US CELLULAR CEO SAYS "NO" TO IPHONE 4 or 4S
Now i know that there are good competitive phones out there and as a carrier that resells the Iphone4(S) is not as profitable as other phones, but I think the company would gain a good chunk of customers just by switching to an iphone and later after a year 1/2 they can upgrade to a different handset. Sales so far of the iphone 4S have been even better than the iphone4, look at C spire i never heard of that company and now is all over the news, it was an instat marketing move. I am dissapointed at US CELLULAR by not giving the iphone4(S) a second thought specially if they are laggin behing latest handsets, and they are loosing customers. like I said there is no much gain to the carrier just by reselling the IPHONE but the carrier gains a new...
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I understand the decision. I do work for the company and am a believer in Android over Iphone (don't get me wrong though, the Iphone is a great product).
Apple wants to much $ for the device and you sign a contract for Apple to make you so many devices and if you don't sell them all you as the company still buy them. That is why AT&T is still selling an Iphone that is two updates old, they bought more than what the demand was. The company didn't want to take that risk at this time. Sprint is also expected to go nearly 7 billion in debt with selling the Iphone, they will rearrange some debt and try to get some extra funds from investing partners to compensate but that is a huge amount. USC was not ready to take that kind of risk.
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Apple wants to much $ for the device and you sign a contract for Apple to make you so many devices and if you don't sell them all you as the company still buy them. That is why AT&T is still selling an Iphone that is two updates old, they bought more than what the demand was. The company didn't want to take that risk at this time. Sprint is also expected to go nearly 7 billion in debt with selling the Iphone, they will rearrange some debt and try to get some extra funds from investing partners to compensate but that is a huge amount. USC was not ready to take that kind of risk.
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Question: How are small companies like C Spire and MetroPCS able to afford things like the Iphone and 4G, while US Cellular has not? For ex: C Spire is no where near the size of US Cellular, but somehow can afford to make the deal to sell Iphones.
Why are these companies able to do things that US Cellular can't? I am not being necessarily critical, but I really would like to know the answer to that.
When US Cellular can't do things as quickly as the big 4, I think people generally understand. But when it can not do things as quickly as companies comparable to its size or smaller, then it raises questions.
Why are these companies able to do things that US Cellular can't? I am not being necessarily critical, but I really would like to know the answer to that.
When US Cellular can't do things as quickly as the big 4, I think people generally understand. But when it can not do things as quickly as companies comparable to its size or smaller, then it raises questions.
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I'm just a sales rep and don't necessarily have the correct answers but it wasn't that we couldn't afford the Iphone, but more that gaining that in our lineup would take away funds that we had committed to other things. Those other companies had to make the same decisions to determine if gaining the Iphone was in line with the business plan they had or not. For some of them it was, for USC it wasn't at this time, could very well be in the future though.
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Sorry, but "it wasn't that we couldn't afford the Iphone, but more that gaining that in our lineup would take away funds" is just another, fancier way of saying "can't afford." Granted, Apple is way over priced. Apple almost has the power to make or break carriers with their product nowadays. I don't know why Apple wouldn't want to work with carriers so they can sell more of their phones, but I don't think Apple will budge (maybe because of greed). Sprint has leveraged their company on that single device. It's just too bad that Apple has gained that kind of power, especially when Android is there as a much better alternative.
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Oh great! Just read...tiered data plans are coming too...what a great way of continuing to distinguish from the Big 4...(being sarcastic, of course)
I just hope that US Cellular does not make the tiered data as expensive as Verizon's.
Don't want to be a pessimist, but I do not necessarily like the direction the company is headed, and have failed (perhaps due to the fault of myself) to see the plans it has to be more competitive in this ultra-competitive industry.
I just hope that US Cellular does not make the tiered data as expensive as Verizon's.
Don't want to be a pessimist, but I do not necessarily like the direction the company is headed, and have failed (perhaps due to the fault of myself) to see the plans it has to be more competitive in this ultra-competitive industry.
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And oh yeah...I wanted to add....
(and this is a joke only, not trying to be serious or really attack anyone...just having fun..lol)
"It isn't that I can not afford that Mercedes, it is just that buying it would take away the funds that I would need to make my house and utilities payments."
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(and this is a joke only, not trying to be serious or really attack anyone...just having fun..lol)
"It isn't that I can not afford that Mercedes, it is just that buying it would take away the funds that I would need to make my house and utilities payments."
đ
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I have been with US Cellular since they came to Chicago and took over Primeco. I have wanted an Iphone for a long time however moving to AT&T was simply not an option. I really need to make calls and talk on the phone. However now that Verizon & Sprint have the Iphone I have switched to Verizon. Sadly US Cellular wont seem to carry the most up to date phones. Give customers a choice. I wonder how many other customers they are going to lose.
