Micro Center

[TheGreatSatan]

Today I visited a nearby Micro Center. I have never been inside one before and didn't know what to expect. Needless to say, I was in total awe!:eek: I had no idea of all the stuff they have! There were at least 30 computer cases to choose from and a large watercooling section. There were fans & grills, cathodes, and case feet. They had processors, RAM, motherboards and video cards. They even have a section called "Build-Your-Own-Computer" where you can pick out all your parts and they'll build it for you. They even have a price list with their prices and the Newegg price next to it!

I asked for the manager and he told me they have a position available in the computer building dept. I let him know about about the dozen or so magazines I've been in and he asked me to send him a resume. So I did.

[mtekk]

Microcenter is the best place to get Intel processors, especially the "true" i7 (9xx series). Their motherboard prices are at about the right price, not the cheapest, but if you buy the motherboard and CPU there you'll still save quite a bit money (depending on the models of course :) ).

[x88x]

Dude, you have a Microcenter near you and you were working at Radio Shack? *sighs and shakes head* Ah well, that is in the past. Now you have found the light and seen the error of your ways. Go and sin no more. ...or is that the other way around. :think: :whistler:

I hear they actually have pretty good benefits and pay as well, especially for managers. I'm sure you'll fit in there a lot better than at RS. ;)

mtekk's right about the procs too; I don't think they still have any left but at least at the one near me, when Intel jacked the price of the 920's up and most retailers followed suite, Microcenter kept all of their existing stock of 920's at the old price (in-store only though). They're also great for AMD procs as well; the last few months they've been running a special where if you buy one of a certain list of AMD CPUs (one from each level), you get a MBB either for free or a certain amount off. And the free ones aren't crap either, iirc they're all decent Gigabyte boards.

Oh, and their rotating clearance shelf is pure awesome. :D They rotate the discount, so on top of the normal discount on each item (mostly returned/opened/display/discontinued stuff), they rotate through different % off...the one near me is at 75% off last I checked, but I've seen it as high at 90% off (once). It seems that they start out with no additional discount, but then as they get more and more stuff on the shelf, they'll raise the additional discount. Every time I'm over in that part of town I have to stop by and check it..just in case. :D

[billygoat333]

I hate you guys. I wish we had a Microcenter close. and by close I mean ~4 hrs. lol

[TheGreatSatan]

Dude, you have a Microcenter near you and you were working at Radio Shack? *sighs and shakes head*

It's actually about a 25 minute drive, which has always been too far for me to want to drive for work. Lately, I've been applying everywhere because not working is no fun

[SXRguyinMA]

yea the closest one to me is ~40 mins or so, I've only been once

[BuzzKillington]

The closest one to me I believe was ~2 hours up a freeway that is bumper to bumper nearly every day at certain times. :(

[Trace]

Wow, there's one 2 hours from me! But I will be driving through the area in two weekends to where it's max 10minutes out of my way! I will for sure stop in.

[Okele]

I wish you luck TGS. Sounds like the right job for you, and 25 minutes isnt that bad, especially when you don't have an income to speak of. Make sure you add all the magazine articles youve been featured in, it would give the store an advertising point to generate extra sales.

[diluzio91]

man... the closest microcenter is 5-6 hrs from my house... ive written them a few times saying they should open a store.. they would clean BB's clock, as everyone around here is sick of BB's BS, and they look for college kids who order parts off newegg... (lol... introduce myself here) i snipe alot of customers when im at the local BB to play with stuff before i buy it online... :D

[PauL]

lol. So you live 25mins away and this is your first time going inside one? You really need to start taking advantage of your close proximity :D They are hands down the best B&M computer store ever, especially with their awesome CPU/mobo combos or prices.

[Ichbin]

I've been really lucky...when I lived in Michigan, I had a MC about an hour away, now that I live in VA...I STILL have an MC about an hour away :)

[artoodeeto]

TGS, if you can get a job at MicroCenter go for it! I used to work there, and except for the fact that I sold computer systems on commission, which was good money but not super-steady, it was a great place to work. They really put time into training their employees too, and a lot of places these days don't do that. And then of course there's the discount :D Not *always* cheaper than buying online, but not bad either.

[TheGreatSatan]

Why did you leave?

