Believe me all the crazy things I hear customers tell me Radio Shack told them, I can only imagine some of the non-sense Wal-Mart employees can come up with and we will be responsible for fixing. I attend monthly as well as quarterly training to keep up on new technology....Wal-Mart employees Im sure get none.

Your absolutely right! The problem I have with Walmart selling contracts is simple. The majority of people working at electronics are what 16-19 yrs old. Typically going to school ft and working PT There training is severly lacking also their only making what 6.50-7 dollars an hr NO COMMISSION so they don't care about the customer! Also, the walmart in my area has a big sign posted that basically says we only sell the phones nothing else if you need help go someplace else if you need CS go someplace else
So after seeing all the RS screw ups (and some of those guys were actually trained and paid commission) I can't imagine what walmart will do!
Let's face it Wireless is a technology that very few consumers understand (hell even some sales r...
(continues)

EXACLTY!!!

I don't want a guy doing my activation that has to double in sporting goods or womens drawyers. you can't be professional that way...then again if you where you would not be working at Wallyworld

WALMARK REPS ARE AS STUPID AS RS REPS THEY CAN BARLEY TIE THERE SHOES

Can't answer for VZW so I'm kinda' useless to your query but Cingy (with the SIM cards) allows you to buy a Go Phone and drop your existing SIM from the post paid phone into it and it works...

The VZW systems have now been set up to recognize the ESNs of the Easy Pay phones and will not be able to activate them on a post pay account anymore. (I have had real proof from the billing system and the switch that the activation will not go through. The store tech will put the ESN on, it will appear to go through in fast path and then it gets stuck in the switch just as a stolen phone would). I don't know if Wal-Mart is selling full retail post pay phones but I wouldn't imagine that they would as under pricing VZW on full retail would be 0 profit margin (since we hardly make anything on full retail) and they wouldn't get their "activation commission" with a full retail phone.

So you believe that the "full retail" that VZW sells the phones to the agents for is anywhere near their "cost".

Then how was Motorola selling the E815 brand new for 269.99 when VZW was trying to pawn it off to the agents for 325?

How could Radio Shack sell the VX6000 for 200.00 FULL POP when the "cost" to the agent was 250.00?

Either VZW has a real piss poor purchasing agent...or they are hosing the dealers. Also, how can a "prepaid" LG V5200 "cost" 120, but a retail one "cost" 150?

Or how about the PN-215? There is a 90 buck difference between the prepaid version and a retail version.

There is clearly zero difference between the phones...in fact before VZW started putting the ESN's into a database then the phone co...
(continues)

https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »


Please read and help me! Thank you

brightpoint, airovoice, and other resellers often offer these phones less than verizon and are available for agents to order. However these phones will usually not qualify for verizon rebates? So we fall sometimes into the whole should i pay 150 for a samsung 850 and offer a 50 mail in rebate or get it elsewhere for 115 and offer no rebate? As far as prepaid goes, a lot of those are refurbs, don't let them tell you any different. Radio shack and bestbuy often go around verizon and order straight from manufacture in large quantities receiving discounts. That is why radio shack even offered some exclusive models from motorola like the 260 or whatever that crappy phone was, you know the moto 265 minus the camera. But yes many agents get boned b...
(continues)

Yes...I know about these alternate sources. I also know about RS and BB going direct to the manufacture. But...are you serious that RS would have more buying power then Verizon themselves?!? That is where I said that VZW must have a piss poor purchasing agent.

