Gateway Country Store opened up 'round here....should I put an application in?

KDOG

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,525
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Get tired of my factory job with rotating shift....its taking its toll. Anyone know how much they pay and what its like to work for them?
 

Stark

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2000
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How good are you at selling stuff you probably wouldn't buy yourself?

I have no idea what they pay, but they're probably commissioned sales. If you have experience with that stuff, go for it. Just remember, sales skills are more valuable than technical knowledge in a job like that. I don't even think they do repairs at the Country Stores.

I did sales for a while for the big red [b***] plug (aka circuit city). I would never go back.
 

sciencewhiz

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
5,885
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I think that technical knowledge and Gateway country sales reps are incompatible. (at least in LA)
 

Viper22

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Ok....I Would put in an Application if i were you. The Pay is very good, good hourly rate as well as a good commission. Most Stores have service centers in them within about a month of opening up. Ive been working at one for 2 years now as a Sales Associate and have just now gotten a promotion to work in the service center. I have made a hell of a lot of money working there so far. Enough to buy a brand new $28K car :) Tech knowledge is valuable as well as sales skills. You need any other info email me....cant post pay information here as its confidential.
 

jorken

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Hey KDOG, this wouldn't happen to be the same gateway store they are putting up at the cumberland mall is it? :)
 

Fingers

Platinum Member
Sep 4, 2000
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i wouldn't, you will be dealing with people who don't know what windows is, it will get really annoying after a while, but it depends on how much stuff like that bothers you.
 

Pastfinder

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2000
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I don't like Gateway's products but if you are good are selling things and want to get out from behind a desk or a cubicle, have at it.
 

Viper22

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Fingers...dude you have to have computer knowledge to be hired here man. Granted not everyone that works for the company is as Technologically Knowledgeable as some of the people here but most do a damn good job. I am a Techie type of person, and no not everyone that works in the store is but there are quite a few that know a hell of a lot.
 

Piano Man

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
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Being from the town where Gateway started, I can honestly say that you can make a lot of money off of commissions at the Country Store. Plus the fact that you actually know what you are talking about will help more. I wouldn't mind selling gateways, they are great for the average person who doesn't know alot about computers. I remember the people at my store didn't know the difference between RAM and a Hard Drive. I don't think you will have problems getting the job.
 

reitz

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
3,878
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As long as you have basic tech knowledge (can be substituted for the abilitly to talk out of your rear), a horribly nasty disposition, and a complete lack of sympathy for users who just purchased a new computer only to find out that something doesn't work properly or that Gateway doesn't thoroughly test for hardware compatibility, you should be fine.

Just remember the Golden Rule for Gateway sales and tech support: If anything goes wrong, have the user contact his ISP's tech support. Bad hard drive? That's a job for the ISP. Lightning fried the modem and the user needs a new one? The ISP is happy to help. A brand new computer, straight out of the box, that can't detect the modem? Of course that's the ISP's fault! Remember, any time a user contacts you for help, you have to be a complete and total prick. The only help you are allowed to offer is to tell the user to run a system restore. Not everyone can figure out how to do it without help, but that's okay. That's why the user's ISP has its own tech support.

KDOG, you seem to be fairly knowledgeable about computers. Find a job that will actually utilize your skills, instead of taking a position that will make you the second most hated person to Gateway users and the other technical support reps they contact (Gateway tech support is first). The laundry list of complaints (both from users and other techs) is a mile long. It is rare for me to speak with a user that will ever buy a second Gateway PC.