RS employee, was he helping me or making me more confused?

[Zik43]

I am sorry this is so long, but I have to tell my story.


Wanting to get back into the hobby I decided to research what kind of new scanner I would get. After days of online research as well as phone calls, I decided on the pro-164. Mainly because all the reading I did on trunk scanning, confused and worried me a little. Some say it was easy to figure out, some say hard. I was seeing many new terms for the first time. Trunk tracker. Talk groups. Fleet maps. Open bank. Closed bank. I could go on here, but you get the idea.

I figured I would approach this thing like I do anything. Trial/error plus online research, and of course, time. I'd get it, I always do. So boy was I happy when after calling around for prices, the guy at RS told me the 164 comes pre programmed. I specifically asked "I know nothing about trunking, is all that programmed and can you show me basic operation"? He told me all the trunking channels are pre programmed and nothing more is needed to program

Ok that sold it for me. I felt fortunate to have my local RS program this thing for me, when I read so many others being so confused. Ha. Score one for me finally.

When I was buying this thing, I asked him yet again. "Are you sure I dont need to program in anything else, or do anything at all? Are you telling me I will hear trunking without doing a thing?" His reply, "Sir, I told you it is pre programmed. If there is any trunking to hear, you will hear it. I can not be any more clear than that". Now I felt like I was bothering this guy. Made me feel kind of stupid. So I leave thinking he is the expert. I must take him for his word.

After doing more reading here and other places, I discovered talk groups. Sure looked to me like they needed to be entered. Plus it looks to me I need to enter radio types, and make sure it is enabled. As I read more, I got more questions. So I go back up to my RS to my salesman. I voiced my questions and concerns.

"Sir, I programmed in all the trunking you need." I mentioned group id's. He told me that is for other areas not here. I said "then wth is the trunk button for, if I dont ever need to touch it"? "Sir that is for programming the trunking frequencies I already got in there for you. You dont ever need to touch it".

I leave feeling stupid again. Something just didnt seem right though. I found out I do indeed need to enter talk groups and the type of radios used in my area, plus something about fleet maps. All RS did was program the 800 frequencies listed here:
http://www.fcema.org/scanfreq/scanner.htm


I went back up RS this morning, to buy a new antena and ask about talk groups etc. The same guy told me my stock antena was good enough, it must be me not having the squelch right. Then I mentioned talk groups, etc. He had no idea what I was talking about and even said "hmm. If you ever figure it out, let me know, I'd like to know myslef", then walked away.

So here I am. Confused as can be. I remember when a RS employee knew plenty. I am extremely frustrated and confused.

But. Thank goodness you guys have a member here named "talviar". Extremely helpful and friendly and is helping me through private messages. He told me about his local group that meets, and is even willing to meet me personally to help. Thank you very much Tony.

 

[policefreak]

Hello. Yes it is a darn shame that some Radioshack employees are not trained on the equipment they sell. I own a Pro-164 and yes you do need to program the trunk systems you want to hear. You can do it by hand or you can buy software which does make it easier. I personally do it by hand and it isn't too bad.

BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR PURCHASE!! What county in PA do you live in? You may need a digital trunking scanner (more advanced than the PRO-164) or you may not need a trunking scanner at all. Also keep in mind that to my knowledge the Pro-164 does NOT do trunking in the 500 MHz range. All the more importance on what county you live in. Either way if you get a Pro 164 or another scanner there are easier to read instructions on line (the manuals don't tell you jack squat!) and I can show you links. If you get the 164 I you can also PM me and I can explain it to you.

The 164 is a pretty good radio with the exception of the 500 MHz thing and I would recommend it. Don't let the programming thing throw you off because once you get it, you'll really enjoy it! I'm sorry about your experience at Radioshack. Is there another Radioshack in your area that you can go instead? That guy sounds like a real smarta$$!

 

[Zik43]

Thank you for the reply.


The link I provided above shows my county and even the frequencies. I guess what gets me frustrated is that I am confused enough, without a salesguy making it worse.

They was sold out of the pro-164 when I went there today. I can't help but wonder how many other people are sitting home now, confused as can be from his "nothing more to program or do" advice.

I am currently listening to my local 800mhz frequencies and enjoying it allot. It picks up plenty. And thanks to talviar, I will be attending a local meeting to get some real help.

And thanks for letting me vent some frustrations.

