FOR SALE $0.99…SPEND $200
For those of you who know us well you know that Lynne is a shopper. What I mean is that she mostly buys when things are on sale rather than paying full retail. Since 1975 this has been and continues to be a blessing in the Rose household. It was with great pleasure that when Verizon was offering I-Phones for $0.99 we were encouraged to upgrade.
We have been loyal Verizon customers for many years. Our previous phones were last upgraded four years ago. We use our phones for emails, telephone, text, maps, and an occasional picture. As I say, “We are low tech.” Our interests in entertainment are satisfied in other ways than our computers and phones.
When we arrived at the Verizon store we were helped by DJ (Donald J. Tremel, mobile 323-806-8571, 3760 Mission Ave., B, Oceanside, CA 92058, Donald.Tremel@verizonwireless.com) a young man who has been with Verizon for seven years. He was extremely patient with us. My biggest concern was transferring my nearly 1300 contacts and pictures to the new phone. He immediately assured me that he could do that for me. As DJ started to explain the different plans it became quickly clear that we were leaving the store spending much more than $0.99 for each phone. As it turned out, the bill out the door was just north of $200. How is it that you can feel good about being brought to a sale for $0.99 while spending $200? Let me explain.
First, Verizon has been loyal to us. Any time that we have needed an adjustment in our plan to reduce our out of pocket costs, Verizon customer service representatives have always preformed. When cellular phone service was spotty Verizon always seems to lead the way with reliability. Now I read and hear that, “All the networks are within one percent of each other,” as marketed by Sprint by the fellow that once asked for Verizon, “Can you hear me now?” (Talk about lacking loyalty. This guy will work for anyone who will pay him.) Well, that one percent could mean the difference of getting that referral text, telephone call, or email that could be a new $10,000 client.
Our cellular plans have always been the most basic. Verizon’s in store customer representatives have always treated us with integrity, dignity, and respect even as we laugh at how behind the technology curve we are. DJ truly exemplified this in our recent transaction. He showed us three different options including the $0.99 plan. He penciled out all three plans showing us exactly where the dollars and cents came from. The lowest priced plan was not the $0.99 deal that brought us to the store. It would have been the most expensive. The lowest priced plan was a month to month plan that allows us to upgrade whenever we want. The most interesting part of the plan is it took money out of Verizon’s pocket. Had DJ sold us the plan we came to buy we would have spent more money every month. Who in sales is out to reduce their commissions? When you are looking for repeat customers, then the top commission is often anticlimactic if you are looking for repeat business.
Now some of you cynics might be thinking, “Gerry and Lynne fell for the old bait and switch.” Some might say that the offer was a good marketing tool to get prospects in their store. My thoughts are when you can offer good value, at a reasonable price, and provide excellent service everybody wins . That is what Verizon and DJ accomplished. We were laughing, chatting, buying upgrades, making jokes, just having a grand time knowing full well that the $0.99 deal was in our rear view mirror. We spent nearly two hours at the Verizon store and literally walked out grinning.
I have now had my new phone for 48 hours. I have used it to text, send emails, and even found some new applications that I will probably use in the future. I already see that it is faster than my old phone. I cleared my throat and Siri wanted to talk to me. When it comes time for some company to make a new offer, I will go back to Verizon. Next time we want new phones, I will go to Verizon. Are your clients ready to “hear you now?” Is your marketing, customer service, and customer offers bringing clients to your store (website, networking meeting, etc.?) What are you doing to affect these areas in a positive way? I would love to chat with you if you are interested in creating a similar experience to the one Verizon offers.
Post Script: Honorable mention goes to Chelsie Pena, mobile 760685-5817, Chelsie.Pena@verizonwireless.com for providing customer support.
Gerry Rose runs INTEGRITY Networking Solutions in Oceanside, CA. He works with people in business who want to attract the right prospects and generate more referrals. More than 10,000 businesses have been presented the INTEGRITY Networking Solutions system in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange Counties.
Gerry’s stimulating presentation Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals is ideally suited for small business owners, home-based businesses, and independent professionals who want clearer direction and want to attract more prospects, develop dynamic systems, and strengthen their companies’ accountability. Gerry does one on one consulting, conducts a range of keynote speeches from thirty minutes to full-day education workshops. His book series, Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, are available on the website, www.integritysd.com.
Gerry has more than 20 years’ experience directing business owners how to grow their businesses. He is a networking dynamo. Those who know him will assure you that he does a great job of bringing people together—which is why he started INTEGRITY.
Involved with networking organizations since 1984, Gerry is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a member of Toastmaster International, and has chaired numerous chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations.
Are you truly committed to attracting the right prospects and generate more referrals? If so then contact INTEGRITY Networking Solutions for availability and information. You can contact Gerry by mail at 1610 Quiet Hills Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056. Direct dial (760) 439-4623; e-mail to gerry@integritysd.com. For more information, go to www.integritysd.com
