1. Leave the "resident expert" at home
Your cousin Joe know a lot about computers? GREAT! Get him to educate you on the basics, have him hook up your system and teach you how to click the mouse, BUT DO NOT TAKE HIM SHOPPING with you. *secret* When you bring the "expert" with you, the salesperson will spend more time arguing with him than helping you. If you didn't want someone who is trained daily on the ins and outs of what's what, who could explain to you what you need, why didn't you go to Costco? Salespeople cannot properly qualify your needs when Joe isn't letting them talk to you! Trust the salesperson. If we wind up selling you something that doesn't suit your needs, you will bring it back! WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN!

2. Don't say "I want the best" unless you mean it:
Guess what. The BEST refrigerator isn't going to cost you $500. The BEST pair of speakers will not be $40. If you want the best, then be prepared to pay for it. If you are not, please say "I want the best that I can afford, which is $----."

3. Don't say "Just Looking" when a salesperson says "Hello."
Guess what. We're just saying hello. Be polite enough to wait until we ASK to help you, before you ASSUME we want to.

4. Do let the salesperson ask you questions:
Its called "qualifying." We ask you who, what, where and why - and then supply you with "how." If you refuse (or are cranky, rude, obnoxious, tight lipped, snappish or otherwise) to allow us to ask questions, we will not be able to figure out what you need.

5. Listen to your salesperson:
Believe it or not, we are not out to suck you dry. I know that you feel (and treat us like) we are the scum of the Earth. Hey. You need help from us, remember? Be polite! Your salesperson does want to sell you something. But the RIGHT something so that you do not bring it back.

6. Don't try to close the sale with a ridiculous offer.
Guess what? We are not that desperate. If we just told you that $345 is as low as we can go, NO ONE CARES IF YOU ARE PAYING IN CASH, RIGHT NOW. We are not going to sell it to you for $300!

7. Don't be a jerk:
If you think somehow that being rude gets you special treatment... well... YOU'RE RIGHT! Salespeople will find a way to screw you however they can, and then, when you leave, we'll be snickering up our sleeves at you. Lots a good it did, huh? Feel better?

8. Do not discriminate on basis of sex or age:
Just because I'm young doesn't mean I do not know more than you. Just because I am a girl doesn't mean I don't understand electronics. Not only will you piss off the young/female salesperson, but all the older/male salespeople will know, and trust me... that doesn't win you any brownie points. No special deals for you!

9. Be prepared:
Know how large your entertainment center is. Have your room measurements handy. Plan a day to be home for delivery. Salespeople are not psychics.

10. TELL US IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BUY:
Just looking doesn't mean not buying. We will keep trying to help you and close a sale. That's what we do. But that's ok. What's not ok is when you rush in, say that you need something, take two hours of a salespersons time explaining it to you, and then say you are waiting for next years tax return. Time is money, honey. Its just plain rude. But if its a weekday, and the store is slow, and you tell the salesperson - "Look, I'm not buying for at least a year, but could you educate me?" - then its ok. We are aware, and you are aware that we may leave you to help someone else, and then come back.