Walmart vs. Verizon Store
So today is our upgrade day. So my daughter wants to do it today to get the droid. I am waiting. What is the difference between upgrading to the phone at a verizon store or walmart. I hate the verizon store where I live. So if there is no difference then I will go to walmart.
Thanks
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You may get it a little cheaper but you won't get the service you'll get at an actual VZW store and I promise Walmart will screw your account up.
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Are you talking about the customer service? If so the service sucks at my verizon store where I live. I tried to upgrade last night and they would not let me, they were all just sitting around doing nothing. I called customer service and they told me it would not be problem to upgrade last night. The store told me if I upgraded my daughters phone last night I would loss my $100 credit for my phone and customer service said that was not true. So I don't know who to believe. So I just said forget it we will wait until today. I have checked since I posted this message and the phone is $188 at Walmart and she won't have to wait for the rebate to come in the mail. Why would they screw my account up? I added a line at Walmart afew years ago and ev...
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I did a phone upgrade at Walmart once and didn't have any problems. I can't think of any downside to doing it there other then paying tax which would be the case at the Verizon retail store as well (you might not have to pay tax if you get the phone from the Verizon online store). I would confirm what there return/exchange policy is in case you get a lemon.
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You won't get your $100.00 credit at Walmart, only Verizon Wireless stores.
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I am not upgrading my phone which gets the $100 credit yet. My daughter is on my plan and is not the primary and she does not get the new every 2 discount. I am also taking her off my plan after she upgrades. So if I buy the phone at Walmart do I have to take it back to Walmart with issues? It seems to me that when I bought my hubby's phone there I took it into Verizon store if I had a problem. Plus we will get extended warranty plan.
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No you don't but you should. Don't waste a VZW employees time if your to cheap to buy from them. They're pay is commission based and you aren't making them any $$. We have families to support too.
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Well honestly if the employees at my store treated me better than I would not have a problem buying from them. I have had verizon service for 7 years and have always upgraded at a store but the store's customer service has gone down hill. They tell me one thing and I talk to customer service on the phone and I get another story. So I think I am done with my local store. I am sorry that I am taking money away from them but maybe they should treat their customers better.
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Again, the store and customer service have different policies. Don't blast the store for something customer service has the ability to pull the rug out from under them on. I know it sucks to be inconsistent, but the company sets it up this way because they can't very well give it all away fro every customer walking in the door every time. They reserve some of that for higher up the channel.
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LOL
What's the story? You were not eligible to upgrade according to the system (twenty months from purchase on a two year contract or ten months from purchase on a one year)?
We get that you don't care about whether those guys get commission because they would not relax the rules for you however if customer service made an exception then they should have sent you the phone.
Buy the phone wherever you want, but posting here where dozens of corporate employees are going to see it is akin to throwing a match on an open can of gasoline. It makes me question this post altogether.
What's the story? You were not eligible to upgrade according to the system (twenty months from purchase on a two year contract or ten months from purchase on a one year)?
We get that you don't care about whether those guys get commission because they would not relax the rules for you however if customer service made an exception then they should have sent you the phone.
Buy the phone wherever you want, but posting here where dozens of corporate employees are going to see it is akin to throwing a match on an open can of gasoline. It makes me question this post altogether.
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This message is to Azeron:
Our upgrade was the next day. And I didn't realize this site was full of corporate employees. I didn't see anywhere on this site that states you must be a Verizon employee to post or join this forum. My understanding of this site is to ask questions so others can help you not bash you! If you are a rep then I am a customer and maybe I could come into your store so maybe you should think about that!
Our upgrade was the next day. And I didn't realize this site was full of corporate employees. I didn't see anywhere on this site that states you must be a Verizon employee to post or join this forum. My understanding of this site is to ask questions so others can help you not bash you! If you are a rep then I am a customer and maybe I could come into your store so maybe you should think about that!
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I'm not a rep (thank goodness). My point is simply that you should do whatever you want to but the post IS inflammatory. Count all the corp and indirect reps who have responded versus the one Walmart objector. This is nearly a cyber riot.
