What do you all think of Sprint's new "Ready Now" program, just launched in the US? According to the press release (which was covered by MobileTechNews.com and others), Sprint is calling this a "revolution in the wireless retail experience":
"Imagine this:
You buy a new wireless phone with all the latest, high-tech
applications, and then someone actually sits with you and helps you
unlock its potential on the day you buy it. Not your techie cousin,
not the Ph.D. next door, but a person who knows wireless phones and
explains them in simple words. Someone who can help you really get
your money's worth - all the applications - which icons to touch for
Instant Messaging, which buttons to click for Bluetooth. Someone who
listens to you ask, "So, how do I get NFL scores?" And then -
patiently - gives you the answer. ... Today, it's real."
Sounds kind of like what everyone should be doing, if you ask me! But why is Sprint doing this?
"A survey conducted by Opinion Research found that smartphones were
the most returned electronic technology products of last holiday
season, with slightly more than one-fifth (21%) of smartphone buyers
returning their purchase to the retailer. Not understanding how to set
up the product was cited as the primary reason for the return."
Read more.