Gear Head Advice: Sales People

Question 5: Does the sales person know their stuff?
I have been in some stores listening to the retail staff giving limited or bad advice. I have stepped in to help the person be a more educated consumer. If you don’t feel like the sales person is answering your questions, has personal experience or is educated and asking you the right questions, take what you can and go somewhere else. 

Conclusion
I hope the questions this week have helped get you started in purchasing your gear. Some other things that might be useful to consider are:

• Accepting compromise: Soft shells breathe better and are less waterproof vs. hard shells which are more waterproof and less breathable. What is more important? 
• There is no perfect piece of gear. Trust me I have tried to find it.
• If your needs are diversified you might need a quiver. Because there is no one perfect piece, you might need several. You know those people, as I’m one of them, who have multiple packs or skis and a justification for each one.
• You can get complicated, if you like. You can consider color: bright to be seen or dark to be warm.

Buying gear can be easy. Figure out what your needs are, what your budget is and what features are important. Then do your research and compare items. Also, talk to others and get their perspective and then decide what resonates with you about that perspective. Go try stuff on. Then buy it and use it. No use in spending money on stuff you won’t use. 

If you still aren't confident, forget everything I said and hire a gear consultant. I charge a minimal fee. :)