Also, the price difference between brightpoint and WOW are minimal. I have also had entire shipments of phones from brightpoint that had to go back for majorly outdated software. Also, if the customer wants a FRU replacement without having to drive an hour to the retail store, then I had better purchased the phone from WOW because VZW won't back a phone through this channel if I purchased it through any other source for resale. The techs in the store will still FRU the phone...
(continues)

It just depends, sometimes the prices are fairly close, just an example off the top of my head we had lg3300 with a price of 135 from verizon back when they first came out, next shipment was brightstar but were 99 dollars! So i think the price difference varies. I am not argueing that verizon screws us, i am sure they have a little mark in their, crap look at the Q, i checked cost and it was $420, but yet verizon sells it full retail for $420 so i know we are getting screwed somewhere on that one. I think they tend to mess with the prices to pursuade agents to carry certain phones, particularily ones they themselves are having a hard time moving. Radio shack wouldn't have more buying power, but they were smart and went straight to manufactur...
(continues)

yeah, but 30 dollar rebate was in effect when they were 135.00. All I know is that the manufactures have sold phones FULL RETAIL direct if I only wanted to BUY ONE for less then VZW was selling that same model...alot less.

Oh. and as for Radio Shack and Walmart selling phones full retail for less then VZW selling them "at cost" to the agents...I already tried. I couldn't buy the phones from Walmart and sell them to a customer as "new". Walmart saw to that...

yeah, for us that is the way we have to go, but walmart and bestbuy cannot offer verizon rebates so they buy them a little cheaper, then add onto the fact walmart is happy making very little per activation we get screwed. But yeah i think verizon screws us on our phone purchasing. oh well, life goes on.

someone said:
The VZW systems have now been set up to recognize the ESNs of the Easy Pay phones and will not be able to activate them on a post pay account anymore. (I have had real proof from the billing system and the switch that the activation will not go through. The store tech will put the ESN on, it will appear to go through in fast path and then it gets stuck in the switch just as a stolen phone would). I don't know if Wal-Mart is selling full retail post pay phones but I wouldn't imagine that they would as under pricing VZW on full retail would be 0 profit margin (since we hardly make anything on full retail) and they wouldn't get their "activation commission" with a full retail phone.

Ahh, but y...
(continues)

Ok I called my local walmart to confirm a couple things
1st The reps ARE NOT paid commission
2nd It is cash and carry they activate the phone but are not able to assist with billing matters or anything else
3rd I used my phone for an example
Samsung a930 Full retail $294.63
New Activation 48.88 includes BT headset and music essentials kit
How are we every going to compete???
For any other reps that have a wal mart near them what are you doing to combat the customers famous statement "but i can buy it cheaper at wal mart"
What are you guys doing or saying to overcome this objection????? Any help or input would be greatly appreciated

I charge for billing help/phone help/etc. And then point out that when activated through us, that is included. I charge 50 bucks for any of the above listed items.

I also point out that for some things; toothbrushes, dog food, etc...that getting it cheaper might matter. But on something that you will need service down the road...you are paying a monthly bill on...then you should do business with someone that will be there to help. I point out that Walmart is "cash and carry". I also point out examples of people that bought there only to need help and have Walmart refuse to help, full examples of things like bill issues, phone issues, etc.

I also say something like, "Hey, buy it from someone that is going to be here for you down t...
(continues)

...until they say, 'wait a minute, the phone I bought from Wal-Mart says Verizon on it... Aren't you Verizon?' If you're an indirect dealer, you're gonna' have to take a hit on your price points. Sad times we live in, now.

Do you for a corporate store?

Does this really seem to work for you? Have you seen a decrease in sales due to walmart?? You really charge 50$ for billing assistance???

Sure...and then I write them a receipt that says I will refund 40 dollars of that 50 if they upgrade their next phone through me. . .or if they refer someone to me and that person buys a new phone.

I also use descretion. I will a lot of times "waive" the fees if they agree to only do future business with me and to let everyone know how Wal-Mart wouldn't help them, but I did. But if someone shops me and buys there and then comes back for help...no dice.

If I provide a loaner phone for someone to use until they get their phone fixed or replaced I now charge them 50 bucks for the loaner. I refund 25 of that when the phone is return and the other 25 when they do the above.

