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darkjedi
06-13-2007, 09:59 PM
After reading through all of the consumerists "confessions of a xxxxxxx wireless rep" I decided it was high time to make my own little set of confessions. It is well known the confusion and annoyance that is bred from being behind the counter working as a Retail Sales Rep in the wireless industry. Here is why:

13 Honest Confessions of a Wireless Sales Rep


13. Customer service saying you qualify for a "free phone" does NOT mean every phone is free. It means there are free phones. Just because you have selective hearing does not mean I am responsible for turning the store into your own personal flea market.

12. We are not technicians. We cannot magically fix your phone after you dropped it into the pot of coffee or my personal favorite, the toilet. It’s an electronic device; it fails sometimes, usually because you abuse it. If you hit your car ten times into a pole you’d cause real damage so use the same relationship toward your phone and pavement.

11. Getting upset at us when your phone gets suspended for non-payment is laughable. We’ll listen to what you say, ignore it while thinking that this wouldn’t have happened if you had been intelligent enough to pay the bill on time. The due date isn’t a recommendation. Neither are speed limits. See the similarity? Rest assured, after you leave we are going to make fun of you.

10. The 800 numbers we provide for you are labeled “customer service.” Not “Employee Service.” So getting mad when we say YOU have to call is unacceptable. We are not your slaves, making this phone is simple. So is learning how to turn on your phone, probably the reason you need to call in the first place.

9. Coming into the store with a written list of things you can’t figure out is a no no. These lists are the gateway to hell. We don’t want to sit and answer 125 questions about your voicemail. It sours us for the next customer. Don’t ever come in with these lists. You learned to walk; you can learn to program your mother's number.

8. Using the “I’ll go to another carrier” speech doesn’t get you any further toward your goal of a free phone. In fact, it only has two results. You are getting nothing or me offering directions to the nearest competitor.

7. The instruction manual really is helpful. You claim it’s in Chinese but I’ve read it before. It’s in English. It helps so read it again.

6. How much you pay a month is irrelevant. Trust me, I’m an employee and I pay more a month than you. I get the same deals on phones as you do and often times I get a worse deal. I’m not sympathetic just because you think you are important because your bill has an extra zero. This is a business, not a VIP lounge.

5. Just because you got something free two years ago doesn’t translate to free today. Starting a conversation with that only makes life worse for you, so if I COULD have gotten you a better deal I won’t. You were arrogant and that’s caused me to dislike you.

4. We love metaphors. Like when you say that you’ve been a customer for five years and you deserve something free. That’s really great. I’ve been grocery shopping at the supermarket for longer than you’ve had a cell phone and I still pay for my milk. See the point?

3. Bringing your “friend” who is technologically inclined is an insult. None of us wake up in the morning wanting to scam you. Bringing this “friend” makes us distrust you and less likely to offer you anything. It’s insulting to our characters.

2. Talking down to me is a surefire way for me to make random changes to your account. I was smarter than you when I woke up and I’ll be smarter than you when I go to bed. When you attempt to insult my intelligence, I laugh; then I change your rate plan to a per minute rate plan. Good luck getting that bill fixed. My attitude toward you is directly proportionate to your attitude toward me. If you’re friendly, I’m a super smart salesman, when your voice gets raised, I get incompetent.

1. We know when your phone gets wet. There is a little watermark. It doesn’t get wet when water is 75 feet away or when you leave it on the counter opposite your sink. The phone gets wet when it’s submerged in liquid. Don’t try and deny this. We have evidence; you have a story that changes after being shown your lie. Admit it and our ability to help increases ten fold.

milkbone98
06-13-2007, 10:09 PM
God Bless You Darkjedi. :)

darkjedi
06-13-2007, 10:31 PM
God Bless You Darkjedi. :)

You are kindly welcome.

Nwahs
06-13-2007, 11:43 PM
Very nice! Haha thats a good read

Alex
06-14-2007, 01:34 AM
Absolutely hilarious!

cesarrri12
06-14-2007, 01:55 AM
Wow that would be funny if someone said that to a customer if they called up and screamed at them for doing something wrong on their the bill.

AndrewD
06-14-2007, 09:09 AM
I like!!!!!!!!

redwildebeast
06-14-2007, 09:45 AM
nothing but truth in those words.
id like to add:
If you called CS and they quoted you a price for an upgrade and you come into my store and i have a higher price dont say "well CS told me it would be this price" cause i'm just gonna ask you why are you still talking to me then. go call CS and have them send you the phone.

darkjedi
06-14-2007, 10:26 AM
I would like to make an addendum here.

