John Ilhan opened his first store in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Brunswick in 1991 under the name Mobileworld. Right from the start, competitors started telling John his marketing ideas were 'crazy'. These ideas included being the first to sell a mobile phone for $1 while competitors were charging $200, giving away free accessories or holding midnight barbecues in the early days of trading. The name just stuck, Mobileworld became Crazy John’s and the rest, as they say, is history.
Since that first store, Crazy John’s continued to grow at an astounding rate and by 1998 there were fifteen Crazy John’s stores in Victoria and the retailer was ranked in the top ten of Telstra’s mobile dealers. Today, Crazy John’s is the most successful independent phone retailer in Australia with over 120 retail stores across Australia and the employer of more than 800 staff. The company prides itself on comprehensively training its staff and providing clear career paths for motivated employees..
The Crazy John's successful retail culture is built upon:
Never wavering from the company's true 'core values' of customer service, the best deals possible and innovative retail practices.
In 2001, Crazy John's established a contact centre within their South Melbourne office to provide a premium level of service to its customers. The contact centre has played an integral part in providing after sales service to its existing customers and has recently begun direct sales.
Delivering the best quality products and services on offer to customers at the best prices, while supporting a 'brand that people trust'.
Crazy John's has been recognised for its achievements as the best in the industry, winning the 'Mobile Phone Retailer of the Year Award' in 2004 and 2005. That award is the most prestigious in the telecommunications industry, voted by industry participants. Crazy John's has won a number of other awards in its history.
Actively recruiting energetic, self-motivated staff that are supported with intensive training and believing that its staff is the key to its success.
In 2005 Crazy John's established a national training college to provide staff with industry leading skills in dealing with customers. It also offers staff the ability to learn new skills, offers practical programs to support them in their career and a staff development plan to grow within Crazy John's.
Board of Directors
Barry Hamilton, Chairman
Brendan Fleiter, Chief Executive Officer
Patricia Ilhan, Non Executive Director
Richard Newton, Non Executive Director