Gullible and dumb. (aka why upselling works)
Yes, that would be me. Let me tell you a story. A few weeks ago I met up with Dave (big Titanic and Andy Griffith fan) and we got to talking about our cellphone plans. He suggested that I call Rogers and see if I could get a reduction in my bill since, you know, I’ve been with them for years and apparently falls in the Loyal Customer Plan™. It’s true, I would kill your babies if Rogers asked me to do it*. I would.
So last sunday, I walked into the Rogers store hoping to see what they could do for me.
Sales person sensing prey: Why hello there! What can I do for you today?
Me: Hi there, I’ve been a customer for a while now and I was wondering if there was anyway I could get a reduction in my monthly payment.
SPSP: Oh how long have you been using our service?
Me: It would be at least 7 years now.
SPSP: That is a long time, let me see what I can do for you.
This is essentially where I start losing control of the situation.
SPSP: Oh I see that you use our internet service on your phone quite a bit.
Me: Yes, but its very infrequent. Only to pass the time when I’m waiting for the seabus.
SPSP: Gotcha, it looks like it happens around this time of year too. Do you find that you’re using it a lot these days?
Me: I suppose its the long teaching days where I have to commute.
SPSP: Have you heard of our blackberry service?
This is the part where I completely lose control of my mobility. I should’ve turned around and ran the other way but alas.
Me: Oh yes, I have. Aren’t the plan quite expensive? I see business people use it all the time.
SPSP: They’re catered more for business people, but we find some younger tech savvy people use it as well
Me: (oh yes! ME! ME!! I’m tech savvy! … and I’m young!) Oh really? Do people usually expense the cost to their business?
SPSP: Definitely, and today we have a promotion that offers our blackberry data plans for half off.
Me: Oh yea? So how much does that cost?
SPSP: Well, the $60 plan which is what I recommend for your data usage pattern is only $30 for the next few months.
Me: But don’t you have to buy the phone to use the blackberry service? Phones are usually pretty expensive.
SPSP: Actually, you do. I could check if you’re eligible for an upgrade…. Oh why, yes. You are! and it’s less than 300 dollars!
This is the part where he takes out a demo phone, shiny, black and tiny. At this point, there wasn’t anything he could’ve said to prevent me from buying it and giving him my first born child in exchange.
Me: That is definitely cheaper than what I paid for the Treo?
SPSP: blah blah blah Blackberry pearl. Blah blah blah, email and text. blah monthly plan blah blah. blah yadda glowing track ball yadda blah blah.
Me: Erm, ok where do I sign and where do I swipe my credit card?
SPSP: blah blah yadda take the phone with you blah blah. pay through your bill blah blah blah.
Me: Erm. Ok. Phone. Where? Now.
And off I went with my new blackberry and $30 more to my service plan.
* No, of course I won’t go and kill your babies.
2:12 pm 6 Comments
