A reason not to shop at dick smith

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Networkn
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#817441 14-May-2013 14:25

Hammerer: I have had many problems at DSE but they have always replaced defective products. I always keep my receipts as it makes it much easier to get the problem resolved. Sometimes I've even got a newer model. Usually the failure is in the first year of use so an extended warranty is not much use.

I would consider buying an extended warranty for any item over $1,000 which would be expected to have a long life such as a TV. I wouldn't bother with, for example, a router which I'm going to replace every 2-3 years anyway.

Heh I don't think I've ever owned a tv more than 2 years :)

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MsBounty

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#817522 14-May-2013 16:44

Hi there,
Thanks for letting us know about the way they are treating their employees. Personally I am making it a personal mission to avoid stores that create what I consider unreasonable conditions and will purposefully avoid DSE, although I have to say they weren't that great to begin with. It used to be an awesome little hobby store when the staff actually knew lots about electronics but they have strayed into a more generic store.

FYI I think you should post over at TheStandard.org.nz since they are very interested in worker's conditions/pay and they would love to hear about this.

What was not said in the first post was how much commission is normally made (ball park average), and how much sales people stand to loose as a direct result of this policy coming into place? I assume that any commission that is no longer "earned" if staff fail to meet the target % of extended warranties goes straight into the coffers of DSE.

In your opinion is this policy about motivating staff or unfairly reclaiming commission that employees rightfully earned?

Dunnersfella

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#817532 14-May-2013 17:01

To be fair, staff who fail to sell the extended warranties (something that is part of their employment contract) aren't doing their job to begin with...
You don't have to buy, but it is their job to ask all customers.

The staff who are better at this would probably stand to make more money, whereas those who aren't, well, they won't. But that's exactly the same as closing the deal to begin with!
At many retail stores, a sales person who sells a certain percentage of attachments will get a bonus / extra commission. Whereas those who don't... don't.

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#817542 14-May-2013 17:25

OP's facts are wrong; that probably means they're just a random store browser who overheard some employees talking and only heard bits and pieces. Either that or they're Australian and their commission policy is different over there

gzt

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#817551 14-May-2013 17:31

OP gave an NZ Dick Smith email address, but what makes you think the facts are wrong?

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#817554 14-May-2013 17:35

gzt: OP gave an NZ Dick Smith email address, but what makes you think the facts are wrong?

The fact that I work there and confirmed this afternoon with my manager that OP has it wrong

ajobbins

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#817591 14-May-2013 18:36

I've made two successful CGA claims with DSE in the last few years - but boy did they make it hard.

If you want them to honour the CGA - expect to take it to the Disputes Tribunal before they will even consider honouring their obligations. Sad, but all too common.

Extended warranties are really just buy an 'express pass' to your rights.

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#817596 14-May-2013 18:41

P1n3apqlExpr3ss:
gzt: OP gave an NZ Dick Smith email address, but what makes you think the facts are wrong?

The fact that I work there and confirmed this afternoon with my manager that OP has it wrong

Ok. So maybe the OP works there part time and heard a rumor without hearing all the facts or OP simply got bad information from a manager or part time supervisor.

It would be nice if the OP returned to clarify some aspects of the discussion, but so far OP is MIA.

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#817601 14-May-2013 18:44

MsBounty: Personally I am making it a personal mission to avoid stores that create what I consider unreasonable conditions [...]

I'd be interested in hearing more about those.

scuwp

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#817606 14-May-2013 18:50

As usual, one side of the story = misguided but well intended opinions it seems.

IMO businesses are free to run their stores as they see fit, as long as within the law, in compliance with employment agreements, and in a fair and equitable manner. Customers are free to vote with their feet and take business elsewhere. That's the marvelous thing about being in a free country.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

LostBoyNZ

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#817608 14-May-2013 18:53

I work there too (although wasn't there today) and haven't heard of this. Like in every store, and as someone else here posted, there's targets you have to reach in certain areas to get commission, but the OP hasn't got their numbers quite right.

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Lias

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#817619 14-May-2013 19:18

People still shop at DSE?

Really??

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

jeffnz

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#817632 14-May-2013 19:28

well the op is online so I would think if they don't respond soon then the thread should be closed.

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dsnz1

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#817635 14-May-2013 19:34

Thats my mistake its 10% not 15%

Dunnersfella: You don't have to buy, but it is their job to ask all customers.

You dont have to buy but the salespeople have to push customers into buying it oterhwise theres no benefit to them to sell everything they sold. i think its a good option to offer and has some benefits but it shouldnt be forced on customers. this will just create pushy salespeople which I think is a reason not to shop there.

MsBounty: What was not said in the first post was how much commission is normally made (ball park average), and how much sales people stand to loose as a direct result of this policy coming into place? I assume that any commission that is no longer "earned" if staff fail to meet the target % of extended warranties goes straight into the coffers of DSE.

.5% of sales. im part time but its the difference between minimum wage and $2.50 an hour more

freitasm

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#817637 14-May-2013 19:35

This is an interesting topic. While this seems to be a disgruntled employee people should remember there's no way to validate the claim unless Dick Smith participate here.

Any other comments, ideas and notes related to other issued are just part of the discussion.

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