So long US Cellular.
http://9to5mac.com/2011/11/04/u-s-cellular-passed-on ... »
So long US Cellular.
http://9to5mac.com/2011/11/04/u-s-cellular-passed-on ... »
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I to work for the company and I agree that the iPhone is a great product. However there are many comparable phones that do the same and if not more than apples product. I've used an iPhone, a blackberry and currently use an Android. I'm actually the most happiest with my current product and my better half has an iPhone and hates it with a passion.
Apple will have its followers but Android has the largest market share of any OS platformed phone. OK so the 4S has a "voice application" that sets it apart from others (btw there was an outage for that service already)...big deal. Its not that as a company we could not afford to purchase the product like others said it was the fact that it would have been a large chunk of money allocated...
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Apple will have its followers but Android has the largest market share of any OS platformed phone. OK so the 4S has a "voice application" that sets it apart from others (btw there was an outage for that service already)...big deal. Its not that as a company we could not afford to purchase the product like others said it was the fact that it would have been a large chunk of money allocated...
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Well personally, I use Android, and like it for several reasons over the Iphone. However, it is totally irrelevant if Android is better than Apple or not. What matters is that the Iphone sells extremely well. Those sales have been extremely valuable to the carriers that have had them so far.
I do not know about US Cellular's financials; so I won't speak too much on that. Perhaps getting the Iphone is a financial risk. But I feel that not getting it is a bigger risk, especially when US Cellular continues to lose customers and is finding it harder to compete. Unless it does something else extraordinary to get and retain customers, it is certainly putting itself at great risk. Going on its current course is, in my opinion, the riskies...
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I do not know about US Cellular's financials; so I won't speak too much on that. Perhaps getting the Iphone is a financial risk. But I feel that not getting it is a bigger risk, especially when US Cellular continues to lose customers and is finding it harder to compete. Unless it does something else extraordinary to get and retain customers, it is certainly putting itself at great risk. Going on its current course is, in my opinion, the riskies...
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This is really stupid! People are wining about USCC not getting iphone.
Let look at the other companies that have the iphone in their lineup. VZW was the first company that Apple has if they wanted the iphone. VZW said no, because it cost too much and the terms where unacceptable. So Apple went to ATT and they said sure we will do it. ATT got iphone and sold alot of iphones.But, half of the iphones where return and complain about the phone. So, three years when by and VZW finally said yes to the iphone. VZW sold alot of iphones. And had half of the phones returns. Problems too. Both companies did not make money from the sells of iphone. Now Sprint is selling the iphone and bought $15.5 billion. Witch is going to take 3/4 of their revenue....
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Let look at the other companies that have the iphone in their lineup. VZW was the first company that Apple has if they wanted the iphone. VZW said no, because it cost too much and the terms where unacceptable. So Apple went to ATT and they said sure we will do it. ATT got iphone and sold alot of iphones.But, half of the iphones where return and complain about the phone. So, three years when by and VZW finally said yes to the iphone. VZW sold alot of iphones. And had half of the phones returns. Problems too. Both companies did not make money from the sells of iphone. Now Sprint is selling the iphone and bought $15.5 billion. Witch is going to take 3/4 of their revenue....
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You say that people are wining about US Cellular not getting the Iphone. However, your post by far has the greatest amount of emotion of any on this thread..
When I read your post and see that "half" of the Iphones are returned, and that people are saying "Its worth getting because it is cool!", it is clear that you are exaggerating the truth and exaggerating people's take on this subject.
The reason why some are questioning US Cellular's decision is that the Iphone overall has been a big help to the carriers that have gotten it, and it is such a high demand for it. Why do you think that Verizon was quick to jump on the opportunity when it first turned down the Iphone? Because "half" of the Iphones were returned? smh.
In the po...
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When I read your post and see that "half" of the Iphones are returned, and that people are saying "Its worth getting because it is cool!", it is clear that you are exaggerating the truth and exaggerating people's take on this subject.
The reason why some are questioning US Cellular's decision is that the Iphone overall has been a big help to the carriers that have gotten it, and it is such a high demand for it. Why do you think that Verizon was quick to jump on the opportunity when it first turned down the Iphone? Because "half" of the Iphones were returned? smh.
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I wouldn't say US Cellular doesn't have a device to rival the Iphone. I believe the Motorola Electrify is very comparable, maybe I'm day dreaming but it's features are equal to or near what the Iphone 4Gs has. Don't know what you think about the HTC HeroS too.
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They are nice, but they don't have the ooo factor like Galaxy 2, Nexus Prime, or Droid Razr.
