Sorry, let me play a bit of a devil's advocate here...
I don't understand - if you're not happy with your job situation, why not quit? I worked in Silo - a local electronics chain that's gone way of the dodo. They were Circuit City's competitor. We worked on the exact same formula - you have to cover in commissions more than your minimum wage. I worked there long enough to realize I wasn't for me and sent my resume out to bunch of companies. Without formal training or college education, 10 years later I'm making 6 figures and glad that I did work there - it made me realize that's not what I wanted to do for living.
I walk into GC and see the same people who worked there for at least last 5 years - they must be enjoying it. I tried to convert a buddy of mine, who was a GC assistant manager to a "shirt and tie, office worker" like myself - he told me he was happy where he was, making whatever they paid him (probably 50K tops). He then became a regional manager.... and was subsequently ousted. He now works for a big softsynth company as their regional sales rep, making about 2x that.
Now, looking at it from a sales standpoint - some people see it as a sales motivation - e.g., the more I sell, the more I make. GC has to compete with online retailers, ebay, etc., all while paying their rent for "brick and mortar" - so, if they do double dip - it's all fair game. Using your logic, you don't tell your pizza shop they shouldn't be charging that much for a pizza - do you? Nor do you tell the pizza customers that in reality, it only costs $3.00 for a pizza shop to make that pizza. Right?
I guess it all comes down to choices. If you're not happy with your job situation, how your employer treats you, etc - QUIT! There are plenty of minimum wage jobs out there that could be a lot more emotionally fullfilling for you. Many guys I know in GC stay there for the opportunities to network, as many are aspiring musicians. I know several guys who have made some solid contacts and one even got a recording contract out of his GC spot. Him and his bandmates are now moving over to Europe at label's expense and have a rather nice contract to show for it. Of course, it takes talent, in addition to being exposed to some of the "fringe benefits" of the job.
So, bottom line man - I hear you, I've been there, still can taste the sh!t I had to deal with but it made me think and act to improve my life.
I don't wanna preach, but try reading "rich dad, poor dad" to kind of get a philosophy of "business". The first few chapters reaaaaaaaly hit the nail on the head. Hope this experience leads you to greener pastures, mate!
Good luck =)
