[delta]

We wandered into Comet and Curry's in Stockport Peel centre this afternoon, just to have a browse and laugh at their prices and set-ups. In Comet my mate picked up a remote to adjust the convergence on a Toshiba 46WHO8B, it was a mile out and the picture was terribel! An assistant shot across to us and told us to leave well alone because the set was set-up for the customers. He added that a Toshiba engineer had done a perfect job. The picture settings for contrast, brightness and colour were all set at maximum 100! We pointed out that it was the worse possible setting and did not give the best possible picture let alone causing the tubes to burn out sooner. We also showed him a 40" version of the WHO8B which had screen burn because the set had been left in 4:3 mode for too long. You could see where the side panels were even on a dark 16:9 picture! He said it was due to poor reception today - even though it was showing a DVD input! That was enough for us, we left. In Curry's we were made to feel like we were a necessary evil, no-one wanted to know us. However when we eventually caught the attention of an assistant and pointed out that only one tv out of about 40 was displaying the correct aspect ratio, the assistant asked, 'The aspect what...?' We left! But what really gets my goat about these places is their advertising which always proclaims these companies are offering the best ever prices and deals, yet if you keep an eye on them, the prices are gradually creeping upwards! As for the knowledge of the staff, well, don't get me started...

Dave

i know where your comming from. i went into currys on friday and asked the shop assistant if they sold S VIDEO CABLES, and the reply i got was........"S WHAT?". it took a further 2 people until i found someone who actually knew what i was talking about, and the reply was......SORRY SIR WE STOPPED STOCKING THESE CABLES, I DON'T KNOW WHY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN AND ASK FOR THEM"
i ended up driving a further 10 miles to a specialised home cinema shop with shop assistants that did have some knowledge of their products.
" I ONLY WANTED A BLOODY CABLE "

[LV426]

.....and you were surprised by these events.....????

IMHO, Comet, Currys, Dixons, Scottish Power, etc., etc., etc., serve only ONE purpose - as a source of entertainment. And I don't mean a place to buy entertainment equipment - I mean a place to go and be entertained by their pathetic attempts to display and sell products.

The really sad thing is, that these places and their practices are actually successful; people walk into these places and actually part with their cash! Astounding!

Mind you, I don't think that hardware manufacturers, software manufacturers, and digital broadcasters, are without blame. Their differing approaches to screens aspect ratios, their misleading labelling and so on don't help. After all, what chance has the average buyer got, if the sales staff in these stores can't cope?

And, many of the questions in these forums (eg why do I get black bands on my widescreen TV when I watch an anamorphic DVD and the like) indicate that many people, even those with enough of an interest to participate in these forums, are also having difficulty.

The sooner we get out of this 4:3 >> 16:9 "transitional phase" that we seem to have been in for years, and all TVs are 16:9 and all pictures (from digital or DVD) are in 16:9 format (with or without letterboxing), and we can get rid of the various modes that allow compatibility with "legacy" 4:3 material, the better.

[delta]

Originally posted by nigel:
<STRONG>.....and you were surprised by these events.....????

IMHO, Comet, Currys, Dixons, Scottish Power, etc., etc., etc., serve only ONE purpose - as a source of entertainment. And I don't mean a place to buy entertainment equipment - I mean a place to go and be entertained by their pathetic attempts to display and sell products.

The really sad thing is, that these places and their practices are actually successful; people walk into these places and actually part with their cash! Astounding!

Mind you, I don't think that hardware manufacturers, software manufacturers, and digital broadcasters, are without blame. Their differing approaches to screens aspect ratios, their misleading labelling and so on don't help. After all, what chance has the average buyer got, if the sales staff in these stores can't cope?

And, many of the questions in these forums (eg why do I get black bands on my widescreen TV when I watch an anamorphic DVD and the like) indicate that many people, even those with enough of an interest to participate in these forums, are also having difficulty.

The sooner we get out of this 4:3 &gt;&gt; 16:9 "transitional phase" that we seem to have been in for years, and all TVs are 16:9 and all pictures (from digital or DVD) are in 16:9 format (with or without letterboxing), and we can get rid of the various modes that allow compatibility with "legacy" 4:3 material, the better.</STRONG>

No, I wasn't surprsied but I thought I would put pen to paper to see what reaction there might be. Thanks for yours...! I agree with all that you say. But, when will people learn? Only by experience I guess.

