Mystery Shop In Bournemouth With Orange

Orange Shop Castlepoint

On the search for the Tesco Phone Shop, i stumbled across this orange shop in a place called Castlepoint, very big place.... It has many shops almost like a high street actually, it has B&Q, Asda Book shops, Game, places to eat, coffe shops and right next to Franky and Benny's sticking right out on the road is the Orange Shop.

Again I'm going to spice it up a bit, I'm going to walk you through the experience i had with in this store.

I walked in there the smell of the Franky and Benny's was to die for, anyway i walked into the shop and instantly it looked different from all the other stores, the store looked beautiful and staff didn't pounce on me straight away which was a great.

The store wasn't too busy but still enough to occupy the staff, i waited only a short while before a staff member could approach me, they went on asking me loads of questions about my usage and what I'm I'm wanting from a phone, etc....

They told me to take a seat so they could show me the tariffs and phones. I accepted and we sat.. The sales person was really friendly and answered all my questions. When i said i wanted to think about it the sale person told me if i knew of anyone in the forces or id then i could get 25% of my line rental.. I was more then happy with that.

So the sales person gave me there name and told me to return and ask for them.. So i think for there truthful actions i will pass on the offer they have suggested and the sales person name so that person will get some thing back.

Massive well done though that was the best visit in Bournemouth by a long shot ......

Mystery Shop in Bournemouth with Tesco Phone Shop

Bournemouth Tesco Phone Shop

This was a real tricky shop to find, i went every on the high street looking for a Tesco Phone Shop, especially as you see on the news and read about it in the mags saying that Tesco Phone Shops are on the high streets, Well there not in Bournemouth or Southampton are they?

Any way enough of the moaning it down to my mystery shop. Usually i would judge on 3 areas. Approach, Process and Close however its really hard to do that in here as the PHONE SHOP is actually in TESCO.

So as i walk in through the main entrance I'm hit with loads of directions left for fruit and veg, opticians this way, upstairs for electrical, Phone shop and clothing, toilets this way.... OMG 

You don't mind going shopping when you know where everything is, its automatic however when you actually have to follow the signs and look for the place you have to go..

So i finally get my heading which is straight on up the travelators, as soon as you get half way up you can see it.. A big open space with Phone Shop dangling from the roof. Staff were all sat around a big desk all looking at computers, leaving the customers to wonder around the desk and staff. 

Which is good, nice laid back approach, except when you get ignored and that's what happened to me i got ignored. They were fighting on who was going to do the next announcement. When i heard this i was wondering what they were on about, Then suddenly out the blue a announcement came on over the whole shop telling everyone in the store exactly where they were. Now that's a good idea...

When it came to process i couldn't see much as i wasn't approached so therefore i couldn't really judge however if that announcement continued through out the day then i can clearly see a successful process when it is used correctly.

There is a lot of connection with Tesco Clubcard and other Benefits with in store all linked to the Phone Shop so could see there would be alot of incentives to buy from them.

If i was in the market for a phone then this would be a good place to start looking especially as I'm clubcard holder....

 

Mystery Shop in Bournemouth on T-Mobile

T-Mobile time

Approuch

I went into the store and the staff wait behind the counter shout 'hi' the place was busy with customers it in and looked like the staff were restricted to just standing behind the counter as no one moved whilst i was there.

I had questions on the IPhone 5 so i walked over to the counter and the answers i got were short and snappy and they made me feel very small and stupid.

I dont like walking out of a shop feeling small and stupid so im giving them a 0/10 for that.

Process

There doesnt seem to be any kind of process, customers have to do all the talking, 

when the sales person answers your questions they seem very rude and un helpful they just sit and wait at a desk, it looks like they just sit there bored waiting for someone to talk to. (Is that there statergy, make there sales person sit there looking bored, HOMELESS look, making customers feel sorry for them so that someone can talk to them)

Close

Once you do all the work sorting out the deal you would like, you then take it to the sales person they ask for proofs fax it over, give you your phone and then your off.