Electrify is the Photon which was released in the summer by Sprint. It's a great phone, but it doesn't draw new customers in.
Electrify is the Photon which was released in the summer by Sprint. It's a great phone, but it doesn't draw new customers in.
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I see that you bought into the official line from corporate. "Corporate says, therefore it is good." Now I agree, Apple is overpriced, but I also say that in order to compete, you have to have competitive devices. The iPhone has been the hottest device since it came out. If USCC wants to compete, it needs the device everyone wants, even when there maybe better products like Android. You can try to convince these sheeple that they should go with Android, but there is no changing their minds. I also heard that story that Apple went to VZ first with iPh1, but I don't know how true that is since going with GSM based AT&T allowed them to make their phone for the entire world. A CDMA iPhone would have only allowed for sale in the US, Canada...
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Personally I have NEVER lost a customer just because we didn't have the IPhone. If the RWC is doing their job and completing a proper needs assessment, then they should be able to uncover what features of the IPhone the customer is interested in and match those needs to a device in our line up.
All that was said is that we will not have the IPhone 4 or 4S. That doesn't mean we will never get a future version of the IPhone. Instead of complaining about what we don't have, get better at your job and sell what we do.
All that was said is that we will not have the IPhone 4 or 4S. That doesn't mean we will never get a future version of the IPhone. Instead of complaining about what we don't have, get better at your job and sell what we do.
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You must either be in management or a rep following the talking orders issued out that it's now the salesperson's fault, and not the company's fault, for not having the devices customers want. Yeah, I bet you have NEVER lost a customer-that you know of. Maybe you should write a protocol for the company so we can all be 100% successful like you. If a customer goes to a competitor to get their iPhone or their LTE network, it's the sales reps' fault, not the company, for having sub-par equipment and technology. I've heard all the talking points about "selling the value" and if the customer doesn't buy into it, it's your fault for not doing a good enough job. Stop blaming the rep and start having upper management take responsibility for once...
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You are going to have some people who just change carriers to get the IPhone. What I was saying is I have never had someone in the store leave because we did not have the IPhone to sell. If they are in the store, DO YOUR JOB!! RWC's are not clerks, at least not decent ones, who just ring out orders. Quit your b*tching and get better at your job. There is nothing that IPhone can do that android cannot in some compacity.
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Again, I think you're missing the point. You are holding to your idea that it's the sales reps' fault that customers are leaving. Sales reps aren't doing their job well enough. Hey, there is only so much a person can "sell." We aren't used car salesmen here. Again, I hold the executives at fault, and not the sales reps-not doing their jobs, for not providing competitive devices and network. But that's just me. Give us the products to sell that people want (iPhones, LTE) and the product will sell itself. The company will succeed as well as well as the sales reps. It would be a win win.
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This conversation isn't about LTE. It's been about the IPhone and about alot of people saying that USCC needs the IPhone to succeed. This company was successful before without the IPhone and getting it would actually do more damage than it would help. If you feel you need the IPhone to be successful, then go to VZW or ATT. Not letting Apple rape USCC's bottom line is smart. Do I think the IPhone would sell at USCC, yes. Do we NEED it to continue on, absolutely not. The phone line up right now is the best USCC has ever had. If you cant sell the phones we offer now then it is amazing that you are still in the business. Stop blaming others for your shortcomings and get better at your job or find a new one
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Apparently, by the loss of customers, the employees in general there must not be good (according to your reasoning)...best lineup ever and still losing customers...hum. If you are such a great sales person, then perhaps you should train the remaining sales force at US Cellular.
What I'm saying is that US Cellular needs to do something different to remain competitive. The numbers don't lie..going on the current course isn't working. Talk about the value all you want..it isn't working.Turning down the most popular phone, when smaller C Spire didnt, will raise eyebrows. If you can't see why people will question the decision, then your "loyalty" and arrogance of your sales ability, is robbing yourself of the ability to be objective at all.
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What I'm saying is that US Cellular needs to do something different to remain competitive. The numbers don't lie..going on the current course isn't working. Talk about the value all you want..it isn't working.Turning down the most popular phone, when smaller C Spire didnt, will raise eyebrows. If you can't see why people will question the decision, then your "loyalty" and arrogance of your sales ability, is robbing yourself of the ability to be objective at all.
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I think LTE is more important than the Iphone and I would much rather see that before any Apple product in a USC store. If we got the Iphone we may of had to push back LTE (I'm just speculating but its probably likely). C Spire is probably just taking a gamble, if this doesn't work for them they may be gone soon. USC probably didn't want to take that gamble at this time. If you had to pick between LTE sooner or a 3G capable Iphone (cause there is no 4G capable one) which would you invest in?
