Toy Hunters: Do you call stores to find toys you're after?

[GoktimusPrime]

I was once at Target looking and a staff member asked if they could help me. I told them that I was looking for a toy that was:
+ a Transformer called Solar Storm Grappel
+ part of the Reveal the Shield line
+ a yellow Voyager Class robot that transforms into a crane
+ part of the same assortment as Strafe and Lugnut
+ and that I couldn't find it in the aisle where the Transformers are

Despite all this information that I gave, I was still directed to the same aisle with the store attendant insisting that the toy was there. I led the attendant to the aisle (who reluctantly complied) and pointed out that the toy was indeed not there.

I agree with what UltraMarginal said - it also boils down to how much they care about their products, which IMO is dependent on how much pride they take in their job. IMO if people took pride and care about their work, then they would be more observant. So whether you're being served at a department store or dedicated toy store doesn't matter all that much, it's whether or not the person serving you actually cares about the products they work with. It also depends on whether or not the employee cares enough to train staff about product knowledge.

My next door neighbour used to work at TRU and her boyfriend works at Bunnings. TRU staff are notoriously ignorant about their products wheres Bunnings prides themselves on their staff's expert knowledge. She explained to me that this was because Bunnings regularly trains their staff in product knowledge whereas when she was working at TRU they never gave her product knowledge training. She desperately _wanted_ training, but they never gave it to her.

As I said before, I find Japanese department store staff to be quite knowledgable -- if I ask them when their next shipment of Transformers is coming in, they can tell me the exact date and time off the top of their head without even having to look it up. I reckon this is a combination of worker's pride (and honour) and occupational training and open sharing of product information.

JMHO.

I completely agree with you dude and it's thoroughly frustrating how many sheepish idiots do make up a significant portion of the populace.

Idiocracy'd