These fees are only fair. As I explained to a customer ...
(continues)

Thanks crazy eagle for your help and for the laughs I gotta remeber that one

What is even more funny is that they apparently are going to focus on music phones...but not show the customer anything about how to use the stuff!!!

I'm asking again.....Do you work for a corporate store?

Damn your asking again like he's required to answer why the attitude?

and if he read the posts he would come to an obvious conclusion that I am an indirect. I made comments about having to send a customer an hour to a retail store...then, wouldn't that make me NOT a retail store? Also, the customer service people at a retail store gets paid regardless. My store will only operate if they activate through me...

I asked again because you didn't answer. Reading your post I've decided that you're all talk. No one talks to customers that way and keeps a job in sales. Sorry..... don't buy your crap. You can talk big on the Internet but as a owner of a consulting firm I would fire anyone who talks to clients the way you "claim" too. Any owner/manager would do the same.

LOL...ok. Talk to customers how? Try reasoning with them? It works. I stay in business because of it...

ok...tell me...what excatly has been said that would warrant someone getting "fired"? I have built sales on showing the value of doing business through a local dealer/businessman. Isn't showing value one of the main things a salesman does? Feature benefit presentations is more then just the product...it is also the place of business.

BTW, you must not manage sales because I wouldn't want a salesman getting jacked around by a customer that didn't even buy from us when there are customers waiting that would be buying.

If I merely helped everyone and charged nothing then people could just activate wherever and then bring it to me and get help. So what would be the incentive for them to buy from me?

"So I offered her the next best thing. I needed my filing cabinet redone with the contracts and entered in a database. If she would take a few hours and do this for me I would be more then willing to work for free for her. When she said she would not work for me for free I then said she was being rude. Why wouldn't she?"


Your little story above is crap.

If it is true then good luck..... you'll be 50 and still selling mobile phones. Oh, you're right I don't manage a sales department. I own the company. Have fun being a big shot with your postings.

OK there big shot owner. I manage a store. But enough on that. Actually that usually gets the point across to customers. If you had any amount of charisma you would be able to say these things and get the people to understand where you are coming from. I do not get pissed at an attorney for billing me for their time...nor the reverse. The only thing is after I go through and get the customer to understand how this operation works...I help them and "waive" the fees. Of course only after the customer agrees that they will buy from me again.

BTW, when I first started we did about 70 numbers a month out of our door. Now I am never under 200. All in rural PA. So something must be working...

Wow I thought it was walmart offering that stuff i didn't realize it was being promoted by Vzw Those bastards

well a thousand pardons 🤣

You really are a jerk!
My guess is that the reason you come on here trolling is because you have no friends in real life! Maybe if you were to change your attitude or personality people would begin to like you and stop making fun of you!

ARMY doesn't care about anyone but theirself. This person has proved this in the past.

I went down this road with Army before. This person feels that if they save 10 bucks but put 100,000 people out of work...oh well! That's America! Deal with it and find another job. I just don't understand why VZW would want a 6 dollar an hour clerk selling their labor intensive product. You would think that as call volume increased because of all the customers having to now call in...they would channel extra money to small indirects that actually take care of the customer. I would think they would make their compensation smaller due to higher costs to maintain the same customer. Too bad VZW just looks at the numbers today and not down the road...

ATT was good at that...

where are they now?

crazyeaglefan236 said:
I just don't understand why VZW would want a 6 dollar an hour clerk selling their labor intensive product. ?

business man, what is so confusing to you? Money Money Money, big business doesn't care about you..its just a fact

if i was in the market for a full retail price on a verizon phone and walmart is selling it for less, why wouldn't I buy from them??????????? the less money i pay for any product is more money that i keep in my bank account, which= more Money for my retirement. I still get the same great verizon service, same great CS, same everything just CHEAPER

i understand that you are in business and it affects you in a personal way, but that is business man, i still for the life of me cant figure out your line of thought.

