Remember that Verizon Private Sale that we talked about last week that the was supposed to allow Verizon’s most valued customers early access to purchase Verizon’s hottest devices at their best prices? Well It looks like Verizon’s most valued customers are becoming their most angry customers.
If you take a look at the flyer, there is a picture of a BlackBerry Storm slapped on and the sale has a start date of Nov. 17th. You and I and thousands of others who read BlackBerry blogs everyday know that the Storm won’t be available to anyone until Nov. 21st, so, imagine the look of surprise that many of Verizon’s most valued customers had on their faces when they showed up yesterday looking to buy the BlackBerry Storm.
I am sure that look of surprise quickly turned to a look of frustration as Verizon’s most valued customers turned into their most angry customers. Verizon had to know that the 9 out of every 10 customers that would respond to this flyer would be looking to get a BlackBerry and the fact that they aren’t able to is just plain stupid.
I should point out that regular RIMarkable commentator Norman R. had a feeling that this might happen.
Dumb,Dumb on Big Reds part! at&t doesn’t even false advertise like that! And Vzw has some nasty, nasty reps in corporate stores! This won’t stop people from buying it, but just bad advertising!
Yea…I’m just going to buy one from one of the stores. I didn’t get the invite otherwise probably be one of those P.O. customers.
I have heard speculation that Bestbuy isn’t releasing the Storm on Friday.
No, Best Buy releases on the 23rd.
I’m going to post below what I already posted on BGR. We all know of the software build issues that were out there, and I think it may have played a part in the delay of the special sale. If I’m going to be pissed off, it’s because I didn’t receive one of those invites in the mail. I use BB via VZW and I’m up for a new phone.
“Personally, I look at it as a soft release with their intention to possibly sell the devices if they had the final software build in the devices by that time. Chances are they probably felt confident in doing so, but left the verbiage loose in the ad just in case they didn’t meet the cutoff time. Still, a very risky move and dumb on their part, but the marketing is still effective since we’re all talking about it. The question that should be asked is…Will you not purchase the Storm now because you feel deceived?”
I doubt seriously that many people that went in thinking they were going to be able to buy a Storm and couldn’t, have no decided that they aren’t going to buy one at all.
Verizon is, and should however, take a PR hit on this. Those valued customers won’t be duped twice and this snafu will lower trust with the very customers that Verizon wants to keep.
I agree, but some people have expressed their deep anger because they took a vacation day, called in sick, etc. Ya never know. The ‘impression’ has left a bad taste in many peoples mouths. I just wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few that felt deeply deceived to walk away from the device based on principal.
Never think Verizon is good. So happy not be one.
Bluehorseshoe,
So now both BGR and RIMarkable are wrong since the facts posted don’t jive with you or your permanent rose colored glasses blurred view of verizon? They both should know better than to go posting the facts. Surprised you didn’t start calling them names like you do to others which post facts you can’t accept.
Again why the need for desperate excuses for verizon? Why not allow BGR and RIMarkable post the facts to both educate and use their sites to push for pro-consumer change? Instead of the desperate need to try to make excuses for verizon? Accept it verizon has again has purposely miss led and screwed it’s customers. Not just any customer but Blackberry customers, those who drive sales, those who are the first adopters. It’s things like this which also look bad on RIM, but as before that doesn’t matter (to you) as long as verizon can fool it’s subscribers right?
“If I’m going to be pissed off, it’s because I didn’t receive one of those invites in the mail. I use BB via VZW and I’m up for a new phone.”
Wow ego never sleeps. However we can’t really fault verizon for not getting such a self proclaimed “power user” an invite for their insincere, empty, Storm promotion.
Yet another verizon given strike against RIM and their flagship Storm model. No excuse for verizon continuing to make RIM Blackberry devices less than what they should be for consumers.
@ onoshedidnt
I only save my insults for you…wouldn’t think of going outside the box when it comes to offending you.
Amazing how you’ve gained quite the reputation on the boards now that you managed to get everyone to basically call you an idiot. Your schizophrenic personality and multiple handles are legendary. You twist words and change topic, but I believe that’s just due to your inability to comprehend anything, including the English language.
Verizon inverted the UPOD rule: underpromise and overdeliver. They overpromised (if only in an implied way) and underdelivered. They OPUD.
It would be interesting if we knew how many people received these invitations and then showed up. I have a feeling those impacted were a very small portion of the market that will want to buy the Storm.
Bluehorseshoe,
Sadly you still don’t get it’s not about others or you.
It’s not about your desperate attempts to change the topic to critiquing how others post.
It’s not about your constant childish name calling of others when you get upset that someone shares facts which you for some reason can’t handle and decide to throw a fit.