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Look lady, you aren't getting anyones point. You are willing to take the word of someone over the phone versus someone in person BECAUSE YOU LIKE THEIR ANSWER BETTER. People like you are frankly frustrating and sales reps get frustrated easily for the most part.
The VZW reps at the store were telling you the truth based on your story. You weren't eligible yet and they can't do anything to force it through on a family plan. If saving $12 is worth it to you and you don't care about setup, memory transfer and getting your plan right (sorry, Wal-Mart has a history) then save $12.
There is a difference outside of "customer service". Yes some VZW corporate employees can be arrogant. Some can employees in any organization. But please d...
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The VZW reps at the store were telling you the truth based on your story. You weren't eligible yet and they can't do anything to force it through on a family plan. If saving $12 is worth it to you and you don't care about setup, memory transfer and getting your plan right (sorry, Wal-Mart has a history) then save $12.
There is a difference outside of "customer service". Yes some VZW corporate employees can be arrogant. Some can employees in any organization. But please d...
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Hold it right there cowboy...calling someone cheap because they want to save money on an EXACT item...you're off base. I'm willing to say the vast majority of folks wouldn't have any issues upgrading at Wal-Mart...as for the VZW reps getting commission, they ALSO receive an hourly pay rate, which compensates them for service. Plus, it gives the VZW rep an opportunity to sell additional features and accessories.
I believe your greed needs to be put in check.
Have a day.
I believe your greed needs to be put in check.
Have a day.
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When you upgrade from Walmart you get locked into a second contract. If you change your plan you get charged a fee from Walmart and if you cancle you get Verizons ETF and Walmarts ETF which is around 200.00 I think.
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The mere fact that you're going to have the line moved into a different account later. Some resellers will hit you with a fee for doing that. You need to read the contract with Walmart in addition to the one you sign with Verizon.
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The store AND customer service were both right last night.
The store can't do a New Every Two discount early, even by an hour. Customer service can. Customer service often doesn't realize that the store cannot. Your upgrade is earlier than your contract, and often all of us (customers and employees) forget that you're upgrading four month early. A day stinks, sure. Even I have to wait that extra day, too.
I can't vouch for them "just sitting around doing nothing" but I can tell you from all the years I've worked for Verizon in the store (six now), the reps are often not doing that. Those types of reps don't last long with us. However, to lighten the mood of working non-stop, standing up, for about eight hours we often chat a lit...
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The store can't do a New Every Two discount early, even by an hour. Customer service can. Customer service often doesn't realize that the store cannot. Your upgrade is earlier than your contract, and often all of us (customers and employees) forget that you're upgrading four month early. A day stinks, sure. Even I have to wait that extra day, too.
I can't vouch for them "just sitting around doing nothing" but I can tell you from all the years I've worked for Verizon in the store (six now), the reps are often not doing that. Those types of reps don't last long with us. However, to lighten the mood of working non-stop, standing up, for about eight hours we often chat a lit...
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I agree totally with what was said. This also applies to all carriers and all National Retailers. I work in a shopping center with a Radio Shack a few stores down and they burn me on price every time, but what I could give you is service. In this day and age when money is tight...and time is money...do you really want to spend that time going back to Walmart or calling customer service to fix a problem....when it could've been done correctly the first time. Especially when it comes to iPhones...I dont even acknowledge that walmart and Best Buy even sell them.
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My verizon store is a corporate store and the service stinks there. I live in a small town and I only have two choices: Walmart or the corp store. I understand that there are reps on this group that is why I asked the question.
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Not from Walmart. Those idiots barely know how to turn your phone on and activate it. Navigating PhoneScoop would be nearly impossible for them.
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Well the Verizon Store doesn't sell groceries...
Go to straight to the horses mouth and get the phone from Verizon or an Indirect Retailer.
I don't know why you're coming into a forum full of sales reps and even hinting at going to Walmart...
You're a smart consumer... if you want it done right you go to Verizon... if you want it done cheap go to Walmart
Go to straight to the horses mouth and get the phone from Verizon or an Indirect Retailer.
I don't know why you're coming into a forum full of sales reps and even hinting at going to Walmart...
