New Site myCELLmyTERMS Lets Dealers & Customers Barter for Cellular Deals

Two years ago, four Canadian entrepreneurs gathered to come up with a concept that would allow wireless dealers to better service customers, and customers to get the best deals for phones and contracts. The resulting Website, called myCELLmyTERMS, could really change the way cellular services are acquired in Canada.

The site works much like an online matchmaking service, explains Paul Peic, Vice President of Intelligent Marketing. Dealers sign up for access, than customers register (for free), and indicate what features and functions they desire in a cell phone plan, like contract or pre-paid, data, unlimited SMS, etc. Does the person need a new phone as well? If so, which one does he covet, and how much is he willing to pay for it? Dealers get e-mail notifications every time a customer "offer" is made, at which time they can review them, and send pitches to the customers. myCELLmyTERMS compiles all the dealer offers and presents them to the customer via his account, at which point, the customer can review them, propose a counter-offer, or select the deal of his choice.

While dealers can't really toy with pricing plans (after all, those are dictated by the carrier), they can get creative in tweaking them, says Peic. For example, one dealer might suggest that instead of getting 100 daytime calling minutes, the customer signs up for a new promotion that affords 200 minutes for the same price; while another dealer might focus on another promotion. Dealers might throw in accessories as well to entice customers, like a Bluetooth headset or carrying case. The beauty is that the customer gets to see all of the deals and select the one he feels makes the most sense, or barter back and forth with the dealer until they come to an agreement. "Our goal is to get customers at least three deals," says Peic, who adds that he's seen dealers use the site to sell off old merchandise as well.

The retailer does not receive any personal information about each potential customer until a deal has been made. But the customer is able to see which carrier network the proposed plan operates on so he can factor this into his decision as well.

Results can come in as quickly as four minutes, says Peic, or the customer can choose to wait up to two weeks to review all of the offers made to him. A dealer also has the ability to put an offer on the table for limited period of time. Once a deal has been made, myCELLmyTERMS is no longer involved in the process, and it's up to dealer and consumer to smooth out details like shipping costs (although these should be included in the original pitch), and so forth.

The site is still in its beta stages, with only about 20 dealers in Ontario signed up thus far. However, Peic says the service will be up and running in other provinces across Canada by the end of the year; and confirms that the company has already signed on a few West Coast dealers.

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