So let's take the post as it was stated:
"according to our ninja, Best Buy will be getting its hands on a limited inventory of Pre handsets for a trial launch on June 7th. Sprint will be direct-shipping the lot to arrive on the 6th and in total, about 4,500 units will be spread throughout Best Buy Mobile locations across the country. That might not seem like a lot, well, because it isn’t, but each and every Best Buy Mobile will be getting at least one Pre to hawk."
Wow. I'm not sure where to even begin on this one - let's start by saying that any release this big certainly isn't going to be done with anyone 'partnered' in, other than Sprint and Palm. Sprint has thousands of stores across the country that are perfectly capable of launching a device - where we not only can tightly control the inventory pre-launch, but where we can also make money on the accessory sales in-store on launch day. To even think that we would miss out on that opportunity and turn it over to a 'partner' is simply crazy. Does this person know how huge accessory sales are for a Sprint retail store? Also - Each BB Mobile guaranteed to have at least 1 device? C'mon - I don't care how bad I wanted the Pre, I would not get out of bed for that, because you KNOW that an employee of BB would have it purchased before the doors opened. Flunk.
"Speaking of hawking, our ninja has some numbers to report as well. Pricing is supposedly still being discussed but the probable points are as follows: New customers with a 2-year contract, $199.99. Existing customer upgrades, $299.99. Outright, $999.99. Yes, seriously."
Seriously? I don't think so. Flunk, again. $999 price point? Put Simply, no. Not in any combination will you find the $999 price point to be valid, contract or not. As to the upgrades for existing customers? Have you -ever- seen a single price point for an upgrade price? The answer is no, because the system is simply not set up like this. The existing customer price will be the standard $75 off for 10+ months into agreement, $150 off for 22+ months, and the full $150 off + any rebates for those that qualify and have have the same device for 24+ months, which is essentially new customer pricing. Premier & White Glove customers also qualify for essentially new customer pricing at the 12 month mark, just as with any other device. To hint that there would be a single price point for any customer that wanted to upgrade is simply incorrect, and anyone as familiar with Sprint as BGR should be, knows that the system just isn't set up to allow for that.
Here's how the Upgrade Eligibility works:
- Customers are eligible for $150.00 after 22 months, 23 calendar months instead of 24 months, 25 calendar months.
- Customer's eligibility date for the new program is based on Rebate Life on File.
- However, once a customer takes advantage of a rebate under the new program, the new eligibility date is based on the last rebate received.
- Customers rebate eligibility is not reset when they upgrade the phone unless they receive an equipment discount at the time of upgrade.
Other program qualifiers include:
- Requires a 1-year or 2-year contract.
- Account must be in good standing with no unpaid past due balance.
- The Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC) on the primary line must be $34.99 or higher without add-ons.
- Customers must keep the phone activated on the upgraded or activated line for at least 30 days in order to receive their Mail-In Rebate.
- If you receive a request to flip-flop the new phone to a different line within 30 days of activation or upgrade, advise the customer that this action will result in loss of their Mail-In Rebate. If the customer wishes to continue with the flip-flop after this impact has been explained, proceed with the transaction
- Upgrade fee of up to $18.00 in Care, Retail, Indirect and Telesales and $0.00 online.
- Employees are eligible for mail-in rebates.
- Customers are eligible to receive a mail-in rebate.
- Mail-in follows the same eligibility requirements as Instant.
- Intra-company upgrades are eligible for the New for You Program.
Customer's can receive the additional mail-in rebates overlays that exist outside the New for You Program.
- A customer who is eligible for the $150.00 instant rebate is eligible for any additional mail-in rebate overlays.
Bad BGR for spreading such rumors that are obviouly not true, despite how many 'hits' it brings to your site. I only know this because I had no less than 50 messages this evening asking if I'd seen the post on your site. Me! And while everyone knows I'm not giving away the pricing or the date, I think they do realize that I'm not gonig to allow such silly rumors to be told without a word to the wiser. There's no need to scare away potential Pre owners with such crazy scenarios, when in reality Sprint would like to see a Pre in as many hands as possible. I've got more to say on the subject, but I wanted to get this posted to may dispell any harm that your post may do.
