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Corp. Stores being a pain in the ***

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Posted by: agk515

I work at an authorized agent cingular store in NC. My boss owns three locations in the same town and then there is one Cingular Corporate Store. Almost ever customer who walks in our doors, takes out their anger towards "cingular" ---- more like corp. cingular on us and we have to clean up the mess or just watch cingular lose more customers. All because of the way our corp. stores are trained!!!!! To have really really ****** customer service skills.
Also, does anyone know if corp. cingular stores really charge for their so called services rendard??


Posted by: rabisdogis

LOL AHAHAHAHAHA Now you know how us Corp stores feel about most dealers! A lot of this goes back to how we were paid and how we're paid now. We used to make a**loads of money until our commission was cut into almost nothing. All of the employees that were worth a d**n quit so Cingular is now hiring people with no experience, ADHD and with the inability to learn anything new or relevant to their job. It may just be that store but its not all Corp stores. Good luck.


Posted by: ivwshane

Quote:
cingular stores really charge for their so called services rendard??


What??

Is that particular store doing something or is it that customers are just complaining in general about cingular?


Posted by: BellaDea

If customers are just saying "cingular sucks blah blah blah" then you can't blame that on a store and you'll get that being that you represent cingular when you sell them.

if customers are coming in saying "your cingular store down the street is blah blahy blah" then yes, that's an issue but I wouldn't put that towards EVERY cingular corp store. If there's an employee or employees misrepresenting cingular than I would get with your boss and have then talk to corporate cingular about it. If it's anything out there like it is here, agents are pretty tight with our local corporate and any issues they have with us are figured out and vise versa.


Posted by: magiteck

Wow....the OP hit it *right on the head* in regards to how I feel about most agents!!

"Your kiosk in the mall said that I wouldn't get an ETF from my old carrier. You need to take care of that!!"

"Well, sir....maybe you should take that concern up with that Kiosk"

hahahahaha


Posted by: sevensinz777

i've worked at cor and agent... the argument goes back and forth- agents complain about cor, cor complains about agents... either way the customer is just trying to push their own weight around so that somebody can feel sorry for them and maybe hook them up.


Posted by: theclarks1

Quote:
Originally Posted by rabisdogis
LOL AHAHAHAHAHA Now you know how us Corp stores feel about most dealers! A lot of this goes back to how we were paid and how we're paid now. We used to make a**loads of money until our commission was cut into almost nothing. All of the employees that were worth a d**n quit so Cingular is now hiring people with no experience, ADHD and with the inability to learn anything new or relevant to their job. It may just be that store but its not all Corp stores. Good luck.


First off lets take a quick look at what you said. IF they were worth so much then why didnt they stay and make the best of things, maybe give some input to help make things better? As far as untrained salespeople, I can take someone off the street that has never worked retail cellular before have them trained within about 4 weeks and most of the time they do well. Its a trial and error issue. Some work out and some dont. Its the ones that are in it for the money and have no regards for the customer that make bad sales reps. You should be more interested in making the customer happy and educating them than "I have to get through this as quick as possible so that I can get the next sale!!! There are 3 more people in the store!!" As far as people with ADHD you really should educate yourself on this issue. Most of the children and adults that have ADHD are much more intelligent than other people or children. The problem is with that there minds are on 15 diffrent things and its very hard to concentrate, but with the right training and medication if necessary, they go on to become 4.0 students(for example i know of children that started kindergarten that could read, count to 100+ do addition and more I could go on and on and be much further ahead than the normal students, but the big thing is its hard to get that child to sit and show what they know, or explain it in the way you want them to) and I bet if you do some research in the company there are lots of the top salespeople that have that. Ever seen a sales rep that cant stand still, very energetic, talks lots to the customer that hes dealing with? Those are telltale signs of ADHD. So you really shouldnt degrade people that have issues like this until you really know what you are talking about.


