Buying the wrong part - even after you tried to tell them

[Brumby]

Many years ago, I was chatting with the manager of a Jaycar store, when a guy came in asking for a part.  He described a standard DIP package and did not seem to understand he needed to provide a specific number.  He didn't know if it was 14 pin or 16 pin, what it did or where in a circuit it went - he just wanted one!

To try to illustrate the variety of different ICs, the manager turned to the wall of drawers behind the counter and grabbed one at random.  Before he could utter a word, the guy just about jumped out of his skin "YES! That's It!!!"

After that, nothing - and I mean absolutely NOTHING - that either of us said to him would get him to even consider it was the wrong part.  He just reached for his wallet and insisted on paying for it and after some further words of warning, he completed the payment and left the store.

The manager and I just looked at each other.



There were no words.

[XOIIO]

Ever hear back from him? I want to know the ending!

[Brumby]

I asked the manager that very question several months later ....

He never showed up again and nothing was heard from head office nor any other sources.



Maybe he got the right part?                                                                                                       

[MapleLeaf]

Or maybe he needed one as a "show and tell" and not as one to install.

[Stonent]

The common wrong part I'm asked for in IT is a "splitter cable".

Sometimes people will just come by and say "Do you have any splitter cables?"

And never say what they want to split without us prompting for clarification.  Frequently they will be very evasive and many times just continually ask for the item thinking they know better than we do.

So recently when someone asked for one I said "First, tell me what you're trying to split and then I'll tell you how it probably won't be what you really want."

So far I've had:

1. Ethernet splitter so they could run 2 computers from 1 port just like how you can run two analog phones off one one RJ11 port with just some wall plug.  This one I told them "ethernet doesn't work that way, you need to put in a request for a second port to be installed" as I was leaving I heard the guy make a remark "Don't bother with that guy, you just need a splitter cable, that's all."

2. VGA Splitter cable. Now this one I try steer them away from because yes it will "work" but it tends to cause both displays to be darker or blurry.  They also seem to think that simply splitting a VGA cable gives them the capability of independent displays.  Since we use Dell computers, they pretty much all have a vga port and 1 or 2 digital outputs as well, so we can usually accomplish what they want to with a Displayport or DVI cable.

3. HDMI Splitter cable. They wanted to run TV screens that were fairly far apart from one port.  I told them something like that would probably not work because HDMI is digital putting the extra load on the signal would probably cause neither to work.  We do have and have used devices from Extron that are powered multiport signal boosters that work well, but they typically want something cheap, and these tend to not be.

Another one is wanting some sort of USB gender changer so you can connect A to A or B to B.

[Leiothrix]

1. Ethernet splitter so they could run 2 computers from 1 port just like how you can run two analog phones off one one RJ11 port with just some wall plug.  This one I told them "ethernet doesn't work that way, you need to put in a request for a second port to be installed" as I was leaving I heard the guy make a remark "Don't bother with that guy, you just need a splitter cable, that's all."

Being really picky, but 10/100 Ethernet only requires two pairs, so you can run two separate connections from one cable.  The two connections have to be wired in at the switch for it to work though obviously.

Just pointing out that maybe they actually had seen something like that before, they wouldn't know how it worked.  Or why doing it like that is not particularly recommended, but anyway. 

[Brumby]

I think you're being overly generous.

An RJ45 just looks like a fat RJ11/RJ12 - and they KNOW how they work, so the wider one will work the same, won't it?!!

[Halvmand]

My local electronics stores owner is of that type. One of the first times I where there I was after some filter capacitors. I only knew the value  I needed.
He of course grabbed the most expensive without asking further questions. And I walked out the store without capacitors but with a bad taste in my mouth. Hated him ever since.

Another time and in another store I asked the cashier for a to-220.
He though was nice enough to tell me that to-220 was the packet style.

Sadly ELFA does not have physical stores in denmark any more, yet the idiot with his overpriced components and horrible costumer service is still there.

[nctnico]

Another one is wanting some sort of USB gender changer so you can connect A to A or B to B.

These do exist to transfer files from one computer to the other.

