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Home > Cell Phone News > RadioShack Dumps Verizon and Signs Cingular

RadioShack Dumps Verizon and Signs Cingular

Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:21 am

Cingular Wireless today announced a 10-year distribution agreement with RadioShack, the nation's most trusted consumer electronics specialty retailer, that will give Cingular more than 5,000 new sales outlets across the United States. This agreement also will make RadioShack Cingular's single largest distribution outlet.

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Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corporation will sell its full line of post-paid products and GoPhone pre-paid products through RadioShack stores beginning in the first quarter of 2006. Cingular is the nation's largest wireless company, with more than 51.6 million customers.

"Today's agreement with RadioShack builds on Cingular's already-strong distribution system," said Cingular President and CEO Stan Sigman. "RadioShack brings a nationwide network of stores and a team of knowledgeable and helpful salespeople with an unparalleled understanding of wireless products. Cingular is looking forward to leveraging these new sales channels to grow our business
and serve our customers."

Cingular has 2,300 company-owned stores and kiosks and sells its postpaid products in 5,100 other national retail stores. The company is also represented in 15,000 authorized agent locations.

The two companies are also exploring other distribution opportunities in the future.

"Cingular's compelling products and services - from the Razr to the GoPhone - soon will be available to a savvy consumer base through our partners at RadioShack," said Cingular COO Ralph de la Vega. "We are excited to bring consumers the widest possible choice in places to buy Cingular service."

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Reader Comments (60)

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1. Posted by duceduc	Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:56 pm
It is about time for some changes.

2. Posted by TexasCSR	Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:22 pm
I think with this nice agreement the revenues for Cingular will increase substatially. Radio Shack has always been a great company and the representatives have always been more than courteous. I think it'll be a great addition.

3. Posted by BigRUSS	Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:21 pm
i never did get the thing with asking you for your number when you buy batteries???

4. Posted by lester83	Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:06 am
i never did get the thing with asking you for your number when you buy batteries??? yeah, its like they think that having to give out your # will stop you from plotting to build a car-bomb either that or they just want to mail you shit all the time

5. Posted by JSS	Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:50 am
Radio Shack as a distribution channel is a very high cost proposition which does not make them a high value retailer. That and the inherent cost of high turnover staffing of most location make it a less profitable channel due to carrier increase in transaction participation.

6. Posted by dravonix	Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:28 pm
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone PM-8200/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0) cingular doesn't deserve radio shack.

7. Posted by mr_incredible	Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:27 pm
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone PM-8200/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0) cingular doesn't deserve radio shack. Money talks.

8. Posted by TexasCSR	Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:02 pm
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone PM-8200/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0) cingular doesn't deserve radio shack. Money talks.

9. Posted by BigRUSS	Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:09 pm
i never did get the thing with asking you for your number when you buy batteries??? yeah, its like they think that having to give out your # will stop you from plotting to build a car-bomb either that or they just want to mail you shit all the time its like when you go into kb toy stores and they ask if you want batteries, EVEN IF YOU BUY BATTERIES WTF

10. Posted by TexasCSR	Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:11 pm
i never did get the thing with asking you for your number when you buy batteries??? yeah, its like they think that having to give out your # will stop you from plotting to build a car-bomb either that or they just want to mail you shit all the time its like when you go into kb toy stores and they ask if you want batteries, EVEN IF YOU BUY BATTERIES WTF You still go into KB Toys?

11. Posted by Mobileman	Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:33 pm
Radio Shack may turn out to be the Terrell Owens of distribution. If it was a worry for Verizonwireless they probably would have come to an agreement. I have seen this happen many times in Sales and Marketing.

12. Posted by TexasCSR	Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:02 pm
Terrell Owens should die in a burning car crash.

13. Posted by DarkCreep	Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:09 pm
Ahhh Verizon is going down..... They better start making some changes!!! Im planning on leaving VZW when I turn 18. Im getting so sick of the high cost for those extra bells and whistles you deserve.

14. Posted by mr_incredible	Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:14 pm
Ahhh Verizon is going down..... They better start making some changes!!! Im planning on leaving VZW when I turn 18. Im getting so sick of the high cost for those extra bells and whistles you deserve. Wow, that's the first time I've heard that. Usually I hear: Ahhh Cingular is going down..... They better start making some changes!!! Im planning on leaving Cingular when my contract runs out. Im getting so sick of the high cost for those extra bells and whistles you deserve.