You're a smart consumer... if you want it done right you go to Verizon... if you want it done cheap go to Walmart
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I would personally go to walmart. I think the overall sales experience would be better. It also kinda depends on the device you're looking at purchasing. Chocolate touch, EvTouch, or any other feature phone (non PDA) and you would be fine going to walmart. But if you're looking at getting a Droid or other smartphone then go to a corporate store and let someone who has been trained on the device show you how to set it up and use it. I am a former Verizon employee, so I know how the reps can seem jaded sometimes. But if you go to the corp store and start saying things like "I want the cheapest...." or "where are your free phone?" to someone who makes commission then you're not going to get the service you want.
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well... as far as I know, not many reps get paid based on what kind of phone you get but rather the plan and features you choose...
as a former verizon employee you would know that right?
Cell phone stores are out there for a reason... use them
as a former verizon employee you would know that right?
Cell phone stores are out there for a reason... use them
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Wouldn't Walmart be considered a retail store for Verizon just like a best buy, or BJ wholesale club?
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Retail store implies a Verizon owned and operated retail store. Everything else is referred to as an indirect seller, reseller, or authorized agent, i.e. stores not owned and operated by Verizon.
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I actually worked in customer support, so actually no I don't know what you get commission on. Also I was giving a generalization of a typical customer attitude. You know you can tell the people that come in looking to get off cheap apart from those who are willing to listen and take advice on the products and services you offer.
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I said:
I assume your reply wasn't directly to me?
Retail store implies a Verizon owned and operated retail store. Everything else is referred to as an indirect seller, reseller, or authorized agent, i.e. stores not owned and operated by Verizon.
I assume your reply wasn't directly to me?
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no it was not. intended for 60dollarcharger. I've been going back and forth. I guess I was on the wrong post. sorry about that
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I actually worked in customer support, so actually no I don't know what you get commission on. Also I was giving a generalization of a typical customer attitude. You know you can tell the people that come in looking to get off cheap apart from those who are willing to listen and take advice on the products and services you offer.
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Thanks for the advice but we never get the cheapest or free phones. Always have to have the best. She wants the droid. She has friends that have the phone so they can help her with how to use the phone if she can't figure it out.
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I apologize if I offended. Didn't mean to imply that the attitude of the employees at your local store was somehow your fault. If the service you get at that store is truly that bad, I might go in and ask to speak to the Mgr. Let them know what has happened. You would probably get the royal treatment. I know when somebody came in to our store after a bad experience, we did everything we could to turn it around.
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You were a customer support rep in a corp store and didn't know the store doesn't make commission off of phone sales? Wow! I guess you guys never sold phones? I did ten to twenty per month on the house account.
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I just considered it unprofessional to talk about how and for what people get paid.
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Many CSRs aspire to be RSRs so it would certainly not be unprofessional to ask. I was in sales before I worked for Verizon so I always knew what made me money.
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I can understand that. But I've never been sales minded. Always been more interested in the service and technical aspects.
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Even if your intentions were good, you are a troll. This forum is filled with Verizon corporate employees and indirect agents.
Personally, I always give my business to those who are the most likely to give me business back. And, anyone who thinks Walmart is good for a community is insane.
If you really don't ike the service at your local corporate store, find an indirect agent who deserves your business.
Personally, I always give my business to those who are the most likely to give me business back. And, anyone who thinks Walmart is good for a community is insane.
If you really don't ike the service at your local corporate store, find an indirect agent who deserves your business.
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There is no need for name calling. I just asked a simple question what the difference was. And not sure anyone has really given me my answer except that it is cheaper. I didn't know asking a simple question would strike a nerve with so many. I was not aware that this forum was filled with so many Verizon employees. Where were you all when I asked which phone was the best one to upgrade to? And why is a rep at Walmart not an indirect one?
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I posted on that original thread.
A "rep" at Walmart is merely the person stationed in the electronics department. They're not trained on phones - they work for their employer. An indirect rep (someone who does not work for Verizon yet sells their phones), was trained just as much as a rep who does work for Verizon. With Walmart, Walmart itself is the "indirect rep," not the person who works there for $8/hr and has no vested interest in the quality of your purchase.
