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AT&T-T-Mobile Already Impacting T-Mobile Store Owners
Who Are Either Closing Up Shop Or Cutting Back on Expansion
One of AT&T's supposed justifications for acquiring T-Mobile for $39 billion is that the deal will somehow create jobs, despite the glaring reality that most of these deals result in job losses -- due to the elimination of thousands of redundant positions ranging from support to management. The Wall Street Journal (via Gizmodo) notes that while the deal isn't expected to even close until March of next year, it's already impacting independent T-Mobile store operators, many of whom are scuttling plans for store expansion, or closing up shop entirely. The Journal notes that AT&T and T-Mobile have a combined 9,200 stores. 41% of AT&T's stores have at least one T-Mobile store no more than a mile away, and most of those won't survive post merger -- something the Journal notes will hurt commercial landlords still trying to climb out from underneath the real estate bubble rubble.
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mmay149q
Premium Member
join:2009-03-05
Dallas, TX

mmay149q

Premium Member

This doesn't really surprise me

AT&T is the king of deception... "No no no, don't look at what my right hand is doing, concentrate on my left, it's what I'm trying to tell you about!!! NO that's not my right hand in your pocket stealing your wallet!!!"

Seriously, they even incorporate it into the work environment, pretty sad, I don't know how they have survived....

Matt
BHNtechXpert
The One & Only
Premium Member
join:2006-02-16
Saint Petersburg, FL

1 recommendation

BHNtechXpert

Premium Member

A but premature don't ya think?

AT&T must reaslly be confident that they will get this merger approved. I'm not so confident and smart AT&T execs might want to think twice about putting the chicken before the egg as well. Contrary to what you might have read there is considerable discomfort in DC with this merger.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: A but premature don't ya think?

said by BHNtechXpert:

Contrary to what you might have read there is considerable discomfort in DC with this merger.

Really? Where?
said by BHNtechXpert:

AT&T execs might want to think twice about putting the chicken before the egg as well.

What cart is AT&T management putting in front of the horse?

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3 to BHNtechXpert

Premium Member

to BHNtechXpert
said by BHNtechXpert:

AT&T must reaslly be confident that they will get this merger approved. I'm not so confident and smart AT&T execs might want to think twice about putting the chicken before the egg as well. Contrary to what you might have read there is considerable discomfort in DC with this merger.

They are already running "feel good" commercials here. It's quite smart actually -- get consumers warm to the idea by promising better service and lower prices and hurt T-Mobile by instilling uncertainty with Wall Street and their store owners.

They get instant tower expansion, an instant infusion of customers, and don't have to deliver jack to their existing customers.
BHNtechXpert
The One & Only
Premium Member
join:2006-02-16
Saint Petersburg, FL

BHNtechXpert

Premium Member

Re: A but premature don't ya think?

Yea I know they are...LightSquared is also doing the same thing. Welcome to the new age of wagging the dog style public manipulation. Neither is a lock to happen though unless everyone allows the ads to sway them.
WernerSchutz
join:2009-08-04
Sugar Land, TX

WernerSchutz to Matt3

Member

to Matt3
Yes, I have seen those commercials. I hope in time Americans will wake up that anytime a company runs a feel good commercial chances are 99% they lie.

Communism in Eastern Europe would have dreamed to have such a dumb and trusting audience.
stridr69
join:2003-05-19
San Luis Obispo, CA

stridr69

Member

Re: A but premature don't ya think?

People in those days in Eastern Europe were far smarter then the internet sheep we deal with today. They knew how to circumvent the "system". People today want to be spoon fed everything. THX1138 comes to mind here...

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx to BHNtechXpert

Member

to BHNtechXpert
said by BHNtechXpert:

AT&T must reaslly be confident that they will get this merger approved. I'm not so confident and smart AT&T execs might want to think twice about putting the chicken before the egg as well. Contrary to what you might have read there is considerable discomfort in DC with this merger.

An article here yesterday said the very thing »AT&T Says T-Mobile Deal On Track For March 2012 [38] comments. They are spending considerable amounts of money on lobbying and paying off groups to support their cause; »www.techdirt.com/article ··· s.shtml?. They should expect a payoff in the merger. I myself have scuttled any plans on upgrading or making any changes to my T-Mobile account. At this point I do not want any lock-in when the merger completes.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Independents aren't T-Mobile employees

I'm sure AT&T isn't including the loss of independent contractors in their assessment of "creating jobs".
Ricanlegend
join:2011-05-18
Bronx, NY

Ricanlegend

Member

Re: Independents aren't T-Mobile employees

how is this AT&T problem ? They can just move to another location
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Independents aren't T-Mobile employees

It's not. But it gives the opposite fodder to try to fight the merger.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru to Ricanlegend

MVM

to Ricanlegend
said by Ricanlegend:

how is this AT&T problem ? They can just move to another location

This is the solution to all the problems this country has!

Problem: Broadband isn't universally available, and where it is it may only be from a single provider, relatively expensive, or slow.
Solution: It's not the providers problem...people can just move to another location [where service is fast, cheap, and choices plentiful]!

