| In the world of communications and consumer | | | | different cell phones in his hands. From Cingular to |
| electronics, cell phones have become as common | | | | T-Mobile kiosks, to the new Sprint/Nextel stores |
| as Coca Cola. Of course Coca Cola has just a | | | | and the Verizon Wireless shops and of course |
| few flavors, while cell phone varieties are so | | | | Radio Shack, and Wallmart. The advantages of |
| varied it is hard to make sense of them. Not only | | | | shopping at the local mall for a cell phone can not |
| does a consumer have to find the right phone he | | | | be underestimated. With the proliferation of online |
| also has to decide whether to buy at the local | | | | cell phone stores in today's market, there are |
| mall or online. | | | | many to choose from including Wirefly, Lets Talk |
| Most consumers want something that will fit their | | | | and YouNeverCall. |
| needs, and the internet offers the opportunity for | | | | Stores like these have become synonymous with |
| consumers to review the options and compare, all | | | | quality service and accurate information in the cell |
| from the comfort of their living room. | | | | phone industry. many of these online stores |
| At the same time physical "brick and mortar" | | | | routinely offer phones at low prices. With |
| carrier stores at the local mall have much to offer | | | | hundreds of products for sale, and cell phone |
| consumers. | | | | service plans with all the major carriers, these |
| Many still believe it is important to go to a physical | | | | stores have become more popular on the web. |
| store to compare and actually feel the cellular | | | | Each store brings the vast world of wireless |
| product in your hand but the question is can a | | | | phones right up to the consumer so he can avoid |
| consumer still get the best deal at the local mall or | | | | the long line at the check-out counter not to |
| shopping center or does he lose out on the big | | | | mention crowded parking lots and traffic jams. On |
| savings with the limitations of a brick and mortar | | | | the other hand, shopping at the mall does have |
| store. It isn't so easy to find one store that | | | | solid advantages that can't be dismissed easily. |
| offers phones from all the major carriers and all | | | | Mostly it depends on the consumer's personality |
| the leading manufacturers as well though Wallmart | | | | and it is best to visit each of the carrier stores to |
| may be moving in this direction. But if one does | | | | get a "taste" of each and learn about the benefits |
| go to the local mall usually all the carriers are | | | | and disadvantages of each. The same is true |
| there, each with kiosk and the customer can give | | | | online, it is best to visit each of the online cell |
| each carrier store or kiosk a visit and actually get | | | | phone stores and research which one best suites |
| the opportunity to "touch and feel" many | | | | your needs. |