1. bap3221's Avatar
    I was reading the book on Becoming Steve Jobs (Not an apple fan but I liked Steve Jobs)
    *
    He NEVER believed in selling his products through retailers. Yes that means Verizon, ATT, Tmobile, Best Buy, Circuit City (when it was alive). He always believed that in order to sell his products, he needed to open his chain of stores because no one knows products better than the person that they train. I completely agree with this. It wasn�t even when Apple was big, that he started with the stores. They were still at a point of recovering and barely introduced the iPod and getting all the big music industries to join iTunes. Also, that the products should be limited in terms of choices. For example, iphone 6 and 6 Plus. Whereas BB has passport, classic, slider, leap (for young business users), and z10 (which may get an upgrade, I do not believe leap was the continuation but slider might be.)
    *
    The salesman are going to be very biased. One might to convince you to buy an iphone and the other Android. I was always interested in the BB section and I remember the salesman telling me, �Are you sure you want that phone? Android has a good selection� like 5 times. And then as he was entering the stock room, he said, �last call before I get it� lol. If you notice with Apple products, the retailers they do work with, they build their own section separate from other devices highlighted with the ipad and phone. At Best Buy, they even have an Apple specialist instead of anyone else on the floor assisting you.
    *
    Now I know it sounds like a risky investment but I believe Chen should build a few in the heart of business cities. For example Dubai, New York City and San Francisco or LA, Toronto, Chicago, Singapore to start. Start training courses to get people out of that comfort zone that iphone and android have built. Nothing convinced people more than getting hands on with a device with a salesmen who knows it well.
    *
    We are BB customers because we are accustomed from previous devices but what about the people who switched in 2007 to 2011 who were not able to see the significant improvements. BB7 also had many problems such as bugs and overheating on their lower end (not necessarily low but medium since they don�t make super cheap devices).
    *

    Posted via CB10
    05-04-15 05:16 PM
  2. Drenegade's Avatar
    They don't have the money to even market their products in the first place. They definitely aren't going to open retail stores.

    You're living in the past, my friend.

    Posted via CB10
    05-04-15 05:19 PM
  3. bap3221's Avatar
    They don't have the money to even market their products in the first place. They definitely aren't going to open retail stores.

    You're living in the past, my friend.

    Posted via CB10
    Well im talking about a store or 2 maybe. Not a whole bunch. New york is the heart and city of the world and even with tourist attractions, they can gain recognition that they still exist.

    I mean, how many tourists from asia visit an apple store in the u.s. Its like a landmark for them. Lol.

    Posted via CB10
    05-04-15 05:36 PM
  4. DenverRalphy's Avatar
    BlackBerry already tried that. It was a miserable failure.
    Blacklatino likes this.
    05-04-15 05:41 PM
  5. Ment's Avatar
    I wouldn't mind a strategy of 'popup' stores in selected cities for a major launch like the Slider but permanent high cost real-estate no thanks.
    phoneaddict78 likes this.
    05-04-15 05:42 PM
  6. Prem WatsApp's Avatar
    BlackBerry already tried that. It was a miserable failure.

    Maybe execution was lacking?
    Maybe they need more chentrol ...?

    "If you don't succeed at first, try,... "
    :-)

    (There's one in Dubai, so why wouldn't it work elsewhere? )

    �   Passposted while waiting for the Z-lider....   �
    05-04-15 06:03 PM
  7. Bonnie Bonzai's Avatar
    I'd be happy if they tried opening a few stores.

    Posted via CB10
    05-04-15 06:04 PM
  8. js8229's Avatar
    They had stores although I never saw one in person. I think it would work again if done correctly since part of the appeal is what i would call the "blackberry lifestyle", although i agree the first step would be at least *some* marketing.

    Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk
    05-04-15 06:18 PM
  9. FCSC's Avatar
    quite simply, Apple in 2001 was in a very different place then Blackberry is today.

    Keep in mind Apple opened 25 stores in their first year of operating retail stores, opening up just 1 or 2, even in high market areas, is pretty much worthless. And to get the prime retail locations, you HAVE to commit to buying other retail locations, or pay a HUGE premium.

    When Apple opened its first stores, they had way more products then Blackberry would have. (Apple had desktop computers, laptops, displays, aiport)

    The reason Steve Jobs perused his own Apple stores was because of how Macs were being sold at computer stores... but A HUGE difference between that situation and Blackberry's, is that phones need a service provider.

    And not to beat on a dead horse, but not only does blackberry not have the money for something like this, they don't have the manpower either... setting up a retail network is huge drain on time and money.

    Fun fact, The first Apple store had 7,700 customers (not visitors, but customers) its first day of bluishness...and this is before they released the ipod. Where in the world are we going to place a Blackberry store that kills it on its first day like that?
    Troy Tiscareno and Tim Heard like this.
    05-04-15 06:25 PM
  10. anon(9188202)'s Avatar
    In Canada, they would sell more phones by putting a BlackBerry display case next to the Timbits� at Tim Hortons...
    gebco, wincyUt, Cynycl and 1 others like this.
    05-04-15 06:29 PM
  11. Billy Bob Jimmy Joe's Avatar
    BlackBerry can then sell iPhones in those stores or else they won't sell much.

    Posted via BlackBerry Classic
    05-04-15 11:57 PM
  12. CrackberryQ's Avatar
    Actually it doesn't cost blackberry any considerable amount!

    Create a franchise concept where the store is privately owned and would get BlackBerry partner status where he could be a reseller for hardware and software goods , since hardware enough won't cut it.

    Force exclusive sales of BlackBerry products with a specific store design.

