This phone doesn't stand a chance!

[GolferChris68]

A gradual name change would be good. I think the name Surface be great.
"I have a new Surface Phone"
"Have u seen the new Surface Phones"

Its alot better than Windows Phone 8 and all the baggage that ppl remember about the old windows phones.

Not a bad idea!

 

[MFmonster]

I made a couple trips to verizon stores this weekend. One store had the 928 in the window and was nice to see. The rep did not speak ill of the device, but it was obvious it was new to him and he did not know much about it. I am debating on switching from Sprint for the Lumia 928. The monthly pricing is the main thing holding me back since I currently have a larger discount with Sprint (the rep signed me up was very kind). Anyway it was a nice change of pace because when I walk into Sprint the reps have zero clue what that there is anything other than android or ios.

 

[MFmonster]

I asked this question in another thread also...but dont remember where now
But... the point is... have you seen any commercial ads for the Lumia 928 since it launched? I have yet to see either an online ad (static of video) that i have been presented with - not gone looking for.
Nor have i seen a TV commercial.
Anyone?

I hoped Verizon would push the device like they did android in the early days. Maybe they will? I am surprised to hear so little about it when this is sweet device that finally made the way to verizon!

 

[theefman]

Its pretty sad that we are still hearing about this crap literally years after the OS has launched. Just as sad that there are still people out there who actually listen to the morons who work in these stores. It doesn't take a lot to find out about a product before you spend your money on it but people just don't want to think for themselves anymore and so this is likely to be the norm for a while.

 

[Par_T]

Happy to say I had a different experience in 2 AT&T stores I visited. Both times, the sales rep was very enthusiastic about WP.
Last time I was in, I was looking at the Lumia 920 and the rep pulled out her HTC 8X and compared the 2 phones. The 920 and HTC 8x display was in he front of the store, where the reps usually hang out. I was going to compare with iPhone 5, but couldn't find out where they had hidden them in the store!
Not all stores are ignorant about Windows Phones.

 

[McSlappy]

I went into a large corporate Verizon store on Friday to see the Lumia 928. A sales person came over to me to see if I had any questions. I said I have a couple of questions about the Lumia 928 and his face went blank. He was clueless about WP8. So I thought I would ask a simple question, "When will the black be available?" His response was "It only comes in white". Meanwhile, the other sales people were fully explaining the Android OS to other customers.
On Saturday, I went into another corporate store located inside a BJ's Wholesale club. I just wanted to see if they knew when the black would be available. I was asked several times by the rep "Why would you want a Windows Phone?" And repeatedly told that there were almost no apps available. She tried over and over to interest me in an Android phone. I told her that I have had a Droid X for the past 3 years and I am sick of it. She gave one more try to get me to get an Android phone and then told me to call back on Monday.
This phone is doomed unless Verizon/Microsoft/Nokia address this problem.

If you replace Android with iPhone and Windows phone with Android in the above you have the exact same conversation 3 years ago. Now look at it. I doubt WP will ever be 75% of the portable market at this point. But still I think it will be a lot bigger then 3% as it is now. What will be interesting is if Samsung starts really loosing the court cases. I know they have been but like real this phone can not function style losses. I really hope that doesn't happen I happen to like Google however your still going to want something decent other then Apple to fall back too.

 

[BuffOrange]

I had the same experience a few months ago. Asked something about the HTC8x and the saleslady mumbled something about the apps being expensive & said "everyone is returning the Iphone to pick this up" (pointing to GS3).

Far cry from when I was a kid; the guy in Electronics Boutique was terrified to give an opinion when asked which hockey game was better.
I mean it's fine to throw in your $.02 when asked I think; but the blatant unsolicited bias seems like madness. Meh.

 

[odin09]

I remember having the same thoughts about the 822 on Verizon and that has turned out to be a pretty strong seller. If Verizon puts some eye catching ads on tv when they finally get some stock I think the phone will sell. I am not predicting that it will be a true game changer but I think it will go a long way toward slowly building Windows Phone into what it can become.

 

[jleebiker]

So, if you look at the Verizon Wireless FB page, on May 16, the day the 928 launched, it's a post about the Droid DNA. Really???

 

[gtdad]

I'm sorry but your story sounds made up. Reps don't care what phone they sale. All corporate stores are featuring windows 8 and soon there will be a windows phones specialist

I am not only a customer of Microsoft but also a stockholder for over a decade. I have also been a Verizon customer since 1997. I have a Droid X and have been out of contract with Verizon since July 2012 waiting for a top of the line WP8 phone. I want this phone and I want it to succeed. It angers me to see the way this phone is being marketed by Verizon. Based on your other posts I believe that you work for Verizon. Your response to my post reflects the source of the problem. It's Verizon, not Microsoft or Nokia. Instead of asking further questions, and showing some concern, you chose to just call me a liar.

 

[Sanjay Chandra]

Up here in my country , Selling Samsung devices gives these sale guys some commission , So they always try to push a galaxy.

