just buy this...and you don't even need to go outside to do it

http://www.pp.co.nz/products.php?pp_id=JW00142

I will always remember when doing Physics at University, I went into DSE in CHCH to buy some electronic components for a project I was working on. I did actually get some attention from salesperson (a young man) and he was helping me find the bits and pieces in the various shelves in the shop. So far, so good. I was consulting my list and deliberating over what resistors etc to buy, when the salesperson asked if I wanted to give my boyfriend a call so I could check if I was buying the right thing. What?! Grrr I was very unhappy and boycotted DSE for several years. I'm still reluctant to go in there and only do it when forced to. Their service really hasn't changed - most staff seem to be quite patronising - admittedly it is quite difficult dealing with the public but guys, we are people too and some of us actually know more than you do. Don't treat us like idiots.

Try this.

Select an item at random.

Walk to the door.

Wave item through shoplifter detector - that should get you some attention.

We went in to Dick Smith in the weekend too, to look for a wireless modem as well... and yip, not one inch of service was offered! We didn't have much of a clue, even though my man works for a communications company (not internet area though), and certainly didn't look like we knew what we were doing. You're not being too harsh - while we gawked at the stand of modems, their staff were all behind the counter, with no customers, two of them looking at the new shipment of iPods they'd just received. And, no you're definately not the only person who bases purchases on colour!!!

They seem to have a unique staff training programme that involves either cloaks of invisibility or a store-room not unlike that scene in the matrix, except that whatever it is that they were sent out back to find is the only thing that will not appear when wished for, thus forcing them to roam the shelves forever.

Don't worry about not being tech savvy, Moata - when I HAVE managed to tether a DSE employee to a shelf so they can't get away, I've found most of them to be less tech savvy than I am (somewhat worrying). Or perhaps the blank look is part of the training too...

The ONE store I've found that did not subscribe to the standard DSE training programme was one in Dunedin. There were two people who asked if they could help me before I had reached my area of choice, and once I was down to the selection process and has a question, all I had to do was pop my head up and one came rushing over! AND they knew what they were talking about. It was an amazing experience.

Shopping at DSE is best achieved with a map of the store, knowledge of EXACTLY what you want to buy. Oh, and a crossbow so that you can actually pin one of the staff down to ring up your purchase.

I have learnt my lesson in DSE and now BYO my own techie everytime I now have to go there becuase they know EXCATLY what I need!!

In all fairness to DSE they cant be of THAT much help when I try to describe the cable I want to buy as "it looks quite squareish and cable-like" lol

Nah, regardless of how tech savvy you are, you just described every DSE store I've ever visited. Though I don't need their help cos I know what I'm there for. You could try my trick of Googling whatever you need before going. Makes the DSE experience fast and as painless as possible. Which is not to say pain free... Hey, nothing's ever perfect.

If it makes you feel any better, DSE employees aren't discriminating against your tech ignorance. I'm a professional geek and they ignore the hell out of me too.

In fact, I generally avoid the place like the plague. Their prices aren't even slightly competitive and the staff generally haven't a clue. Check out pricespy.co.nz to find the tech stuff you want (although you kinda need to know what you're buying first)

Right with you on this one. I've had terrible experiences at Dick Smith Electronics (I can't wait for JB Hi-Fi to open their stores in and around Wellington.). I was in the need for a new computer, and had my credit card and pin-entering finger ready. I knew exactly which model I wanted. So in I went, and stood next to the laptop I wanted, and waited.... and waited... and waited... despite there being hardly anyone in the store, I wasn't approached by a single staff member... they were too busy chatting amongst each other... so I waited... and waited.... about 10 - 15 minutes later, a young couple with a small child wandered in, and after about 30 seconds of looking at computers right next to me, were approached by a very helpful member of staff... I decided not to wait any longer. (To be fair, when I did contact their head office to comment about this event, I was later contacted by the store manager, who offered to help, and he did 'put it right', in the end.)

I would recommend NOT buying anything that is DSE branded. Their products make the Warehouse look like a niche boutique store.