Let's see:

Two nationwide carriers merging, a lot of people are afraid about what this will entail with their current contract. So they either go into a store or call up customer care.

Now multiply that by a couple thousand. Then add the normal headache customers, normal signups, and the fact that a lot of call center people are most likely going through training about how the new systems and plans work.

Is it frustrating? Yes. Is it unexpected? No.

I work for a Verizon retailer and we have long waits when we call in (nowhere close to 4 hours thankfully) much longer than we are used to. We've also got a ton of new material about the merger to go through in the stores.

Be happy you have customers... we've been dead here ...
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Menno said:
Let's see:

Two nationwide carriers merging, a lot of people are afraid about what this will entail with their current contract. So they either go into a store or call up customer care.

Now multiply that by a couple thousand. Then add the normal headache customers, normal signups, and the fact that a lot of call center people are most likely going through training about how the new systems and plans work.

Is it frustrating? Yes. Is it unexpected? No.

I work for a Verizon retailer and we have long waits when we call in (nowhere close to 4 hours thankfully) much longer than we are used to. We've also got a ton of new material about the merger to go through in the stores.

Be happy you have cus

...
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I hear you on the long waits here. This has been ridiculous! I can't help a single person that comes in the door. This should have been thought through a lot better! I have lost at least 4 new contracts, and 3 upgrades TODAY alone! UGH! I have just told people it would be a much better idea to come in on Friday and get what they need to get done, and make sure they leave with my card! I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO!

your so far the smartest person on here ... good for you... Thales is a cry baby 😢

Actually, this was a forseen situation. Although we weren't supposed to have as many issues as what's going on. Everyone's activation systems are down. Even when you get through to the RAC, any ESN changes, activations, etc. will take around 12-24 hours to even go into effect. I've also heard from a few reps that no activations or upgrades will be able to be processed until Friday morning, although if you get through to a RAC rep, they assure that it should actually go through the next day. (Like the condescending phrase?)

It sucks, and it will likely drive away business, but Corporate Stores in our markets are actually sending people away and telling them they can't do anything until Friday. If your organized enough and a good enough tal...
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And yoboy8 posts like he has had a lobotomy.

No one is crying genius, only checking in to see if other people are experiencing the same wait time. I guess you don't have to worry about the wait times, no business for your store? Don't get emo-hurt because you were snubbed after offering an unacceptable reply.

Stefany;

We've been setting customer expectations that it will be 24 hours before changes are processed, collecting customer information to process activations and creating a queue of paperwork. So far at the store I'm currently at we've got two datacards for two customers, a three-line customer and a single line customer who we're going to get setup. We've explained the situation as best as possible and told them that we w...
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its your F*cking smartarzz remarks that get my replys

I wouldn't call the trash you post a reply so much as a poor attempt at hiding your handicap.

-fin
Thales

yoboy, geez guy. It's been rough for us...let us have a place to vent and share our ideas about how to keep the customers coming back, even though we can't satisfy their needs at this exact time....slow it down cowboy

That's pretty much what we've been doing as well. Each rep has a sheet with activations, upgrades, plan changes, etc. to be completed Friday morning. I know of a couple reps who have offered to drop the phones off for the customers on Friday when we are able to get everything going. Gotta love smaller markets.

The only draw back I have been having, (besides the wonderful wait times) is RAC and Customer service people telling me that they can't do anything at all for me, when I call back and the next person I talk to can. So I do also advise asking to talk to someone else, if the person your talking to doesn't seem like they really want to help. But hey, I could only imagine working in their shoes for the next couple of days...thank god I'm just a little ole sales rep!

Thales,
Unfortunately, I work for as an Indirect Agent, which usually means complications anyway. Fortunately, I work in a small town, where the community likes to keep their business within the area. This has been a HUGE advantage for me. Of course, I offer to take their name and number, and as much information as possible, and make sure they leave with my card. This seems to make them feel as if I am still working for them (even though there isn't much I can really do right now, but check my email!) Your idea about the car chargers and cases is a great idea, I am going to talk that over with my manager, and hopefully still be able to land these accounts. I will be soooo happy when this is all over! Wooohooo come one friday!

😢 😢 😢

your such a damn baby 🙄

Wow, and I assume your not having this problem then?? What freaking number are you calling??? It is truly frustrating that I can't help my customers, sorry if that makes me a baby! 😕

no i cant help my customer ... but i will help them on friday 😛

Retail stores cant do activations either. They are in a complete downtime mode for the next 3 days. We do activation basically on paper and then have to email that to tech. So people basically buy phones and they wont work for a few hours... On Friday we all have to go enter all the activations, renewals, data, and accessories into the billing system. YAY soooo much fun. 😢

I'm just a Alltel customer, but here in Phx. everything appears to be ok. I was in the store today and they were activating new phones. They did a warranty swap for me.

I am an Alltel Corp employee and our systems were down yesterday. We have some of the best backup systems in the industry and were able to keep the store up and going while we were down without a long wait time. Our systems came back up 100% today!! 🙂 Thanks to everyone for understanding during the downtime!!