It’s sadly about your desperate attempt to excuse verizon’s anti-consumer actions, crippling, and just plain lack of consumer respect and common sense. Even to the point of making your posts (and yourself) look ignorant to those who know the facts.
No one cares, your childish posting games need to stop. Unlike you desperate posting for your ego, I could care less about a perceived “reputation” since what I post is based on fact, either good or bad. I don’t post to impress others, but if my posting of the facts can somehow educate others great. There is no excuse for service provider(s) playing games with it’s consumers, and playing crippling games with it’s consumers handsets.
There is no excuse for your name calling and lack of self control when it comes to what others post. You proved your fragile self yet again when even BGR and RIMarkable post the facts and then surprise surprise Bluehorseshoe gets upset and desperately tries to make excuses for verizon and it’s piss poor actions. You think verizon and RIM need your excuses for the anti-consumer actions? Your desperate games only prove who truly has the “schizophrenic personality” and who feels excuse are better than knowing the facts. Better to drop the ego posts and sit back and learn something for a change Bluehorseshoe.
Grow up.
There is no excuse for verizon’s playing games with consumers, especially it’s early adopters. There is no excuse for verizon crippling and forcing RIM to omit functions on it’s customers hardware. Bravo to BGR and RIMarkable for posting facts to educate consumers.
@ hellno…onoshedidnt, or whatever name is dominating you at this time…
You post, time and time again, the same rhetoric which is boring and brings nothing to the table. You claim about how VZW cripples a device. RIM doesn’t have to listen to VZW, but RIM will listen to their carriers because it’s good business. If VZW requested that Wifi, or any other piece not be added to the device, then it becomes even easier…something you may not be able to understand or comprehend…it’s called ‘choice’. You do not have to buy the device from VZW. You can choose to go with AT&T, TMO, or even Sprint if you’re that crazy (LOL…sorry Sprint users, couldn’t resist) and what they have to offer. That’s why we don’t have a monopoly in the sector, or any other for that matter. Others may select AT&T for other reasons. Or TMO, etc. I selected VZW because of their network, and no other reason. I don’t need Wifi, and certainly wouldn’t want any employees that are on the road to have Wifi when they have access to information that cannot be shared, or shouldn’t. Wifi causes a security issue, so bye bye Bold or any Curve on GSM. The BB is one of the most secure, if not the most secure device out there. If I needed wifi, then perhaps I wouldn’t be using VZW and would head over to AT&T or TMO.
It’s all about choice. You don’t like it, move on. You post and complain as if you’re attempting to brainwash people with your links, quotes, etc. You made your point, move on. It’s getting boring and worn out. And honestly, this is really about your disdain for VZW and the fact that you work for them…Marcus.
PS – You want to talk about crippling? Let’s talk about your iPhone and Apple. I’m an Apple fan and use a MBP as my main system, iPod in the bag, but lets be real, they are the biggest offenders of being restrictive. I call it like I see it. And if you want to take a walk down technology road, bring it on. But I warn you, you better bring your ‘A’ game.
And to anyone that wonders why I even respond to ‘Onoshedidnt / hellno’…it’s like a bad car accident. I just have to. It’s such a weakness, but almost like an obligation. Can’t even explain it.
bluehorseshoe,
You still wrong, but thanks yet again for proving your childish self to the rest of us. No games, no stump the bluehorseshoe games, you might as well post “bla bla bla” because that at this point that’s more to your intelligence.
There is no excuse for you and your poor posting. There is no excuse for verizon’s playing games with consumers, especially it’s early adopters. There is no excuse for verizon crippling and forcing RIM to omit functions on it’s customers hardware. Why your desperate attempts to excuse verizon? Your desperate excuse attempts are not only to what others post here but to the facts BGR and RIMarkable post too. Yet again it’s very clear who is not right about this or anything bluehorseshoe.
“It’s all about choice. You don’t like (what is posted), move on” please spare us from your never ending attempt’s of you thinking your a big shot and posting to some how boost a fragile reputation. Pathetic.
Grow up.
Also the iPhone sure doesn’t need your “power user” expert opinion. Apple and the iPhone have more than proven itself to the entire world and doesn’t need a desperate child’s bias and uneducated opinion. Why jack this thread from RIMarkable via BGR’s education of Verizon Private Sale Turning “Most Valued” Customers Into “Most Angry” Customers?
There is no excuse for verizon’s playing games with consumers, especially it’s early adopters. There is no excuse for verizon crippling and forcing RIM to omit functions on it’s customers hardware. Bravo to BGR and RIMarkable for posting facts to educate consumers.
onoshedidnt and bluehorseshoe…
Just STFU you guys!
