Do you blame Vodacom for low iPhone sales?
May 10
Latest News vodacom 14 Comments
Okay, I was in the Vodacom store in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon checking what FREE phone I could get for my accumulated TALKING POINTS. Anyway whilst sitting at one of the sales persons desk I enquired what iPhones were available on contract these days. The other sales person said to me “Eish they came and just died out like that hey”.
Now me being a lover of my iPhone and know the ins-and-outs of it, enquired from him, “Do you know how to use a iPhone?”. He said that he didn’t. Mmmm typical.
Now if you put two and two together then you will come to the conclusion that most Vodacom sales people either dont have iphones or dont know what they are talking about. Its not the first time i’ve walked into a Vodacom shop and the sales person has tried to sell me a Samsung Omni just because he has no clue on how to use the iPhone. The iPhone is breaking the scales in sales all over the world except South Africa. We don’t see any TV adverts, billboards, newspaper ads or even posters anywhere. For this I blame Vodacom 100%.
I know the staff has been for training but what sort of training? A Vodacom staff member couldn’t show me how to setup a mail account after being trained.
Anyway, its no skin off my back that sales are down. Its just a thought. What experiences have you had when trying to get a iPhone contract from Vodacom? Please let us know.
Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts
May 18, 2009 @ 19:48:43
I cant see how you can say this. You live in newcastle right? Which has a population of roughly 200000 people. You seriously cannot expect vodacom to advertise an iPhone to farm people? (I know that not the whole of newcastle is farmers) I live in Johannesburg and when the iphone was first released there were a few HUGE billboards across freeways 2 which were on the N1 and another going from Joburg to Pretoria. I know there were also a few in cape town and even saw one in durban. There were adverts for it on channel 403 literally every hour or so and even on mnet etc. You clearly must have missed it. There was a big launch party at vodaworld aswell were trained people were there to help. Yes it died down, ovcourse it would, you dont see samsung going on about an omnia anymore, its gone through its hype phase. The vodashop by you probably just hired some garden boy to do the job because they know that no one in a slowed up society cares about an iPhone (Yes there are a few like you) Just making my point hey…… Cheers
May 19, 2009 @ 15:25:26
Yeah Devon you probably right, the party has died down. But what I’ve noticed (and tested this in JHB, CRESTA, SANDTON and at EAST GATE MALL) is that the sales people at the Vodacom Shops will try to sell you the Omnia instead of the iPhone simply because they know jack about it.
Just wanted to know what feelings did people get when purchasing their iPhones?
May 19, 2009 @ 15:56:00
I walked in and asked for it, nothing else. People who know wat an iphone is and want it generally know how it works. Besides i think my 8 year old cousin could operate it, its the simplest OS to use
May 19, 2009 @ 21:15:08
Hi Guys i must say that its disgusting to hear that any Vodashop or Vodacom approved dealer has not embraced the apple iPhone an its many advantages, i for one would not even sugest another handset.
A Quick thought however Samsung and Nokia both strongly incentivize the sales staff and it because of this fact that there knowledge and appreciation of a good quality handset is of non existence.
My colleagues and many business owners in our area are all major supporters of the iPhone3g its only the loss of the other store owners that there staff are as ignorant.
May 20, 2009 @ 00:18:45
I agree. The sales people at VC are as useless as them selling a NASA space rocket when it comes to the iPhone. They complain that it can’t MMS, Video record or bluetooth a ringtone. It just shows how much they know. BTW im taking about the VC in Durbs.
May 26, 2009 @ 10:19:35
I have been waiting for an iPhone for over a month. All the Vodacom stockists and retailers in Cape Town have not had stock for nearly two months. I’m about to give up and get a Nokia. I really need a new phone and can’t wait any longer.
May 26, 2009 @ 11:56:39
This is exactly my point. Hang in there. Believe me it will be worth the wait. With the new OS 3.0 coming out as well soon, id rather wait even for the 32GB, maybe get a really cheap R400 phone in the meantime?
Jun 09, 2009 @ 10:34:20
What can I say, I ordered my iPhone last week, even though I was told it would be here on Monday… I am still waiting.. I know that it is worth the wait, I can however agree that the sales staff of the Vodashop have very little or no knowledge of the iPhone, I even ended up helping another guy make his mind up about which phone to get. He ofcourse took the iPhone which caused me to wait before I get mine. Would be great to know when I will have it!
Jun 09, 2009 @ 20:12:47
Yep thats exactly what I was talking about. Now that the new iPhone 3G S is out hopefully we will see some ignorant salespeople get educated? I know the feeling Riaan, BUT believe me it is worth the wait. Hang in there bud.
Jul 22, 2009 @ 11:41:00
Hi Administrator, just to let you know the iPhone 3G S appeared on our stock ordering price list yesterday. It seems that the 32 gig iPhone will resale at the same price as the 16 gig initially did when it first surfaced in September 2008, and Retail @ R8700.
So i guess if you expecting it t be free i would expect to wait until late December or early 2010.
“Barry” i am a VC Durban and like i said before its other store’s loss.
Initially when Vodacom did its training with staff the very fist things we where told to inform customers of where, its limitations e.g. BT, MMS, and a large part of this training was direct information sent to Vodacom training by Apple and in the Apple resellers agreement.
Jul 23, 2009 @ 14:33:50
Hi Chris,
If VC’s can now order 3GS stock, any idea when we’ll be able to get it on contracts? Week? 2?
Cheers
Jul 23, 2009 @ 14:57:02
Thanks Chris for that info.
Im trying to get info as well from my VC sources but of course everyone knows nothing at this stage. Well im sure ill be getting the 32GB anyway.
Will keep you guys posted. Thanks
Jul 23, 2009 @ 20:33:09
Hi Douw looks like early August for both iPhone 3g 8g,16g and Mid August for iPhone 3gS 16g,32g
Sep 29, 2009 @ 15:23:48
Annnnd guess what guys im still waiting for a 3GS…..
These guys are seriously useless. They dont even give a sh%t about the job of customer services….Go to work,lunch breakand go home. As long as they get paid. I have not met one vodacom service consultant who know what the hell is going on in the market. Give me a name and number of one that does and i will by all means use his services. But the way they are going.. its a joke.