Got asked about my phone today...

[hpilot]

I was at Comcast today, and I put my phone down on the table. The guy asked me what phone I had. I was surprised that he knew all about my Pixel XL. A lot of people have asked me about my 6P, but none of them knew what a NEXUS was. He said he had read a lot of reviews. He has a Samsung S6, and was looking to get a new phone. I demoed it, and he seemed to like it. Too bad he thought they were only available at Verizon. I don't get why people want to buy their phones from a carrier - never again for me...

 

[KillerQ]

I was at Comcast today, and I put my phone down on the table. The guy asked me what phone I had. I was
surprised that he knew all about my Pixel XL. A lot of people have asked me about my 6P, but none of them knew what a NEXUS was. He said he had read a lot of reviews. He has a Samsung S6, and was looking to get a new phone. I demoed it, and he seemed to like it. Too bad he thought they were only available at Verizon. I don't get why people want to buy their phones from a carrier - never again for me...

Of course he has heard of it since Google is marketing the hell out of it.

In addition, the ads are plastered with being a Verizon exclusive, that's exactly why he thought that.

Good or bad, this is Proof that marketing is working.

 

[aldo82]

I don't get why people want to buy their phones from a carrier - never again for me...

Because you can offset the cost over 2 years of monthly payments and don't need the full amount upfront

 

[dpeters11]

I can see that happening. And it can really sound like it's not available direct. The one I was surprised at was a few weeks ago I was at the deli counter and while he was putting my order together, I was on my Priv (still waiting for my Pixel), and he asked me what I thought of it, calling it by name.

Maybe he has two jobs, working at a cell store as well or something but that threw me for a loop.

 

[hpilot]

Because you can offset the cost over 2 years of monthly payments and don't need the full amount upfront

You can do the same buying from Google: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...om/magazine/financing?hl=en-US&token=ZnKldQe4

 

[hpilot]

Of course he has heard of it since Google is marketing the hell out of it.

In addition, the ads are plastered with being a Verizon exclusive, that's exactly why he thought that.

Good or bad, this is Proof that marketing is working.

I guess I must be living in a cocoon. I haven't seen a single ad. I edit out all the commercials on the TV programs I record on my computer, so I guess I never see this stuff. Good to know...

 

[Jde2466]

Because you can offset the cost over 2 years of monthly payments and don't need the full amount upfront

Bingo. The average cell phone customer is good with keeping a phone for several years. They just want a good phone at the cheapest price that will last.

 

[dpeters11]

I can see that happening. And it can really sound like it's not available direct. The one I was surprised at was a few weeks ago I was at the deli counter and while he was putting my order together, I was on my Priv (still waiting for my Pixel), and he asked me what I thought of it, calling it by name.

Maybe he has two jobs, working at a cell store as well or something but that threw me for a loop.

 

[gabbott]

Because you can offset the cost over 2 years of monthly payments and don't need the full amount upfront

You don't need the full amount upfront if you buy directly through Google. They offer the same 2 years interest free.

Financing through Google is a better deal because you aren't tired to the same carrier for 2 years should you decide to leave and don't want to pay the balance off at once.

But the challenge is getting people to realize this option. Google needs to do that type of marketing.

 

[Tf407]

You don't need the full amount upfront if you buy directly through Google. They offer the same 2 years interest free.

Financing through Google is a better deal because you aren't tired to the same carrier for 2 years should you decide to leave and don't want to pay the balance off at once.

But the challenge is getting people to realize this option. Google needs to do that type of marketing.

Google and Apple are changing the cell phone business by offering interest free payments to combat carriers All while having unlocked phones. Other than some customers being weary of an additional credit card /check it is the superior option

Granted they had the check at their carrier surely but sometimes not for a few years and don't require an additional one. Personally I'm happy to take part of Google store financing as I already have synchrony for my rooms to go purchase

 

[anon(596177)]

You can do the same buying from Google: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...om/magazine/financing?hl=en-US&token=DV9--VK-

Then theres those of us with Verizon-based work lines... I got the phone for 100 bucks through my company which I wrote off by using travel expense money. So basically work gave me a free Verizon Pixel.

I'll take a free carrier pixel with only a locked bootloader over a 650 dollar play store pixel with unlockable bootloader any day.

 

[Amele]

You can do the same buying from Google: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...om/magazine/financing?hl=en-US&token=v0YC8Ubo

Without a credit check? Besides, Verizon is my carrier and particularly in the case of the Note 7 folks, I had to do it as refund/exchange. No way to do that with Google. And I preordered and actually got my phone --well a day later than the supposed 10/20 date because Fed Ex lost it in their Memphis facility and Verizon called them and got it specially delivered the next day on my schedule.With this phone there was no bloat, either.

 

[hal1]

I don't get why people want to buy their phones from a carrier - never again for me...

Maybe I'm the exception, but I love the customer service at Verizon. Anytime I have a problem with the phone, I'd rather be able to bring it straight to a Verizon store than have to go through from the Hoops to get the manufacturer to fix it

 

[bbhybridchris]

I guess I must be living in a cocoon. I haven't seen a single ad. I edit out all the commercials on the TV programs I record on my computer, so I guess I never see this stuff. Good to know...

You can check out the Google YouTube page and view them there. While they are very iPhone-esque in some ways a few are pretty good. Really pushing these devices and I'll be honest coming from my iPhone 7 I'm really enjoying my XL in the day and a half I've had it now.

 

[Runningwarrior08]

I guess I must be living in a cocoon. I haven't seen a single ad. I edit out all the commercials on the TV programs I record on my computer, so I guess I never see this stuff. Good to know...

Saw like 12 commercials for it during every game of the world series.

 

[hpilot]

Then theres those of us with Verizon-based work lines... I got the phone for 100 bucks through my company which I wrote off by using travel expense money. So basically work gave me a free Verizon Pixel.

I'll take a free carrier pixel with only a locked bootloader over a 650 dollar play store pixel with unlockable bootloader any day.

Can't argue with that. However, I suspect you are not a typical customer.

 

[Almeuit]

I guess I must be living in a cocoon. I haven't seen a single ad. I edit out all the commercials on the TV programs I record on my computer, so I guess I never see this stuff. Good to know...

That is why lol. They have been advertising it a lot on TV and during prime time (like during Football).

 

[gabbott]

Without a credit check? Besides, Verizon is my carrier and particularly in the case of the Note 7 folks, I had to do it as refund/exchange. No way to do that with Google. And I preordered and actually got my phone --well a day later than the supposed 10/20 date because Fed Ex lost it in their Memphis facility and Verizon called them and got it specially delivered the next day on my schedule.With this phone there was no bloat, either.

There has to be a credit check if you finance through the carriers too. It might have been when you first got service or first financed a phone. There was a one time credit check, just as there will be a one time credit check opening the credit account through Google.

Yes there can be reasons one wants to go through the carrier. But if it's simply to be able to make payments, it's just being pointed out you can do the same through Google.

Btw, I've done exchanges with nexus devices I've bought through Google. They'd send me a new phone first and give me a mailer to send the old one back.

 

[anon(596177)]

Can't argue with that. However, I suspect you are not a typical customer.

Nope, definitely not typical. Just arguing the fact that there is indeed r
Some exceptions to going with a carrier phone

 

[1213 1213]

First phone is important, and they absolutely need momentum. If this one doesn't have it, and they try to gain momentum next year, people would think back to pixel 1 and think nobody had it and forget about it.

Not sure what they gained by pretending to be exclusive to Verizon though, is Verizon advertising it too? Or is Verizon regarded as so good that Google should be happy to be attached to it?