Yup why not support walmart so thousands more are out of a job.I don't mind people buying their stuff there. My issue is this, if you buy there don't come to me bitching, i didn't make a nickle from it and I don't get paid to service walmart phones, so you buy it there call the 1800 don't bother stopping in my store because i will just hand it back to you and tell you good luck. Sorry but i have a family to feed and if you want to sacrifice service to save a few bucks then don't expect good service from me. You buy from me I will always go out of my way to help you.

yeahright said:
don't come to me bitching, .

i wont...why would i??? when i can buy from walmart cheap and take my phone to a corp store and get A+++ service from them. its sucks that walmart is affecting you guys, but it happens everyday in business, the business world is in constant change and reality is you are not needed anymore, wouldn't surprise me if verizon does away with you altogether in the next 3-5 years.

I gotta say I agree with Army, although it may be the wrong way to go about it!

yeah and when they agents all ditch verizon have fun waiting in line for 5 hours or being on hold with customer service for 1 hour because verizon can't handle the load. Look walmart isn't hurting my business, why, because we already have a strong customer base and their are still people out their that count on our customer service and respect we show them. You know, Walmart can suck it anyway, I can match there prices so it doesn't matter. The lg 8300 buy one get one for $50. Whater, if i have to drop another $50 bucks to close the sale then so be it. My point is that service will obviously be laking and this is going to bring down Verizon's arpu and churn rates. Yes sales will boost initially but i foresee this as being more of a headache ...
(continues)

very good. What Army fails to understand is that the indirect agents have the LOWEST churn rate. What does that mean?

I am not too worried...Wally world has been whoring VZW for months here now. We are still selling tons of phones. We took a hit a first but consumers started getting pissed a walmart for not helping them. I sent people back to have Walmart do what THEY GOT PAID TO DO and walmart refused to help. Then I tell them to spread the word about their level of service.

that's halarius. You must be in a lucky area! go to the corp store by me, A+ service, maybe after your 3 your waite. No they would not get rid of us, why you should be able to figuere this out smart guy, they have nothing invested in us, they pay less out on average to us then they pay per activation in their own location and we have a lower turnover rate.loosing the indirect channel means they must employee, and open many more locations. It is cheaper for them to pay us to do it.

yeahright said:
loosing the indirect channel means they must employee, and open many more locations. It is cheaper for them to pay us to do it.

does it, is it?

The greatest business minds in the world would not make such a prediction, you do not have a crystal ball my friend, best go back and take a refresher course. i walk into my corp store and im immediately helped, i do hear stories of it being different but not in my hood

Well that is good for you, but i have been at this for 6 years and it defianetly isn't the ssame case across the country, it varies greatly, to say the indirect channel will be gone in 5 years is an idiotic statement! Verizon needs us more than we need them, there are plenty of alternatives out their we could always pick up. I have seen the numbers, Verizon pays much less per activation in the indirect chanels than the direct channel, why? Come on Mr. Business, it is called overhead! All they have to do is pay us per activation, they don't have to worry about 401k, electric bills, health insurance, and on and on. it saves them money and manpower having indirects handle all that and just cutting us a check for our sales, we are not going anyw...
(continues)

your hood sounds like the exception to the rule. I have yet to find a corporate location that you don't have to wait at least 45 min to an hour at. So I guess your lucky, at least while it lasts.

We are certainly needed!!! Everyday I explain the wireless industry and technology to unknowing consumers! The majority of consumers DO NOT understand wireless technology or the wireless business in general!
Verizon will never do away with agents and that comment actually shows your lack of knowledge for the wireless industry. The amount of activations that agents do contributes almost 73% of all new activations for Vzw
PLEASE STOP BEING A TROLL AND GROW UP

ok sure you'll be in business for forever 🤣 🙄 anyways i see you get mad and loose control easy when someone doesn't agree with you retarded logic. i will be more then happy to tell you why in the future there will be a good chance verizon will do away with resellers, do you want to know, or continue to live in denial?