If you try and bargin with them they do try and compete with competitors they ask about your family and friends because they do alot of discount for family and friends.

Alot of effort went into there close so im going to give them a 5/10

Conclusion

Although i was very tough on the comments i feel there laid back approach and process can work for some people however other people need interaction, needs manners and needs help.. 5/30

MR M ADVICE

Like i said the laid back approach is good but not everyone likes it, i know i dont... It felt weird in here doing all the desion making yourself, not getting bulldosered by sales people into signing a contract, that is a good thing, If anyone wants a no pressure sales environment then visit your local T-Mobile store today..

Mystery Shop in Bournemouth On O2

Bucket and spades down, Now its time to work. Well for me any way!!

Its O2 TIME

Approach

When i walked down the high street the first shop i noticed was this lovely looking O2 shop, looked really nice from the outside however to my shock when i walked inside was horrific.

I stood around admiring the layout of the store looking at all the products and services that O2 have to offer and suprisingly it was dead, i thought being on bournemouth hight street they would be beaming with students but NO Nothing.

Anyway i was there for a about 30 mins or so i think i must know everything about the sales people and what they did over the weekend as thats all they stood around talking about, as you can imagine already i didnt get approached.

So for that reason its a fat 0/10 from me

Process

After waiting for 30 mins i reliased if i wanted interaction i was the one having to go get it, so i interupted the conversation about a guy who looks fit and they really wanted to go home with the other night, tried to ask them about the phones, new releases.

I then got a massive SHOCK...

The sales person leant over the desk and said most of the information i wanted was in the magazine, handed it to me and then went back to there conversation... OMG

I was really annoyed 0/10

Close

After the dreadful approach and disgusting sales pitch i thought that as this is an experiament i really wanted to get something out of my visit, so i tried speaking to them again, who this time told me that if i take the magazine and compare it with the website i would get a better deal... 

There was no desire, no care in the world for the customers.. 0/10

Conclusion

I was shocked and very disapointed on this visit, The shop looked good from the outside, looked good on the inside however the staff, Oh what can i say, they were just god damn awful.. Ashamed i would be. This explains why the store was dead... 0/30

MR M ADVICE

On this occasion i would of taken the advice from the O2 sales person and gone online or even better gone to Phones 4u. If i lived in Bournemouth i wouldnt step inside those doors ever again......

Mystery shopping continues in BOURNEMOUTH

 Yes Guys and Girls iv packed my bucket and spade and now I'm off to

Bournemouth

On my visit i will be looking out for a Three Shop, Orange Shop, T-Mobile Shop, Tesco Phone Shop and have a look at any other competitors..

As usual i will be looking at the approach, there pitch/process and there close giving them a score out of 30. 

LETS SEE WHAT THE BEST PHONE SHOP IN BOURNEMOUTH REALLY IS!!

Saying NO to sales people with out being afraid

  

NEVER BE AFRAID OF SAYING 

NO 

TO SALES PEOPLE

Some days, going shopping involves more aggravation than fun. If your favourite stores hire pushy and aggressive salespeople, you might hesitate before walking through the door. But don't let them get in the way of a good shopping spree: here's a few tips from MR M on how to deal with those salespeople who just won't take no for an answer.


Don't feel pressured

First of all, it's vital to remember that you're in their store because you choose to be, and because you're looking for a place to spend some money. You haven't entered into some unspoken contract to buy what they tell you to buy just because you've walked into the store.

You're the customer, and it's your choice to decide if there's anything there which takes your fancy. In order to make this decision, you probably need to be left alone for long enough to spot that perfect dress or a pair of jeans that fit just right.

By all means, if you're looking for something specific, or you need some advice or information, don't hesitate to ask the salesperson. But this simple request also does not begin a kind of contract to either buy the item they suggest, nor to listen to their high-energy monologue about what great value for money it is, or about the special, never-to-be-repeated offer they have going on a product you have no interest in whatsoever.

Remember: you're in their store out of your own free will, and you are under no obligation either to buy what they suggest or to listen to a long diatribe. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of this fact if you're surrounded by thumping music and an extremely extroverted sales person who is trying to get you to believe you're her new best friend.


