Yes, what you observed is the norm today: customer no-service. I agree with Koshman that the climate has changed, but not for the better. Yes, you can do your own "research", but it's not the same. Getting knowledgeable, professional, warm and friendly help in store is a thing of the past. The fact of the matter is that retail today is a very hostile and sterile environment and I'm afraid that's somewhat out of necessity. 70's-80's, kids were not the shits that they are today. We respected other peoples things, especially expensive technology. Today, you have to worry about theft, damage and wankers with no life hogging a kiosk or computer all day while their parent shops at stores nearby. I've worked retail nearly my entire life and am happy to report I got out in the nick of time. Mid 2000's at Sears, I was acting just as much as a security guard as I was a salesman. Bottom line: these times suck and for many, many, many reasons.
Part of the problem is parents who won't watch their kids, and deposit them in stores to act as unpaid babysitters. I've seen mothers do this to kids as young as 4 or 5, and it infuriates me.
And guess who they'd threaten to sue, if their kid got hurt ?
The guys at the store.