I've been meaning to post this for critique. Here's my resume:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KENNETH KIRBY
124 Highwood Drive
Belleville, IL 62223
( 618 ) 398-4568
www.pcmodhouse.com
me@pcmodhouse.com

EDUCATION:

Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, IL
Associates Degree - Computer Information Systems - December 2007
Associates Degree - Computer Technology - December 2006
Occupational Certificate - Electronics Technology - August 2006

EXPERTISE:

Over 3 years total sales experience. Broad experience with commissioned retail hardware and service sales, face-to-face with in-store customers
Proficient with testing and repairing computers at component level
Upgrading computers; includes hardware and software installation and configuration
Expert at PC maintenance, tune-up and virus/malware removal
Proficient with MS Office and most software for a Windows based PC

EXPERIENCE:

Radio Shack, Waterloo, IL June 2010 to Aug 2010
Position – Assistant Manager in-training

Office Depot, Belleville, IL February 2007 to June 2010
Position – Technology Sales and Service Associate

United States Air Force, Illinois Air National Guard December 2000 to December 2006
Position – Law Enforcement Officer

United States Marine Corps November 1995 to November 2000
Position - Administrative Clerk

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Shattered up-sales quota by 25%, averaging $3000 monthly in services and warranties
Avid PC builder having six computers published in magazines such as:

Maximum PC, “Rig of the Month” Dec 2006 & May 2008
CPU, “Mod of the Month” Aug 2009
PC Magazine, “The Art of DIY” Mar 2006
PC Enthusiast, “Cut-N-Case” Nov 2005 & Jan 2006
PC Modder, “Mod(ern) Art” Spring 2005
Atomic Magazine [Australia], “Hotbox of the Month” Aug 2007
PC Answers [United Kingdom], “Mod of the Month” Feb 2006
.
Won several PC building contests including the www.Bawls.com “Out-of-the-box” Mod of the Month for Oct 2005
Featured on hundreds of PC websites such as www.extremetech.com & www.make.com
Part-time reviewer of PC hardware and software at www.TheBestCaseScenario.com
My own website dedicated to the building and modifying of personal computers at www.pcmodhouse.com
Eleven years of Military service where I was awarded numerous military commendations including the Navy Achievement Medal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How is it?

[artoodeeto]

I left because I didn't really like sales all that much and I was tired of working retail. I ended up getting a graphics job with an environmental consulting firm (which sadly just went out of business so I'm job-hunting again).

[Okele]

Why did you leave?

I've been meaning to post this for critique. Here's my resume:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KENNETH KIRBY
124 Highwood Drive
Belleville, IL 62223
( 618 ) 398-4568
www.pcmodhouse.com
me@pcmodhouse.com

EDUCATION:

Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, IL
Associates Degree - Computer Information Systems - December 2007
Associates Degree - Computer Technology - December 2006
Occupational Certificate - Electronics Technology - August 2006

EXPERTISE:

Over 3 years total sales experience. Broad experience with commissioned retail hardware and service sales, face-to-face with in-store customers
Proficient with testing and repairing computers at component level
Upgrading computers; includes hardware and software installation and configuration
Expert at PC maintenance, tune-up and virus/malware removal
Proficient with MS Office and most software for a Windows based PC

EXPERIENCE:

Radio Shack, Waterloo, IL June 2010 to Aug 2010
Position – Assistant Manager in-training

Office Depot, Belleville, IL February 2007 to June 2010
Position – Technology Sales and Service Associate

United States Air Force, Illinois Air National Guard December 2000 to December 2006
Position – Law Enforcement Officer

United States Marine Corps November 1995 to November 2000
Position - Administrative Clerk

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Shattered up-sales quota by 25%, averaging $3000 monthly in services and warranties
Avid PC builder having six computers published in magazines such as:

Maximum PC, “Rig of the Month” Dec 2006 & May 2008
CPU, “Mod of the Month” Aug 2009
PC Magazine, “The Art of DIY” Mar 2006
PC Enthusiast, “Cut-N-Case” Nov 2005 & Jan 2006
PC Modder, “Mod(ern) Art” Spring 2005
Atomic Magazine [Australia], “Hotbox of the Month” Aug 2007
PC Answers [United Kingdom], “Mod of the Month” Feb 2006
.
Won several PC building contests including the www.Bawls.com “Out-of-the-box” Mod of the Month for Oct 2005
Featured on hundreds of PC websites such as www.extremetech.com & www.make.com
Part-time reviewer of PC hardware and software at www.TheBestCaseScenario.com
My own website dedicated to the building and modifying of personal computers at www.pcmodhouse.com
Eleven years of Military service where I was awarded numerous military commendations including the Navy Achievement Medal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How is it?

