When You Buy A Cell Phone; What Kind Of Shopper Are You:

Buying a cell phone?  What's your process and howreleased, or within the week that it comes out –
do you go about making your purchase?  Whethertime allotting.  You are simply fulfilling your want to
you are getting your wireless device visa vie a retailhave the best.  Money is of no concern here.
store or buying on line, believe it or not there are thoseThe Analyst: There's no question that you want the
of you that fall into categories.  Currently, I have anewest phone on the market, but . . . that bill does
Blackberry Wireless Phone.come every month.  You analyze the features and
•    Do you buy a phone based on the ageassociated benefits and truly decide if you just want it,
& gender of the person you are buying for.or really need it.  Generally you decide on a lower
•    Or is it based on your exact needs and howpriced model as the features are really not something
you use the phone.that you have to have or would even use, and the
•    Maybe you have a large family &price on a lower model is just something that you can't
you're looking for those 2 for the price of 1 deals.refuse.  You genuinely like your decision and drive
•    Do you base your decision on price oraway ‘talking on the phone' in the car you bought
need?– slightly used.
•    Perhaps you're the type that has to get theMr. 2Fer: You have a wife, kids, a dog or a cat and an
latest and the greatest on the market.unshakeable budget to adhere to.  If you can get 2
•    Or, do you wait until your contract hasphones for the price of one – you're in!  And, the
expired and just get the most ‘cost     kids will get their phones on their birthday or a special
effective' upgrade, as recommended by your serviceoccasion.
provider?Mr. Appropriate: You have the best phone in the family
So, for better or for worse I have categorized youand your wife either has the same phone, the one just
below.below it, or the phone that you were previously using. 
I think that you will be surprised to find out that theYou have full data access, your wife may or may not
way we shop is not based on need, but a combinationand definitely not the kids.  The children have a far
of want and self determined appropriateness.‘lesser' model, the same phone (or a hammy down
I have placed each ‘shopper' into a category. from one to another) except in different colors.  One
Which group do you fall into, or is it a combination ofchild still wants a phone, but does not need it.
groups?Mr. Comparison Shopper: You know what phone you
Mr. Easy Going: A new and exciting phone has just hitwant. In fact, you know which phone everyone in your
the market, just like the Droid did a few months ago. family should have, despite what they want.  You'll
And yes, you want to have it, but . . . you don't havetalk off a salesperson's ear to the point that even they
any great need.  You are 1 year into your contractdon't want to make the sale anymore.  You'll go
and if you get it now it will be very expensive.  You'dhome and navigate on line to find the best possible
rather hear the reviews, have them work the bugs out,price, with the best possible plan, with just the features
and when your contract is up, you'll get it for a greatthat you need.  By the time you buy your phone, 2
price!new models have already been released.
Sir, I Want It NOW: Needless to say you probablySo, which one best describes you?  Who out there is
already own the latest iPhone, Blackberry Wireless‘really' the majority?  Help us find out and take our
Phone or a Droid.  You're an avid cell phone user withfun and quick survey to determine the winner.  The
a large per minute package, data, text, pictures –results will be announced on our website, and if you
the works.  You feel you deserve the latest and theactually participate in the survey, then they will be
greatest on the market and you buy it on the day it isemailed to you.