[Gnomesane]

Agree with most of what you said. They have to look at the big picture and plot a course. Most people are only looking at the mobile aspect. I am interested to see how they put it all together. Of course, Android and Apple have the same ideas.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

Of course. I'm assuming BlackBerry is back on their game and not going to rest on their laurels like they did 5 years ago. My personal sense is that Chen is on game, and will deliver (but only time will tell). I hope they do, I'm a big fan of BB10 for mobile. I have iOs and Android devices as well, and I definitely prefer BlackBerry's offering over the competition.

Related to the OP's story, a good friend of mine went to upgrade to a Z10 through Virgin Mobile recently. He was told (on the phone) by the Virgin Rep that they were sold out and that "BlackBerry isn't selling the Z10 anymore". Which was an odd thing to say since Virgin Mobile was (and still is) advertising the Z10 on their website in Canada. So he called BlackBerry directly and they said "Sure, we'd be happy to supply Virgin with a Z10 for you, but they have to order it". So he called Virgin back, and another rep basically said the same thing. We're sold out, it's BlackBerry's fault.

To this day, check out the Virgin Mobile Canada website. They still "offer" the Z10, but just try and get one.

Very odd.

[Omnitech]

I'm trying to think of a polite way to put this

You failed.

[bbq10l]

No, the PROBLEM, first and foremost, are the people who jump to the defense of the unscrupulous, lying frauds.

The SECOND problem are the people who BLAME THE CUSTOMER for the unscrupulous, lying frauds.

There is no excuse for that kind of sales fraud. NO excuse.

Once we have gotten that whole attitude behind us, then we can talk about what BlackBerry can or cannot do in response to it.

But if the whole world is BLAMING THE CUSTOMER for not solving the problem themselves, then that is pointless.

Instead of constantly complaining why don't YOU do something about it. Since you believe shoppers are "victim customers" who continually are taken advantage of and apparently go under mind contol at evil capitalistic carrier stores, why don't YOU do something? I personally don't care. I will never care more about BlackBerry than BlackBerry cares about itself. Do you think they don't know this goes on? What are THEY doing about it? Or, are they a "victim" too? Please.

Posted via CB10

[Omnitech]

What can I say - I'm a socialist and feminist - what do you expect me to say? It is ok to refer to women as whores?

As a person of obvious intelligence and education, I should not have to explain to you that a term can be used in both specific and abstract ways, and in this case I see no evidence it was used to refer to any specifically-gendered person.

If it is the term itself you are offended by, then OK, but I must wonder if someone of your same side of this debate were to do something similiar if they would be subject to the same attempt to "name and shame".

[canuckvoip]

I haven't seen a single post saying the op made it up. Guess you can point us at some eh?

Posted via the Android CrackBerry App!

I think there's a "sense of humour" class starting right after the "satire" class in a town near you. Sign up.

[TgeekB]

Yes because if a person has the audacity to have ethical standards, that must make them "holier than thou", correct?


Oh, and BTW:




Another one on that side of the debate posting with an Android device. I keep getting so many surprises today.

Keep going. You keep proving my points! So, only those who use Blackberry devices are allowed to post an opinion? Sounds quite " ethical" to me.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

[TgeekB]

Now can we get back on topic and act like adults?

Posted via my Nexus 10.

[stevobbm]

I assume they had no Blackberry's to sell and the sales girl was told to say that by her supervisor. Me personally, I prefer to buy my smartphone online, at least I can do my own research on what I want and not be filled full of crrap by a salesperson who's only interest is commission.
Really, I hate mobile phone shops.

Posted on CB10 with the Q10

[Omnitech]

Abstract ways? The post refers to her as a women and the poster in question says "LOL what a stupid *****" - to say it's not related to gender... please...

The funny thing is that as a fairly socialistic and feminist person myself, I've been focusing on the important subject of the discussion, not the gender of the salesperson. Matter of fact, I pretty much forgot about the gender of the salesperson until people started making stupid cracks about how unhip they think being a BlackBerry Elite was, and why it wouldn't "attract" that female salesperson, and all the other stupidly gendered jokes that people keep making. And then your comment.

Seems to me that people are looking awfully hard for red herrings to throw out there.

[avt123]

Please explain this.

Do you walk into every store you ever plan on conducting business with a videocam on your shoulder rolling, pointed at the person who greets you?

It's called a smartphone. We all have access to instant video cameras in our pocket.

How do you accomplish this?

By asking the rep the same questions you just asked her, but this time with the video recording.