[wraper]

Being really picky, but 10/100 Ethernet only requires two pairs, so you can run two separate connections from one cable.  The two connections have to be wired in at the switch for it to work though obviously.

Just pointing out that maybe they actually had seen something like that before, they wouldn't know how it worked.  Or why doing it like that is not particularly recommended, but anyway.

That is not splitting and certainly isn't something that average clueless guy would want. This is only an option when you have a one cable (for example, in the wall) but need two Ethernet connections.

[Stonent]

1. Ethernet splitter so they could run 2 computers from 1 port just like how you can run two analog phones off one one RJ11 port with just some wall plug.  This one I told them "ethernet doesn't work that way, you need to put in a request for a second port to be installed" as I was leaving I heard the guy make a remark "Don't bother with that guy, you just need a splitter cable, that's all."

Being really picky, but 10/100 Ethernet only requires two pairs, so you can run two separate connections from one cable.  The two connections have to be wired in at the switch for it to work though obviously.

Just pointing out that maybe they actually had seen something like that before, they wouldn't know how it worked.  Or why doing it like that is not particularly recommended, but anyway.

Yeah but in our case that had already been done at that time.  One of the previous guys here liked to cheat and use one cable for 2 ports in the wall.  That caused a problem last year when we got rid of all the remaining analog phones and the split cables could not support the power over ethernet on the voip phones.

[jwm_]

Apparently these fire hazards are asked for enough that ACE hardware made a sign about them.

https://consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/aceadapter.jpg?w=640&h=746

[JoeN]

He though was nice enough to tell me that to-220 was the packet style.

Then he misled you.  It's the package style.   

[GabYoung92]

1. Ethernet splitter so they could run 2 computers from 1 port just like how you can run two analog phones off one one RJ11 port with just some wall plug.  This one I told them "ethernet doesn't work that way, you need to put in a request for a second port to be installed" as I was leaving I heard the guy make a remark "Don't bother with that guy, you just need a splitter cable, that's all."

2. VGA Splitter cable. Now this one I try steer them away from because yes it will "work" but it tends to cause both displays to be darker or blurry.  They also seem to think that simply splitting a VGA cable gives them the capability of independent displays.  Since we use Dell computers, they pretty much all have a vga port and 1 or 2 digital outputs as well, so we can usually accomplish what they want to with a Displayport or DVI cable.

3. HDMI Splitter cable. They wanted to run TV screens that were fairly far apart from one port.  I told them something like that would probably not work because HDMI is digital putting the extra load on the signal would probably cause neither to work.  We do have and have used devices from Extron that are powered multiport signal boosters that work well, but they typically want something cheap, and these tend to not be.

"I've seen it on eBay!" ...

[Brumby]

I actually purchased a cheap HDMI splitter to parallel one of my computer monitors to a bigger screen TV when required.  I thought that by having the same native resolution, I would at least be starting off with half a chance.  My monitor connection is essentially buried, with the TV being a little more accessible.

The bottom line is - it worked BUT....

For my graphics card to deliver the right signal at boot up or changing any display settings, the TV had to be completely unpowered - not in standby mode - or have the HDMI plug removed.

In addition, every now and then (from 0 to 4 times a day) my monitor would black out for a couple of seconds before returning to normal.  This would happen even if the TV HDMI cable was completely removed.

I decided my need was not enough to put up with this, so it's now sitting in a box somewhere.

[Galenbo]

...So far I've had:

1. Ethernet splitter...
2. VGA Splitter cable...
3. HDMI Splitter cable...

Just sell them what they ask. They've done the research, they defined the specs, they take responsability.
Let them make notes of their specs, you know, for "educational" purposes.
Next time, if they come again, they will first ask for consulting and advice.

I saw a guy enter a store, asking for "a working round fuse"
For him, "working" was defined as the device make sound again and don't stop.
Well, the shop salesguy sold him the fuse with the highest value, this gave the best propability for "working"

[Artlav]

Apparently these fire hazards are asked for enough that ACE hardware made a sign about them.
https://consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/aceadapter.jpg?w=640&h=746

WTF?
Can someone explain why would anyone need something like that?
I tried googling, and christmas lights come up a lot for some reason, but i don't get what the use case is.

