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Is that I have not seen a review of the Xoom anywhere. Has anybody else? Somehow Motorola was able to get a Xoom in Chad Ochocinco's hands a month ago but I haven't seen any evidence that Motorola has shipped review units to media members. Will we have to wait until after release on Thursday to see any reviews? This release has been so shady that I'm waiting until after I see a credible reviewer verify all of Motorola's claims before I consider purchasing.
Jrockttu said:
Is that I have not seen a review of the Xoom anywhere. Has anybody else? Somehow Motorola was able to get a Xoom in Chad Ochocinco's hands a month ago but I haven't seen any evidence that Motorola has shipped review units to media members. Will we have to wait until after release on Thursday to see any reviews? This release has been so shady that I'm waiting until after I see a credible reviewer verify all of Motorola's claims before I consider purchasing.
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There have been countless reviews. You mean you want an in-depth detailed review from someone who gets to use the device "in the wild". That is not out yet, and that is normal for a new device of this sort. The devices we have seen so far aren't ready for primetime, and we can only hope that the XOOM I pick up in 4 days is ready.
The release isn't shady, it's just a little rushed. They are trying to bring the device to market ASAP. Would you rather they push the release by a month and send out samples to reviewers? I think the review I put on YouTube will be better than most professional reviews, except for the methodical, if anecdotal, reviews Engadget and other upper echelon tech blogs post.
setite said:
There have been countless reviews. You mean you want an in-depth detailed review from someone who gets to use the device "in the wild". That is not out yet, and that is normal for a new device of this sort. The devices we have seen so far aren't ready for primetime, and we can only hope that the XOOM I pick up in 4 days is ready.
The release isn't shady, it's just a little rushed. They are trying to bring the device to market ASAP. Would you rather they push the release by a month and send out samples to reviewers? I think the review I put on YouTube will be better than most professional reviews, except for the methodical, if anecdotal, reviews Engadget and other upper echelon tech blogs post.
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I disagree. It is shady in the way they are forcing people to pay an extra $35 activation fee plus $20 min service just to activate WiFi. Yes, it is stated in the small print but still, bad business and shady in my mind.
keitht said:
I disagree. It is shady in the way they are forcing people to pay an extra $35 activation fee plus $20 min service just to activate WiFi. Yes, it is stated in the small print but still, bad business and shady in my mind.
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If you consider that Verizon has put money into this project, it's fair to expect them to make a profit on each unit. I think that they should have worked something out with Best Buy that allowed them to take a cut from the 800$, but the result would have been the tablet costing 850$.
Hasn't a rumor been floating around that buying direct from Verizon would require no activation? As counter-intuitive as that may sound, it tracks as Motorola is selling the XOOM 3G wholesale for 550$. So if BB sells it, they keep the 250$ difference, if Verizon sells it, they don't need you to pay for a month of service because they have already made 250$.
It's not shady, but arguably bad business from a consumer image angle. People who don't understand what is going on, or people who simply don't care will look poorly upon the policy. Knowing that there is a WiFi Only version for 200$ less down the road should assuage any issues. But you still have the right to be mad, even if it just gives you heartburn
setite said:
If you consider that Verizon has put money into this project, it's fair to expect them to make a profit on each unit. I think that they should have worked something out with Best Buy that allowed them to take a cut from the 800$, but the result would have been the tablet costing 850$.
Hasn't a rumor been floating around that buying direct from Verizon would require no activation? As counter-intuitive as that may sound, it tracks as Motorola is selling the XOOM 3G wholesale for 550$. So if BB sells it, they keep the 250$ difference, if Verizon sells it, they don't need you to pay for a month of service because they have already made 250$.
It's not shady, but arguably bad business from a consumer image angle. People who don't understand what is going on, or people who simply don't care will look poorly upon the policy. Knowing that there is a WiFi Only version for 200$ less down the road should assuage any issues. But you still have the right to be mad, even if it just gives you heartburn
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You sound like a lawyer It is bad business and consumers will speak with their wallets. This price point will not ultimately work. And we still do not know actual issues with the device including what is going on with the SD support. I was all excited about this before but now, I cannot see paying $900 without a single accessory.
keitht said:
You sound like a lawyer It is bad business and consumers will speak with their wallets. This price point will not ultimately work. And we still do not know actual issues with the device including what is going on with the SD support. I was all excited about this before but now, I cannot see paying $900 without a single accessory.