Or when a person starts spewing a bunch of crap, do you stop them and say "Oh, excuse me, hold on a second..." while you rustle in your bag for your video camera, and then point it at them, start rolling with the red-light blinking on the front and say "OK, could you please repeat that part where you lied to me about BlackBerry, please?"

I keep my phone in my front left pants pocket, there is no "rustling" involved. Red blinking light is in front of the device, someone only you will see. You are recording the rep, they should be in front of you, no? You know, you walk away for a little bit and browse the store, then take your phone out, click record and start talking to her again. It's a pretty easy thing to do. If she doesn't spew the same nonsense, then you ask her why she only lies while not being recorded.

[TgeekB]

I assume they had no Blackberry's to sell and the sales girl was told to say that by her supervisor. Me personally, I prefer to buy my smartphone online, at least I can do my own research on what I want and not be filled full of crrap by a salesperson who's only interest is commission.
Really, I hate mobile phone shops.

Posted on CB10 with the Q10

I believe that is the trend and more people will be doing just that. Online sales of everything, overall, is growing.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

[Gnomesane]

Now can we get back on topic and act like adults?

Posted via my Nexus 10.

I'm in!

I'm curious about my buddy's experience trying to get a Z10 from Virgin Mobile Canada and being told he can't have one, even though they still advertise the phone on their website!

Check it out (hopefully this brings up the right page):
Phones, Smartphones, Android phones, iPhone and Prepaid phones - Virgin Mobile Canada

The Z10. Available. But call them and ask if they have stock. Then ask why not. If you get a different answer than my friend I'd love to hear it.

Any thoughts why Virgin is doing this? Why advertise a product you won't supply?

[Axacta]

You are kidding right? Do you really think they care enough about BlackBerry to experience anxiety over cognitive dissonance? They are going to roll their eyes and keep selling what is in their best interest. They don't care about BlackBerry; consumers don't care about BlackBerry - nobody but fans are giving BlackBerry any thought- certainly not enough to do their own personal research. People only experience cognitive dissonance when they care about something.

Posted via CB10

It isn't about caring about BB. Phone salespeople are human just like anyone else. They see themselves as the expert in their field - that is what they care about. Place questions to anyone within their specific expertise that they don't immediately know the answers to and they will want to examine them. The key is not to alienate the person, but let them remain the expert so that when they discover the truth they can feel that it is their discovery.

Of course it won't always work, but getting mad at them will certainly not make any conversions, and will likely just alienate them more.

[Gnomesane]

Hilarious, just noted that my link to Virgin mobile lists "Smartphones, Android phones, iPhone and Prepaid phones". No mention of BlackBerry.

Virgin Mobile Canada doesn't sell Windows phones so I understand that omission...

[TgeekB]

I'm in!

I'm curious about my buddy's experience trying to get a Z10 from Virgin Mobile Canada and being told he can't have one, even though they still advertise the phone on their website!

Check it out (hopefully this brings up the right page):
Phones, Smartphones, Android phones, iPhone and Prepaid phones - Virgin Mobile Canada

The Z10. Available. But call them and ask if they have stock. Then ask why not. If you get a different answer than my friend I'd love to hear it.

Any thoughts why Virgin is doing this? Why advertise a product you won't supply?

Good point! If you are going to spend money on advertising a product I am not sure why you would tell people you don't.

Some of it may have to do with pure numbers. Blackberry is such a small percentage of inventory right now that people on the phones probably have the least knowledge of them. Most of their day is selling Android and IPhone.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

[bbq10l]

And here we have a good example of how people put so much effort into polarizing a debate, and then turn around and complain that people who are not polarizing a debate, are polarizing a debate.

Please show me anywhere ITT where I stated that people not using BlackBerry devices are not allowed to post here.

I simply pointed-out that it's not a very big surprise that the people on "that" side of the debate seem to have a strangely statistical likelihood to be posting with non-Blackberry devices.

Sorry if that simple observation is so offensive to you. Sometimes these things are painful when they are exposed.

You are missing the forest for the trees by analyzing everything to death. Many many people on these forums use multiple devices; I use three. It doesn't matter what device I post from. Additionally, if someone actually paid for a BlackBerry, they are more of a fan than most of the world and are entitled to share their opinion- just like you.

Posted via CB10

[Gnomesane]

Good point! If you are going to spend money on advertising a product I am not sure why you would tell people you don't.

Some of it may have to do with pure numbers. Blackberry is such a small percentage of inventory right now that people on the phones probably have the least knowledge of them. Most of their day is selling Android and IPhone.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

Then why not take it off the webpage? Can't be that hard to delete it! Just odd don't you think? I know I do.

It's been weeks since he had the problem, btw.

