Sprint stores closed this morning -- but why?
It's not as crisis-inducing as the Starbucks outage earlier this week may have been for some of us, but there's another store closing happening today that we need to be monitoring pretty closely: we've heard that Sprint will be closing every last one of its locations -- even licensed dealers -- from 9AM to 11AM PST for some sort of webcast. Rumor has it Sprint's baristas will be given a refresher course on how to pull the perfect shot of espresso, but if it turns out to be something else, we'll let you know.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
storino03 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:57AM
never even knew these places existed...
--James
derX @ Feb 28th 2008 2:45AM
Dear Sprint,
The whole closing of all Starbucks worked for Starbucks because there are many, many people who love their products, gaining them a lot of publicity. People do not love Sprint, they tolerate them. They love SERO. It's like dating someone you don't like much because the person has a very nice car (or whatever else might prompt you to stay).
We know you've been on hard times. People might just think you've gone out of business.
Much "love,"
derX
Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 9:20AM
I beg to differ.
Closing Starbucks did earn them quite a bit of PR, but that's ancillary to the actual decision.
Closing all locations (locally) simultaneously ensures that all of their employees received the same new information and training. This means that if I go to Starbucks A this morning and then Starbucks B on the way home, whatever they're doing "new" is going to be uniform across those locations. Instead of issuing a retraining statement / strategy to managers and waiting for it to shake down through the ranks, it gets it over with in one fell swoop.
I hope more companies start doing this. Apple already does this to some extent due to their extremely tight control over their retail presence.
Marcus @ Feb 28th 2008 3:59AM
The feeling among employees is that Google Bought Sprint, since the Stock is in the toilet, the recanted the rejection...
Israel B @ Feb 28th 2008 6:59AM
There is no truth to this rumor. I will be opening my store at 9am sharp.
Much Luv,
iZm
Israel B @ Feb 28th 2008 7:07AM
...it might also help to include that I am EST (doh!)...but I have never heard of such a closing.
Much Luv,
iZm
Erwos @ Feb 28th 2008 8:45AM
The problem with Sprint stores, IMHO, is not their training, but the lack of enough personnel to handle the number of customers coming into the store. Although, to be fair, I did notice a much larger contingent of employees than usual during my trip to the downtown Silver Spring store last week, so maybe this issue is being fixed.
Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 9:22AM
Ding! I don't know what Sundays are like around your parts but my local Sprint store is woefully understaffed. Usually have two folks working, one of whom is usually chainsmoking outside on a perpetual smoke break while a small line of customers forms inside.
I'm hoping to convince my girlfriend away from Sprint so I can change networks. Not really happy with their new "ultra-secure" (read: they want me to give up a lot of information for the sake of "security") web site, either.
thecybernerd @ Feb 28th 2008 8:51AM
IT is for the SOFT LAUNCH of XOHM -WIMAX from Sprint.
Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 9:23AM
Aside from random people not citing things in the comments, do we actually know what this is for?
CM @ Feb 28th 2008 10:33AM
It is because of the new $99 Simply Everything plan. This plan covers everything, data, voice, text, chirp, etc. Unlike the limited "unlimited" plans of the other 4 companies, theirs are voice only. A great deal!
David S @ Feb 28th 2008 11:06AM
Probably some pep talk crap. I hate the sprint store, their concierge line etc is the worst customer queue ever. I always see five-six employees in the back of the store just goofing off while the LCD has a list of like 6 people waiting for help.
David
Joseph Singer @ Feb 28th 2008 11:10AM
Maybe they should close all the call centers for two hours and edumucate the people they pick off the street how to give customers service :)
FyreStarrter @ Feb 28th 2008 12:07PM
Actually when I was an Implementation Mgr at Cingular before it joined forces with AT&T they used to closed their stores for training all the time. BUT they did it in blocks so most people did not notice. You'd have a group just NOT open at 0800 then another would close at 1100 etc. We all know this is about the new unlimited plans because everyone is popping them out. These carriers are some serious bitters lol Helio has had unlimited at this price point for months already & even before that lol. Sigh just when Helio was starting to gain some more ground, here come the monopoly boys. But for the people who do have those carriers I know you are some happy people these days lol!!!
brody @ Feb 28th 2008 3:51PM
i bet it has to do with launching an unlimited plan, rumor is $60/month...
AlphaTeam @ Mar 1st 2008 4:23PM
I think a lot companies are doing these "we're be back soon" gigs.
T.Lane @ May 26th 2008 12:34PM
ATTENTION SPRINT EMPLOYEES
You are already trained so why not come work with a company that has surpassed sprint in PR and in sales. You can even make a residual every month on your customers sound good. 18777646286