[Artlav]

WTF?

Ah, ok.
Apparently christmas lights commonly come with a female socket on the opposite end of the string, for ease of wiring.
That makes sense, kinda.

[XOIIO]

They are actually most commonly used for backup generators. If the grid goes down, power up the genny, plug into it, and plug into an outlet in the house, and you have power again.

They are called suicide cables.

[Jeroen3]

Him: "Can you give me an DVI - VGA adapter?"
Me: "I can, but it won't work on your dock".
Him: "Sure it does, it works at my home pc".
Me: "Yes, but there are different versions of DVI. It actually needs more pins for the vga signal".
Him: "I'll buy one myself!".

I should have given him one on a bet for a crate of beer if it didn't work.

[stmdude]

Him: "Can you give me an DVI - VGA adapter?"
Me: "I can, but it won't work on your dock".
Him: "Sure it does, it works at my home pc".
Me: "Yes, but there are different versions of DVI. It actually needs more pins for the vga signal".
Him: "I'll buy one myself!".

Oh, crap. That's the bane of my existence at work right now. Apparently, I'm the only one in a building of engineers that knows the signaling in DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort..   Things got a lot worse after we started buying 2560x1440 monitors.

IT Guy: "I bought a bunch of mini-DP to DVI converters (cheap), but they won't give full resolution"
Me: "Are they dual-link?"
IT Guy: "Huh?"

Few days later:
IT Guy: "So, I figured out that the laptops have HDMI, as do the monitors, so I bought a bunch of cheap HDMI cables"
IT Guy: "But, the screens keep going black"
Me: "Are they high-speed / HDMI v1.3+?"
IT Guy: "That's all bullshit.. It's all digital, man.."
Me: "It's _10Gbps_ digital..."

[wblock]

Related: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA76H35K0295

That is a DVI to VGA adapter.  DVI-D, as in no analog pins in the connector.  Call me skeptical about there being active D/A circuitry in a $4 adapter.  But I would really like to take one of those apart and see if there is even an attempt.

[hli]

Another one is wanting some sort of USB gender changer so you can connect A to A or B to B.

USB port A to port A is sometimes needed. I got my hands on an external hard disk enclosure, and only realized afterwards that it just had an USB-A connector. I sacrificed two USB cable and soldered them together...

[Zbig]

USB port A to port A is sometimes needed. I got my hands on an external hard disk enclosure, and only realized afterwards that it just had an USB-A connector. I sacrificed two USB cable and soldered them together...

It was only needed because some moron designed the enclosure to have improper, standards-violating downstream USB A port in the first place. Probably it was cheaper than the proper one.

[nogood]

Just sell them what they ask. They've done the research, they defined the specs, they take responsability.
Let them make notes of their specs, you know, for "educational" purposes.
Next time, if they come again, they will first ask for consulting and advice.

I saw a guy enter a store, asking for "a working round fuse"
For him, "working" was defined as the device make sound again and don't stop.
Well, the shop salesguy sold him the fuse with the highest value, this gave the best propability for "working"

You contradict yourself a little bit there: First you say, if the customer has researched it and knows better (than you) what wrong part to buy, "just sell it" etc. . Then you bring up an example of an obviously non-informed customer, who doesn't know anything about fuses and may set his house on fire if you sell something like that to him.

Another one is wanting some sort of USB gender changer so you can connect A to A or B to B.

USB port A to port A is sometimes needed. I got my hands on an external hard disk enclosure, and only realized afterwards that it just had an USB-A connector. I sacrificed two USB cable and soldered them together...

I blame that on cheap micro usb cables. Many people will tell you, that micro usb is crap because can pull the cable out of the device by looking at it funny. Interestingly I can relate, but this only happens with cheaply made (not always cheap) cables, which do not interlock correctly. Also sometimes the micro usb ports in the device is recessed too far to lock tight with thicker connectors.
One may argue that micro usb is not as sturdy as USB-A, but that is what USB-B or by a stretch mini USB-B is for IMHO. Hardrive enclosures with USB-A are a big red flag not to buy that product for me.