Let's face it; not everyone is a die-hard phone user that switches their phone every few months. Many do keep their devices for the full span of the two-year agreement, and are plagued by battery problems as their final months with their carrier come to a close. Forced with few choices, the customer can either upgrade their device and lock themselves into another two-year agreement, buy a device for full retail price and retain their existing agreement terms, or purchase a new battery at approximately $60.
US Cellular has launched a new initiative that will allow subscribers to come into a corporate retail store and replace their dead or dying battery for a new one, provided that the device is less than 18 months old. "Our Battery Swap program is perfect for people who depend on their wireless devices as their lifelines, such as business people, parents, not to mention heavy users who drain their battery daily," said Jay Ellison, executive vice president and COO of U.S. Cellular. "We?re offering this service to help our customers stay connected."
The company also offered suggestions to improve battery life, such as powering the device off while charging and power cycling from time to time. This is a fantastic idea in my opinion; it is an incredible customer service gesture, and could lower churn while providing a relatively inexpensive marketing tool for the company.
Source: Mobility Digest