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Yup. I am planning to go to law school . I agree with you. I just have a habit of playing devil's advocate, and trying to inform other consumers so they don't get enraged and end up hurting themselves by getting angry and making sweeping statements they can't take back. Like when Steve Jobs got angry and committed to never having flash, and forever people like me who need flash can't buy an iPad.
setite said:
There have been countless reviews. You mean you want an in-depth detailed review from someone who gets to use the device "in the wild". That is not out yet, and that is normal for a new device of this sort. The devices we have seen so far aren't ready for primetime, and we can only hope that the XOOM I pick up in 4 days is ready.
The release isn't shady, it's just a little rushed. They are trying to bring the device to market ASAP. Would you rather they push the release by a month and send out samples to reviewers? I think the review I put on YouTube will be better than most professional reviews, except for the methodical, if anecdotal, reviews Engadget and other upper echelon tech blogs post.
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I haven't seen a single review, just a few hands-on impressions in a controlled environment. I want something that validates the 10 hour battery life and that tells me if the OS is buggy, etc.
I consider it a shady release for the reasons already covered in this thread. The $800 price tag is high, but reasonable, until you consider that it's a $200 premium for 3g/4g, you have to activate data to unlock wifi, and they'll charge you an activation fee of $35 any time you turn on the data. That last part is the biggest kick in the nuts. Motorola, Verizon, and the retailers are all trying to get their cut of the device and the consumers are the ones being punished.
Jrockttu said:
I haven't seen a single review, just a few hands-on impressions in a controlled environment. I want something that validates the 10 hour battery life and that tells me if the OS is buggy, etc.
I consider it a shady release for the reasons already covered in this thread. The $800 price tag is high, but reasonable, until you consider that it's a $200 premium for 3g/4g, you have to activate data to unlock wifi, and they'll charge you an activation fee of $35 any time you turn on the data. That last part is the biggest kick in the nuts. Motorola, Verizon, and the retailers are all trying to get their cut of the device and the consumers are the ones being punished.
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Agreed. The last part is indeed a true roshambo kick in the nards. I am quite cross about that particular detail as it sort of defeats the purpose of month to month, and makes no sense given my admittedly limited knowledge of how CDMA works. AFAIK all that should be necessary is an OTA provisioning of the tablet when you want to enable service. Something I do on a regular basis for my dad who goes through a new phone every 6 months. He buys crappy flip phones on ebay for 20$ and I activate them using a combination of the Verizon website and a # code on the phone. Easy Peasy, no cost. This makes it clear that they are trying to get you to just keep a minimal data plan month to month, because without a gap of 2 months or more, you will be paying more in the grand scheme if you pay an activation fee each time you lapse. It's almost like a late fee.
Jrockttu said:
I haven't seen a single review, just a few hands-on impressions in a controlled environment. I want something that validates the 10 hour battery life and that tells me if the OS is buggy, etc.
I consider it a shady release for the reasons already covered in this thread. The $800 price tag is high, but reasonable, until you consider that it's a $200 premium for 3g/4g, you have to activate data to unlock wifi, and they'll charge you an activation fee of $35 any time you turn on the data. That last part is the biggest kick in the nuts. Motorola, Verizon, and the retailers are all trying to get their cut of the device and the consumers are the ones being punished.
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It's up the the manufacturer to release the reviewers from the NDA and let them post reviews. The sheer number of developers that have the Xoom is proof that reviewers have had them for a while. Usually reviews don't come out until the device is actually for sale.
Jrockttu said:
Is that I have not seen a review of the Xoom anywhere. Has anybody else? Somehow Motorola was able to get a Xoom in Chad Ochocinco's hands a month ago but I haven't seen any evidence that Motorola has shipped review units to media members. Will we have to wait until after release on Thursday to see any reviews? This release has been so shady that I'm waiting until after I see a credible reviewer verify all of Motorola's claims before I consider purchasing.
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There have been Atrix reviews out for a while, but so far, it's been mum on the Xoom. It doesn't make much sense to me either.
That said, I think "shady" is the wrong word. I would use "bizarre". Everything about this has been bizarre, and the fact that nobody even knows when the thing is being released just flabbergasts me. Most launches include things like, you know, release dates, prices, venues, etc.... Right now, the only thing we know for certain is that it will be available at Best Buy in late February for $800, and we haven't known that stuff for very long.