Posted by: magiteck

Quote:
Originally Posted by theclarks1
First off lets take a quick look at what you said. IF they were worth so much then why didnt they stay and make the best of things, maybe give some input to help make things better? As far as untrained salespeople, I can take someone off the street that has never worked retail cellular before have them trained within about 4 weeks and most of the time they do well. Its a trial and error issue. Some work out and some dont. Its the ones that are in it for the money and have no regards for the customer that make bad sales reps. You should be more interested in making the customer happy and educating them than "I have to get through this as quick as possible so that I can get the next sale!!! There are 3 more people in the store!!" As far as people with ADHD you really should educate yourself on this issue. Most of the children and adults that have ADHD are much more intelligent than other people or children. The problem is with that there minds are on 15 diffrent things and its very hard to concentrate, but with the right training and medication if necessary, they go on to become 4.0 students(for example i know of children that started kindergarten that could read, count to 100+ do addition and more I could go on and on and be much further ahead than the normal students, but the big thing is its hard to get that child to sit and show what they know, or explain it in the way you want them to) and I bet if you do some research in the company there are lots of the top salespeople that have that. Ever seen a sales rep that cant stand still, very energetic, talks lots to the customer that hes dealing with? Those are telltale signs of ADHD. So you really shouldnt degrade people that have issues like this until you really know what you are talking about.


Exactly. And "being a good salesperson" doesn't always make you a good employee. We used to have this employee who sold LOTS of new lines.

His sales pitch went something like this: "Yeah man...we've got Digital, and we've got GSM. GSM is like for if you want to get on the Internet and all that... TDMA is for if you want a phone that's going to work all over. You buy today and I'll throw in a car charger for you. And yeah man... this phone has a lithium ion battery so it'll last way longer than anything else that's out there." --- And the way he talked, and the way he came across, he seemed genuine, people soaked it up, and he sold a lot.

But I don't know that that necessarily makes that a good employee.

The people I know who like our jobs with the company, enjoy it for the following reasons:
A) We have some of the greatest phones, and great technology.
B) We enjoy helping customers.
C) We are adaptive to change.
D) We have fun at work.
E) We are excited by wireless technology. We like sharing our knowledge with our customers.
F) We are compensated fairly. (We are not 'wealthy' - but we are compsensated fairly.)

Salespeople who only care about compensation, probably shouldn't sell wireless. There's boatloads of money in selling investments. Maybe do that instead. But I'll pass... I think that wireless is a lot more FUN!


Posted by: theclarks1

Quote:
Originally Posted by magiteck
Exactly. And "being a good salesperson" doesn't always make you a good employee. We used to have this employee who sold LOTS of new lines.

His sales pitch went something like this: "Yeah man...we've got Digital, and we've got GSM. GSM is like for if you want to get on the Internet and all that... TDMA is for if you want a phone that's going to work all over. You buy today and I'll throw in a car charger for you. And yeah man... this phone has a lithium ion battery so it'll last way longer than anything else that's out there." --- And the way he talked, and the way he came across, he seemed genuine, people soaked it up, and he sold a lot.

But I don't know that that necessarily makes that a good employee.

The people I know who like our jobs with the company, enjoy it for the following reasons:
A) We have some of the greatest phones, and great technology.
B) We enjoy helping customers.
C) We are adaptive to change.
D) We have fun at work.
E) We are excited by wireless technology. We like sharing our knowledge with our customers.
F) We are compensated fairly. (We are not 'wealthy' - but we are compsensated fairly.)

Salespeople who only care about compensation, probably shouldn't sell wireless. There's boatloads of money in selling investments. Maybe do that instead. But I'll pass... I think that wireless is a lot more FUN!


Exactly my point. The fun thing yes, where else can you get neat gadgets to play with all day and show people how to do things with new technology. They may not always understand it but its lots of fun showing off what you know. Ya know what would really work is if we all would just get along. My closeset cingular works with us and sends us people that need repair on thier phones and such. IN turn we sent them people that they could make some money on, or if I have a customer that wants cingular now and they are with another carrier even tho I dont like cingular as a company, not the reps well some of them anyway, I still will send them business.