A "rep" at Walmart is merely the person stationed in the electronics department. They're not trained on phones - they work for their employer. An indirect rep (someone who does not work for Verizon yet sells their phones), was trained just as much as a rep who does work for Verizon. With Walmart, Walmart itself is the "indirect rep," not the person who works there for $8/hr and has no vested interest in the quality of your purchase.
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I have tried not to respond to these threads, but I think some of you forget that some of us work at Walmart in order to make a living and despite what you say, we are trained and do our absolute best to take care of the Customer just like you do. There are limitations as you say because of how busy we are and our agreements with the carriers, but I resent reading on here how we are all low paid idiots. Many of us, at least in the store I am in are actually trained and work every day in wireless. No one knows everything.
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you might be trained, but do you take required training for each carrier for the new phones before they come out?
If you set someone up with the wrong plan/phone, does it come from your paycheck when they return it?
Yes, there are some people who do receive training at walmart, and no one is bashing you for working there. But typically if your own cash is in play, you tend to take a bit more time making sure that person won't be returning what you sell them, and that they come back to deal with you.
And while you take pride in what you do, I can tell you in the dozen of Walmart's I've been in, I have yet to meet any rep in the tech section who has a passing knowledge of the products they're selling, especially the new stuff.
If you set someone up with the wrong plan/phone, does it come from your paycheck when they return it?
Yes, there are some people who do receive training at walmart, and no one is bashing you for working there. But typically if your own cash is in play, you tend to take a bit more time making sure that person won't be returning what you sell them, and that they come back to deal with you.
And while you take pride in what you do, I can tell you in the dozen of Walmart's I've been in, I have yet to meet any rep in the tech section who has a passing knowledge of the products they're selling, especially the new stuff.
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We have received training with each new carrier, recently switching from Alltel to Verizon. I would say Sprint is not as much help as Alltel or Verizon. No one can possibly know every feature of every phone that comes out. If someone gets put on the wrong phone or plan we fix it or exchange it. No it doesn't come out of my check, but that doesn't mean I don't care. I have seen many commissioned salespeople that could care less about the customer and more about getting to their next sale. We even get many customers that don't want to wait in line at the Verizon store here. That was when it was Alltel, so it may be better now. Now if you are trying to tell me that people should never return a phone, you must not be serious. Our return rate is ...
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No, people will return phones, and this is hardly a representative sample, but when I worked for a verizon retailer, I had more people try to return phones they got at walmart at my store than I had personal phone returns.
Not saying I'm an amazing rep, but when you work with one carrier, it's a lot easier to find a phone that matches someone's needs, and inpulse buys arn't as common.
Again, No one is saying that you don't know your job, but all of us (I'm willing to bet) have shopped a walmart store at some point, so our opinions come largely from experience.
Not saying I'm an amazing rep, but when you work with one carrier, it's a lot easier to find a phone that matches someone's needs, and inpulse buys arn't as common.
Again, No one is saying that you don't know your job, but all of us (I'm willing to bet) have shopped a walmart store at some point, so our opinions come largely from experience.
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Fair enough. We will just attribute my comments to too many hours and not enough sleep. I will not say I was completely wrong, but after the other day when I was so busy with prepaid, Sprint, and every other surrounding department besides contract sales, I have to agree I can't spend as much time with the Customer as the rest of you. I hope we can agree to disagree on some of these issues. I want to say I am grateful for what I learn on this forum. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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I think you have your answer PLaird. Walmart might be cheaper, but the person selling the phone will have basic knowledge(at best) of your plan, your phone, or your needs. (As they have no training or vested intrest in your purchase) The biggest point I think made in this thread is that even though you had bad service at your local VZW store, you are more likely to leave with what you want and an understanding of what you have.
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PLaird said:
... I just asked a simple question what the difference was. And not sure anyone has really given me my answer except that it is cheaper. ...
Let me give you the lowdown:
Walmart: Cheaper in the short term investment, much more expensive when you lose your job for supporting them... unless you work in China.
VZW Employee/Indirect Agent: Not that much more, better service and a return on your investment (they invest their money in their community, not China).
