Mystery Shopper is looking for a 12 month contract with a free smartphone. What do the retailers’ Blackpool outlets have to offer?
5: Phones 4U
Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 3/5
Airtime knowledge – 2/5
Questioning ability – 1/5
Sales ability – 1/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 13/30
4: Carphone Warehouse
Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 2/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 1/5
Sales ability – 2/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 14/30
3: T-Mobile
Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 2/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 3/5
Sales ability – 2/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 16/30
2: Vodafone
Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 3/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 2/5
Sales ability – 3/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 17/30
1: Three
Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 4/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 3/5
Sales ability – 3/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 19/30
Summary
None of the stores visited could offer a free smartphone on a 12 month contract, resulting in a battle over value and service on 18 and 24 month deals.
A wide range of tariffs were detailed, generally the proposition value was similar in terms of free minutes, texts and data, except Three, whose ‘One Plan’ was head and shoulders above all others.
Handset recommendations were also very similar. HTC is a clearly respected and popular choice among retailers despite the numerous Android handsets from rival firms now available.
Full review in Mobile News issue 481 (January 31, 2010).