 

[Ishyid]

Do you know any online manuals for programmins the Pro-162 trunked systems?

 

[n5ims]

Checking the WIKI here at RR --> http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-162

They have a link to the online Pro-162 manual --> http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/uc/rsk/Support/ProductManuals/2000162_PM_EN.pdf

 

[lars128]

Since you're in Fayette County (or is it Fayette-Nam?) you are fine with either the Pro 162 or 164. Westmoreland county is p25 and you will need a more expensive scanner to tune in. However, Westmoreland's fire dispatch freq is 33.7 MHz, so you can get the dispatches without a trunking scanner. You should pick up Westmoreland frequencies (I can get Fayette trunked system when I am in Greensburg), so you will have to make that decision if you do want a digital scanner.

As to the Pro 162 or 164 the decision is yours. Whatever you purchase, get the programming cable and a programming software - you will be far ahead to start out with it. I prefer the 164 with WIN97 but the 162 is just fine. Be sure to check out the database (linked at the top of the page) for scanner frequencies. Another good link is www.wpascanner.com.

 

[policefreak]

No problem. Go Steelers!

 

[SCPD]

Years ago as a high school student, I worked at RS, this was way back in the day, when everything was written to an order pad, we asked for your name and address and eventually you'd get our catalog. Anyway, the point I was making is that even back then we had thousands of items in stock. It's kind of hard to be an expert on every single item in your store.

And lets not forget that employee turn over time is fairly high at RS as well. So the next time you think the RS sales clerk is a moronic twit, just take a look around the store and see how many items you could be an "expert" at and sell with knowledge. I'm willing to bet you'd specialize in learning just a few areas and not thousands of stock and online items.

Most reps are knowledgeble in the products that are sold most, but I wonder really how many scanners a single RS store sells in a weeks time, compared to cell phones, computers, stereos and etc.

 

[hoser147]

Years ago as a high school student, I worked at RS, this was way back in the day, when everything was written to an order pad, we asked for your name and address and eventually you'd get our catalog. Anyway, the point I was making is that even back then we had thousands of items in stock. It's kind of hard to be an expert on every single item in your store.

And lets not forget that employee turn over time is fairly high at RS as well. So the next time you think the RS sales clerk is a moronic twit, just take a look around the store and see how many items you could be an "expert" at and sell with knowledge. I'm willing to bet you'd specialize in learning just a few areas and not thousands of stock and online items.

Most reps are knowledgeble in the products that are sold most, but I wonder really how many scanners a single RS store sells in a weeks time, compared to cell phones, computers, stereos and etc.

Good point, its best to research your purchase thru other means like the computer. But once in a while you do get the occasional Ham op or someone that has some knowledge working there, but not very often.

 

[SCPD]

Good point, its best to research your purchase thru other means like the computer. But once in a while you do get the occasional Ham op or someone that has some knowledge working there, but not very often.

There is nothing wrong with researching before making a purchase. It's not radio related, but to illustrate a point, a fella here in my community bought a house about 9 months ago. Well at the same time he was buying this house, there was a lot of brohaha about a motocross track being built in the area. The proposal got the county's blessing and a go ahead. Now, Mr. New Home Owner is bent out of shape because nobody told him that a motocross track was coming. Umm, it was all over the media so I don't really see how he could miss.

Now he is mad as hell and wants to sue someone. Had he only done a little research, or asked the real estate agent about the zoning of the field to the east of him, he might have had a heads up and perhaps purchased another house in another location.

Live and learn!

 

[buddrousa]

His beaf might be with the selling agent as I was under the understanding they (the selling agent) had to provide all that information to the buyer before the sale. Of course this might be a local or state law that might not be a law in that state.

 

[SCPD]

I think the law applies here as well, something about total disclousure of defects in the house. I'm not sure though, how that applies to other land and zoning issues.

 

[dougjgray]

well law or no law I think the seller would only have take the scanner back and then refund the money if the product doesnt perform as explained by a sales clerk when it was sold, which most stores like radio shack will do. a good thing about radio shack is I have never been charged a restocking fee when returning stuff. I know best buy charges a fee of some sort unless it is defective.

 

[Zik43]

My beef was with the sales guy providing false information. If he didn't know the answer to my questions, then simply say so. I did plenty of research before buying, which is why I was so happy to get a radio pre programmed. (or so I was told). I went back twice and was twice led to believe I was stupid for not understanding.