However much I dislike Apple, Steve Jobs would never have let something like this happen... unless we're talking about the mythical white iPhone 4.
Xevilious said:
There have been Atrix reviews out for a while, but so far, it's been mum on the Xoom. It doesn't make much sense to me either.
That said, I think "shady" is the wrong word. I would use "bizarre". Everything about this has been bizarre, and the fact that nobody even knows when the thing is being released just flabbergasts me. Most launches include things like, you know, release dates, prices, venues, etc.... Right now, the only thing we know for certain is that it will be available at Best Buy in late February for $800, and we haven't known that stuff for very long.
However much I dislike Apple, Steve Jobs would never have let something like this happen... unless we're talking about the mythical white iPhone 4.
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It's just an amazing failure of a launch. It boggles my mind that they can come off of their "Best of CES" performance and get nothing but bad press thereafter. How can they not effectively communicate the price and release dates across media and retailers? Even after Sanjay Jha confirmed the price, the price still isn't listed on the official Xoom website! So much potential wasted. I'm an Apple hater, but nobody can deny that they know how to run a product launch and these other companies need to take notes every June.
Jrockttu said:
It's just an amazing failure of a launch. It boggles my mind that they can come off of their "Best of CES" performance and get nothing but bad press thereafter. How can they not effectively communicate the price and release dates across media and retailers? Even after Sanjay Jha confirmed the price, the price still isn't listed on the official Xoom website! So much potential wasted. I'm an Apple hater, but nobody can deny that they know how to run a product launch and these other companies need to take notes every June.
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Exactly correct. Motorola could stand to take several lessons from Apple, mainly marketing.
i walked it at 5:00 pm they had about 30 galaxy tabs of all flavors. I was the only one who ad bought one in two days. They were sold out of all ipads except 64gb Verizon models.
Who cares, to each their own. I drove all the way to Buffalo just to pick one up from Toronto. (First to get it in the Best Buy) haha.
Ipad will always sell more than the galaxy tab 10.1
Apple has perfect marketing.
So, you checked for 2 days or a BB sales man told you so?
When I read the topics here some BB's sales men don't even know they are selling Tabs
If anything the bee's are just really started making honeycomb.
A first proper start of Honeycomb tablet sales have started with the Asus Transformer. It's really picking up here in the Netherlands, most popular tablet on a big dutch site, where the Tab 10.1 has not been lauched.
I had to wander around a bit before finding the display (was set off on the other side of the Apple section, away from the other tablets/computers). Seems they were pretty popular though. They were out of both 32gb models and out of the white 16gb. Guy said I snagged the last Metallic 16gb (But of course whether he was just saying that is questionable). Down in Destin, FL so at least here in the white sands they are pretty popular.
there was a cage full of tabs and some sitting on the shelf. They had 30 tabs delivered a day late I counted 30. There were two guys arguing about purchasing a returned ipad2.
We have five Best Buys here in Jacksonville - all of them have the 10.1 in stock.. 32 and 16gb both colors.
iPad is definately more popular in my city.
Frankly like Sighx says, who cares. I'd rather question: send some to Europe asap
Sent from my 7 Trophy T8686 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Cool story, bro.
This isn't a whine - I'm patiently waiting to get one when they are in stock - but I'm just a bit amazed at how the situation is unfolding with BB.
No store anywhere in Silicon Valley (or in northern California for that matter) has ever received any 32GB versions (they all received a small batch of only one of the 2 16GB colors - the color varies by store), and most of them gave all of their initial stock of those 16GB versions to people who pre-ordered them (but there are a scant few still in stores). And now they are fielding questions right and left about not having any stock. I imagine they'll put up a recorded message before the phone menu any day now just like they do for the iPad availability. This isn't a case of a huge sellout on day one, they are all complaining that they only originally received a handful and they were only of one of the 2 16GB versions. And the SF store has some egg on its face (almost literally) with the huge window on the front of the store sporting an enormous banner that implies that "this is the place to get your Samsung Galaxy Tab!" (or maybe not)... ;-)
And you could walk into any Microcenter or Frys in the area and get the flavor you wanted for at least 2 days (and some within 40 miles still have stock in most of the models even today) and they didn't need a big banner to advertise their stock (or lack thereof). Wasn't BB the launch partner with the special exclusive one week deal for NY - why is that the only store I can't get the right model in?