How to say no politely

There are several effective ways of getting that pushy salesperson out of your face, without resorting to shouting or making a scene. Stop making eye contact, and contributing to the conversation. Simply stop smiling and engaging with them. Let your body language spell out the message - don't be embarrassed to turn away and make your own way around the store. Eventually, they'll be forced to leave you alone.

Another way to effectively rebuff an aggressively friendly salesperson is to use one of the magic words to telegraph that the conversation is over. Any of the following phrases will usually do the trick:

"Alright, thanks a lot," as you walk away.

"I'll look around and let you know if I need any help".

"I'm not buying today, I'm just taking a look" - watch the salesperson drop you like a hotcake.

"I'm in a hurry and just want to take a quick look around" - this lets them know you don't have the time to waste in mindless conversation.

The combination of pointed body languge and polite but firm refusals to accept their "special offer" or "bargain of the day" will certainly buy you some time and space to look around without pressure.


There's safety in numbers

It's easier to rebuff a persistent salesperson if you take a friend shopping with you. If you're obviously already in the middle of conversation with your friend, it's much harder for the salesperson to attempt to be your new best friend.

Let the salesperson know that she's interrupting you: pause and listen to her sales spiel for a few seconds, and then cut her off firmly, by saying "thanks, but we just want to look around today", and go back to chatting to your friend.

It will be very difficult for the salesperson to penetrate this kind of shield. You're much more likely to discuss the kind of dress you're looking for with your friend, and short of following you around and overtly eavesdropping on your conversation, there's not much the salesperson can do to get in on the act.

Be careful, though, not to take too many friends, as you will automatically split up to cover different areas of the store, and it will be easy for an agressive salesperson to buttonhole one of you at a time.

All it takes to be left alone to make your own purchasing decisions is some determination not to be pushed around by salespeople who are obviously working on commission. If you use some of the tried and true lines suggested here, fine-tune your body language, or take along a friend for moral support, chances are you won't be bothered too much the next time you go shopping. Wouldn't it be great if shopping became fun again?

Lost or Broken your Phone, Is Mobile Phone Insurence WORTH IT!!

 OMG 

'WHAT DO I DO WITH OUT A PHONE'

Mobile phone insurance might cost you £75 a year...or it might not! Find out if you actually need this insurance, and where you can, if necessary, get a much cheaper deal.

My mobile phone was stolen a few months ago and I had no insurance. Do I care? No.
Weeeell, OK, it was a little irritating, but it effectively cost me nothing. I reckon that if I'd insured my phones through my operator ever since I got my first one ten years ago, I would have spent around £750 by now.
Thing is, the mobile that was stolen was probably worth less than £200 brand new. I could buy a £200 phone now, if I wanted, and I'd still have saved £550.
I'm sure some people need to claim more often than me, but even taking this into account I think that this insurance is vastly over-priced when it's bought through your operator.
Having a quick look at some operators' websites, I can see that O2 might charge £90 a year to insure your phone, 3 might charge £72 and T-Mobile, £84. These were rough figures, because it could cost somewhat more if your phone is worth more than £200.
Now, I could have looked around for stand-alone mobile phone insurance. A quick search on Google reveals that, based on today's prices, it'd probably cost me about £35 a year. This is much more reasonable! It also makes us ask the question: if these stand-alone insurers can charge such a small amount, why can't the phone operators?
Still, £35 a year for ten years is £350, which is still a loss of about £150 to me. Furthermore, I have kept an old phone as a back up. As I'm a little bit quirky, and not what you'd call a fashionable person (not even on a good day), I don't feel I must have the latest phone to look good. I certainly don't need the latest functions on mobile phones. So I don't mind getting a duplicate SIM card and reverting to an old model for a few months. That old phone is my insurance policy.
Not only that, but, as I'm on a monthly contract, I'm entitled to a new phone when I renew anyway. What's more, I'm likely to get an upgrade several months early if I make the call, meaning I won't have to wait till renewal to get a new phone.
This devalues mobile phone insurance somewhat, because it effectively means pay monthly customers are only getting cover for nine or ten months, not twelve; if your phone goes missing in the last two or three months, you can probably get a replacement anyway, so your last few months of premiums are wasted.
Finally, I could always get household contents insurance. This covers mobiles for loss and theft, and for accidental damage. Problem is, the only things of value to me are my USB pen and a painting, but I back up the USB pen on someone else's computer, and the painting has much more sentimental value than real value. Everything else can burn as far as I'm concerned. Which means contents cover is overkill.
Household contents insurance isn't as comprehensive as mobile phone insurance, but how often have you heard of people being caught out by mobile phone insurance small print? Personally, I've heard quite a few anecdotes where claims have failed.
So my preference is for saving up for such emergencies -- and earning interest on those savings -- without paying a premium for cover I rarely use.
Even so, we all have individual requirements. Consider your own personal circumstances:

• Are you on contract or pay-as-you-go?
• Do you have a spare phone to fall back on?
• Are you clumsy or forgetful?
• Are there other risks to you?
• Regardless, do you want or need the peace of mind insurance brings?

Then decide whether home contents cover is sufficient for you, or whether you need more comprehensive mobile phone insurance. If you choose the latter, buy it cheaply with a stand-alone provider, such as insurance4mobiles or Mobile Phone Insurance 2u. A Google search will bring up plenty of other providers if you want to compare more prices.

Carphone Warehouse SOUTHAMPTON High Steet

 

Carphone Warehouse Southampton High Street

APPROACH

I was approached within 5 Min's with confidence and open questions, the sales person explained that they give un biased information and that they don't work on commission.

The sales person explained that they get bonuses on customer satisfaction so that's why they spend time with customers. I felt like a really valued customer..

(I'm going to give them a 8/10 as the only thing missing was not sitting me down and discussing my options, i felt embarrassed as they were asking me personal open questions in front of people)

PROCESS

The staff were very knowledgeable and seemed to be following a process as the conversation seemed to flow naturally with loads of open questions, even mentioning insurance and return policy.

(Very impressed about the staffs knowledge on the latest technology and how the conversation didn't seem robotic, it felt natural and very comfortable for a customer. 8/10)

CLOSE

The staff member tried his hardest to get me upgrade with them, was asking me questions like, 'what he could do to get me to buy to today', he also offered me money for my old phone. Although he tried to over come my objections he didn't pressure me at all. 

(Good close , offered me an incentive to take today, tried to overcome my objections and although wasn't pushy i felt there was room to push me a little more as i was very tempted to buy 7/10)

CONCLUSION

This was a good visit, loved the shop, staff were switched on and really focused on what actually matters to a customer. Well Done!!! ( 23/30 very good visit, would recommend visiting)

ADVICE FROM MR M

If your someone who loves technology and really wants an expert to talk to then this place is the place for you, they are more then helpful for all your needs. If you buy from here push the sales person the very best deal....  

IPhone 5, What are we sayin?

October 21 is the date to mark in your diary after the launch date for the new iPhone 5 was leaked by  Orange,
I have spoken directly with orange customer services, who confirmed they would have stock of the new phone on that date.
Another leak was revealed on the Vodafone website, claiming that the iPhone 5 will be available in black and white 16gb and 32gb models, as it listed the mobiles supported by Vodafone's Sure Signal reception booster box. The awkward detail has since been removed from Sure Signal's specs.
We have also heard speculation regarding the size of the iPhone 5 screen, rumoured to be around four inches. The only fact that can be confirmed is that Apple fans are obsessed with the tiny details of its imminent arrival.
So pencil October 21 into your diary. No doubt you will look back on it in future years, remembering where you were when that shiny new phone was released.

Which is the best place to go to get a new Phone?

Im going to be doing several mystery shops over the next few weeks in search for the best phone shop to get a phone from. I will be judging them on 3 subjects,  there approuch, there process and then there close. I will then post the results on here as and when i do them..