15. Posted by theshadow	Thu Oct 13, 2005 1:52 pm
Funny, I heard Verizon dropped Radio Shack. I'm a dealer for Cingular in my town and with Radio Shack coming on board, they will be just another mouth to feed for sales- (there's not enough to go around now). The local Radio Shack here SLAMS Cingular in a very unprofessional way (been in the store and heard it myself), and now they are going to sell Cingular? Give me a break. Hey Cingular, how about QUALITY over QUANTITY????

16. Posted by Verizonuser82	Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:21 pm
This seems slightly odd. I know that Verizon will be sold n all but why is radioshack paying for this huge marketing campaign with verizon. In all 5 of my local radioshack stores, what looks like major expanding and remodling have been done to advertise for verizon. And im not just talking tarps that say verizon, This is large signs frames computers, and counters that have verizon wireless logo on all. Why would they pay for expensive advertising when they are ridding of them?

17. Posted by robert010154	Fri Oct 14, 2005 6:24 am
...and to coin a phrase "...and that's all I have to say about that."

18. Posted by elmo01	Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:24 am
...and to coin a phrase "...and that's all I have to say about that." RUN Forrest Run!!!!!

19. Posted by colione112	Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:19 am
It's a great deal for cingular, they gain 5000 more stores, and at the same time, they kick verizon in the throat and take 5000 store from them... good business move overall, but it's gonna canabilize other stores nearby...

20. Posted by didefresh05	Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:32 am
maybe radio shack should have gotten rid of sprint instead of verizon. but it's awesome that cingular is now being offered in radio shack.

21. Posted by bbernie	Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:40 pm
I heard from our cingular RAE that Verizon had horrible support for radio shack and thats why radio shack dropped them. I guess it was a good business move for cingular but I work for an agent store and our sales have been slow since radio shacks have started to carry cing. Who can compete w/ $29 razors!!! Hopefully the hype will die down soon. We already took a hit in sales when Best Buy started to sell cing. We dont need any more competition amongst ourselves.

22. Posted by Verizon_hawaii	Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:56 pm
The rat shack suck just like cingular : so there made for each other lol

23. Posted by Verizon_hawaii	Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:56 pm
The rat shack suck just like cingular : so there made for each other lol

24. Posted by steva11	Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:09 pm
you're just jealous

25. Posted by VZWprincess	Mon Feb 20, 2006 5:16 pm
Radioshack is not going to drive up Cingular sells!! That was a joke right? Radioshack employees are only wanting to get the activation they add things on peoples accounts and when people go back to get things removed or to ask the rep to credit them back for the things they added, the radioshack rep then send the cust to the actual company store. Radioshack was always screwing up Verizon accounts and sending the pist off customers to verizon stores. So not only is the cust upset because of crazy charges but they are pist off that the guy that sold him the phone CAN'T help him. If anything Cingular's churn rate are going to go sky high!!

26. Posted by MRyan01	Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:39 pm
Would the recent rumors (or news) of RadioShack cutting stores hurt Cingular by chance?

27. Posted by JSS	Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:29 pm
In a recent RCR Wireless, Radio Shack stated that they are going to 400+ stores (as many as 700, I beleive) and close 2 distribution sites. In addition, they have said that they will focus mostly on higher turnover items and minimize stock. According to an analysts, it's not looking good (Forbes): http://www.forbes.com/business/2006/02/17/radioshack-edmondson-retail_cx_tr_0217radioshack.html

28. Posted by chassuitt	Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:34 pm
Object to giving your phone number when making a Radio Shack purchase? EASY - just invent a ficticious number - or give them the "Time of Day" number, or your local Pizza Parlor. Just how will a Radio Shack agreement improve Cingular's poor customer service? Perhaps purchasing a Cingular phone in a Radio Shack will get more courteous service than I have observed in the Cingular stores, although Radio Shack seems to be under-staffed in the stores I've visited. My 2¢ worth.

29. Posted by Rebel6127	Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:16 pm
Does radioshack have T-Mobile?

30. Posted by Rebel6127	Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:16 pm
geuss not well they should

31. Posted by hurleyguyinoc	Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:51 pm
first of all verizon sucks!!! and radio shack did a very wise decision!!! ... can you hear me now????good!!!

32. Posted by Cypher420	Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:10 am
One thing wrong with this picture is that Radio shack SUCKS!!! and the only reason they wanted cingular in their store is to get more customers to buy their outragously priced products.

33. Posted by VZWprincess	Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:29 pm
okay hurley guy in oc... put down your sunscreen because you are about to hear it! Verizon sucks? You need to get your facts straight before you start posting unresearched opinions. Lets look at Verizon's INDUSTRY LEADING 4Quarter results. Verizon added more new accts then any other service provider. Or have you noticed their churn rate? THE INDUSTRY'S LOWEST CHURN!!.. Do you even know what churn is? Make sure you fully understand what you are typing before you post it!!!

