TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: AT&T Steps up Cingular Rebranding Ahead of iPhone

Re: AT&T Steps up Cingular Rebranding Ahead of iPhone

hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com
21 May 2007 12:10:37 -0700

On May 21, 7:09 am, Reuters News Wire <reut...@telecom-digest.org>
wrote:

> Top U.S. phone company AT&T Inc. said it will step up its rebranding
> campaign at Cingular wireless stores, seeking to raise AT&T's
> profile ahead of the launch of Apple Inc.'s iPhone.

I hope they know what they're doing. As mentioned before, I thought
Cingular's repuation as a carrier was superior to that of AT&T these
days.

> AT&T, however, said it will keep the exterior signs of most of the
> stores unchanged for now, showing it would take time to dismantle the
> well-recognized wireless brand.

Federated Department stores, which owns Macy's has converted all the
department stores it owns to Macy's. In some cases this may have been
foolish as it killed off highly respected and beloved local names and
popular store house brands. They renamed a popular store brand candy
and lost business.

I used to shop at Bamberger's which was changed to a Macy's.
Actually, Macy's owned Bamberger's since the 1930s, but let it run
independently out of its Newark HQ. I liked it as an independent
store, but don't like it as a Macy's.

It's funny how we were so damn passionate to break up the national
Bell System, yet we welcome these other business merger concentrations
such as in department stores, discount stores, supermarkets, banks,
and telephone companies.

> The company has said it will keep an eye on consumer
> surveys to assess the public's recognition of AT&T as a wireless
> provider.

Frankly, I don't trust them. I think such companies, particularly in
the wireless business, are very "disconnected" from their consumers.
Their sales staffs appear to be on commission and are out to sell!
sell! sell!, not caring if the customer is happy or well served; they
want to make their commission now. I suspect there have very high
turnover among their sales staff so there is little continuity or true
support. In my own recent shopping adventure, I got many conflicting
answers* from sales kiosks, the web, and telephone people. That
shouldn't be.

"Customer Service" is often used as a way to sell callers even more
features, not necessarily _serve_ the customers. Free advice is not
profitable. Everything focuses on profit, Sell! Sell! Sell!.
Providing high quality service -- going that extra mile to minimize
cutoffs or noisy connections -- is a low priority.

(anyone with a different opinion on wireless businesses)?

public replies, please.

*I was told I'd get a one year contract. The unit arrived with a 2
year contract. When I called they said (not making this up): "yes,
we we set you up with a 1 year contract but when we sent it out it
became a 2 year contract."

[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: In Chicago, I think Macy's bought out
Marshall Field and Company, a well known store and changed its name.
And yes, I agree with you on Cingular vrs. AT&T brand names, although
I do not care that much for Cingular either. I suggest a plague on
both their houses! PAT]

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