AT&T Windows Phone Expert : "Get an Android"

We knew that Windows Phone was having retail problems, and some folks investigated the matter too. Microsoft quickly started collecting data on these retail experiences, but their response doesn't seem to have had a quick effect.
Matt Landis of WindowsPBX called up a couple of AT&T stores and inquired about Windows Phone models. His experience ranged from the ignorant reps to unavailability of stock to outright recommendations for other platforms by experts. His friend reported a similar experience on twitter as well. This just continues to demonstrate that retail is among the few sore spots which Microsoft must rectify ASAP.
You can read about Mr.Landis' chat with the retail sale representatives at the source link.

[Source]

By Akshay Bakshi

Microsoft finally responds to recent Windows phone retail mess

We have published reports from two news outlets (PCMag  and  IBT)and  who investigated and found out that employees at retail stores aren't too eager to sell Windows Phone device to customers. WMPU however posted a contradictory reporter but overall, from what I have read on Twitter and several blog comments, is that retailers aren't promoting Windows Phone devices enough in comparison to Android phones. Now this is a major issue and Microsoft needs to do something about it urgently. PCMag, who did the initial investigation spreading light on this issue, got in touch with Microsoft's Windows Phone Product Manager Greg Sullivan who admitted that their retail marketing strategy need a lot of improvement.

It's true that there's work to do from a marketing standpoint, and we have teams in place that are doing retail salesperson training, providing them with evaluation devices so they can use it and become more familiar," Sullivan said. "There's a whole host of efforts that are being undertaken to help get the work out, and it does take a little time.

Nokia is an important part of their retail strategy too. With Nokia's reach and retail expertise- Windows Phone can coverup for lost sales in no time and also make sure employees don't divert people interest in getting a Windows Phone

 Microsoft isn't offering retail employees cash incentives for every device sold. If they do, do you think we'll see a turnaround? Drop in your thoughts.

img source: WMPU

By Rahul Mathur

Another Windows Phone Retail Experience Story

After Sara Yin from PCMag, its Joe Romaine from International Business Times who decided to share his experience hunting for a Windows Phone device in the market. The difference being that while Yin was a mystery shopper, Romaine was actually looking for a new phone.

He goes on to detail how he wanted to switch from Blackberry to a touchscreen device, his options narrowed down to LG, HTC Androids and Windows Phone 7. Not too tech-savvy but knowing Microsoft Office was a big requirement, he zeroed in on WP7. The salesperson intervened though and pushed Mr.Romaine to the HTC myTouch.

Consider this, a customer decides on a Windows Phone device, but the retail people direct their attentions elsewhere when they are about to finalize. Better commissions or confusion over WM6 and WP7 might be reasons for this particular case, but it was the sales guys who incontrovertibly changed Romaine's decision who ultimately went for the Android device. This just might be the first of many stories to surface about retail experiences while shopping for the platform, especially since there's a list for it. Read Joe Romaine's story at the source link.

[Source]

By Akshay Bakshi

Are Carriers Behind Widows Phone's Retail Problems ?

There have been some doubts expressed about Windows Phone sales and PCMag did some investigation about the scenario in the market. According to their findings, the salespersons at the various retail stores almost pushed people away from the Windows Phone devices. An AT&T kiosk they visited had only a single device and that too with a cracked screen. Verizon and T-Mobile employees seemed to be improperly trained and though the Sprint guys were impressed by the insistence for Windows phone devices, even they tried to shift attention to Androids and the iPhone. That said, several store people also noted that demand was Microsoft's devices was also rising. To root out the problem, Microsoft has put up a OneNote folder where people can log their bad store experiences for Microsoft to look into.

Whether it be ill-trained salespeople, personal biases or just a lack of enthusiasm, it's clear that Microsoft needs to focus on carriers in the same way they have been working to attract developers. Redmond's should put some more effort into maintaining it's carrier relations and enthuse them to push forward the Windows Phone platform.

[Source via WPCentral]

By Akshay Bakshi