Problem: High unemployment/low supply of available jobs
Solution: It's not insert failed company/industry problem...people can just move to another location [where jobs are]!

Problem: High crime rates
Solution: It's not criminals problem...people can just move to another location [that is safer]!

Problem: Rising health care costs
Solution: It's not the doctors|hospitals|insurance companies|lawyer's problem...people can just move to another location [like Canada]!

"Just move to another location" isn't always possible for a small independent location as they may have considerable investment in the current location, locked into a multi-year lease that is impossible or cost prohibitive to break, or where suitable alternative location doesn't readily exist.

It may not be absolutely AT&T-Mobile's fault as they aren't required to consult with every dealer to ensure that their business models are protected. But this does show the crock of shit that AT&T's been spewing that jobs won't be lost, they will be created.
whiteyonenh
join:2004-08-09
Keene, NH

whiteyonenh

Member

Re: Independents aren't T-Mobile employees

said by cdru:

said by Ricanlegend:

how is this AT&T problem ? They can just move to another location

This is the solution to all the problems this country has!

Problem: Broadband isn't universally available, and where it is it may only be from a single provider, relatively expensive, or slow.
Solution: It's not the providers problem...people can just move to another location [where service is fast, cheap, and choices plentiful]!

Problem: High unemployment/low supply of available jobs
Solution: It's not insert failed company/industry problem...people can just move to another location [where jobs are]!

Problem: High crime rates
Solution: It's not criminals problem...people can just move to another location [that is safer]!

Problem: Rising health care costs
Solution: It's not the doctors|hospitals|insurance companies|lawyer's problem...people can just move to another location [like Canada]!

"Just move to another location" isn't always possible for a small independent location as they may have considerable investment in the current location, locked into a multi-year lease that is impossible or cost prohibitive to break, or where suitable alternative location doesn't readily exist.

It may not be absolutely AT&T-Mobile's fault as they aren't required to consult with every dealer to ensure that their business models are protected. But this does show the crock of shit that AT&T's been spewing that jobs won't be lost, they will be created.

Why does your post remind me of this? »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fi ··· E2%80%A6
jjeffeory
jjeffeory
join:2002-12-04
Bloomington, IN

jjeffeory to openbox9

Member

to openbox9
That would be because they don't create jobs for independent contractors. They simply use them as a service. They do this so that they don't have to worry about the creating jobs aspect.
schmolf4
join:2011-06-23

schmolf4

Member

doesn't surprise me

I know the official retail stores are hurting because of this buyout crap, what did they think was going to happen?
Phatty
join:2000-05-10
Saint Louis, MO

Phatty

Member

Anyone surprised?

With the merger approval likely why would they spend money expanding their offerings?

And I am sure a decent handful of people, who were considering T-Mobile, no longer would because they want to avoid AT&T. I know any thoughts I had on giving T-Mobile a try are out the window. No way I will ever be a paying AT&T customer.
BHNtechXpert
The One & Only
Premium Member
join:2006-02-16
Saint Petersburg, FL

BHNtechXpert

Premium Member

Re: Anyone surprised?

But it isn't likely. That is just an assumption by a few. I'm not convinced they can buy enough people to make this happen. Not in the current atmosphere.

sickntired
@hubris.net

sickntired

Anon

Re: Anyone surprised?

Buy enough people? Oh sure they can. If the opposition gets too heated, all At&T has to do is offer to pick up the national debt or the defecit and then not only will they own T-Mobile, but the govrnment as well.

DataRiker
Premium Member
join:2002-05-19
00000

1 recommendation

DataRiker to Phatty

Premium Member

to Phatty
said by Phatty:

No way I will ever be a paying AT&T customer.

Me too. I'd rather eat GM corn feed and wash it down with Monsanto weed killer before I gave a penny to the AT&T pig faced crap filled toilet.
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

Re: Anyone surprised?

said by DataRiker:

Me too. I'd rather eat GM corn feed and wash it down with Monsanto weed killer before I gave a penny

really?
jjeffeory
jjeffeory
join:2002-12-04
Bloomington, IN

jjeffeory to Phatty

Member

to Phatty
Bingo! We're going to be going to Vz ( or Sprint) and not even look at TMobile to get away from at&t wireless.
sonicmerlin
join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

sonicmerlin

Member

Even More

This isn't even the only issue. Far more pressing is that T-Mobile has significantly decreased the number of planned tower builds and footprint expansion. Especially in rural areas where T-Mobile is obviously lacking, they cut back significantly on capex.

Not only is that bad for wireless competition, but lower investment means fewer jobs.

Bill Neilson
Premium Member
join:2009-07-08
Alexandria, VA

Bill Neilson

Premium Member

SHOCKING that the plan by the major corp

will not produce jobs, reduce price, etc....

SHOCKING I tell you
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

old_wiz_60

Member

AT&T Owns..

quite a few members of Congress. The "election campaign" funds (more properly known as bribery) make sure that the Congressmen will vote in favor of AT&T. The regulatory agencies also get gifts, in the guise of lobbying, (more properly known as bribery) or the key voters will be quietly offered cushy jobs at AT&T when they leave office.

