Since the collapse of Wireless Advocates last month, customers have been left wondering what will happen next. Last week, we reported that T-Mobile had returned to Costco by placing actual T-Mobile corporate employees in select Costco locations, along with the promotions currently available. We now have more information about that arrangement.
According to documents shared with us here at The T-Mo Report, T-Mobile is either now or soon will be present in 178 Costco retail locations. That’s about 31% of the total number of Costco stores in the US, which is 574. (We previously incorrectly reported the total Costco stores worldwide by mistake, that has been fixed)
The documents go on to say that, essentially, managers at nearby corporate-owned T-Mobile stores will be sending some of their employees to these Costco locations. Employees will either be scheduled to work at the T-Mobile store location or the Costco each day.
In addition, the documents confirm that the $35 Device Connection Charge will be waived for all customers making transactions in Costco locations. Plus, customers have a 90-day return window on purchases at Costco. That’s a full 2 months more than the standard 30-day window for typical T-Mobile purchases.
Also mentioned is the fact that, currently, all device orders are “Ship-To”. This means that customers will only be able to place orders for devices to be shipped to their home. On the plus side, Costco locations will offer Home Internet sales as well.
Business customers may also be able to handle their accounts in Costco stores due to the fact business accounts are not listed under “transactions not currently available”, though that is currently unconfirmed.
According to an insider source, the partnership may be a temporary arrangement while T-Mobile tries to win a full exclusivity contract with Costco. Currently, some Costco locations are exclusively serving AT&T customers, so it’s unclear what the eventual outcome will be.
What do you think? Have you seen corporate T-Mobile reps in your local Costco? Let us know in the comments below!