Dave

[Panavision]

Funny stories, lads
Well, I bought my Sony Tele from Dixons. I knew what I wanted and I know my stuff.
I tend to buy from stores for peace of mind, I don't mind paying a little extra for peace of mind.

at the risk of making you kick yourself, John Lewis match internet prices - best of both worlds.
Stu

[delta]

Originally posted by stu_allen:
<STRONG>at the risk of making you kick yourself, John Lewis match internet prices - best of both worlds.
Stu</STRONG>

Yes, you are right about John Lewis. They claim to be 'Never knowingly undersold' so they will do a price match. However if you look at the same product next time you go in, the price is as it was before they price-matched, so they DO know they are being undersold! I have returned damaged goods to them in the past only to find them on sale the next time I have been there and at the original price, not the matched price!! Someone is bull****ting somewhere! Just be wary that's all.

Dave

Panavision, Dixons is the last place you will get peace of mind believe me, I know from experience. I bought a very expensive hifi system from them 10 years ago and the dvd player went faulty within a month and also the laser failed just out of 1 year guarantee. Whenever I need to buy Audio/hifi gear I just remember what the store manager said to me "not my problem mate! So I have shopped elsewhere ever since. Customer service and peace of mind is something you will never get there.

S'funny! A faulty DVD player from 10 years ago! Must've been a VERY early model...

Oops! Quite funny. You know what I mean!

[RMCF]

I think that you have to remember that the majority of people out there do not have an in-depth knowledge of HC/TV technology/DVD players etc etc. I would say that maybe only 5% of people would 'know their stuff' when going into shops - maybe people like the readers on this forum. But the vast majority just buy things on how they look and the price. I mean (hopefully this will not offend anyone) how else would Matsui equipment ever sell? You have to agree that places like Argos, Currys, Dixons, Index etc probably sell Alba, JMB, Medion, Matsui DVD players by the bucketfull. The punter who goes into these places does not know the difference between an Alba and a Sony player. You all must have experienced at some time a member of your family saying 'I don't hear any difference' after listening to your new CD seperate through your Rotel amp compared to their Goodmans mini system. Or not noticing the difference between VHS and DVD. These sort of people make up the majority of the buying public.

Having said that, some of us are unfortunate enough not to have any specialist shops within easy commuting distance and we have to shop from the likes of Currys. I mean if I want a good quality scart such as Ixos or QED then I would have a round trip of 150 miles. The reason is because my local shops would never sell a £39 scart when there are ones for £3.99 - cos thats what most people will buy.

[delta]

You are absolutely right. But this makes it all the more gauling when we 'in the know' see customers being told all kinds of rubbish from people who should know better. Sadly the majority of people do buy on price or looks alone. I think this kind of forum does help many people and I also feel that much of what is said here should be included in the magazine, which I guess reaches a far wider audience.

[Panavision]

No John Lewis in Birmingham.

But you can probably say the same thing about almost everything on sale...

People on this bulletin board know about AV stuff, but we're probably all guilty of buying other stuff in a sheeplike manner. I mean, if I wanted a washing machine I'd probably go to Comet or somewhere similar, but there are probably washing machine bulletin boards where they'd slate me and tell me I need to get an in-home demo of at least 3 or 4 machines before I buy. And what about top-loader vs front-loader? And then there's the quality of your water supply to consider...

Fair point KAO. Anybody know how to access the service menu on a Hotpoint Spinomatic

Hi

Okay so I'm not an expert on visual/audio but I have learnt that from Currys/Comet and the like I probably do know more than the guys trying to sell te product. Their technical knowledge is minimal with the rare exception of possibly one guy in a store knowing ( or thinking he knows) what he is talking about. Avoid these stores at all costs and buy your kit from a specialised audio/visual store. You will find that store personel know what they are on about (they are fully trained) and the prices for the kit will undercut Currys/Comet prices. Also if you have any problems with your products you will recieve a better service from the specialised dealer (if not manufacturer help).<br />Currys hire kids that don't know their arse from their elbow!

