The only places for consumers to get the newest products were catalogs, where the price might be right but the customer support was iffy. Convinced the concept would work, the company sold two of its three stores, which had operated since the 1980s as TSA Cellular, and focused on the Renaissance location, renaming it InfoPlanet. For the past two years, the kinks have been worked out in that Golden Triangle showroom. Along with emphasizing the newest hardware, all visitors are offered a soda or espresso. If time permits, customers are walked to their cars.
Children can play with toy phones while their parents shop.
The store is over staffed, and Levitt says employees know their stuff. We found that consumers really do want a place to go where they get a very consultive sales ap-proach, where when you ask a question the salesperson doesn't pick up the box and read it. The first new opening is Sept. 17 at a location above the Hard Rock Cafe in La Jolla that also will serve as the new corporate headquarters and training center. A Plaza Bonita store opens in mid-October. Levitt says it will better serve the company's already-strong Hispanic market.