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Law raises sales of hands-free devices
Stores report surge in shoppers Monday
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More from BusinessThe new hands-free cell phone law in California is proving to be an economic windfall for Ventura County stores selling wireless phone technology.
Big corporate chains and independently owned franchises alike are reaping financial rewards from the legislation that takes effect today.
"This has been a boom for us, absolutely. This is creating a record month for us in overall sales," Steve Glogow, regional manager for Verizon Wireless stores, said during a weekend visit to Connect, a registered dealer with a store in Ventura.
The new state law allows drivers 18 and older to have telephone conversations while behind the wheel, as long as they use hands-free cell systems. Motorists have been buying new phones, Bluetooth wireless headsets and other devices.
"We are going through an unbelievable amount, and it's beyond what we even thought it was going to be," said Glogow. "We tried to make sure we had enough, but we're running short, and we keep selling out and have to keep getting more in. It's five times what it was even three weeks ago."
It's been a record month for sales, too, for the independently owned Vision Wireless, a company with seven stores including locations in Agoura Hills, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.
"Sales have quadrupled in the last month," said Vision Wireless Assistant Vice President Jimmy Pezzulo, as he helped customers at his store Monday in Moorpark.
"Even with us telling customers over the last three months that you need to be compliant with the law, no one has really cared until now," he said. "Over the weekend and into today, we have already sold about 50 Bluetooth devices across the company compared to a month ago, when I would have told you we sold maybe one or two a day."
Chris Carlson, 18, of Camarillo was among those who waited until the last day to buy his wireless earpiece.
"I've been on vacation for a couple of weeks and I just got back," he said. "I don't want to have to spend more money on this, but you've got to do what you've got to do."
Pezzulo said the warnings on Caltrans' electronic freeway signs about the law coming into force are effectively "free advertising" for businesses like his.
"The law gets passed and boom, here we are," he said. "Hopefully we'll be busy through July."
At the Verizon Wireless store at Simi Valley Town Center, manager Craig Watts said a lot of people have been waiting until the last minute and business has been "crazy."
"My traffic is probably up 200 percent," Watts said. "We have enough stock but not enough employees to service everyone."
A common question among customers, store managers say, is whether the new law means they have to wear earpieces.
In fact, other devices are available, such as small headphones like those found with iPods and speakers that attach to windshield visors.
"What we're selling a lot of right now are the speaker phones which attach to the visor, because many people don't want to walk around all day with something in their ear," said Glogow.
"When you think about it, the law is designed for those people who are using them in their cars, so that's when you really need it, and so now they make devices that fit right on your visor. You get in your car, you turn it on, you're hands-free, and then when you get out, you turn it off."
Greg Mountain, 24, who lives in Thousand Oaks, waited until the last moment to get his headphones because, he says, it was an inconvenience and he kept putting off having to do it.
"I could drive safely and use the phone, but I don't want to get a ticket," said Mountain, who works as a personal trainer. "I actually bought two, one for me and one for my girlfriend."
Mountain says he plans to leave the headphones in his car so that he doesn't have to remember to charge up his Bluetooth earpiece every night.
California Highway Patrol officials have said they would be ready to enforce the new rules from day one.
"The next wave of people coming in is the people who will have got a ticket," said Pezzulo.
Posted by THX1138 on July 1, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's unbelievable how consumers are attached to them mobile phones[?!]
For those that don't have hands-free, they'll just hold the phone out of sight and enable the speaker feature.
Posted by SpiderWoman on July 1, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope it helps, there are just some people that are useless when they drive. Besides phones, putting on make up, reading, shaving, etc. I see people that have a passenger and all you see is their hands waving around and pointing while they drive all over the road.
Posted by pjlove10 on July 1, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im not wearing a douchey spaceman earpiece. Sorry. Ok, maybe I will. But just for the record, I will NOT walk around with one, or leave it in my ear if I'm not talking to someone on the other end!!
Good point THX1138...
Posted by omie on July 1, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what good is this law because it doesn't bar people from texting while driving.
Posted by IslandHopper on July 1, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Crazy--I was driving to work today with my dog in my lap while eating a hoho and checking my shave was good in the mirror while sending a text message and I saw like 2 people talking on their phone without a hands free device. Shame on them.
