"1. We have no formal training in the field of consumer
electronics.
Upon transferring to the computer department from home theater, I
expressed concern to the manager: "Will there be time for someone
to train me on laptops/desktops? What do these specifications
mean?" His reply was simple: "Just do your best. A good salesperson
can just read the labels and compare specs." Ouch.
"Salespeople are not necessarily experts in the products sold in
their departments, even if they are expert salespeople. Though many
express a strong interest in the products they sell, your time
spent at a retail store fishing for information about a future TV
purchase could be better spent online researching the products
yourself (I heard CNET has pretty great reviews)."