I'd go LTE all day and shoot for relevant phones like the Galaxy S2 or whatever else comes out later.
Iphone is a nice product, would be happy to sell it but I don't think not getting it and C Spire now selling it is a fault to USC. We don't even ...
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I'd go LTE all day and shoot for relevant phones like the Galaxy S2 or whatever else comes out later.
Iphone is a nice product, would be happy to sell it but I don't think not getting it and C Spire now selling it is a fault to USC. We don't even ...
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I do agree with you that if it is truly a choice of the Iphone vs getting a 4G network (and both can not be done), the 4G network is the way I would go too.
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So by your reasoning, the reason USCC is losing customers is due to the lack of the IPhone? That's ludicrous. While I do not know exactly why we are losing customers, my guess would be being behind in the progression of a 4G (LTE) technology. It has nothing to do with the IPhone at all. Adding the IPhone would just delay other more important technological advances.
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So you mean to tell me that no US Cellular customer has left because of US Cellular not having the Iphone, or that no customer decided not to go to US Cellular due to it not having the Iphone? Is that such a ludicrous thought? US Cellular employees, speak up now. Can you truly say that there has never been a time when a customer said that they would leave, or a potential customer did not buy because others had the Iphone, while US Cellular didnt?.
If customers leave US Cellular, or choose not to go to US Cellular, the lack of phones is one of the main reasons. I am sure that not having the Iphone was a factor, especially with the huge Iphone craze still being current.
I am not saying that the lack of the Iphone is the sole reason th...
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If customers leave US Cellular, or choose not to go to US Cellular, the lack of phones is one of the main reasons. I am sure that not having the Iphone was a factor, especially with the huge Iphone craze still being current.
I am not saying that the lack of the Iphone is the sole reason th...
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"This company was successful before the iPhone"--yeah so was every company. We were successful before color screen phones came out too, but that doesn't mean we don't need to keep up with the times and get color screen phones. "Getting the iPhone would actually do more harm than good"--how do you know? How do you know sales wouldn't skyrocket if USCC got the iPhone? You don't. You are simply repeating back, like a parrot, the talking points that corporate said. You can be stubborn and think you can prove USCC doesn't need the iPhone to succeed-by being the perfect salesperson. Maybe you can put that on your resume for your next job, soon to come about at the rate USCC is going. "Stop blaming others (corporate) for your shortcomings a...
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Verizon was profitable and gaining customers even with the IPhone only being available on ATT for all those years. More people choose Android over the IPhone anyways so why wouldn't you want to go for what is more popular. As for the services part, yeah I agree that we are behind on LTE and that hurts our growth. However the IPhone has nothing to do with it. Quit being a fanboy
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LMAO! You never lost a customer to the iPhone. Haha that is the funniest thing I've read in a long time.
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So now Ntelos gets the Iphone too! (as well as a company called Alaska Communications)...When you see more smaller companies get the Iphone, do you still agree with US Cellular's decision not to get it, or still believe that it could not afford it?
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Yeah I still believe the logic USC leaders gave. Being a smaller company we can allocate most of our $ to either 4G LTE or the iphone. Which would you choose? I would personally pick 4G LTE.
These even smaller carriers may not be building a 4G network but will wait to make roaming agreements when they have to. Because of that they may have some free capital to through around for the outrageous iphone cost.
These even smaller carriers may not be building a 4G network but will wait to make roaming agreements when they have to. Because of that they may have some free capital to through around for the outrageous iphone cost.
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Yes I still agree with them not buying into a contract with Apple that will decrease profit margins considerably like the other carriers have already experienced especially since the 4S is not 4G capable. Why on earth would a company that is quickly and aggressively updating their network to 4G invest in a non 4G phone?
Seems silly and a poor business business move. I fully expect to see an agreement made when Apple gets off its ass and creates a quad band 4G device US Cellular will sign up for it.
Seems silly and a poor business business move. I fully expect to see an agreement made when Apple gets off its ass and creates a quad band 4G device US Cellular will sign up for it.
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All these arguments would make sense if US Cell was actually gaining customers with the Belief Program...it could then built the 4g network, and then get the iPhone.
But the reality is that US Cellular is slowly bleeding customers and is stuck. The trickle isn't enough to kill it, and the higher revenues from data mask it on the bottom line. It's like an NBA team making the 8th seed playoff every year and thus missing the lottery. Your stuck in mediocrity. âšī¸
But the reality is that US Cellular is slowly bleeding customers and is stuck. The trickle isn't enough to kill it, and the higher revenues from data mask it on the bottom line. It's like an NBA team making the 8th seed playoff every year and thus missing the lottery. Your stuck in mediocrity. âšī¸
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