On Retail Training Experiences

George, In going to these stores, I have noticed that the sales associates are quite young, paid low, and probably overzealous. I am sure that the manager of these stores would not like to hear that products they are carrying are being maligned by their sales associates, or customers are being driven away and uncomfortable about going there now. The young kids there are probably working on a directive from their manager in the wrong direction either not knowing that they carry these additional products, or not understanding that a retail environment is a business environment, and if they are driving customers away from products they are carrying, they certaintly are not doing the job that was intended. Remember the sales associates are not trainers by any means, and because they are kids with limited experiences, they are likely to get it wrong much of the time. Because of the pressure that is on everyone to "perform"="$$$$$$", much like a Walmart, misinterpretations are bound to occur. If your client feels comfortable, or maybe even yourself, I would write a nicely worded letter to that store manager, just letting them know what happened. You or he/she will probably get all sorts of coupons at the least. Maybe ask them if they would like a demonstration of some of the uses of the other equipment they carry, and (for a fee of course) offer to at least explain these to the sales associates. And of course, offer your card up as THE trainer that can help their clients with these pieces of equipment. I bet many of them come back unreturned, because the PetSmart customer has no idea where to go or how to use the equiment.