We’ve always known Best Buy as a third-party alternative to obtaining our smartphones.  I guess it’s done well in the eyes of the carriers.  Both Verizon and AT&T have announced today that they’re moving in.
The objective both of the carriers seek is to provide a better experience to customers/prospects viewing their offerings.  Verizon will actually refer to its area as the Verizon Experience Store.
[blockquote author=”Verizon Wireless”]The larger Verizon presence within 250 Best Buy locations will offer shoppers the ability to experience the latest wireless connected devices, tables, smartphones, apps and services.
In addition, each Experience Store will be staffed by dedicated and highly-trained Best Buy employees who are knowledgeable on Verizon products and services. These experts will provide customers with a complete Verizon Wireless experience, offering customized solutions based on their connectivity needs.[/blockquote]
This is certainly great from the perspective of coming in to play with devices.  Many phones at Best Buy are dummy units.  Also, recall that Samsung made a similar move not too long ago – setting up a space with its latest devices and representatives to walk you through them.  I found it a convenient place to check out the Note 5 before it was released.
AT&T has a very similar announcement, stating that “The new space also includes dedicated employees who are expertly trained on the ins and outs of the products only offered from AT&T.”
[blockquote author=”AT&T”]By expanding our in-store presence and depth of products sold at Best Buy, we’re giving customers another convenient way to fully experience what AT&T has to offer. We look forward to everyone stopping by one of the select stores and seeing the new changes for themselves.[/blockquote]
Verizon says that it will have nearly 100 locations up and running by the end of this month.  Both carriers plan to have their entire 250 locations in place by the end of 2015.
Do you think this is a smart move? Â I don’t always like to go into a carrier store to check out a new device, especially if it’s not my carrier, so I welcome it.
