Vodafone retail shops with iPhones - at least learn the lie properly

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Vodafone retail shops with iPhones - at least learn the lie properly

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#163882 11-Sep-2008 22:54

JoeBloggs: Buy 2, order some cases and car chargers?

Heh, buy two. Thats the last thing you'd want to do when it comes to trying to get what you want when it comes to the iPhone it seems, it makes Apple/Vodafone reps suspicious of unlocking etc. This has already been demonstrated by one of the vodafone reps he mentioned.

heavenlywild

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#163897 12-Sep-2008 00:16

eXDee:
JoeBloggs: Buy 2, order some cases and car chargers?

Heh, buy two. Thats the last thing you'd want to do when it comes to trying to get what you want when it comes to the iPhone it seems, it makes Apple/Vodafone reps suspicious of unlocking etc. This has already been demonstrated by one of the vodafone reps he mentioned.

Let's think about something else for a moment. The margins on notebook computers are low. Do sales staff force people to buy a bag and a keyboard? No.

Shame on you Vodafone. I was very proud of being your customer until now.

JoeBloggs

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#163907 12-Sep-2008 02:21

Retail on laptops is more like $50-$100 in most electronic stores (though RRP is a much healthier %). You'll be hard pressed to find another $1000 electronic device that only affords the retailer $15 after GST.

As I said, it's cheeky, but I don't really blame the stores for this. Their margins and commissions are really coming under fire recently and many stores are struggling. If they can make much more selling the iPhone to another customer, I say fair enough.

riahon

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#163916 12-Sep-2008 06:30

JoeBloggs: Retail on laptops is more like $50-$100 in most electronic stores (though RRP is a much healthier %). You'll be hard pressed to find another $1000 electronic device that only affords the retailer $15 after GST.

As I said, it's cheeky, but I don't really blame the stores for this. Their margins and commissions are really coming under fire recently and many stores are struggling. If they can make much more selling the iPhone to another customer, I say fair enough.

Am I hearing this right? Vodafone stores can discriminate depending on your customer status? I dont see a Human Rights issue here but I am sure there is a Fair Go issue. Watching Fair Go last couple years I think they are in desparate need of a story like this.

Just a thought, couldnt you say that you are buying it for family or friend as birthday present who has an OA so it has to be open term.

NZtechfreak

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#163926 12-Sep-2008 08:13

JoeBloggs: Retail on laptops is more like $50-$100 in most electronic stores (though RRP is a much healthier %). You'll be hard pressed to find another $1000 electronic device that only affords the retailer $15 after GST.

As I said, it's cheeky, but I don't really blame the stores for this. Their margins and commissions are really coming under fire recently and many stores are struggling. If they can make much more selling the iPhone to another customer, I say fair enough.

Riiiiight.

You realise there is a thing called customer good will? its quite important for businesses that want to capture and retain customers over time yeah?

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martin308

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#163929 12-Sep-2008 08:15

You realise there is a thing called customer good will? its quite important for businesses that want to capture and retain customers over time yeah?

Thats called a 2 year contract!

heavenlywild

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#163930 12-Sep-2008 08:17

riahon:
JoeBloggs: Retail on laptops is more like $50-$100 in most electronic stores (though RRP is a much healthier %). You'll be hard pressed to find another $1000 electronic device that only affords the retailer $15 after GST.

As I said, it's cheeky, but I don't really blame the stores for this. Their margins and commissions are really coming under fire recently and many stores are struggling. If they can make much more selling the iPhone to another customer, I say fair enough.

Am I hearing this right? Vodafone stores can discriminate depending on your customer status? I dont see a Human Rights issue here but I am sure there is a Fair Go issue. Watching Fair Go last couple years I think they are in desparate need of a story like this.

Just a thought, couldnt you say that you are buying it for family or friend as birthday present who has an OA so it has to be open term.

They would simply ask you to bring them into store to sign the contracts etc.

I am going out again today hoping to purchase an iPhone. Should I experience more Vodafone rubbish service, I will post it here and let the world know what New Zealand Vodafone customers have to put up with.