    And give them marketing budgets for free, like BlackBerry world credits for hardware sales, and free trials and stuff for softwares.

    The states may not react positively to this model but emea would eat it up, small business owners would kill for that local support!

    Far east also would love this model!

    Ideas comments plz!

    Posted via CB10
    Jrox74, Shadowyugi and limabo like this.
    05-05-15 12:31 AM
  13. Anthony_2u's Avatar
    They can try again BlackBerry 10 is better and the phones are attractive.

    Posted via CB10
    techvisor likes this.
    05-05-15 12:42 AM
  14. world traveler and former ceo's Avatar
    Maybe execution was lacking?
    Maybe they need more chentrol ...?

    "If you don't succeed at first, try,... "
    :-)

    (There's one in Dubai, so why wouldn't it work elsewhere? )

    �   Passposted while waiting for the Z-lider....   �
    They opened one in Bangkok a while back.. I had a look when I was there five years ago. It was impressive... I agree with the OP.. or at least kiosks with well trained people...

    Posted via CB10
    Shadowyugi and techvisor like this.
    05-05-15 01:19 AM
  15. RH1Pearl's Avatar
    Actually it doesn't cost blackberry any considerable amount!

    Create a franchise concept where the store is privately owned and would get BlackBerry partner status where he could be a reseller for hardware and software goods , since hardware enough won't cut it.

    Force exclusive sales of BlackBerry products with a specific store design.

    And give them marketing budgets for free, like BlackBerry world credits for hardware sales, and free trials and stuff for softwares.

    The states may not react positively to this model but emea would eat it up, small business owners would kill for that local support!

    Far east also would love this model!

    Ideas comments plz!

    Posted via CB10
    Franchise only works if the product is already popular. Otherwise, there will be few that would take on the huge start up risks. Besides, there are a lot of stores in Asia that sells all types of phones, why just sell one type and pay franchise fees
    05-05-15 01:23 AM
  16. Bbnivende's Avatar
    BlackBerry does not have enough goods to sell. Certainly no high end all touch.

    Posted via CB10
    05-05-15 01:28 AM
  17. Luis Santo's Avatar
    When are new cells coming out are they really out of business

    Posted via CB10
    05-05-15 02:26 AM
  18. Soapm's Avatar
    quite simply, Apple in 2001 was in a very different place then Blackberry is today.
    It is true the market was much different then. Online retail was a tiny footprint then. But more importantly, what Apple was investing in was a community. A following or a family. They were a quality alternative to the mass produced main stream and had accepted their place as distant second... But to buy a Mac was to become part of the family or community... I like what he did...

    The reason Steve Jobs perused his own Apple stores was because of how Macs were being sold at computer stores... but A HUGE difference between that situation and Blackberry's, is that phones need a service provider.
    Great point about being sold, or not being sold... Because most of the sales guys knew PC, you would be talked out of a MAC back in those days. Exactly how phone stores talk you out of a BB today. They know Android and iPhone and are way more comfortable selling you one.
    techvisor likes this.
    05-05-15 02:49 AM
  19. Bla1ze's Avatar
    Seems a lot of people aren't aware of the BlackBerry Stores that already do exist. Not one in your area? There's a reason for that.. they tried... they failed. Even with the franchise and partnership idea. The stores that do exist are in place because they're in regions where BlackBerry support is larger and they're successful.

    Opening more, especially in regions that would be a risk such as North America, would just be plain stupid on BlackBerry's part. Also, the example of Dubai as a spot to open a store, shows how little people actually pay attention. There's one already there in the Dubai Mall and it has been there since 2013. It plays home to a lot of the UAE launches.
    05-05-15 02:55 AM
  20. Shadowyugi's Avatar
    I think BlackBerry should at least have one in Canary Wharf, London...

    That way, I'd have a place to actually go and talk to like-minded blackberry enthusiasts and not have to argue/defend MY choice of phone to people who are biased lool
    05-05-15 03:40 AM
  21. TJ Strozier's Avatar
    They would only need stores in major cities. I see plenty of people here in Chicago with BlackBerry phones. I'm sure BlackBerry could open a store here, NY, and LA for starters, just to see how it goes.

    TJ Strozier of Astronomic Music Group
    techvisor likes this.
    05-05-15 03:52 AM
  22. SunshineStateFlyer's Avatar
    As it has been said, there already exist a few stores while it failed in other locations. You have to consider that running a dedicated store is very expensive.

    What I would see as a possibility though is an increased amount of corner stores in shops that already exist. They might train and contract some sales personnel in carrier stores who could give professional advice and market the phones to a certain extent. This would probably work more or less cost efficient, especially if only targeted at larger stores.

    Posted via CB10
    05-05-15 04:51 AM
  23. berries_good's Avatar
    Start with kiosk. Seeing the name BBRY in mall might trigger the curiousity of the consumers about bb10. Though the problem would be the pricing. No subsidies from the carrier.
    05-05-15 05:33 AM
  24. Icardi101's Avatar
    There is a Blackberry store in Dubai. It's located in the Dubai Mall the largest mall in the world. My usual stop in the dubai mall is always the BlackBerry store. BlackBerry classic and passport are selling a lot there. The BlackBerry classic has been out of stock for a week now.

    Posted via CB10
    05-05-15 06:49 AM
  25. early2bed's Avatar
    If you think that BlackBerry should do this then you are completely missing what John Chen's hardware strategy is. He's trying to break even on hardware by cutting costs not by spending more and making it up in volume. Remember when he decided not to hand out demo units at the Classic launch because it would have cost $150K?
    05-05-15 07:09 AM
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