Is it me, or is Verizon neglecting the Windows Phone Market

[dwanewil]

I walked into the Verizon store in Lewisville today and I felt like I was in the wrong place. I have a, "Nokia Lumina 920" (IT ROCKS!). However, as I look around, all I see is, "Apple" and "Android" displays. There was not, "ONE" windows phone display in the store. Is Verizon discounting me as a consumer because I choose a product which is not, "Apple" or "Android"? I question this. My position is that I like my Windows Phone and if I contract with a company that sold me my phone, I want to feel they are behind me in my purchase. I did not get this today when I was in the store.

[Tidbits]

It's called market share. You'll see the same thing at other carriers stores. What sells well gets the face time.

[SickFreak]

I think under normal circumstances, you'd be correct.  But in the case of Verizon and Microsoft // Google.... Verizon has chosen Google as a partner.  This is why they fill their stores with tons of Android devices and only one or two Microsoft.  When I was in the VZW store a couple of days ago, they actually had twice as many Blackberry devices as Microsoft - and Microsoft has a larger market share than Blackberry.  I was also told by a VZW rep that they would NOT be putting any high-end Windows Phone devices on their network unless they first were popular at the other networks - meaning that they'd only bring in older technology - not the newer equipment.  (In fact, I went in the day before the Icon was released and the VZW rep had absolutely no clue it was coming out.  Also, the Icon is just a smaller version of the Bandit, which was released on AT&T's network last year.)

Side note:  When I went into a VZW store a while back to look at the Trophy, the store didn't even carry it and the store manager was outright hostile for me asking about looking at it.  He was adamant that VZW would not carry any Microsoft device as they only liked Google & Apple.

[Tidbits]

The Verizon near me had windows phones on display, but most people weren't even looking at them.  Personally I don't like windows phone...  I just don't like live tiles.

[SickFreak]

Yep - and that's why we should have choices, but VZW is artificially limiting the choice.

As another personal example, as I'm the family techie, I took one of my relatives into the store to get her a new phone.  I pointed out all the options and they chose the HTC 8X because they liked the tiles and was using Windows 8 at home.  They also liked that it had the applications they wanted.  A VZW rep actually tried talking her out of getting it because they preferred Apple.  It had nothing to do with meeting the customers' wishes - only their own.

[#6]

SickFreak wrote:

Yep - and that's why we should have choices, but VZW is artificially limiting the choice.

As another personal example, as I'm the family techie, I took one of my relatives into the store to get her a new phone.  I pointed out all the options and they chose the HTC 8X because they liked the tiles and was using Windows 8 at home.  They also liked that it had the applications they wanted.  A VZW rep actually tried talking her out of getting it because they preferred Apple.  It had nothing to do with meeting the customers' wishes - only their own.

They are not limiting choice. Can you come to this website and choose form several windows phones? Yep. By the way Nokia has a deal with at&t to give them first dibs on any new Windows phones so if Verizon is limiting choice that might explain why and you really can't blame them.

I like Windows 8 so I'm not against a Windows 8 phone per say. I find the app store lacking though. And until that gets fixed I will not get a Windows phone. Same reason why I wouldn't get a Windows 8 tablet.

[SickFreak]

Okay - so they get last year's models from Nokia.  But that's not stopping VZW from getting devices from the other OEMs.

[Tidbits]

With other OEM track record on devices doesn't pan out well either.

[SickFreak]

HTC was hot for a while.  I remember when I tried to purchase the Touch Pro 2 and when I called in, VZW was completely sold out.  I called in asked about when they were going to get more, the rep (national 800 number) admitted it was the fastest selling device they had, but their upper level managers decided they weren't going to get any more.  My question is, if it's the fastest selling device, why not get more?

Thankfully, I had a friend that gave me his.

[Tidbits]

Windows Phone 7 was the reason why. The new guidelines the HD2 and the TP2 wouldn't be upgraded. Why stock up if they are going to be obsolete?

[SickFreak]

Actually, it was well before WP7.  So should VZW stop selling all WP8 devices because WP9 will come out some time?

[Tidbits]

Well the older devices are supposed to get windows phone 9 correct with the way MS is talking about updates so they are not obsolete in the sense of OS versions and support.

[SickFreak]

WP9 or WP8.1?  I think WP9 is a ways off and I doubt the older WP8 devices will be able to upgrade (although anything is possible.)

I do know that some of the WP8 device OEMs are already letting customers know if they'll get 8.1.

[Tidbits]

Well based on what MS said if the update is out all devices should get it. So if 9.0 came out next year at least 1/2 of the WP8 devices that were upgraded from windows 7 should get it. This is all theory of course.

Seriously though. MS needs someone aside from Nokia to make devices and actually do a real push.

Apple did it with the iPhone

Google got help from Samsung. They pushed android and put a lot of advertising dollars into Android since the Galaxy S.

What does MS have? Nokia makes great hardware, but they are not in a position of money to push and MS hasn't really pushed themselves. I have seen them push more for the Surface than any other windows device let alone a phone.

[#15]

SickFreak wrote:

Okay - so they get last year's models from Nokia.  But that's not stopping VZW from getting devices from the other OEMs.

Who else makes a Windows phone besides Nokia?

[SickFreak]

Depends on the country, but OEMs include: HTC, Samsung, Sony, LG and a few more.

And VZW does have a model from HTC & Samsung.... but unfortunately, VZW only allowed low end devices.  If Windows Phones had the same level hardware as some of those Droids... that would be really nice.

[#17]

So if Verizon is only offered low end devices why blame Verizon? Blame Microsoft. If I'm looking for a higher end phone and none of the Windows phones are high end why would I get one?

[SickFreak]

Microsoft doesn't make the phones (yet.)  It's VZW working with the OEMs determining what devices they'll accept.

[Tidbits]

SickFreak wrote:

Microsoft doesn't make the phones (yet.)  It's VZW working with the OEMs determining what devices they'll accept.

They could bring those devices anywhere without working with carriers...

I mean look at Sony... You can buy any device you want from them if they support it.  Why doesn't many people buy the Sony windows phone?  Because it doesn't sell well, but yet they themselves push Android.  It honestly has less to do with Verizon pushing than OEM's putting little to no stock themselves into Windows phone...  Just look at Nokia and how much they sold worldwide...  Now tell me if you were a business would you invest into a 45%+ market share or a <5% market share?

[SickFreak]

It's like a catch-22.

But I do hope for a day where devices aren't tied to specific network.  Could you imagine having to buy a PC from your ISP because that ISP said only X computers were allowed on their network?

Someone mentioned VoLTE in another thread.  I only hope that they're right.

[Tidbits]

That was me about VoLTE happening.

manufacturers have to put vested interest and start pushing windows phone themselves.  Without that no carrier will take windows phone seriously or even potential users themselves. 

What I see since I left Windows Phone(When I left it still called Windows Mobile) no manufacturer other than Nokia is taking it seriously, and the only reason why Nokia took it seriously as MS forked cash over.

I honestly thing Ubuntu Touch when it's released may take more market share from Windows Phone as they seem to have better backing from manufacturers coming out of the gate.