Resume looks pretty solid. Only thing that might go against you is the "you're overqualified" issue. I don't know how microcenter works, but you should be a shoe in. Oh and one quick note, Id move experience up above expertise. It sounds more like you value your opinion more then anything else imo. You could possibly even drop the expertise part and include it as a sub section under experience.

[TheGreatSatan]

Good Point. I have 4 interview coming Mon, Tues, & Wed. Micro Center is on Wed. I'm not sure what the position pays, but if it's less than some of the others, I will probably have to put my wishes on the back burner for money.

[Okele]

Question for you TGS, why arent you applying with companies that actually deal with your degrees?There has to be something out there for you, maybe even something with a work at home initiative.

[TheGreatSatan]

I've never seen any work at home jobs that are legit. Every other job even remotely similar to my degrees want a Bachelors at minimum. Plus, I don't know any computer languages or have never worked with a Linux server. These are the things they seem to want the most.

It's like any job. How do you get the experience they're looking for if no one will hire and train you?

[Bopher]

It's like any job. How do you get the experience they're looking for if no one will hire and train you?

I used to ask myself the same question when I would get kids who seemed like they would do ok at Wendys. They'd tell me that McDonalds wouldn't hire them, now I know why, so I'd give them a shot. I'd say my track record with these kids was 7 -8 out of 10 would be good assets to the work place and the others would be gone in a week tops. Maybe I was soft but I always wanted to at least give them the chance to prove themselves.

[TheGreatSatan]

So, I interviewed. Their pay system is retarded. Here's the breakdown:

You get $4 per hour!!!!:eek:

Whatever you sell you get commission. I would be working with parts only. Not per-built desktops and lappys.

Say you sell a motherboard, processor and sound card.

You get 1.5% commission on the highest dollar line item. In this case it would be the processor.

You then get 2.5% for each attached item.

Then you receive 10% on service plans.

The sales manager claimed that his average employee makes $10 PER HOUR after all the commissions. Some employees make $13.

I'm sure that 90% of people walk in, grab what they want and leave without ever talking to an employee.

The interview was OK. I brought a few magazines I've been in to show them and they did seem to like it. Afterwards I had to take a 40 question test. There were questions like "What's the speed of USB 2.0?" or "Is PCI-E serial or parallel?" It wasn't that hard, except for the 3 Apple questions where I literally guessed the answers.

The store doesn't open till 10 a.m. which is great for me because I'm in charge of getting the kids up in the morning and on the bus. I can't get there till 9 a.m. at the earliest. There's the problem. I would be expected to be there at 7, because of freight and setting displays. I cannot get there that early. I'll let them know of my hours I can work and if they don't like it, then I guess I won't be getting the job.:rolleyes:

[SXRguyinMA]

wow that pay setup is retarded. the one time I went I just went in, browsed around, grabbed hat I wanted and left. no one even approached me lol

[x88x]

Wow, at those pay scales I'm surprised I don't get service plans pushed on me...it does explain one reason why everyone is so keen to help me when I'm looking for stuff though. :P

[TheGreatSatan]

Every employee apparently carries stickers in their pocket with info that relates to them on it. When you buy something with an employee nearby, they put their sticker on it. When you get rung out, the cashier sees who's sticker you have and makes sure that employee gets credit.

[PauL]

Be a ninja and start throwing stickers on everything :whistler:

Ive been the Microcenter quite a few times and have never actually had anyone come over and try to help so that payscale sounds lame.

[x88x]

I know every time I check out, if there's not an employee's sticker on an item the cashier scans a barcode by the cash register. IDK if that's their code (sneaky) or if it's a pool code (which would be cool), or what.

[TheGreatSatan]

Actually I forgot to mention that. There are pool codes, but I didn't really get what that meant.

[x88x]

I would guess (and hope) that they split the commission between maybe all the employees that are currently on the floor in that section or something? That's something you will definitely want to find out for sure.

[Trace]

Made it to a micro center...wasn't THAT impressed.

http://thebestcasescenario.com/trace/other/IMAG0067.jpg

[x88x]

Did you go inside? :P

[Trace]

Yes, I did

[PauL]

Made it to a micro center...wasn't THAT impressed.