Posted by st_barbie on July 1, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I refuse to wear a earpiece so I got a motorola bluetooth headset, it clips to the visor.
Check this site, I saw it on the news.
http://www.freeheadset.org/home.php
Posted by garion246 on July 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I actually saw a lady, putting on makeup with one hand, had a cup of coffee in the other hand, and was talking on the phone wedged between her ear & sholder. All while driving.
Why is it so many people feel they must be on the phone while driving?
Posted by caddieman805 on July 1, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have looked around ventura county for the lowest price on bluetooth and found that stereo warehouse in oxnard had the lowest price at $49.00.
Posted by omie on July 1, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Best one would be the Parrot Mini. Clips to your visor, 61$ on Amazon. It also voice dials anyone on your phone. Not advertising but I have installed a three parrot kits integrated with cars and they work great.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 1, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pjlove10 - your post cracked me up!
Posted by pjlove10 on July 1, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, I'm gonna look into those visor ones. It's like being forced to wear the ugly Cosby sweater someone bought you for Christmas. Not gonna do it. And what's even worse is that I have a Bose stereo, and we all know how hard it is to integrate something into those. (So, let's see, how many more excuses should I fling out there?)
Posted by Prodigy on July 1, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't know there were several options until I read Motorhead's blog:
http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/mo...
I need a new stereo anyway so I'm going for the bluetooth integrated into the stereo.
Posted by pjlove10 on July 1, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think I'll try that Parrot Mini, read some awesome reviews on it. I have a small car so I think it'll work out nicely. Looking like I'm talking to myself in my car alone isn't all that bad. Plus my hands will be free to eat, txt, and finish this crossword puzzle...
Posted by SpiderWoman on July 1, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A word of caution on those visor models. I know a few people that have them, not sure of the brands maybe some are better. They tend to pick up a lot of road noise, you have to have your windows rolled up and the A/C off otherwise it's really hard for people to hear you clearly.
Posted by whatsup805 on July 1, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does that count for cops also? I see them driving and on their phone.
Posted by IslandHopper on July 1, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good question whatsup..I believe no, that it will not apply to cops. Then again, when I read about accidents that involve someone runnin their mouth on the phone, cops are not the ones involved.
Posted by caddieman805 on July 1, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
COPS are not only the biggest law breakers, but they are also the biggest gangs in the county. They bully people, break laws like speed, park illegal, make illigal turns, use cell phones. So I really don't think this law or any laws apply to our local cops.
Posted by pfg93003 on July 1, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is your nanny state at work. Stop voting for liberals who feel they know how to run your life. Lets get our freedom back and stop being tricked into more laws and more taxes! Be independent and take responsibilty for yourselves! Everytime a new law is placed or a another tax or fee that is your personal freedom eroding away.
Posted by sparks240 on July 1, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pfg93003, I got run into by someone on cell phone who wasn't paying attention to the road. Your freedom stops where my bumper begins.
Posted by smithjc on July 1, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fyi, the law does have an exemption for peace officers and other emergency personnel (fire, ambulance, etc.). the key is that they must be operating an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in sec 165 of the vehicle code.
caddieman, there are several exemptions in the law that apply to operation of emergency vehicles. so, police (fire and ambulances) are not necessarily doing "illegal" things.
Posted by pfg93003 on July 1, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sparks240
You dont get it. now your freedom is gone to use your phone because you had an incident form an irresponsible person. We all lose when the gov't takes everyones freedom because of a few irresponsible people. But if you want the gov't being your nanny and telling you and everyone how to live you do not understnd what freedom is. You take a risk everytime you drive you may be hit by another person, if you want total security in your life you do not deserve freedom. By the way you can still apply your makeup and shave and eat your subway sandwich all while texting your Nana.
Posted by pfg93003 on July 1, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Truck drivers are exempt too
Posted by caddieman805 on July 1, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
smithjc: so do you think it is ok for cops to break laws? They are suppose to inforce not break the law.Even if they are exempt they sure don't get to break the law all the time do they? I see it all the time. let's not forget the real reason why they are out there. Should a school teacher cheat? Lead by example>
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