Retail Headaches

You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy - Obi-Wan Kenobi on Costco

Yes, that isn't quite correct, but it's close. Costco is much like the Cantina in Mos Eisley, filled with an array of odd people speaking a multitude of languages. And more than a few who deserve to be shot or have an appendage lopped off. I have a definite love/hate relationship with Costco. Samples rock. The big-ass warehouse isn't a problem, it's the dipshit customers who inhabit it. I get hip checked by a small Asian woman going for a sample, I witness an old man push his cart into another to movie it out of his way while a small child is in that cart and of course there are the people standing in the middle of the aisle, apparently unaware of the dozens of people trying to weave their way through them. I've rarely said a rude word aloud to people in my life but "Just barge your way in" and "Good idea, stand in the middle of the fucking aisle" shot out of my mouth although more of an aside.

The other stores that make me want to swear are the electronics store, namely Best Buy and Fry's. Idiot customers aren't my headache here, it's the idiot customer service. Both are populated by people who barely have a fucking clue what they are selling or for that matter, what they have. At both stores I've found items when salesperson couldn't find it.
Salesperson: "Looks like we are out"
Me: "Uh, no there's one right up there.
SP: "Oh yea"
Brilliant. Forget about getting some real technical assistance from most of these gimps too. If you have a question about a product, you can almost bet they will look at the box or the product info card. Great, I can do that. When they ask another salesperson the exact same question I asked them it doesn't inspire great confidence. The main difference is the look of the stores and the staff. Best Buy is a bright fairly energetic looking place, the Fry's by me is dark and dreary looking. Best Buy is a happy retarded kid working at McDonald's, Fry's is the brain fried alkie talking to himself in his '79 van. The staff reflects this too. Best Buy folks have their bright blue shirts, looking comfortable and casual. Fry's staff wear shirt and tie, but it is one of those half-hearted looks. Think low rent criminal at court appearance or dutiful teen putting down the bong long enough to join his parents at church for Mother's Day.

I dislike going to these stores, but they have cornered their markets in my area. So, I take a deep breath, count to ten, grumble "Fuck" and go shopping.