[LV426]

Last time I looked at this thread, it was 130+ posts. What has happened to it?

[jordanw109]

hi all.. im a comet employee and i totally agree that some people that do work for the company including some senior members of staff dont know what they are going on about. i am fortunate enough to only have been employed with comet since before christmas whilst i am at college. the thing i have noticed is the majority of people that come into comet are those with little or no knowledge of the product that they are looking to buy. this in a way is bad for both customer and staff as the customer walks out with a tv that they dont need and overpriced cables that they are told that the tv wont work without them. and the managers congratulate the sale for mindwashing the customer and selling them the most expensive tv and accessories. i for one make sure that even if the customer leaves the store with no products they go away with the right knowledge thus why i try my hardest not to get into a sale with white goods such as washing machines and tumble dryers seeing as im an 18 year old male. i wouldnt know where to start. i think im just trying to say i agree with you and im an employee that there are very few people now that work in these large electrical stores that know what they are going on about. the way they make their money is by the certain people they attack as soon as you walk in the door. the worst thing is they get a kick out of approaching people. i dont get commission on any sales so there really isnt any competition for a sale. i think that the ways in which some of these companies operate is wrong. and thats coming from an inside source. im not saying that i dont get personal satisfaction from my job because i do. i guess some people in the company work on different grounds to me. my fingers hurt after that rant.
jordan.

[Gammy leg]

Jordan,

This thread is 8 years old!!!. You were only 11 when it started. I'm not dissin' your input, valid points put across, just amazed really that these things can get ressurected so long after they were started. Can't recall who mentioned a DVD player in the thread, but that would make it 18yrs since purchase... Surely they havn't been around that long

Gammy

[NST]

*Blows the dust and cobwebs off*

[Lunar Wolf]

Wow zombie thread, awwwwsome!!!

[Theydon Bois]

I love Zombie threads, especially those that are still relevant today...

[StevieDvd]

Wow Comet & Currys are still on going, like this thread.

I'd hate for them to close as I get some good bargains when they price-match or have stupidly low/wrong prices and honour them.

Steve

[mattrixdesign2]

Wow - what is a CRT TV? This thread was started 08-04-2001

What its the oldest thread on these forums?

[jordanw109]

oh my god... so it is. well there we go a prime example of the stupidity of comet staff. well im sure i gave you guy a good laugh. and as for being 11 when this started... i probably still knew more about tv's just watching them than some of the staff at work! thanks.
Jordan

[- johnyc -]

im glad i came across this. i had a right laugh the other day when my neighbour called in and told me he had bought a ( 2.1 sound system ) with a built in upscaling dvd player from currys ,and was talked into a 1 m hdmi lead at £98.00.he ended up paying £700 in total.the best of it was there was an hdmi cable in the other box when he opened it. **** .

[mattrixdesign2]

Originally Posted by - johnyc -

1 m hdmi lead at £98.00.[...] hdmi cable in the other box when he opened it. **** .

I hope he took that lead back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[- johnyc -]

hi mattrix , no he didnt he said that he couldnt be bothered.he is very foolish with money.

[Jay J]

The one good thing about Richer Sounds, is they can price match their own website. I remember going to a Curry's or Comet store to buy a Cannon printer. It was £90 on their website, but £100 in store. They had plenty of signs saying they will price match other stores, but when asked we could only pay the in-store price.
Sorry for reviving this thread yet again!

[orangeacid]

I've stumbled across this 8 year old thread numerous times and would just like to revive it to point out what a sad, pathetic place this appear to be. I say appear because in actual fact I've read though huge amounts of very useful information here in the past and though interactions between members on the forums, most of you actually seem really helpful and pleasant.

It is clear from this thread and a couple of others dotted around that - presumably between sitting in your smoking jackets with a pipe, writing your latest articles for Sound on Sound whilst watching University Challenge on your Kuros - you have nothing better to do than bitch and whine about a sector that you most probably will never understand, let alone have experience of.

Its not so much that these threads make you appear elitist, more that they make you look like sad old men. I thought I would point this out as, aside from this thread that keeps coming up, this is an excellent site with a wealth of knowledge that is an asset to the admins and frequent posters. Grow up, guys.