Motorola staff at Vodafone's Bluewater store, pushing Motorola handsets
Interesting.
You remember I was at Bluewater shopping centre at the weekend? Largest shopping centre in Europe. Or something like that. It’s big, anyway.
Other people go to Bluewater to buy Christmas presents. I, dear reader, went for you. I went with you in mind. I was also hoping to score an Ed’s Diner burger and maybe some chocolate truffles, but mobile was high up the priority list. That, and I accidentally bought an N93………..
Anyway I strolled into the Vodafone store there. It’s looking a lot more restrictive than it used to. They’ve changed the design, probably for the better, still there’s not a lot of walking about space.
I didn’t get in the store though — I got about 2 steps over the entrance and a pleasant nice lady stopped me:
‘Would you like to try a new Motorola KRZR, or a RAZR, sir?’ she says, brandishing real live handsets.
‘Er, no it’s ok I’m looking for video phones, but thank you for asking,’ I reply.
She’s not put off. ‘This one does video,’ she says, thrusting the KRZR at me, ‘and it’s now available exclusively in silver — just out today!’
‘Ah, I mean like the N93,’ I reply.
‘Oh, they’ve just got them today,’ she explains, pointing me toward the main store desk.
I can’t quite remember what I said next, however I think I picked up on the ‘they’ve just got them’ and I asked if she was a Motorola representative.
‘Yes I am,’ she confirmed.
‘Oh in which case, I’m sure your strategy of catching folk as they come in the door must really be boosting Motorola purchases today?’
Her and her colleague gave knowing smiles and nodded. Her colleague’s eye drifted to the clipboard. It looked filled with notes.
Smart, eh?
Although if I was head of marketing for Samsung, I wouldn’t be that impressed that everyone entering the Vodafone Bluewater store was being upsold and encouraged to look at Motorolas — before they even entered the store 😉
However I think it’s a good tactic. The KRZR is a handsome new addition to the Motorola line. If I had been minded and not a total mobile freak, I could have been persuaded I’m sure. Especially since the lady was nice, clearly knew her stuff and was polite.
I wonder how long they were there? Just for that day? The weekend? The month?
Who knows. Sure it helped Motorola. And you know what, I’m pretty sure these two Motorola people boosted sales substantially for that store.
Why don’t normal Vodafone staff do that? Why don’t they walk around the store with three or four mobiles hanging off their belts or wrists so they can show you handsets there and then?
