Can I have your fanciest most expensive car please?

Today I saw a man and his wife return two smartphones because they were "too much" for them.  Now, please do not immediately assume I am going to judge people to try another step beyond their comfort zone for technology.  I applaud that.  I encourage people to step a little outside of their comfort zone and try something new.  However, I think one should utilize the resources they have available to them to learn the new technology.  It drives me nuts when someone assumes that by touching their new toy telekinetically they'll know how it works - the user manual just uploading to their brain through touch.

Today's witnessed return and my personal resulting frustration with people's lack of desire to learn - the American need for instant gratification - made me wonder...what if we bought everything the way we buy technology?

Can you imagine someone walking onto a car lot and telling the salesperson they want whatever is the latest and greatest?  How many sports cars would be stalled before leaving the car lot?  How many would get on the interstate unable to handle the power of the engine?

Can you imagine someone wanting to learn how to shoot a gun?  They walk into the store telling the salesperson they want the one that does the most.  How many high powered semi-automatic guns with laser scopes and more be sold to people firing a gun for the first time?  Can you imagine the emergency rooms?  "The, uh, gun had a bit too much kick back for me."

Even sporting equipment could be an example.  High priced top of the line skis, snowboards, bicycles, golf clubs and more could all be bought for their name, their features, their price point and more simply being "too much" for the customer.

Here's my thing.  Don't buy anything you're not interested in learning how to use.  Don't waste a salesperson's time if you're not going to ask questions.  Don't buy something based on anything but your needs.  People, it is a waste of resources - all resources - to buy something just to return it a week later.  Ask questions, utilize resources provided to you, seek out additional resources and take the time to learn how to use what you bought.  Nobody buys cars, guns, sporting equipment or anything else simply because it's the newest one with the most features unless they have an idea of what they're doing with it.  Use the same common sense when buying consumer electronics.