4 ms·

Instead of knowledgeable employees, I think it would be much cooler to have free wi-fi and QR code stickers next to most products so customers can get quick acc

Instead of knowledgeable employees, I think it would be much cooler to have free wi-fi and QR code stickers next to most products so customers can get quick access to data sheets, project suggestions, calculators (especially applications of Ohm's law), and online forums. In today's world, electronics shops can't compete on price, but they can be faster than shipping and they can provide trustworthy online knowledge.

kazinator 7y ago
There is a downside to halfway knowledgeable staff: people come in with stupid questions and hold up the line at busy times. Grr; I know what I'm doing, and found the parts I need in three minutes. Can I pay now? Nope, some dolt is explaining some cockamamie project idea to the clerk, asking for suggestions that add up to half of the design. Guy behind him brought a toaster and wants to ask how to get it working again. Has zero troubleshooting skills.
- mschuster91 7y ago
  > Grr; I know what I'm doing, and found the parts I need in three minutes. Can I pay now? Nope, some dolt is explaining some cockamamie project idea to the clerk, asking for suggestions that add up to half of the design. This could easily be solved with the McDonald's model: Provide self-service kiosks where you can order what you want and pay and have a "pickup" register which also serves as the hub for online orders. > Guy behind him brought a toaster and wants to ask how to get it working again. Has zero troubleshooting skills. That one can be solved by integrating a "maker space" into the store, with either volunteers or paid staff. Even better: combine this concept with an entirely automated warehouse so that online, in-person and "maker space" orders can be served basically 24/7. All electronic components, from tiny SMD resistors over huge electrolytic condensators to processors, are available on machine-feedable spools anyway for mass production... so it shouldn't be that hard to automate anyway with existing components! (Please, someone, please implement this idea!)
- autoexec 7y ago
  We shouldn't need a sales person to check out anymore. Self checkout (perhaps with employee verification for expensive items) should be fine. That frees up people to talk shop and the rest of us can just scan our items and leave.

kazinator 7y ago

There is a downside to halfway knowledgeable staff: people come in with stupid questions and hold up the line at busy times. Grr; I know what I'm doing, and found the parts I need in three minutes. Can I pay now? Nope, some dolt is explaining some cockamamie project idea to the clerk, asking for suggestions that add up to half of the design. Guy behind him brought a toaster and wants to ask how to get it working again. Has zero troubleshooting skills.

mschuster91 7y ago
> Grr; I know what I'm doing, and found the parts I need in three minutes. Can I pay now? Nope, some dolt is explaining some cockamamie project idea to the clerk, asking for suggestions that add up to half of the design. This could easily be solved with the McDonald's model: Provide self-service kiosks where you can order what you want and pay and have a "pickup" register which also serves as the hub for online orders. > Guy behind him brought a toaster and wants to ask how to get it working again. Has zero troubleshooting skills. That one can be solved by integrating a "maker space" into the store, with either volunteers or paid staff. Even better: combine this concept with an entirely automated warehouse so that online, in-person and "maker space" orders can be served basically 24/7. All electronic components, from tiny SMD resistors over huge electrolytic condensators to processors, are available on machine-feedable spools anyway for mass production... so it shouldn't be that hard to automate anyway with existing components! (Please, someone, please implement this idea!)
autoexec 7y ago
We shouldn't need a sales person to check out anymore. Self checkout (perhaps with employee verification for expensive items) should be fine. That frees up people to talk shop and the rest of us can just scan our items and leave.