Between the huge number of (unfilled) preorders here and the number of phone calls they are getting currently and the fact that this is one of the seats of the computer industry in the country, you'd have thought they'd send at least one single 32GB version to some store here somewhere? But, no.
Wow, talk about missing the boat. Who at BB corporate managed to mess up the distribution this badly? At least I believe that the majority of tablet users are clear enough on what they want that they'll wait for it and the bad distribution choices won't really cost them a huge opportunity in the end, but if they didn't have enough to go around and they sent them mainly to places that don't know how to market them rather than one of the few places you know they'd walk off the shelves without any help from the sales staff (or the now tragically ironic huge banners) - that wasn't a complicated decision, no?
I'm waiting it out. I have a Xoom in the meantime whose days are numbered, but I'm waiting to take advantage of some rewardzone certificates at BB when someone eventually wakes up and sends some 32GB versions to the NoCal stores. Giggling a little, but with a frown.
Sales will be lukewarm at best. You need price point and ad money to sell things. Verizon saved android from a slow death in the phone market with its Droid campaign. Unless someone pumps serious money into tablet ads they'll continue to flounder. Outside of BB posters Noone has a clue what a galaxy tab is nor will they unless Samsung pushes hard.
Superior products don't equal better sales we all know that.
I had one on pre-order with BB but it was back ordered. I did a search and my local store had the 32g in stock. I picked it up and everything is working great. All I would like to see is more streaming capability
xManMythLegend said:
Sales will be lukewarm at best. You need price point and ad money to sell things. Verizon saved android from a slow death in the phone market with its Droid campaign. Unless someone pumps serious money into tablet ads they'll continue to flounder. Outside of BB posters Noone has a clue what a galaxy tab is nor will they unless Samsung pushes hard.
Superior products don't equal better sales we all know that.
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Well, in my Best Buy they are mostly morons, with a few cretins and idiots thrown in for good measure! I went in to buy a 10.1 Tab (already own the 7) and asked if they had any - one BB salesdrone said maybe but none on display. I said "do you know this is Father's Day and your website says their in stock- the drone just shrugged - I asked another if they expected someone to lay down $600 site unseen - same reaction.
Is it any wonder BB sales were down 16% last quarter?
docfreed said:
Well, in my Best Buy they are mostly morons, with a few cretins and idiots thrown in for good measure! I went in to buy a 10.1 Tab (already own the 7) and asked if they had any - one BB salesdrone said maybe but none on display. I said "do you know this is Father's Day and your website says their in stock- the drone just shrugged - I asked another if they expected someone to lay down $600 site unseen - same reaction.
Is it any wonder BB sales were down 16% last quarter?
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That, and they charge $20 for one SATA cable. No sympathy from me when they die.
falconeight said:
i walked it at 5:00 pm they had about 30 galaxy tabs of all flavors. I was the only one who ad bought one in two days. They were sold out of all ipads except 64gb Verizon models.
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It all depends where you located I guess.
Here in NYC it's been selling like cupcakes according to the sales guys and personal observation. When I went to pick mine up a couple asked me if it was an ipad2, after seeing it wasn't they were next in line to get it.
After I discovered a flaw with the screen and went to exchange it in a Brooklyn's best buy there were three other interested costumers.
sent from an android device
Mabye it has something to do with this tablet having more lag than a hippo springing in molasses. I can't type on this thing because it lags so hard. I am going to hold on to it because I hate ios but it really sucks.
Best buy showed stock but turned out they were sold out. They were willing to pricematch to match no tax on Amazon if I would preorder through them
james_f said:
Best buy showed stock but turned out they were sold out. They were willing to pricematch to match no tax on Amazon if I would preorder through them
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Went to a couple of BB in NY.
One of them (Houston in the Village/ Soho) I asked about the tab and they said ' we have it but we didn't put it out'. I asked why, the guy had no clue.
They have zero accessories.
Went to the one on 6th ave and 23rd st (very big store). First BB employee said 'Yes we have it don't move I will be right back'. She never came back.
Second one said "accessories are there" pointing to the Xoom. I told her that's the Xoom, she said well that's all its left.
To make a long story short, I found the Tab and the accessories myself.
This is just to tell you that if BB employees tell you something it's usually 99% INACCURATE. Ask at least 5 different employees, or even better, do your own research in the store and you will find what you are looking for.