A new scanner user is confused enough. I specifically asked if I would need to do anything more to the scanner to pick up trunking. I was told, "no".


If I am not mistaken, RS employees still work on a commission basis. This is why I like to purchase things at Best Buy. They do not work on commission.

 

[boyledad]

It's kind of hard to be an expert on every single item in your store.

They should admit to not having all the answers. "Let me check on that" or "Here's a website that might help you."

I have made an enemy or two over the years by butting into sales and correcting wrong answers but I will never apologize for protecting a fellow customer from being screwed.

 

[jmsanders83]

I worked at Radio Shack from 2001 to 2003 when I was in college. I was the only one in my district who could hold an intelligent conversation with anyone regarding scanners and amateur radios. I ended up getting let go because I couldn't hit the 1 in 20 hit rate they want you to have for cell phone purchases. (Every 1 in 20 customers you ring up needs to buy a cell phone). So, the next time you walk into a radio shack, don't expect the guy behind the counter to know a lick about scanners. Radio Shack employees make minimum wage, plus about 20 cents per year with the company, plus barely enough commission to pay your taxes based on minimum wage pay. Even the store managers only see 30 to 35k a year, unless you get a really great location, then maybe 45k. The poor folks get treated like crap that work there by management. In my own experience, the people who know the most about the products they sell get thrown in the slowest stores, and the liars, no-nothings and good salespeople get put in the busy stores.

 

[dougjgray]

I do think I would prefer a sales clerk that will admit he doent know then this guy that probably made a guess to make the sale. But on the other hand most people that work at radio shack anymore are young and the hip technology now is cell phones and computer equipment and thats what they know and are intersted in and they probably dont sell to many scanners any more except 3 or 4 times a year when there is a sale. where as in the 70s and 80s and earlier radio was probably the hip technology and sales clerks/younger people where more knowledgeable. Anyway I tend to no expect to much out of store workers at pretty much any retail store chain any more they dont make alot of money.

 

[zz0468]

What's the difference between a used car salesman and a Radio Shack salesman?

A used car salesman KNOWS when he's lying to you.

*Sha boom bing* Thank you! I'll be here all week. Try the veal...

 

[DickH]

Do you know any online manuals for programmins the Pro-162 trunked systems?

This is the 3rd or 4th time that I recall you have hi-jacked a thread. Your question has nothing to do with the subject of this thread.

 

[smokeyjones666]

I worked at Radio Shack from 2001 to 2003 when I was in college...

I hear you man, I did some time at RS when I needed a job and you hit the nail on the head. Cell phones, cell phones and more cell phones - screw everything else. Not that I sold a high percentage of phones, I'm just not a salesman at heart and somehow the resident shark would always get me stuck in the back of the store having a thrilling discussion about resistors and LEDs while he was playing close to the net taking only cell phone sales.

Not that I don't find that stuff interesting, but when you work on commission you certainly like to sell stuff.

The problem was, there really is very little incentive to know anything about the products the store sells, unless it's a cell phone because that is your money maker. Scanners are awesome sales too, but most people don't know about them, there isn't really any training on them and unless your customer is the type to walk up to you and directly ask to buy a scanner and a programming cable, hand you $500 without blinking and walk out - well, those other customers are high maintenance and you certainly don't want those (you don't want customers coming back to ask for help, do you?)

Unless you have a guy at a nearby store who knows a lot about scanners. Then, you sell the scanner and tell the customer "If you're having any trouble, just call smokeyjones666 over at the other store and he'll help you out". Grab your commission on your big scanner sale and let someone else pick up the slack for you without any compensation. For extra points, make sure to refer to the scanner guy at the other store as the "district scanner expert" - make special note of his "extra training".

Every once in a while, you get a memo from corporate that says to update your copy of Scancat - with instructions on how to download scanner programming for your area. Then, when some smarter-than-average RS associate tries it, it causes more harm than good, the customer gets frustrated and returns the scanner.

It's a game that makes even amateurs look bad. I don't know how that company stays in business, I really don't. Well, I guess I do. 100% (sometimes even 800%) markups, low wages, impossible targets and dirty business practices. Do whatever it takes to get the money now and eat alive the ones who don't. Almost makes Sam Walton look like a saint.