Knowledgeable Staff

Have you ever entered a store that sells high-tech (or even low-tech) items with product questions?
Maybe you need to know if one product is better than another. Perhaps you aren't certain which of the products will best suit your needs. I'll bet your next step is to look for a sales associate. Who better to tell you what you need to know?
In a perfect store, the sales associate is easily located, friendly, professional, ready to help and filled with a vast supply of knowledge. Your questions are easily answered, the associate offers helpful tips and even suggests new things for you to try with your new gadget.
In reality, you'll probably spend a little time trying to locate a sales associate. When you do, she'll be busy with other customers, agitated or bored, and be less than ready to help you. When you finally garner her attention to ask the question that has been burning a hole in your brain while YOU waited for HER, her answer is: "I don't know. We don't make it, we just sell it."
Who is in charge of hiring and training the associate? Whose fault is it that once again, you are a dissatisfied customer? Who do you complain to? Who will answer your questions?
A sales associate at a different store will more than likely get the chance, as the current store has just lost your business.
One aspect of good customer service is knowledgeable sales staff. Placing a sales representative in a section leads the customer to believe questions can be answered, by the representative, about the products in that particular section.
Knowledgeable sales staff....What a concept!