The Romance of Selling Cell Phones

I have never been considered a techie. I am of that generation who wrote things using pen and paper, but took a computer class in high school; one who knows the effort of researching without the internet and appreciates the amount of information we now have at our fingertips. I have witnessed a bag phone in my grandpa’s truck and remember when cell towers first started going up around my hometown.

The advancements that have been made in the last 50 years have changed the way we live as individuals, as a society, and as a planet. You can be an ocean away and communicate with the device in your pocket. You can pay with it like it’s a debit or credit card. You can order food using it without talking to anyone! You can set reminders for yourself, share important dates with family and friends, and capture important memories with cameras and videos. All from a cell phone.

As I start this new adventure of selling phones and accessories to the small town I grew up in, I wonder how I can bring mystery, excitement, and love in a healthy way to this industry.

The nervous feeling I get as someone comes to the door isn’t unpleasant. I’m excited to interact and fill a customer’s need, but I’m nervous about misquoting a price, or giving the wrong information about a phone. Not knowing everything wreaks havoc with my self- confidence!

However, the mystery of technology has made me realize that I’ll never know it all because it’s constantly evolving and changing. Even when we are in control of these changes (like a new device is released from Apple or Samsung) unexpected, unexplainable things can happen. Devices, just like people, all have different quirks. However, the mystery of technology has made me realize that I’ll never know it all because it’s constantly evolving and changing. Even when we are in control of these changes (like a new device is released from Apple or Samsung) unexpected, unexplainable things can happen. Devices, just like people, all have different quirks.

I’m becoming an expert at either avoiding those quirks or making individualized suggestions based on these differences. Have a ton of videos or photos stored? I can suggest a phone with more storage space or give a tutorial on the digital clouds that are out there. Play one game in particular? We’ll make sure it’s secure and up- to- date. Getting to know my customers does come with the risk of awkward moments. Knowing how much to ask but not asking too much is a fine balance to find with each individual customer. I’m becoming an expert at either avoiding those quirks or making individualized suggestions based on these differences. Have a ton of videos or photos stored? I can suggest a phone with more storage space or give a tutorial on the digital clouds that are out there. Play one game in particular? We’ll make sure it’s secure and up- to- date. Getting to know my customers does come with the risk of awkward moments. Knowing how much to ask but not asking too much is a fine balance to find with each individual customer.

Understanding what motivates their romance with their cell phone helps me meet their needs and wants. Encouraging customers to choose a phone that they understand can decrease stress, streamline and organize life, and bring back a happy customer.