[Omnitech]

Some of it may have to do with pure numbers. Blackberry is such a small percentage of inventory right now that people on the phones probably have the least knowledge of them. Most of their day is selling Android and IPhone.

Which is why a professional would state something like "Oh, I'm not sure about those, I don't have too many customers asking about them", rather than "Company is out of business, broken up into pieces, and their products are garbage".

[Axacta]

Not to mention, sending people to Google to look things up is just going to result in them sucking in a bunch of the usual garbage from entities in the industry or securities field with an axe to grind about BBRY. Not exactly a good idea, if you are trying to help people find out the truth about the company.

So you are the only one who uses Google properly and can wade through the "usual garbage"?

Tell me what "usual garbage" will they get by Googling BB's stock price?

I just Googled >blackberry stock price< Here's what I got:

The stock chart comes up first. Clicking on 6 months shows that BlackBerry stock has been rising for two months.

Next CNN Money states "BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY): Today's Featured Telecommunications Winner."

Seems like good news to me.

[Craigash]

I've been going through everyone posts and will only say. Your all entitled to your opinion

This wasn't me being mis- interpreted. I actually went in to ask about something not related but while waiting for a sales assistant, I noticed they never had one single BlackBerry out on display. Anyway after she helped with my initial enquiry. I asked, how come you have no BlackBerry phones on display. Of which she replied 'we don't sell Blackberry's anymore, they have stopped trading and has been split up and sold off in parts'. Her words not mine.

(those who are BlackBerry Elites members or know of the Elites program, will know that if this was true. We would know).

I told the assistant that she was wrong but she was adamant and when I asked when did this happen, she replied months ago. To be honest I was a little lost for words. When I informed that I was a BlackBerry Elite member and that it's business as usual. She replied. That's what we've been told. Not sure from who but I can only speculate, it's from within 3 mobile. As I explained that this info was wrong. She began saying about Apps, software etc etc. From which I lost interest and left. Thinking what the hell.

A while back I had the same kind of conversation with someone in O2 and realised that these was his own opinions and not the Network Providers. As for the 3 mobile assistant, she had been informed of this from above and believed it to be true. For reasons I don't know.

I just find it peculiar for Sales assistants to give incorrect information out to customers.

What can I do. Nothing but tell them their wrong and to look it up and leave.

Posted via CB10

[TgeekB]

Then why not take it off the webpage? Can't be that hard to delete it! Just odd don't you think? I know I do.

It's been weeks since he had the problem, btw.

Doesn't it seem like some places are so far behind with advertising? I heard an ad on the radio the other day (don't remember what for) but the day it expired was a few days previous! Who's driving the ship? Lol.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

[bbq10l]

Of course it won't always work, but getting mad at them will certainly not make any conversions, and will likely just alienate them more.

I do agree with your last statement. I don't think bullying or sticking a camera in someone's face at a store is the right course of action. It will only make people hate you and by default- the brand. If someone stuck a camera in my face, I would have them thrown out by security. This kind of nonsense just points out the fact BlackBerry does not sell and that BlackBerry fans can be crazy in their support for the brand. Not really a message BlackBerry wants to send right now. Imagine how that would sound to the public- crazy BlackBerry fans are secretly recording salespeople in stores! If that is not enough to make carriers drop the store inventory completely, I don't know what is.

Posted via CB10

[Omnitech]

I just Googled >blackberry stock price< Here's what I got:

The stock chart comes up first. Clicking on 6 months shows that BlackBerry stock has been rising for two months.

Next CNN Money states "BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY): Today's Featured Telecommunications Winner."

Now look at the Wall St articles about BBRY.

For example, the small analyst firm (two people, from what I can tell, a guy and his wife) that use the terminology "Featured Telecommunications Winner", if you read their news articles on BlackBerry, at the bottom you will see several paragraphs explaining why they think the stock is a dog and are advising their clients to get rid of it.

[TgeekB]

Which is why a professional would state something like "Oh, I'm not sure about those, I don't have too many customers asking about them", rather than "Company is out of business, broken up into pieces, and their products are garbage".

But are all sales people "professionals"? Aren't some of them just kids working through college?

I understand your frustrating and I don't condone lying, but the last person I get my information from is a sales person. No disrespect intended.

Posted via my Nexus 10.

[bbq10l]

That reminds me of an old girlfriend. When I would make a point of something that was causing friction, it was dismissed as "over analyzing". LOL.

It's the relational equivalent of calling anyone who disagrees with you a troll.

No, it was your girlfriend making an observation clear to her and others. You are overanalyzing again.

Posted via CB10