Motorola to Sell Cell Phones Via Machine
09/22/2006
CHICAGO (AP) - Shoppers craving the latest Motorola Inc. (MOT) (MOT) cell phones and accessories will be able to buy them at automated sales machines being installed in nearly two dozen malls and airports nationwide.
The vending machine-like “Instantmoto” stores will sell 12 kinds of phones and 18 accessories, said Bob Many, Motorola’s director of automated retailing.
One of the machines installed in downtown Chicago drew stares from customers on Thursday. The machines are about three times the size of a typical beverage vending machine.
“I think it’s a cool idea,” said Juan Campbell, a Chicago resident who was shopping at Macy’s and stopped to check out the new machine.
The pilot program, which was announced Wednesday, may expand depending on how well it does.
“It provides convenience in a small footprint,” company spokesman John Wernecke said. “These little robotic machines are going to be the future of what’s to come in terms of Motorola’s convenience purchasing.”
Shoppers will be able to use credit cards to purchase mid- to high-end models, including the Razr and the Q, and can buy with or without a service plan for T-Mobile, Verizon and Cingular service. Using a touch-screen, customers can pick a phone’s style, color and accessories, such as car adapters and chargers.
Shoppers starting a new service plan must go online to sign up for service with their carrier.
Verizon customers who purchase phones from the machine must call the carrier to switch service. T-Mobile and Cingular customers can manually transfer their service plan and telephone number by removing a data card from their old device and installing it into the new phone.
Motorola says it is the first phone manufacturer to sell electronic gadgets using a vending machine. The stores are operated by San Francisco-based Zoom Systems.
The products are delivered to consumers by a robotic arm and are run from a central location, similar to the way automated teller machines are operated.
Motorola is the world’s second-largest mobile phone maker behind Finland’s Nokia.
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