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put it this way.....do you feel ok buying a phone from the same person that said "hi welcome to walmart" when you first walked in? because that guy and the cell phone guy were in the same training class together
And if there is a Z wireless nerby you go there the droid is 179.99 after rebate and we are a Premium retailer plus my store is across the street from walmart and Nebraska furniture mart and about 4/10 people that walk in to my store come in so i can fix there bill and set up there phone because they bought it at wally world or NFM
And if there is a Z wireless nerby you go there the droid is 179.99 after rebate and we are a Premium retailer plus my store is across the street from walmart and Nebraska furniture mart and about 4/10 people that walk in to my store come in so i can fix there bill and set up there phone because they bought it at wally world or NFM
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are two words that should ever be used in the same sentence. Just a random thought but I believe it to fit nicely here.
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you go to wally world to buy bung foder. You want a phone go to a Phone Store. We dont sell butt wipe they shouldn't sell phones.
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Ok so all of you Verizon employees will be happy to know that my daughter got her droid cell phone at the corp. store. And the rep did not offer to show her how to do anything on her new phone. We got no special treatment at the Verizon store. But hey we paid full price for the phone
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That store must really stink because I went into a Verizon store, told the rep I wasn't available for an upgrade until January right up front, and he proceeded to take great delight in showing me all the little tricks and treasures of the Droid. He was not getting any sale from me that day, but he certainly took the time with me and he didn't have to. But when I can upgrade, I know who I'll be going back to. And it won't be Walmart. 🤣
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Yes I realize we didn't pay $600 that is because we committed to a 2 year contract. My point was that she got the same service at the
Verizon store that everyone on this discussion told me I'd get if I went to Walmart. And at Walmart she would have gotten the $100 rebate right then.Plus since we live in a small town we know the employees at Walmart in the electronics department and they are all very friendly and knowledgeable.
As far as the employees are our Verizon store for the most part they are helpful and I am sure if she goes back into the store needing help they will help her. But I expected the salesrep to at least ask her if she wanted any help on setting up the phone, etc. She went from the flipshot to the droid. Big differen...
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Verizon store that everyone on this discussion told me I'd get if I went to Walmart. And at Walmart she would have gotten the $100 rebate right then.Plus since we live in a small town we know the employees at Walmart in the electronics department and they are all very friendly and knowledgeable.
As far as the employees are our Verizon store for the most part they are helpful and I am sure if she goes back into the store needing help they will help her. But I expected the salesrep to at least ask her if she wanted any help on setting up the phone, etc. She went from the flipshot to the droid. Big differen...
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Well, that's certainly NOT what the vast majority of posters in this thread kept saying. Wal-Mart is just as viable an alternative as many other options, including directs and indirects.
I'm willing to bet there are a few folks at Wal-Mart that know (and possibly use) the Droid and would be more helpful than the rep at the Corp VZW store the OP went to.
As for all the caustic responses, I always say "Never ask a barber if you need a haircut"...
I'm willing to bet there are a few folks at Wal-Mart that know (and possibly use) the Droid and would be more helpful than the rep at the Corp VZW store the OP went to.
As for all the caustic responses, I always say "Never ask a barber if you need a haircut"...
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I believe most people were speaking in broad terms. I myself even said that she was "more likely" to get better service at the corp store. She had a bad experience. That sucks. But its not the norm.
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liquifiedgr00ve said:
She had a bad experience. That sucks. But its not the norm.
I believe it's more "norm" than not.
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https://survey.verizonwireless.com/vzwsurvey/ » -- That rep definately earned a low score. Give him/her one.
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You should definitely speak with someone higher up if the reps in that store treat you that way. Everyone has a bad day, but to bring the suck on a consistent basis is not only bad salesmanship but sounds like poor management as well.
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PLaird said:
Ok so all of you Verizon employees will be happy to know that my daughter got her droid cell phone at the corp. store. And the rep did not offer to show her how to do anything on her new phone. We got no special treatment at the Verizon store. But hey we paid full price for the phone
Go to an indirect agent next time. You already told us you didn't like the service of the store, which means they didn't deserve your future business.
Walmart by default should NEVER EVER deserve anyone's business.
Option C) Indirect Agent -- They're not ALL scum, just a few bad apples that make Corp stores hate them all.
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