Posted by: ivwshane

Having fun and enjoying your job doesn't pay the bills.


Posted by: theclarks1

Quote:
Originally Posted by ivwshane
Having fun and enjoying your job doesn't pay the bills.


I guess that the stress and a heart attack over a period of time would?


Posted by: ChocoDough

Some people are such fanboys they get walked on all the time and don't realize it because they are "blined" by their fanboyism.

You just haven't been stung yet to the point of waking up.

But don't worry.....we forgive you.


Posted by: theclarks1

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChocoDough
Some people are such fanboys they get walked on all the time and don't realize it because they are "blined" by their fanboyism.

You just haven't been stung yet to the point of waking up.

But don't worry.....we forgive you.


Um ok who was that directed at?? I have no idea what a fanboy is!!lol


Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:
Originally Posted by theclarks1
First off lets take a quick look at what you said. IF they were worth so much then why didnt they stay and make the best of things, maybe give some input to help make things better? As far as untrained salespeople, I can take someone off the street that has never worked retail cellular before have them trained within about 4 weeks and most of the time they do well. Its a trial and error issue. Some work out and some dont. Its the ones that are in it for the money and have no regards for the customer that make bad sales reps. You should be more interested in making the customer happy and educating them than "I have to get through this as quick as possible so that I can get the next sale!!! There are 3 more people in the store!!" As far as people with ADHD you really should educate yourself on this issue. Most of the children and adults that have ADHD are much more intelligent than other people or children. The problem is with that there minds are on 15 diffrent things and its very hard to concentrate, but with the right training and medication if necessary, they go on to become 4.0 students(for example i know of children that started kindergarten that could read, count to 100+ do addition and more I could go on and on and be much further ahead than the normal students, but the big thing is its hard to get that child to sit and show what they know, or explain it in the way you want them to) and I bet if you do some research in the company there are lots of the top salespeople that have that. Ever seen a sales rep that cant stand still, very energetic, talks lots to the customer that hes dealing with? Those are telltale signs of ADHD. So you really shouldnt degrade people that have issues like this until you really know what you are talking about.


Again, I have to lol. I know you don't know me, so lets share.
1. I am a top sales rep. (I am generally 135% to 203% of my quota)
2. I feel that the longer I work for a company the more money I should make, not the other way around.
3. I do care about customers and some I feel sorry for. I try to make their experience in my store the best possible. I believe that a customer should make one trip to the store, be put into the plan that suits their needs, sold a phone that is not overly complex and thanked at the end of the process.
4. I have ADD and I take Stratera. Currently I am taking two pills a day at 25mg and soon, I it will go to 50mg. I am more focused and it is affecting my sales for the better.

I'm sorry that you think that I am some sleazy corp agent that treats people badly. Obviously I have stuck around and I will probably be with Cingular till I die. Howardforums is a place that I can come to and vent without bringing negativity into my store and though I may spread it to others, it was your choice to read what I wrote. If you were offended by my ADHD comment, then I apologize.


Posted by: theclarks1

Quote:
Originally Posted by rabisdogis
Again, I have to lol. I know you don't know me, so lets share.
1. I am a top sales rep. (I am generally 135% to 203% of my quota)
2. I feel that the longer I work for a company the more money I should make, not the other way around.
3. I do care about customers and some I feel sorry for. I try to make their experience in my store the best possible. I believe that a customer should make one trip to the store, be put into the plan that suits their needs, sold a phone that is not overly complex and thanked at the end of the process.
4. I have ADD and I take Stratera. Currently I am taking two pills a day at 25mg and soon, I it will go to 50mg. I am more focused and it is affecting my sales for the better.

I'm sorry that you think that I am some sleazy corp agent that treats people badly. Obviously I have stuck around and I will probably be with Cingular till I die. Howardforums is a place that I can come to and vent without bringing negativity into my store and though I may spread it to others, it was your choice to read what I wrote. If you were offended by my ADHD comment, then I apologize.


