And on top of it, the personnel in those top chain stores NEVER (capital N) know anything about the keyboards, especially the arrangers.

If you browse around in there for a while, pay attention to the conversations that the personnel are engaged in.

They must be making the money that they expect because this problem is so consistent accross the chains and nothing from top management is done about it. You would think that top officials would make trips and lurk around, just to see what is going on, even ask common questions about certain products as to see how well the personnel knows the products. If they took only 25% of their idle chit-chat time and applied that time to looking over spec sheets, a manual or two, they would be over double their capacity to assist customers.

I buy the little junk odds and ends out of there because of the convenience, but I learn more about right here at the zone.

I happened to be in one of these chain stores to pick up a Keyboard magazine. It was at the time that I was planning to buy a PSR3000. I already knew that George way over in California, who has provided so much detail and assistance about all sorts of products right here at the zone, deserved my business more than anyone local to me. But I just wanted to hear the 3000. Well it was hanging on the wall rack, without the power chord. I walked over to the area where personnel was, stood there for just a minute. They continued talking about their own playing and related experiences so I walked away, not mad, but more confirmed that they are not deserving of the big dollars that I spend, even if they can save me a few nickels. By the way, when I bought the 3000 from George, I got a better price with it.

Thank you Donny, for opening the door to vent out my frustrations on this subject. I'm feeling much better now and should be good until 2007.