/snip

I dont know about you but Ive never been into a store with that much computer hardware. It towers over Best Buy and Circuit City in terms of selection and prices imo

Btw, is that the Microcenter in Santa Clara by anychance?

[Trace]

Yes, actually, it is the Micro center in Santa Clara. The closest one to me, and I happened to be driving by.

Have you been to a Frys Electronics?

[PauL]

Nice Im about 45 mins from it.

Ive been to Frys once, but that was awhile ago near Christmas and man, all I can remember is it was hell inside. Im not sure which one I went to but I believe their store was larger than the Microcenter (at least the Santa Clara one)

[Trace]

Frys is MUCH bigger. Microcenter almost reminded me of a CompUSA (eww)

[x88x]

Frys is MUCH bigger. Microcenter almost reminded me of a CompUSA (eww)

I've heard lots of good things about Frys, but considering the closest one to my is 1,340 miles away...I'm happy with Microcenter for now, thanks.

[TheGreatSatan]

^Ditto

Except Fry's is about 300 miles away

[artoodeeto]

here's my take on Fry's vs. Microcenter (having worked at MC a few years ago and lived near quite a few Fry's stores) - MC really only carries computer stuff, whereas Fry's carries a lot more types of products (appliances, A/V equipment, etc). Comparing the computer stuff they each carry, and comparing within that the same brands, Fry's tended to be more expensive. Yes, Fry's does carry cheaper products. In my experience though, they're rarely worth the box they're packaged in. MC, IMO, is smart enough to not bother with these products (usually).
All that being said, I do like Fry's for some things. Occasionally they have a really good deal on hardware that's good quality, and they carry a lot of electronics equipment that MC doesn't stock.
As far as CompUSA is concerned, they were no comparison to MC. CompUSA's selection was beyond awful, and typically the help was less than useless. Although, in defense of poorly-trained salespeople, the management and commission structure was ridiculous and didn't give the employees any real incentive to be helpful. MC, by contrast, usually trained its sales staff pretty well, although I do admit many of us often fell back on the vague generalities so popular with marketing folks. IE, "this processor will open your apps faster". I always wondered...faster than what? exactly how much faster?
Anyway. If I didn't currently live 2 hours from a Micro Center, I'd shop there. But...Fry's is only 20 minutes away.

[Trace]

I usually go to Fry's ONLY when they have a cheap sale. I mainly use http://newegg.com

[artoodeeto]

I usually go to Fry's ONLY when they have a cheap sale. I mainly use http://newegg.com

me too :D

[TheGreatSatan]

I usually go to Fry's ONLY when they have a cheap sale. I mainly use http://newegg.com

Really, what do they sell?

[TheGreatSatan]

So I got called yesterday by Micro Center for a second interview. I went in today for it and it went well. The managers are just as geeky as I am. They know their hardware and software, they have a real easy no BS approach to sales. They even knew of my published mods and have all been to my site. I told them that I am available every day, but cannot get to work till at least 9 a.m. because I'm the one who gets my kids ready and on the bus every morning.

They were cool with that.

I made it clear that I can't stand sitting behind a desk waiting for customers to come to me and that I would be all over my area finding people to help.

They said that's exactly how they want me to do my job.

So, I took the job. I'll be starting at $12 hr during my "training" phase which will go for two weeks or so, then it will be the regular pay scale as above. I think that I will dominate.

Now I just have to do a Micro Center Theme Mod ;)

[artoodeeto]

awesome news! congrats! try not to spend your entire paycheck :D

[x88x]

Congrats! Just don't spend it all there. ;)

[billygoat333]

Congrats on the job!!

[SXRguyinMA]

congrats!

[TheGreatSatan]

So finally, my backround check and drug test came back. I start Friday:whistler:

[x88x]

Congrats! ...what's the employee discount? :whistler:

[TheGreatSatan]

Actually I never asked.

[artoodeeto]

back when I worked there it was cost plus... 5% I think, which covered shipping. Of course, cost varies rather wildly between manufacturers and/or distributors even in the same product category, so I pretty much always had to look it up. Predominantly what I found was employee cost was close to online prices. Hardware typically had barely any markup; at the time many computer systems were sold near, at, or slightly under cost to be competitive and the store would encourage sales of extras. They're way less pushy about it than places like Fry's, CompUSA, etc. So yeah. My experience is I could often still get a slightly better price buying online, at least for hardware. Books were 50% off nearly always. Software and peripheral items like input devices varied a lot.