My middlest daughter wanted to go to Microcenter yesterday to look at keyboards, see what case options they had for her, maybe buy the processor she's been shopping for, and just generally look around at all the cool stuff. I also like to wander around that place, so we went up to have a look around. The keyboards and mice are all in one aisle so we spent a while in there looking at the various options. I was also interested in potentially getting a new keyboard and mouse for my computer and a new mouse for my work laptop, so we were both looking at all the options. This smarmy salesman comes up as my daughter and I were checking out one of the $200 gaming keyboards (!!) and does the whole "hey, what are you guys looking for today? Can I help?" and starts giving her the hard sell on the keyboard. Now, it's at this point in the story that I have to give the guy props for his objection handling because when she said that she liked it but it was really expensive, he told my daughter that it sure was but it was worth it and she should treat herself and that even though it might be more money upfront, she should buy it and also get the protection plan to make sure she got the most out of her initial investment. Slick, dude, very slick. I mean, we weren't falling for it, but I can respect the effort there.
Anyway, he gives her a card and the sheet about the protection plan and then heads off to hassle someone else. So we're back to looking at the options and talking amongst ourselves. I'm trying to find a decent middle-of-the-road mouse option but they've organized them by manufacturer so wireless and wired are all interspersed and I don't need a gaming mouse and so on. Another guy comes up and interrupts our conversation with, "Hey! What can I help you guys find today? Looking at a new mouse?". Nope, we're good, thanks. Not long after that, another one: "Are you guys finding everything you're looking for?" Yeah, we're fine, thanks. And again, and again, and again. On the - and I am not making this up - sixth or seventh discreet individual coming up and pestering us, he comes up and says "Hi! Has anybody helped you yet?" I stand up, look him in the eye, and say, "Dude, we are over-helped. You're like the eighth dude to come up and bother us. Can you people just leave us the hell alone already?".
We get a slight respite, my daughter picks out a keyboard for about $35, we're both looking at mice still, and finally the first dude wanders back in. He sees the keyboard that my daughter picked out and he starts in on his protection plan pitch again. He puts his little sticker on the box so he gets his commission or whatever, and then he puts the protection plan tag on the box as well and tells her that it'll only add about ten bucks to the price. He then transitions straight into "Oh, so also looking for a new mouse, huh?" and at this point I have just freaking had it. I look him square in the eye and say "Yeah. We're looking at mice, but we've got this handled and don't need any help, but thank you." He nods and says "oh yeah, no problem" and then continues to stand there. I am now hearing the news anchor's voice in my head: "A Northern Kentucky man was arrested this evening after an altercation at a local electronics store...". I continue staring at him. He doesn't move. I do the little upside down and backwards shooing motion with both my hands and just say "seriously! Just go away!" and he finally does. At that point I decided that I'd just get something from Amazon or Best Buy or perhaps just give up having a computer altogether.
I don't mind salespeople and I really don't mind interacting with people generally. I know they've got a job to do and depending on what I'm buying, I like to be sold and can find it useful. At the same time, I'm also usually pretty good about maintaining my calm and not letting annoying people ruin experiences. This E36 M3 was on another level. I've been in that place before and the worst I've gotten is the guy that accosts me while I'm on my way to the register with whatever I picked off the shelf and he's just trying to stick his tag on whatever I've bought without any assistance whatsoever. I'll just pick the tag off and be on my way or whatever. But for the love of all that is holy, these vultures make used car salesmen seem pleasant.