Circuit City is closing its doors. It has asked for court approval to close its remaining stores and sell off all its merchandise.
This post on Consumerist sums up why I don't really feel too bad about it. In general, sales people are just pushed too hard to sell accessories and warranty plans. What really caught me:
4. Every salesman is ranked by the number of protection plans (or extended warranties) that they sell. At my store all the time we would throw on scratch protection plans to CD's, since they're only a buck, most people don't notice. During the $9.99 CD special days, customers who weren't aware of the sale were easy prey.
and
8. When being pushed for additional products and services, there are a few different tactics. One is that once you refuse it, it is thrown in anyways. The other is one common at Best Buy, called "Code Green", in which we have another associate ring you up, and hammer harder to get the additional plans or accessories. Also while pushing sales associates will say that they're not on commission (true) and it's all from personal experience (not true). [emphasis added]
and
24. Circuit City has violated "minor labor laws" to the extreme. I know of 16 year olds who worked 50 hour weeks, when it was only legal for 20.
Sorry Circuit City, when you treat employees like drug pushers and your customers like you're doing them a favor by just allowing them to walk in the store, this is what happens.
To the non-sales workers and ethical sales people who did not fall prey to the system, you have my sympathy. I hope you find new employment soon.