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martin308

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Master Geek

#163937 12-Sep-2008 08:33

Why dont you just buy online or at Magnum Mac? No contract pressure there

heavenlywild

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#163942 12-Sep-2008 08:48

martin308: Why dont you just buy online or at Magnum Mac? No contract pressure there

Read my online experience on the first page and you will realise even the online Vodafone store is a no-goer.

Good point about Magnum Mac. I wonder if they have stock? I am based in Auckland.

JoeBloggs

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Ultimate Geek

#164029 12-Sep-2008 16:42

martin308:
You realise there is a thing called customer good will? its quite important for businesses that want to capture and retain customers over time yeah?

Thats called a 2 year contract!

Haha, quite right!

Riahon, techfreak, advertisers and retails of all industries frequently discriminate between gender, ethnicity, income etc. This is not new by any means. A retailer wants to make the most profit they possibly can, and if this means selling the finite (in demand) product to someone else, it is their right. Just like Nike advertises to people who play sports and KFC advertises to people who like rap music (read between the lines here). Sales people are trained to observe appearance and manner and sell the most expensive product the customer will buy. One day if either of you are fortunate enough to own a successful retail business, you'll understand. If 2 customers walk into your store and want the same hot item and one is willing to pay more, why on earth would you take the lesser deal? You're just not used to having to "reverse sell" to a sales person who doesn't want to sell

Either way, good luck on the hunt for a prepay iPhone

heavenlywild

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#164122 13-Sep-2008 00:49

JoeBloggs:

Riahon, techfreak, advertisers and retails of all industries frequently discriminate between gender, ethnicity, income etc. This is not new by any means. A retailer wants to make the most profit they possibly can, and if this means selling the finite (in demand) product to someone else, it is their right. Just like Nike advertises to people who play sports and KFC advertises to people who like rap music (read between the lines here). Sales people are trained to observe appearance and manner and sell the most expensive product the customer will buy. One day if either of you are fortunate enough to own a successful retail business, you'll understand. If 2 customers walk into your store and want the same hot item and one is willing to pay more, why on earth would you take the lesser deal? You're just not used to having to "reverse sell" to a sales person who doesn't want to sell

Either way, good luck on the hunt for a prepay iPhone

I quite agree with you in terms of retailers wanting to make more money. That's fine, I am all for it.

What I am unhappy about is how the iPhone has been misadvertised (why mention the handset only price when they aren't willing to sell it to pre-pay customers? Also the lies?).

JoeBloggs

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Ultimate Geek

#164243 13-Sep-2008 17:08

To be honest, I do see where you're coming from. It would be lovely if they had better details about the iPhone in general. From the product shortages to pricing plans before launch. There were many stipulations that Apple placed on Vodafone and only a few people are privy to the initial supply agreement (not to be confused with Apples terms of use). I guess the real gremlin is the supply and demand. When a product is scarce, more people want it and are willing to pay more. I guarantee you, if stores weren't worried about Apple's sales agreement they would have jacked the retail price up by now.

erickelly21

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Wannabe Geek

#164646 15-Sep-2008 22:00

The margins on the iphone is close to nothing(about $20 a phone) which is why Vodafone staff prefer to sell them out on a plan. Another reason they are reluctant to sell them out to prepay customers outright is because of the big hoard of people buying them just to re-sell them overseas. sure you may say the terms and conditions by apple say they are allowed to be re-selled once, but they are not to be made for personal gain and tonnes of people have been going in to do this. The terms that Apple have with Vodafone is very strict that the iPhones are to be used to be sold on plans. It is at Vodafones discretion to sell them out on prepay. Besides, you can only use the internet with the right data plan that comes with either the iPhone plan or the Data plan that you can get, which ties you in for 24 months. And before you even start to say you can unlock it, they know all about it, websites such as unlockit.co.nz and stuff will allow you to make use of their $1 a day internet offer with your prepay on your iphone BUT all that goes against apples terms and conditions.

The reason why Vodafone staff are so tight about selling iphones outright is because theres a possibility they might lose the right to sel the iPhone and noone wants that. Vodafone New Zealand is the only country to sell them outright mind you. Would you be complaining if you were in australia and could only get them on iphone plans? No. Besides there are a whole lot of new plans out that are very cheap ranging from a $40 to a $80 a month one.