God!
ono…
I’m going to call you out on what you preach. Tell me, and show me, how Verizon forced RIM to not include Wifi. Don’t want your banter, I want proof.
Please share with us all…
Here is the one and only warning. Stay on topic and cut out the personal attacks or you will be banned…
I just read on one of the blogs from someone who works for VZW that the intent was to release the device on 11/16, however that got pushed to 11/21. The invites were sent out just prior to the date change, with pricing still undecided, hence no price on the card for the Storm, but all the other devices.
Not sure how true it is, but it does make sense, and the ‘no price’ listed for the Storm actually worked out well since it can be used as an excuse that they’ve been advertising the Storm on almost every piece of material that VZW has been publishing recently.
I guess marketing played this one to go either way. CYA if this happens, CYA if that happens. Yet it was able to create an opposite response at the same time. I’m sure this is one example that will be used in future ‘Marketing 101’ classes.
I think that there is probably some truth to that. There is Best Buy flyer floating around that listed that they would carry the BlackBerry Storm on the 16th, however, a correction was later printed.
bluehorseshoe,
sadly this is not your place to “call” anything or “call” anybody out. Nice try yet again at acting like your someone, but in reality your no one. You fooling no one here. It’s a fact verizon cripples autonomous gps on it’s blackberry’s to force customer to purchase vznav or what ever the hell they call it. As for Wifi lets go with BGR and all his bias facts against blackberry shall we? That after all does tie into this thread right? Knowing the facts and the truth (instead of making lame excuses and childish personal attacks)
The real reason the BlackBerry Storm doesn’t have Wi-Fi or tri-band HSDPA
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/10/31/the-real-reason-the-blackberry-storm-doesnt-have-wi-fi-or-tri-band-hsdpa/
Like always no “banter” just educational “proof”.
So not only is verizon playing games and as their “Private Sale Turning “Most Valued” Customers Into “Most Angry” Customers” But now thanks to bluehorseshoe and his desperate attempts to make excuse for verizon’s anti-consumer, anti-RIM actions we have the answer (via BGR) why RIM was forced to omit industry standard WiFi and tri-band HSDPA from it’s Flagship Storm. Education and knowing the truth are so under rated. Sadly even through all the bluehorseshoe childish name calling, excuses and desperate attempts to cloud the discussions the truth always comes out.
Yet another verizon given strike against RIM and their flagship Storm model. No excuse for verizon continuing to make RIM Blackberry devices less than what they should be for consumers, or less than they should be for RIM. After all bluehorseshoe can’t go a thread without reminding all of us of the industry leading competition.
A blog is not a fact, and the one you listed is not only one of the most biased blogs out there, but it only points out to a high ranking person, who nobody knows, who provided this ‘information’.
There is no fact to what you linked. Just he said, she said. One can only speculate. Perhaps BGR should have asked his source for proof before posting such information.
Only about 1 more day and we can all see for ourselves if the Storm lives up to the hype… one can only hope so…
Review: New BlackBerrys cool but can’t beat iPhone
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hg5o_4-tmfEwpdwWxVZkNGUFhyKAD94IF0800
Hey Y’all. I am late adopter and natural addict to ATB, All things Blackberry.. and I just wanted to add my 2 sense, since the Storm season is here!
Bold, Storm, Curve, Pearl- each sounds like its own variety of luxury drug, and VRZ, TMO, ATT, are our dealers. I just wanted to Public Service Denouncement that hopefully brings everyone back to reality. As far as Onoshedidnt & Bluehorseshoes frienemy discourse, I would add this:
First off the RIM has attested to wanting to reconfigure the security bugs in the storm updated OS, before release “en mass” , so that their official reason for delays. However add credit to ONO, large U.S corporate firms typically attempt to sell mediocre and for lack of a better term “bullshit” as consumer options. I lived in Ohio practically all my life and relocated to Europe, both London and Madrid, and what I can tell you after be astounded by the food, work schedule, and la arquitectura marivilosa (marvelous) , I was stunned to find out that in most of Europe, China and Africa – Individuals buy the cellphone with the features they want , and then either purchase cellphone min via cards, or choose a carrier or in this case
Crackyberry dealer.
Thus it seems Europe and the rest of the world has done something we are still only catching on to – The unlocked phone, the unlocked mind.”
So yes, VRZ and TMO and ATT all have strict policies with RIM to provide different products that provide consumers “choice”. In reality, the real competition would have been releasing a “Storm” of Blackberries into the market with identical features – and seeing who really are the Most Valued Companies.
Verizon deceived its customers with the bologna hype of pre-release and then shoveled all its crap onto its customers in an effort of planned self-destruction. RIM is already dying in the water because it released defective hardware and knew it!!!!!