34. Posted by dprestpn	Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:19 pm
Cingular's churn sucks so bad for they have horrible cheating employees selling them at BellSouth. When a customer calls in to order 1 phone, there have been reps send out 4 phones. Now how horrible is that? That's why their churn is so bad. Yet, they are the largest coverage area provider in the country and I've been with them for years. Me & Jack (the Cingular mascot) are cool as long as my phone keeps working and they never change my plan! I'm surprised RadioShack is still around! Wow, I haven't been in one of those in years. I thought Best Buy and Wal-Mart put them out of business! Good job RadioShack!

35. Posted by Stormalert	Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:05 pm
Verizon is clearly the best company around. My dad called them once and they were extremely nice. At cingular they wouldnt listen and would not end the "prepaid contract" because they wanted us to be customers longer. It took like an hour before we hung up and tried again. Also, my parents usually have to use my verizon phone (instead of their nextel, sprint or cingular) because mine has coverage everywhere!

36. Posted by brianthebmf	Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:00 pm
We dont have radioshack anymore, but we gained WALMART!!!! Nation-wide prpaid trial right now and then postpaid nationally later on in the year.

37. Posted by billpen	Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:14 am
radio suck has bad cs the store employes do not know any thing at most store on what they sell not like the 70-80's when you could go in and buy chips and transitors and the like. they had to know the a-z of the basics of all the store had a relitive that worked there tell me if you had comission comeing it was not put in you pay till after the return period ended. (think that is how all stores should work then they wont sell carp to get more$$ in their pay)

38. Posted by joecingu	Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:56 pm
Verizon is clearly the best company around. My dad called them once and they were extremely nice. At cingular they wouldnt listen and would not end the "prepaid contract" because they wanted us to be customers longer. It took like an hour before we hung up and tried again. Also, my parents usually have to use my verizon phone (instead of their nextel, sprint or cingular) because mine has coverage everywhere! look if you wanted to end a prepaid contract... theres no such thing as that... if you did not want service... do not recharge the account.. pretty easy

39. Posted by Verizon010	Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:49 pm
I think this was a bad move for Cingular. they're only putting more competition onto thier own agent stores, first best buy, then walmart, then radioshack, what next? half the mall??? I went into Radioshack, and asked to see a universal remote, that had a sign on the shelf saying "please see assocaite" I did, and when i walked up, and asked to see one, he put his finger up and said "Dude, wait a second will ya? in a very rude voice. I waited for 20min, then, one of the workers, told me to leave since i wasnt goung to buy anything! ...VZ010

40. Posted by billpen	Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:22 am
that is radio suck for you asked about a few gps units for hunting and hicking and camping the jerk tried to sell me one that was mad for a car with road maps.(guse it would be nice for a drive by) but was not the kind i wanted or needed . and most of the so called employees know squat about what they have in the store. and the radio shack by me seems to have lower standerds for who they hire post vzw.

41. Posted by TheManator	Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:41 pm
Had a radioshack rep who was trying to give his dad the 700R FT plan for 59.99 - his dad was dumb enough to send in the contract, which does say that, has his son's name as the rep and his own signature as the customer...not too bright for that Radioshack rep

42. Posted by Malibu21	Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:25 am
that is radio suck for you asked about a few gps units for hunting and hicking and camping the jerk tried to sell me one that was mad for a car with road maps.(guse it would be nice for a drive by) but was not the kind i wanted or needed . and most of the so called employees know squat about what they have in the store. and the radio shack by me seems to have lower standerds for who they hire post vzw. You have to remember half of the individuals that work at the typical Radio Shack have no Idea about half of the stuff there, they're not trained to know, they're trained to ring up sales. Judging by your typing, I'm guessing you might have a thick accent, and he may have misunderstood your needs. They're not anything to worry about Either, I work for an Authorized dealer for cingular, we go through thorough training before we hit the sales floor, I'm pretty sure radio shack doesn't have a training program setup for Cingular Sales.

43. Posted by gerio	Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:11 am
We dont have radioshack anymore, but we gained WALMART!!!! Nation-wide prpaid trial right now and then postpaid nationally later on in the year. Oh yeah. THERE'S a place just full of technical expertise on cellphones. What a hilarious thread. Geri O

44. Posted by tampadelphian	Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:19 pm
.

45. Posted by gerio	Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:11 pm
Yes, that was my point, regardless of phone carrier. Wal-mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Radio Shack, one better be well-versed in the project that led them there lest they be oh so very frustrated at the experience. That comment was not directed at the CSRs and techfolk that will be dealing with that segment of customers. Geri O

46. Posted by billpen	Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:31 am
no have nerve damage in hands so fingers dont always hit the key i want born in us but have been told i do have a accent when i talk maybe from growning up in on a block that might as well have been lettle italy lol but radio shack has not had good cs in years that is the problem when you only hire high school kids they dont care the radio shack by me every time you go by there they have a whole new staff.

