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Palm, Sprint don't expect large Pre lineups

updated 02:45 pm EDT, Thu June 4, 2009

Palm Sprint on Lineups

Both Palm and Sprint late Wednesday said that they don't expect, and may want to avoid, long queues for the Pre. The smartphone creator's spokeswoman Lynn Fox admits that Palm expects a slow build-up rather than an immediate rush and thus that crowded stores alone wouldn't work. Palm is "not like Apple" and can't expect to trigger the same behavior, she says.

Simultaneously, Sprint press representative Mark Elliott also dismissed the concern over long lineups and instead said his company was trying to curb those lines. By controlling the flow of customers, the provider can ensure that Pre buyers don't feel pressured and are more likely to enjoy their phones in the long term.

It's "not about having a line out the door," Elliott says. "It’s about being able to treat each customer and make sure they’re happy with their decision."

Either statement involves a moderate amount of spin from the two companies, both of whom expect a supply-driven shortage when the Pre goes on sale on Saturday. However, it also reflects the hurt reputations of the two firms and the absence of high-profile smartphones in their respective catalogs.

 
Previous Comments

Can you say...

06/04, 03:08pm reply

...lowered expectations? Cuz Palm and Sprint know what's up and that this is their last gasp into an already fairly mature smartphone market. Unfortunately for them, despite the tech media's seemingly gushing reviews the public won't be buying Pre's in enough volume to change the outlook for them.

shmoolie

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2002

0

RE: Can you say...

06/04, 03:10pm reply

Atleast they're honest about it... had they said the opposite you'd be complaining about something else.

bleee

Mac Enthusiast

Joined: Mar 2002

+3

Can you say...

06/04, 03:17pm reply

they're honest because it would be dumb of them to try and build up expectations. So what? Good for them and I'll give them one brownie point but it won't change the ultimate outcome.

shmoolie

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2002

0

haha

06/04, 04:03pm reply

Months of overt and attempts at viral advertising FAILED. You know why? No one wants simple web widgets pretending to be full featured apps, instead, lots of people are waiting for the new iPhone.

dliup

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2006

0

Ummm Sprint

06/04, 04:16pm reply

Plus who really uses or wants to use Sprint when there are providers like Verizon & AT&T. And AT&T has the iPhone.

eTron

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2008

+2

4 pre's per store

06/04, 04:29pm reply

With about 4 units per store they can't expect large lineups,

Peter Bonte

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

+2

Go Figure...

06/04, 05:51pm reply

Go figure Apple has an incredibly successful computer brand, an amazingly successful media player line, AND one of the hottest phones on the market... go figure they don't have the same sort of clout.

Salty

Professional Poster

Joined: Jul 2005

-1

Don't count the Pre out

06/04, 06:55pm reply

Mossberg just gave it a very good review. He carries a ton of weight with the average user. He also noted that Sprint's data network is much faster than AT&T's or Verizon's at this point.

Arty50

Grizzled Veteran

Joined: May 2000

+2

Turn by turn

06/04, 06:57pm reply

It also does turn by turn GPS, which the iPhone inexcusably doesn't do yet.

Arty50

Grizzled Veteran

Joined: May 2000

+3

arty

06/05, 09:26am reply

But, as the faithful love to say "Wait until the NEXT version and then we'll see!". Which, if anyone did that with any other product, they'd be accused of spreading FUD.

testudo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

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