They will pinch and pinch the indirects until they bleed most dry. Then they will see why indirects are sooo valuable and come crawling back. ATT anyone? US Cellular in our area did the same thing...of course all those are no more. Cingular sees this. They offered a dealer I know a nice compensation package to sell their service. I know a good amount of dealers that are looking...

BINGO!!! Lets gets numbers today and mortgage our future...

wow you guys should be the CEO for verizon, do you really think the analyst at verizon haven't considered anything you are crying about, every move they make is a caculated and will only lead to their continued sucess not their dimise. What you need to do is start to think outside of your box, you are acting like a rat in a cage, to small and dumb to understand the big picture, you are to focused on them doing you wrong. I'm done with this thread 🙂

YEAH!!!

All the bigs saw is a store that has mass amounts of foot traffic...

I truly believe that they are looking at the here and now and not at long term. AT&T did the same thing...

Not focused on the negative, you can't be in this industry, constant change you have to evolve, but that doesn't mean i don't have the right to speak up when somebody screws me! I will adapt, If i wanted I could go work for direct, has been offered a few times, but I like staying with the smaller company, one that actually cares about their employees. If you read through my earlier post I said I don't care about walmart pricing, Bring It, I will match and take all business, yes i might take a hit upfront, but with so many extras that can be added on and business that can be gained from that customer in the future it is worth a little hit upfront for extra gain later. I take all business, need new every two, stop in I will do it. I don't let ...
(continues)

you can say it WHITETRASH, i went to walmart once will never go back ever, bunch of losers trying to save a nickel

Wal-Mart is like that in bigger cities, but in small towns, it's nice. Most of their stuff is total crap, but it's hard to mess up box tape or a bag of chips.

Very true. I think a more accurate reflection of the previous comment would be 95 percent of the people who would shop at a place like walmart for a cell phone would require a security deposit. I'm kinda glad Walmart is selling post pay now. Maybe it will weed out some of the trash that come into my store. Don't get me wrong. Everybody has the right to cellular service, but I would rather help someone who actually taken a shower that day. Maybe even someone that knows what a shower is, and just might be able to spell shower.

liquifiedgr00ve said:
Very true. I think a more accurate reflection of the previous comment would be 95 percent of the people who would shop at a place like walmart for a cell phone would require a security deposit. I'm kinda glad Walmart is selling post pay now. Maybe it will weed out some of the trash that come into my store. Don't get me wrong. Everybody has the right to cellular service, but I would rather help someone who actually taken a shower that day. Maybe even someone that knows what a shower is, and just might be able to spell shower.

Well at the Wal Mart I was describing it would be 95% of the people in it, period. It is really bad.

I agree with you though, you should go to a speciali...
(continues)

spum said:
Wal-Mart is like that in bigger cities, but in small towns, it's nice. Most of their stuff is total crap, but it's hard to mess up box tape or a bag of chips.

Actually this was in a little town, about 20 minutes away their is another WalMart that has very nice class of people, I drive past the ghetto one to get to the nicer one.

It may be hard to mess up a bag of chips but Wal Mart does, believe me !!! I worked in a WM distribution center for a year and after that experience, I wouldn't eat or buy a thing from that store. Rotten maggot infested food stored in the warehouse, merchandise dropped and crushed on a daily basis. And personally, after experiencing the "wal-mart way" about the way they treat their associates, I wouldn't shop there AT ALL, from buying a pack of gum to buying a cheaper cell phone. To the poster that noticed the "class" of people shopping at wal-mart, he's not far off base. Most of the people are below the poverty line income wise, but that's fine with wal-mart. They pay their people less than poverty line wages....I hate Wal-Mart...

I can match that, but I myself would rather not stick one of those in my 300 dollar phone. They had crazy cheap aftermarket stuff but they still wanted $20+ for oem motorola car chargers for the most part.