Mobile Phones

[united]

As most of you know I spent a good few years selling phones for major networks to both business and personal.

I have noticed there isn't really any specialist offering good advice and support to tradesmen so I have been thinking for a few weeks now about setting up a company providing mobile contracts to tradesmen with the after sales care and support they deserve.

I have contacts with dealers, suppliers and networks so I can have accounts set up and connected and the tradesperson would only have to deal with me.

Just wanted to see what you all thought... do you think it's worth it? would you be happy to deal with me for your phone and manage your account?

 

[jay]

sounds like a good idea but what are you offering different to others :8:

 

[user123]

Is it worth it?: How much would it cost you to get set up? How and with whom would you compete? Would you love it or would it stress you out? Is it in addition to your tiling business, or vice versa or would you concentrate on just this business? How would you make your money, could you live of it? Why would tradesman have different needs?

For me, I just do 'Pay as You Go' as I work mainly from home, so different to the majority of folks on here.

Good luck for whatever you decide anyhow.

 

[Colour Republic]

i'm all up for enterprise, what could you offer over and above the networks? It's such a competitive market and is price driven.

You know more about it than any of us so i'm sure you'll know where you'll make you money

 

[united]

Is it worth it?: How much would it cost you to get set up? How and with whom would you compete? Would you love it or would it stress you out? Is it in addition to your tiling business, or vice versa or would you concentrate on just this business? How would you make your money, could you live of it? Why would tradesman have different needs?

For me, I just do 'Pay as You Go' as I work mainly from home, so different to the majority of folks on here.

Good luck for whatever you decide anyhow.

I'm still just in the 'idea' stage so I haven't really gone into costs too much but it would only need a contact number and a good website to start off.

I would run it on the side of my tiling.

I would make money from each connection I did.

Tradesmen are normally overlooked by the sales people from the networks because they normally only need one phone so it's not worth putting in the work to get just one sale. I wouldn't mind doing the paper work and setting up accounts for small amounts of phones.

 

[united]

i'm all up for enterprise, what could you offer over and above the networks? It's such a competitive market and is price driven.

You know more about it than any of us so i'm sure you'll know where you'll make you money

sounds like a good idea but what are you offering different to others :8:

It's hard to explain how the industry works but basically I could undercut some of the high street shops and also offer a more tailor made package to suit the customers needs

 

[Gazzer]

I think that most of us on here know you and we would trust you more than any other sales person in the phone market but that wouldnt be enough to keep you going.
Getting that trust with others would be a hard job, after all what makes you different from anyone one else doiing the same thing ?
As for me, I would give you a chance to do a deal for me if I were in the market ( Sorry but just upgraded ). I would like to know what difference you could make though.

 

[united]

I think that most of us on here know you and we would trust you more than any other sales person in the phone market but that wouldnt be enough to keep you going.
Getting that trust with others would be a hard job, after all what makes you different from anyone one else doiing the same thing ?
As for me, I would give you a chance to do a deal for me if I were in the market ( Sorry but just upgraded ). I would like to know what difference you could make though.

I understand what your saying. In all honesty I wouldn't really be any different from the next company so it will all be down to the marketing and establishing a solid customer base to build upon.

This is just an idea at present that I wanted to get a few comments on but I will be looking at the costings and drawing up a business plan to see if I should take it further.

I appreciate everyones questions and comments

 

[hillhead]

It would be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

[jamie B]

sounds good...would be even better if you could offer a phone thats grout/dust resistant:lol:

 

[united]

sounds good...would be even better if you could offer a phone thats grout/dust resistant:lol:

This Samsung is the closest I have seen or used that is splash and dust resistant

 

[jamie B]

I'll have to check that out..seriously considering 2 phones nowadays as my iphone is well and truly knackered ..I know nokia did a 'builders' phone years ago that was quite rugged and ..rubbery!

 

[united]

I'll have to check that out..seriously considering 2 phones nowadays as my iphone is well and truly knackered ..I know nokia did a 'builders' phone years ago that was quite rugged and ..rubbery!

I know the Nokia you mean and that Samsung is just like it

 

[Thespanishtiler]

sounds good...would be even better if you could offer a phone thats grout/dust resistant:lol:

JCB, LANDROVER, SONIM, SAMSUNG B2100 are all ip65 rated there are a number of companys specialing in tough phones but the b2100 is available on the high street on all networks and the best rated for price

 

[paul flight]

good we all want lots more air time and loads more texts and unlimited internet for £ 10 per mth can you help????? ho and sat nav!!!!!

 

[diamondtiling]

If you think you can do it Mark then go for it mate, I would have have one from you, no problem.

 

[Daz]

I think you have the bones of a great idea there Mark. The way I see it though, is that you set me off on an 18 month contract and that is me all set until I need to renew. I don't know anything about connection commissions but will you earn enough off of my one contract to make it worth your effort?

If you can offer a more specialised service geared towards rugged handsets then I can see you becoming very successful within the construction worker environment. I would much rather trust the advice of a rugged handset specialist rather than some spotty high street salesperson.

BTW I've recently had my second Nokia 6700 screen failure within 11 months. the handset was securely tucked away in the phone pocket on my work trousers, did not get knocked yet still cracked with no visible external damage (definite design fault, although Nokia refuse to admit it). If you want me to roadtest any handsets for you then I will be more than happy to oblige :smilewinkgrin:.

 

[diamondtiling]

Get me a deal Mark and I will be your first customer mate, I am on Orange and have been for years.

 

[united]

Get me a deal Mark and I will be your first customer mate, I am on Orange and have been for years.

This is just an idea at the moment mate and it would be a while before I started it but I'm happy to give you some impartial advice when you need your new phone

 

[merlecollins]

Mark, You had anymore thoughts on this since getting all the feedback?

I think Captain Slow's suggestion of specialising in the latest rugged phones for building workers is worth looking into

 

[nybor62]

maybe we could have phones built into our hand grinders ,just be careful when you answer it . ther goes my ear:lol:

 

[andy-p]

I always get protective covers off ebay for my mobile ..

 

[diamondtiling]

Mobile phones have changed so much since the days of the motorola breezeblocks (I had one). I was with a guy last week who had a mobile surgically implanted into his forefinger and thumb, when it rang he simply pressed his palm to accept the call........"amazing I thought" Next minute he had nipped behind a bush, dropped his trousers and underwear and was in a crouching position!

"what the hell are you doing!" I asked him..........

"wont be a moment" he said, "I have a fax coming through"


:ban:

:lol:

 

[united]

Mark, You had anymore thoughts on this since getting all the feedback?

I think Captain Slow's suggestion of specialising in the latest rugged phones for building workers is worth looking into

I'm just waiting for some figures from a airtime distributor so I can work out some costings.

I like the idea of providing tough rugged phones

Hoping to get some the info I need to work out if it's worth it early next week

Thanks for all the feedback