47. Posted by mrMiller2005	Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:01 pm
It's a great deal for cingular, they gain 5000 more stores, and at the same time, they kick verizon in the throat and take 5000 store from them... good business move overall, but it's gonna canabilize other stores nearby... Who needs cell phone stores when you have a banking account and a computer?lol

48. Posted by mrMiller2005	Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:13 pm
Radio shack still sells the clapper.l

49. Posted by Malibu21	Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:02 pm
I never activate a service online, Customer support sucks, when you buy from a store you have someone that can help you without being an a-hole

50. Posted by TheManator	Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:02 pm
Amazon.com was pretty good - except it took two weeks to get my phones. Oh. Radioshack again. I almost got a job there - then the store closed like 2 weeks after my interview.

51. Posted by SCHMST1	Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:50 am
actually verizon wireless "dumped" radio shack.

52. Posted by paperstreet	Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:42 pm
Yes, thank goodness for the "dump" of the shack. The amount of issues that spawned from service at the stores tied up too many lines at the call centers.

53. Posted by ShackEmployee	Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:34 pm
I'am a Radio Shack employee and I can tell you a couple of reasons we ask for your information, on even a purchase as small as batteries alone. 1st: I know that the reason my stores asks for information, is so that a customer does not come in, pick up a pack of batteries when we are not looking, come up to the counter and say. "I want to return these, but I don't have the reciept", so in return I can say to them "thats fine, I can just look up your information", and if they don't have information in the system, I can't return them. 2nd: Information asked by an employee is not used to give/send you anything, to get things from Radio Shack, such as our flyer, you have to sign up for that, or it might be in your local newspaper. We only ask for information for your better help in a time of need. 3rd: If you buy an extended warranty we would need your information to help you use that warranty you purchased with your sale, and possibly pending on the purchase, need your information so we can do an on-site repair, which we do with some of our products. 4th: All in all, we take your information, for your sake, at least thats why the store I work at does, if we feel that your information is not necessary, sometimes we don't ask for it, but sometimes for your help, we do ask. Again, I myself do at least.

54. Posted by ShackEmployee	Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:37 pm
Yes, thank goodness for the "dump" of the shack. The amount of issues that spawned from service at the stores tied up too many lines at the call centers. The reason call ins happened with them, was not any other stores of any kind, it was THEIR service. And thats my personal opinion. I had verizon, and they are horrible, service is bad, just a service I will NEVER go with again.

55. Posted by alarcon_edward	Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:36 pm
I guess ignorant people still do exist in this world today. Wireless carriers are like shoes, there is not one that you can use everywhere. And VZW dumped radioshack primarily due to the fact that their employees would promise the world and as soon as you signed the contract tell you to call customer care to fix what they messed up.

56. Posted by ray.whynot	Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:51 am
If they still sell them, it's because people still buy them.

57. Posted by getLitnow	Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:19 pm
... And VZW dumped radioshack primarily due to the fact that their employees would promise the world and as soon as you signed the contract tell you to call customer care to fix what they messed up. QFT - VZW frequently dumps Authorized Agents & resellers who do not meet their standard of integrity & customer service agreed upon by both companies. RadioShack was just a very large high profile authorized agent who didn't hold up their end of the deal.

58. Posted by frskniam	Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:56 pm
As a manager for RadioShack I'd like to apologize for bad customer service that anyone might have encountered. I do my best to train my employee's to help you. When the company is only paying a few dollars over minimuim wage, it's hard to get the quality people you are asking for. And since everyone already complains that the cost of products is too high, you're not going to pay the extra 20% for employing $15 an hour people.

59. Posted by BigRUSS	Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:29 pm
WIAT radioshack pays $15 an hr i dont even make $15 hr

60. Posted by VerizonRep	Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:43 pm
Now I work at both a RadioShack and a Verizon Wireless location. My RadioShack is the best in customer service and we still sell Verizon Wireless and no other. We are Authorized Agents and the best damn agents possible. We do not treat customers as a customer, we actually treat them as friends. We have very high standards at my store. We do not sell anyone other than Verizon Wireless, We see no reason to switch. As for problems with your account/bill or whatever it is, we are the onsite problem solvers. This is why we are #1.