At the moment Vodafone staff are only allowed to sell one per customer, and no, it doesnt work if you bring your entire extended family along with you and offer to pay for each of them.

I've been to the stores at Takapuna and Queen st and the staff members there are very very friendly and those are probably the only two stores in auckland with staff members that know their stuff and if they arent willing to sell you something they would have their reasons. Besides the iPhones have been selling really fast lately and i myself had trouble of getting hold of one. If they said they didnt have stock they most probably meant it. The reason why they ask you if you're signing onto a plan is probably so they can tell you when they get some in stock they can hold one for ya.

Personally I think if you're gonna go to Fair Go about a little thing like this, its almost as silly as a kid going to the cops because he got bounced from a bar. They have the right to sell to whoever they want just like bouncers have the right to let only certain people in to clubs.

heavenlywild

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#164654 15-Sep-2008 22:28

erickelly21: The margins on the iphone is close to nothing(about $20 a phone) which is why Vodafone staff prefer to sell them out on a plan. Another reason they are reluctant to sell them out to prepay customers outright is because of the big hoard of people buying them just to re-sell them overseas. sure you may say the terms and conditions by apple say they are allowed to be re-selled once, but they are not to be made for personal gain and tonnes of people have been going in to do this. The terms that Apple have with Vodafone is very strict that the iPhones are to be used to be sold on plans. It is at Vodafones discretion to sell them out on prepay.

Two issues. First, regarding reselling of iPhones. Never my or most others intentions. Then again, who cares? If I can afford to buy a mobile phone outright, no one else can stop me from selling it a week or so later or any reason.

Second, it is untrue that Apple requires retailers to sell the iPhones on plans. If that were the case, Vodafone wouldn't be advertising the "handset only RRP". Digital Mobile sells iPhones on pre-pay on the condition you buy a $50 accessory (Digital Mobile's gain, not Apple's).

The reason why Vodafone staff are so tight about selling iphones outright is because theres a possibility they might lose the right to sel the iPhone and noone wants that. Vodafone New Zealand is the only country to sell them outright mind you. Would you be complaining if you were in australia and could only get them on iphone plans? No. Besides there are a whole lot of new plans out that are very cheap ranging from a $40 to a $80 a month one.

Australia? They could hand them out for free if they wanted to. It is none of my business. I am in New Zealand, this is a NZ-based topic thread.

Cheap? $40 a month for 24 months? Comes out to be close to $1000, not to mention the cost of the iPhone itself. We all know it is a rip-off.

Wait, you are contradicting yourself. Just before you said Vodafone cannot sell iPhones outright and now you say they can?

At the moment Vodafone staff are only allowed to sell one per customer, and no, it doesnt work if you bring your entire extended family along with you and offer to pay for each of them.

Not the point. I only wanted one.

I've been to the stores at Takapuna and Queen st and the staff members there are very very friendly and those are probably the only two stores in auckland with staff members that know their stuff and if they arent willing to sell you something they would have their reasons. Besides the iPhones have been selling really fast lately and i myself had trouble of getting hold of one. If they said they didnt have stock they most probably meant it. The reason why they ask you if you're signing onto a plan is probably so they can tell you when they get some in stock they can hold one for ya.

Trust me, they lied and misled. Read the entire thread before you contradict my experience with the two stores.

Personally I think if you're gonna go to Fair Go about a little thing like this, its almost as silly as a kid going to the cops because he got bounced from a bar. They have the right to sell to whoever they want just like bouncers have the right to let only certain people in to clubs.

I didn't say I was going to Fair Go. Do realise a voice needs to be heard before any change can be carried out in the future. It's called customer feedback and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Sparky221

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#164660 15-Sep-2008 22:50

erickelly21: And before you even start to say you can unlock it, they know all about it, websites such as unlockit.co.nz and stuff will allow you to make use of their $1 a day internet offer with your prepay on your iphone BUT all that goes against apples terms and conditions.

Then why does their latest carrier update allow you to change your APN?

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