Customer service saying you qualify for a "free phone" does NOT mean every phone is free. It means there are free phones. Just because you have selective hearing does not mean I am responsible for turning the store into your own personal flea market.

redwildebeast
06-14-2007, 10:47 AM
hahaha so true

Alex
06-14-2007, 10:56 AM
Added! Thanks so much for writing this!

darkjedi
06-14-2007, 11:19 AM
Added! Thanks so much for writing this!

You are most kindly welcome and the other list we discussed is forthcoming!!

For the moment enjoy reps and customers alike!!!

darkjedi
06-17-2007, 02:01 PM
I have been through four of these today....only six customers as well. Sad, so sad.

Matt
06-17-2007, 06:43 PM
I agree with most

However:

"2. Talking down to me is a surefire way for me to make random changes to your account. I was smarter than you when I woke up and I’ll be smarter than you when I go to bed. When you attempt to insult my intelligence, I laugh; then I change your rate plan to a per minute rate plan. Good luck getting that bill fixed. My attitude toward you is directly proportionate to your attitude toward me. If you’re friendly, I’m a super smart salesman, when your voice gets raised, I get incompetent."

I don't like to be talked down to by sales people either. Chances are I know more about the industry than they do. Respect is a two way street. Not saying you are like that, but I have encountered some sales people who like to assume every customer that walks in knows nothing of cell phones except how to dial. Granted, that may be the case with many, but I know what CDMA, GSM, iDEN, GPRS, SIM, EV-DO, ESN, IMEI, EDGE, and HSDPA, (and more) mean. I know what plans other carriers offer. I know what phones are coming out. Not all customers are total idiots, nor should that be assumed. I have a great deal of fun acting stupid with the carriers (all of them) sales staff to see what lies they will tell. And they do lie (again not saying you do) sometimes.

milkbone98
06-17-2007, 10:23 PM
I agree with most

However:


I don't like to be talked down to by sales people either. Chances are I know more about the industry than they do. Respect is a two way street. Not saying you are like that, but I have encountered some sales people who like to assume every customer that walks in knows nothing of cell phones except how to dial. Granted, that may be the case with many, but I know what CDMA, GSM, iDEN, GPRS, SIM, EV-DO, ESN, IMEI, EDGE, and HSDPA, (and more) mean. I know what plans other carriers offer. I know what phones are coming out. Not all customers are total idiots, nor should that be assumed. I have a great deal of fun acting stupid with the carriers (all of them) sales staff to see what lies they will tell. And they do lie (again not saying you do) sometimes.



Agreed 100%, thats the same tactics i used to employ to recruit for my store, one lie = potential gone. Disparagement towards other carriers = potential gone. We have to keep some honesty in this industry, even while others dont.

darkjedi
06-17-2007, 11:00 PM
While I agree with both of the above statements, first take this as humor. Second, its obviously a generalization. I believe in integrity and respect first and foremost but its easy enough to make fun at this industry and the stupidity customers exert.

This industry in particular is a hotbed for people who are willing to show a clear lack of aptitude toward technology. They are able to complete so many daily tasks in a given day but are unable to perform even the most basic of cellphone operation.

While I created this list for humorous reasons in response to consumerists wireless confessions that ran a month or so ago, its taken new light because I believe it truly exists to make "you" understand why we are so frustrated. Blame cannot solely be placed on us for being disgruntled and upset at our daily performance. Ignoring for the moment our companies ability to make our lives more difficult by cutting commissions, lack of empowerment etc, theres so much more to it.

Take this for what it is, a little insight, a little humor and a little harassment. :-)

christyxcore
07-06-2007, 10:02 AM
Very nice read lol

darkjedi
07-06-2007, 10:23 AM
Very nice read lol

You are most kindly welcome...I'm a little interested in adding to it so I will see what I can come up with!