After the merger watch the huge layoffs happen; T-Mobile will become a shadow of its former self.

Money talks in Washington, even when it is dirty money. The merger is a done deal.

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties

Premium Member

Tmobile stores or affiliates?

Are these the Tmobile mall pads, affiliates or large TMobile outfits? I suspect the former and who cares. I don't care for the pressure sales at the Tmobile (or any other cell pad).
And most are getting phones online. If they need the store, it's because of a product issue or an upgrade that can't be done over the phone. (or user issue).
Not to be a shill for AT&T&T but I think that no matter what we say or do, the lobbyists paid off their GovPockets and come March of 2012, Tmobile and ATT will merge.
Oh, and there are/will be jobs. Designers cranking out media to printers (banners, advertising, billboards, traditional media and digital media).
Maybe the local ATT store near me will get some more staff to handle the wait time to 'see' an associate...cough cough.
en103
join:2011-05-02

en103

Member

Re: Tmobile stores or affiliates?

BestBuy Mobile, WalMart/Sams Club, Amazon and the truckload of other resellers won't hurt much. Many of them will probably start selling Sprint once again.
en103

en103

Member

cause and effect

I'd actually expect AT&T / T-Mobile management to put some spin on this and say 'Look - T-Mobile's in trouble, we're out here to invest and save those jobs by investing $39B into T-Mobile'. Meanwhile, its the doom and gloom of the deathstar that is mostly responsible for this outlook, along with T-Mobile's management that's been attempting to sell it off for the past year.
axus
join:2001-06-18
Washington, DC

axus

Member

Savings through monopoly

One of the supposed benefits of the Communist system was that resources and energy wouldn't be spent on redundant competition.

HappyAnarchy
@iauq.com

HappyAnarchy

Anon

Re: Savings through monopoly

said by axus:

One of the supposed benefits of the Communist system was that resources and energy wouldn't be spent on redundant competition.

You have no idea how communism was supposed to work did you. I'll give you a hint, it wasn't redundant competition it was greed & profit where the resources and energy would be saved - that and everyone has a place/job and everyone supports everyone.

There are actual criticism's of communism and then there is the made up crap.
FrontirCynic
join:2006-10-25
Long Beach, CA

FrontirCynic

Member

what would happen...

If att took all their lobbying money, merger astroturfing, ad money, merger cost money, bonus money, excessive ex compensation and put it into new towers and backhaul. would that help existing att customers? likely. why dont they do it? good question. I guess as a company they have the opposite philosophy of google. Att's is "do no good" or "be evil" I really do think that the deathstar logo was appropriate
en103
join:2011-05-02

en103

Member

Re: what would happen...

said by FrontirCynic:

If att took all their lobbying money, merger astroturfing, ad money, merger cost money, bonus money, excessive ex compensation and put it into new towers and backhaul.

That wouldn't be in their best interest. A CEO or a large corporation is more likely to sell the shirt off of his/her back to help profit margins/Wall Street before helping out a customer. Don't forget, most CEO's get paid almost directly by stock value.

»finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s ··· petitors
FrontirCynic
join:2006-10-25
Long Beach, CA

FrontirCynic

Member

Re: what would happen...

Actually CEO's pay determined by compensation consultants and committees. Rules there are: "you scratch my back Ill scratch yours". plenty of examples where stock price tanks and ceo runs away with big wad of cash and other bonuses yr after year. once in the ceo club your are in. even if the emperor has no clothes.
slckusr
Premium Member
join:2003-03-17
Greenville, SC

slckusr to FrontirCynic

Premium Member

to FrontirCynic
have their been figures released comparing what ATT spends on lobbying versus what the spend on infrastructure.?
FrontirCynic
join:2006-10-25
Long Beach, CA

FrontirCynic

Member

Re: what would happen...

if you have the time it might be buried in here »sec.gov/Archives/edgar/d ··· d10q.htm

also here
The Post notes that AT&T spent $6.8 million in the first three months of 2011 on lobbyists and lawyers, compared to Sprint's $583,000.
»The Best Merger Support AT&T Money Can Buy [18] comments
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

remembering history?

remember bank mergers? many bank branches right across the street from one another... guess what happened? 50% of those branches CLOSED, 95% of those jobs... GONE!

the duopoly that will be at&t and verizon will get to screw customers (raise prices, and charge by the byte for data) not raise the competitive bar, we tell you this is coming, yet nobody does anything to stop it.

if verizon isn't careful.. this ploy to make Verizon too greedy can get them caught in some nasty wirless industry reform (legislation). that is when they see what a failure Sprint will be with their partnership between the cable co's

•••

FastiBook
join:2003-01-08
Newtown, PA

FastiBook

Member

Redundant positions?

How is a position redundant if all the sudden you have millions of new customers from that other company? Makes more sense to keep them on and help reduce call wait times and increase productivity.