How to Become a Verizon Wireless Agent

Verizon is a telecommunications corporation that serves America. The company was founded in 1983 and has grown to become one of the top wireless providers nationally. According to Verizon, the company serves over 65 million people in the nation each year. Verizon Wireless uses individuals and businesses to help serve people all over America through its authorized retailer or authorized agent program. Anyone can become a Verizon wireless authorized agent with the appropriate certificates, legal paperwork and business setup.

Things You'll Need

• Business tax identification number
• DBA certificate (Doing Business As certificate)
• Business or merchant banking account
• Storefront
• Several chairs
• Display case
• Business telephone line
• Business fax line
• Several thousand dollars for equipment upfront costs

Instructions

1. Visit other Verizon retailer or agent locations to familiarize yourself with the company's products and services. Inquire with the retailers or agents, and ask what the best-selling plans and products are. Ask for flyers or printouts of the plans and products that are currently being offered so that you will able to understand how the plans work. Make note of how agent stores are set up to serve customers.

2. Choose an appropriate name for your business. Apply for a business tax identification number, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number, through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You must have a business tax identification number to do business with Verizon.

3. Register your business at the courthouse to receive a resale or reseller permit. Get a Doing Business As (DBA) certificate also from your local courthouse. Fill out the necessary information that the courthouse requires for the certificate and permit.

4. Rent or buy a storefront that is in a high-traffic business district if you do not currently have your own business. Purchase several comfortable chairs for customers to use during busy hours. Buy a display case for future demonstration equipment. All agents are given display wireless telephones to be put out for customers to compare and help make an equipment choice. Contact the telephone company, and have a business and fax line set up. Purchase a fax machine to use to fax important information to Verizon, such as contract agreements, in case you are directed to do so.

5. Open a business banking account by using the Doing Business As (DBA) certificate and business tax identification number. Follow the requirements that are given by the bank to set up the account to accept credit and debit cards.

6. Apply for a small loan or set several thousand dollars aside to pay upfront costs for Verizon Wireless equipment. You will need to pay for the equipment first before Verizon will ship any merchandise to your store.

7. Contact Verizon Wireless directly. Visit Verizon's website, and fill in the appropriate authorized agent information form. Include all information in each field. Wait for the corporation to contact you. Verizon will provide any additional requirements and training that you will need to become a Verizon Wireless agent.

References

• Verizon Wireless: Become an Authorized Agent
• Business.gov: Business Name Registration (Doing Business As) and State Requirements
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Employer ID Numbers (EIN)

Resources

• Small Business Notes: Setting Up Small Business Operations