GoodBye For Now

For right now this will be my last post. I am graduating next week from Rowan and then will try to enjoy my summer a bit and then start looking for some internships. But I will resume from time to time to post interesting phone news. If there is anything you want to know I will look into it so feel free to comment and I will still check this periodically.

BBY vs Going to the Carrier

I sat down with my old manager Frank Rutter to talk to him about working at Best Buy and selling phones compared to some one getting a phone elsewhere.

1) So what makes some one come to you instead of going to the carrier to get a phone?

Well we base our company on four promises. By us living out these promises we will gain customers.

2) What are the four promises?

A better choice of phones and networks in one place, staightforward pricing, impartail informed advice, and someone to be there for the life of your phone.

3) Would you like to explain them a little?

Well we offer more then one carrier at each location so you have more to choose from. Our prices are what you pay. No mail in rebates. If it is free then it is free. Then since we do carry more then one carrier we will find out what is best and who is best for you. Where if you go to a dealer you will only hear why they are the best. Finally we will be there for the life of your phone because we offer our own service plan without paying a deductable.

4) What else sets you apart?

Well something we also do is fill out rec. sheets. So if your getting a phone or not we fill out a sheet as we talk so we can get to know the customer needs. Then we will suggest a phone and accessories. If they aren’t getting a phone we will keep this info and give them one and call them around the time of their upgrade so we can remind them. Then they come in and have the sheet and know what they want so they are in and out. If they do get a phone we still keep one copy and give them one then in about 2-3 days we call them back to make sure they like their phone, experience they had and if they had any questions.

Phone Sniffing Dogs

Philadelphia has the only dog in Pennsylvania that is trained to sniff out cell phones. He has been taken to 6 different prisons and found 10 cellphones in the past 3 months which is more then all the phones found last year in the 26 prisons in the state. Some prisoners are able to sneak phones in to jail which is obviously illegal and Bomber (the dogs name) is finding them out fast. This is the first I heard of something like this so I wonder why more prisons have jumped on this to keep cell phones of out prisons. If any one knows any more information about phone sniffing dogs then leave a comment I am very interested in this.

Pre vs IPhone 3G

I stumbled across an article showing a chart for AT@T comparing the Pre to the IPhone. I think the chart is pretty funny that the phone isn’t even launched yet and they are preparing what to tell customers who mention it already. To me this shows that they must be a little worried about the launch of the Pre because the phone doesnt even have a release date yet and they are prepping for it. Also the chart looks to be bias (of course) but to me it doesn’t look like it was done very well. It just is a bunch of statements making the phone look like it isn’t even close to what the IPhone is. What do you think? Is AT&T worried and just wont admit it?

Picture thanks to BGR.

Map of Dead Spots

Here is my map for dead spots in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. I asked some people to give me areas they have trouble with service or no service at all and this is what they came up with. To my surprise Verizon was one of the ones to be voted as having some problem areas when they have always seemed to me atleast to be up there with signal. Then T-mobile was high as well but that doesnt surprise me much. Lastly Sprint was low but I honestly think that is because many people dont have them. The number one carrier seemed to be ATT for signal. What do you think?

Dead Zones

I am working on creating a map for the South Jersey/Philadelphia area to show the deadzones in these spots to help other uses find out where their service may not work. I need anyone that would like to tell me what zip code and city that they are experiencing them at and if it is exactly at any certain location. I know for me I have T-mobile and at times on my campus at Rowan and  always inside the Wachovia Center I do not recieve signal. Look for a map around this upcoming Monday.

Family Map

AT@T has created a way for parents and anyone in general to keep an eye on other people on their account called Family Map. When it is first started up it will send a message to that phone that is being connected like this but once that is deleted it will no longer tell that number. So parents and angry boyfriend or girlfriends can find out where everyone is without them knowing. It uses gps capabilities to track those numbers. For $9.99 a month on two phones and $14.99 a month on 5 phones people can really now keep an eye on what everyone is doing and when they are doing it. Is this a good or bad thing? I guess that is up to you to decide if this will be something worth getting or will this lead to numeruous fights between people ? More and more services are offering this and more and more people can find out what your doing and where your doing at the exact time and place. Though of being alone is slowly no longer existing. Photo from att site.

Storm 2?

Although only out on shelves for a small amount of time, it seems that BlackBerry is already in works for a second version of the Storm. During the TeleVisie Expo Rim sales manager Alain Segond von Banchet announced that it is in the works. Main thing that will be on this one is wifi which was a big turn off for many users when the original was launched. Also they are saying there will be a more improved push in screen which will no longer be called “SurePress” but now will be called “TruePress.”

Pink Slip Protection

With times as tough as they are I have noticed more and more companies for all different products offering deals for people who may loose their job. Now cellphone companies may be getting into this. Virgin Mobile will be offering a service to their customers who loose their jobs. Customers who have had their company for 2 or more months and have a plan of $30-$50. They will need to be able to prove that they are eligible but if so then Virgin will pay up to three months of the customers bill.  New customers in will already be enrolled, existing customers will have to enroll by June 30th.

AT@T Interview

As I said earlier in the week that I wanted to talk to some reps and try to get how they feel about their company and with the new prepaid deals. It didn’t seem to matter about the prepaids but here is the interview. Hopefully later on I will be able to get a hold of my Verizon rep and post her views.

1) Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Warren K Prescott. I’m a National Retail Account Exec. for ATT Wireless. Basically what I do, I am the liaison between the Natl. stores I have in my territory and ATT.

2) What makes ATT different then the other carriers?

We have the largest Voice and Data network, only company with Rollover minutes, only company in the US with IPhone, only company that can handle simultaneous Voice and data calls.

3) With all the prepaids coming out with cheap rates for unlimited everything is ATT doing anything to counter it? Or is there no worries on their end and why not?

No we are not focused on that type of market, ie distressed credit, bad payment history ect.

4) Anything new coming soon you can let us know about?

Just look out for some great new devices, new uses for blue tooth technology, new IPhone

5) Anything else you would like to say for people who may be debating services?

Just look at our coverage map, your situation and our devices and choose what’s best for you.

These comments are the sole discretion of me and do not represent the opinions or views of ATT as a company.