How to Open a Cingular Retail Store

Cingular Wireless is now AT&T. In order to open this type of store, you would have to use the AT&T brand name because Cingular Wireless acquired AT&T. Learn how to open a store-front cell phone business by doing research such as using the outlines provided on the Small Business Administration's (SBA) website at www.sba.gov.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Cash
• Cell phones and accessories to sell
• Rental or lease space
• Office furniture and equipment and supplies

Instructions

1. Contact AT&T at [phone], and ask a representative if dealer opportunities exist in your area. If so, call your local mall or shopping center and ask to speak to the leasing agent or rental agent. Tell the agent you want to open an AT&T retail store. Make sure that you meet all the required qualifications to rent or lease space from the agent.

2. Schedule an appointment and select the storefront with the heaviest foot traffic. Let the agent know that you will rent or lease the space but that you need him to hold the storefront for 60 days, a service that will usually require a fee paid to the agent.

3. Go to your city hall or county office and fill out the application for a retail cell phone store. Use GovSpot.com to find your state's Department of Revenue. Click through to your state's Department of Revenue website and register your business online and apply for your state tax ID number. Then call the Internal Revenue Service at [phone] and apply for your federal tax ID number.

4. Write a business plan. Start with an executive summary, where you describe yourself and your business within two to three paragraphs and less than 200 words. Next, develop your marketing plan and explain who needs and will buy your products or services. Describe your day-to-day operations in the management section. Prepare the financial data by looking at similar businesses financial statements. Sample business plans are also available at the SBA website.

5. Review your business plan frequently. You will have to make changes. Once the plan makes financial sense, go back to the leasing agent and rent or lease the space.

6. Purchase all the supplies, furniture, and products that you will need to get the business running. After you have been in business for at least two months, visit the ATT dealers website and study their requirements before calling AT&T to apply for their Alliance Dealers program. type in http://www.wireless.att.com/about/alliances/dealers.jsp study the "Sub Dealer" heading and call AT& and let him know that you are ready to apply for the Alliance Dealers program as a "Sub Dealer."

   Mr. Riefs is an AT&T spokesperson and he should be able to help you get the AT&T program started in your store.

Tips & Warnings

• Match your competitors' prices to increase sales.

• Try to open the store in a mall location if possible.

• Pay your business taxes on time.

• Keep expenses as low as possible.

References

• GovSpot.com Tax Center: "State Departments of Revenue"
• AT&T Alliance Dealers Program

Resources

• AT&T
• Small Business Administration