Douglas828
07-13-2007, 10:33 PM
this list is soo funny... but sadly true... "I've been with you since you were VS, can't you give me a better deal than that?" ... Yeah sure.. let me blink a few times and maybe the price will change in the computer... (I've actually given that line to (too) many people, lol)

mailman2504
07-14-2007, 04:47 PM
When I tell you something, it's not because I'm making stuff up, it's because it's the truth. If i tell you customer care is closed, it's ****ing closed. Don't stand there and call the number which makes me look like a total *******, take the paper and call somewhere else.

darkjedi
07-14-2007, 05:52 PM
Its just ridiculous how true this list is as I trudge through every day. I really don't think the customer understands the lack of power I have to make everything you want happen. Its not my company, I'm not in charge of pricing and distribution and pricing etc. IF I was the name of the door would be different and I wouldn't be siting behind the counter playing desktop defense with my cup of starbucks staring blankly at the screen while you proceed into your endless rant about how your phone didn't work last Tuesday while you were going faster than the speed of light in your x-wing on your way to the MIB birthday party on mars.

Just stop, give me the phone and let me do what I do.

LiLaSiiAn8
07-27-2007, 04:19 PM
another thank you to darkjedi.

darkjedi
07-27-2007, 06:51 PM
another thank you to darkjedi.

You are most kindly welcome, I'll add to this list one day!

dsigma6
08-02-2007, 02:27 PM
3. Bringing your “friend” who is technologically inclined is an insult. None of us wake up in the morning wanting to scam you. Bringing this “friend” makes us distrust you and less likely to offer you anything. It’s insulting to our characters.
This is the only one that I find to be debatable. If some unknowing customer walks in, the rep will sell them a) what gets them the most commission or b) what T-Mo or their manager is pushing.

Bring a smart friend along that will tell you, "yea, that phone has horrible reception," or "that sidekick? it's a locked down POS."

Now if the person you bring is blatantly being a know-it-all, that's another story.

ssassy01d
08-05-2007, 06:25 PM
I was reading your lists, and first let me tell you that I don't work in the wireless industry, but at one time DID work in retail, and it doesnt matter weather you're selling phones, food, gas or diamonds, you get the same thing EVERYWHERE!
Just let me say too, hopefully I've never asked a stupid question to any of the CS I've ever talked to over the phone, but this is one customer that knows what you people go through on a daily basis, all I can say is GOD BLESS YA!! The posts above are why I got out of retail , at least now I can shake my head and laugh! Keep up the good work.

MagicKnight
08-05-2007, 08:33 PM
4. We love metaphors. Like when you say that you’ve been a customer for five years and you deserve something free. That’s really great. I’ve been grocery shopping at the supermarket for longer than you’ve had a cell phone and I still pay for my milk. See the point?

Actually, just last week I got $25 in free shopping for being a loyal shopper at one specific chain. Most offer loyalty programs, where you earn points redeemable towards free groceries or other incentives. I know everytime I spent $100 at my SM, I get a $5 credit automatically at my next purchase. If you're loyal, you can be rewarded if you know where to look.

darkjedi
08-05-2007, 09:20 PM
Sassy you are mostly kindly welcome and check back here soon, I'm about to post a few more.

Magic, I don't doubt what you say at all and I'm with you on this whole loyalty thing. However, this industry in particular seems to conjure up a belief of loyalty is owed, not deserved. While some may see them as one and the same, I see it in a totally different light. While its true that the principle is the same, you pay money for something and you earn points leading to free gifts, discounts, credits etc. In this industry however, people don't view this as a growth aspect toward earning points and they use it as leverage. The number of people who walk into best buy and scream and yell at a sales rep about circuit city having better prices is significantly lower than the number of people who walk into any given wireless store and scream and yell about Cingular having lower prices etc. There IS a tremendous difference in these two situations and its aggravating to see such desire for entitlement. People just don't understand that in this business prices are why they are because of the costs involved of activating you as a customer, usually in the middle 300's and then the cost of upkeep for you as a customer. If you are paying 39.99 a month for instance the wireless carriers break even on you, they don't make anything. There is no profit margin for certain customers and thats why the companies charge what they charge.

collegegirl6931
08-05-2007, 10:29 PM
I love the list darkjedi. Its great. I have never worked in the cell phone industry, but I have also worked retail and had to deal with all kinds of customers that I would rather not deal with because of their stupidity. I can honeslty say I understand and wish you the best of luck in your job. I personally don't think I could do it without kicking people out of the store, lol.

ssassy01d
08-06-2007, 10:52 AM
Sassy you are mostly kindly welcome and check back here soon, I'm about to post a few more.


Thank you, I'll be checking back often!