I understand that we all have to vent. I see that you understand about the ADD thing then. I have a child that is ADHD he already takes adderal xr about 10mg, but he is really smart, just missed the gifted level in the 1st grade by just a few points and thats because he couldnt keep focus any longer so I deal with that everday and I know that its a challenge. I just thought that you meant the comment in another way. I never said or meant this to apply to you it was more an in general comment on the other things but I did make the comments on the ADD becuase I thought that you were meaning that in another way. No problems here. You know what a person like that goes through everyday hats off to ya for working with that and making it work for your advantage.


Posted by: IDjXpLoDe

honestly.... no matter what if you work for corporate or a dealer... and you have a customer in front of you please... try to help them out with there problem as much possible.... b/c customers DO NOT have a clue if you are the company or a 3rd party.... b/c as we ALL know that some AGENTS look corporate... "this goes out to the AGENTS... im not calling you guys out or anything... but please try to help them out as much as you can and not passed them off to corporate.... b/c you guys are still representing cingular.... and for rabisdogis i agree with you on all points.... and i see you said: "1. I am a top sales rep. (I am generally 135% to 203% of my quota)." so ill see you in summit....


Posted by: Always Mobile

Some of the stores in my area clearly have "Authorized Agent" on the outside Cingular sign. Personally, I think ALL agents need to disclose the fact that they are NOT corporate locations. Around here... few do. Most people don't understand that they need to return merchandise to the original location if it's an agent location. All the time customers argue that it WAS a Cingular store.

I had a customer this week try to exchange items bought from XX agent (because the genius rep sold him Nokia equipment for a Samsung). The receipt said XX as well as the price sticker. The guy gave me so much crap because I couldn't help him. It wasn't even stuff I could exchange and resell because it was off-market.


Posted by: Always Mobile

For the record, I do not disparage agent stores. I try to explain the differences between the two to customers so they are aware. I encourage all my customers to ask when they first enter a store so they know what they are dealing with. Maybe it may direct people with issues only a corporate store can handle to the right location and save agents the BS.


Posted by: rabisdogis

Quote:
Originally Posted by IDjXpLoDe
honestly.... no matter what if you work for corporate or a dealer... and you have a customer in front of you please... try to help them out with there problem as much possible.... b/c customers DO NOT have a clue if you are the company or a 3rd party.... b/c as we ALL know that some AGENTS look corporate... "this goes out to the AGENTS... im not calling you guys out or anything... but please try to help them out as much as you can and not passed them off to corporate.... b/c you guys are still representing cingular.... and for rabisdogis i agree with you on all points.... and i see you said: "1. I am a top sales rep. (I am generally 135% to 203% of my quota)." so ill see you in summit....


I'd love to go to summit but I quit for three months and then came back in Sept. I was told that I am not elible now. Oh well.


Posted by: theclarks1

Quote:
Originally Posted by IDjXpLoDe
honestly.... no matter what if you work for corporate or a dealer... and you have a customer in front of you please... try to help them out with there problem as much possible.... b/c customers DO NOT have a clue if you are the company or a 3rd party.... b/c as we ALL know that some AGENTS look corporate... "this goes out to the AGENTS... im not calling you guys out or anything... but please try to help them out as much as you can and not passed them off to corporate.... b/c you guys are still representing cingular.... and for rabisdogis i agree with you on all points.... and i see you said: "1. I am a top sales rep. (I am generally 135% to 203% of my quota)." so ill see you in summit....


What you should realize is even though we are agents and they may mistake us for agents Im sure that most of us do let the customer know that. IF we have Cingular on the store Im sure that we know that we are representing them, Im sure that we wouldnt do anything otherwise. Why would we bash cingular when at anytime you could be shopped? Also to the above posted on the accessories, how do you know that the customer asked for the correct charger for the phone? They could have made the mistake, I know that many times I have a customer come in and say "I need a charger for XX phone, you ask them if they are sure do you have the phone, no its the wifes phone but Im sure thats what it is." then 2 days later they are back exchanging it for the right one. So its not always the agents fault, or the corporate either.




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