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.
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
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Joined: May 2002
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
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
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Joined: May 2002
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
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Joined: Jan 2006
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
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Joined: Jun 2008
4 pre's per store
06/04, 04:29pm reply
With about 4 units per store they can't expect large lineups,
Peter Bonte
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Joined: Aug 2001
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
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
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
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
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Joined: Aug 2001