends!! Sphere: Related Content