They will be like "If u buy an android device , we will load it with some apps , media and stuff" , "For WP , we won't load anything , you will just get the phone"
(A "Common Man" will be like "oh with android i get free stuff while WP i won't get any , so android device seems better" and also every one says "WP doesn't have good store for apps and games" , This kind of negativity pushes away people)

And also if u face a problem with iPhone or Samsung , since all your friends have either of those , you can easily get help but for WP its hard , only way is to go to store or hunt in the forums.This is another factor.

These people don't want the "risk" , they want to get what everybody has (just like "everyone who got iphones and galaxies and are happy with them , why take risk with WP ? , I will also buy one of them")

 

[jleebiker]

So, if you look at the Verizon Wireless FB page, on May 16, the day the 928 launched, it's a post about the Droid DNA. Really???

I stand corrected. As of tonight, the Verizon Wireless FB page now has a post for the 928.

 

[Jack Larson1]

Happy to say I had a different experience in 2 AT&T stores I visited. Both times, the sales rep was very enthusiastic about WP.
Last time I was in, I was looking at the Lumia 920 and the rep pulled out her HTC 8X and compared the 2 phones. The 920 and HTC 8x display was in he front of the store, where the reps usually hang out. I was going to compare with iPhone 5, but couldn't find out where they had hidden them in the store!
Not all stores are ignorant about Windows Phones.

same here. When I got my l920, the salesman didn't convince me to try something else, altho I was already sold on the idea. At an att store. The display was on the easily visible side of the store.

 

[Coreldan]

Not a bad idea!

Except it most likely is quite of a bad idea to start rebranding now.

 

[tjecco]

Here's what could be a solution.
It involves getting the 928.

Go to the store, seek that sales rep, and buy the 928. No matter what.

If you have family and friends that are interested in WP, go with them to that same store and try to seek that sales rep. Again. Then buy a WP. Again.

This tactic is more effective if you space your purchases every week or so. I know, you're hurting the rep's feelings, but hey, no pain no gain.

This is actually what i did here in South Africa, Found a rep that went to the launch of WP8, Sent all my friend to her (it was a win - win situation)...

 

[WhyFiNYC]

This is actually what i did here in South Africa, Found a rep that went to the launch of WP8, Sent all my friend to her (it was a win - win situation)...

I think that other WT's point is that it's a bigger win to convert someone pushing buyers away from WP...

 

[ammarmalik2011]

Up here in my country , Selling Samsung devices gives these sale guys some commission , So they always try to push a galaxy.

They will be like "If u buy an android device , we will load it with some apps , media and stuff" , "For WP , we won't load anything , you will just get the phone"
(A "Common Man" will be like "oh with android i get free stuff while WP i won't get any , so android device seems better" and also every one says "WP doesn't have good store for apps and games" , This kind of negativity pushes away people)

And also if u face a problem with iPhone or Samsung , since all your friends have either of those , you can easily get help but for WP its hard , only way is to go to store or hunt in the forums.This is another factor.

These people don't want the "risk" , they want to get what everybody has (just like "everyone who got iphones and galaxies and are happy with them , why take risk with WP ? , I will also buy one of them")

Exactly. People here complain as if it's some sort of duty on the sales rep. part that they need to push Windows Phone. They'll push whatever sells easy. They're SALESMEN, not Microsoft employees. Did anyone see the Samsung smart stores in Best Buy? That's the kind of thing that'll sell Galaxy phones. Where's Nokia in Best Buy?

 

[nikhilr51]

Exactly. People here complain as if it's some sort of duty on the sales rep. part that they need to push Windows Phone. They'll push whatever sells easy. They're SALESMEN, not Microsoft employees. Did anyone see the Samsung smart stores in Best Buy? That's the kind of thing that'll sell Galaxy phones. Where's Nokia in Best Buy?

Need more stuff like this in more stores:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOLPTB0cZ9U

 

[wpn00b]

I asked this question in another thread also...but dont remember where now
But... the point is... have you seen any commercial ads for the Lumia 928 since it launched? I have yet to see either an online ad (static of video) that i have been presented with - not gone looking for.
Nor have i seen a TV commercial.
Anyone?

I saw one yesterday for the first time on tv, I think it was on ESPN.

Coming from someone that works indirectly with those store representatives you are talking about, there is a strong bias towards Android all throughout the retail channel. If you talk to anyone about it they've picked up a thing or two when they've gone shopping at these stores with these reps: The same things are said regarding iPhone and Android, and now Windows phone. iPhone ("it's expensive", "there are no free apps") Android ("there are lots of free apps", "it's open", "it's fully customizable") Windows Phone ("there are no apps").

I work in a call center doing tech support but hear the very same thing. People ask what phone I have and cringe when I tell them I use a Windows Phone. I got the same response when I carried an iPhone 4 for the last couple of years. There have been a few defectors to iPhone, but in the sales, and retail area, it's all about Android. I personally don't get it... I'm not sure why everyone clamors for it or defends it like they do.

 

[bastienneme]

I can say the same think about the iphone 5s