Fact is the average Joe wanting a tablet will just go ipad. It is easy well made tons of apps. Samsung is offering a nice alternative but without any real differentiation. No built-in expansion. No keyboard dock liked the Asus. Price point is no better than the ipad. Honeycomb is not mature enough yet to steal potential ipad buyers so one needs some extra hardware goodies line USB port or dock or HDMI and importantly better price point.
Sell Samsung at 449 and then people start to consider it. Make it 399-429$ and many will pass on the ipad.
rubi76 said:
Went to a couple of BB in NY.
One of them (Houston in the Village/ Soho) I asked about the tab and they said ' we have it but we didn't put it out'. I asked why, the guy had no clue.
They have zero accessories.
Went to the one on 6th ave and 23rd st (very big store). First BB employee said 'Yes we have it don't move I will be right back'. She never came back.
Second one said "accessories are there" pointing to the Xoom. I told her that's the Xoom, she said well that's all its left.
To make a long story short, I found the Tab and the accessories myself.
This is just to tell you that if BB employees tell you something it's usually 99% INACCURATE. Ask at least 5 different employees, or even better, do your own research in the store and you will find what you are looking for.
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You are very right. Salesmen told me it was instock. Then not, sold me hard on getting a pre-order. Promised to match price to amazon, 500 otd. Another girl rings up preorder, rings at full price. Leave store with promise it will be corrected upon pickup. Pulling up at the house, receive e-mail saying Tab ready to pick up.
Fail. Then had to wait on hold for 30 minutes to verify this was correct before I head back over.
Hi Friends,
Any body tried this website cell2getdotcom. Gnote over there is 620usd plus free shipping and i have found a 25usd coupon as well. When i applied the coupon it was redeemed successfully, but i didnt go on with completing the order. Anybody ever bought anything from them.
I will call them in the morning to find out if they have any retail location. Google customer reviews are good and one customer was referring to a retail location in newyork.
Damn that's a good price. Lowest on Amazon is $699 right now. Tempted to pull trigger on this but still hesitant after returning my first gnote for screen issues. Let us know if you talk to them tomorrow...
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda premium
the review is somewhat mixed for the site :x but ppl do get the phone they ordered. some come in perfect, some are locked, some are refurbished etc... so it's a gamble i guess. But since the note is still quiet new now, chance for a refurbished phone is pretty rare i suppose.
drjoeamberd said:
Hi Friends,
Any body tried this website cell2getdotcom. Gnote over there is 620usd plus free shipping and i have found a 25usd coupon as well. When i applied the coupon it was redeemed successfully, but i didnt go on with completing the order. Anybody ever bought anything from them.
I will call them in the morning to find out if they have any retail location. Google customer reviews are good and one customer was referring to a retail location in newyork.
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Google cell2get + fraud.....
i will let everybody know tomorrow. If they have a pickup option in case they have a retail store in newyork, I can go and pick it up.
drjoeamberd said:
i will let everybody know tomorrow. If they have a pickup option in case they have a retail store in newyork, I can go and pick it up.
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Definitely post back, please. I'd do a pickup too. But from their online rep, I'd wouldn't be surprised by bait 'n switch tactics. Most of the "good" comments are obviously manufactured - eg
Nice company to do business with. I don’t do reviews too often but felt compelled to share my overwhelmingly positive experiences so far these past four purchases. I just want to let everyone know that if you like shopping the old-fashioned way, then this is the way to go, with these folks!
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Be careful!
I don't like the website it seems like they have everything.
Be very cautious of NYC based electronics websites. Unless it's a B&H Photo or other recognized business.
PATIENCE is the key. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by waiting awhile.
Prices will go down, Development will be more matured, Many more used devices to chose from. Maybe something new comes out that's better. I have never been an early adopter. I respect those who are and love being the first on the block. I have saved hundreds and had far less headache waiting a while. Just bought the wife's SGS II used for $400 with a lot of accessories chargers and batteries, I bought mine used, Warranty new was not an option in the US anyway, May as well buy from someone who made it work for them.
Probably buy a used Note as well.. in a few months or when I see used prices below $500.
I ordered through cell2get, after reading reviews I was nervous. Online it says nothing about being out of stock but after making the charge and ordering it I received an email thanking me for my order. About 2 hours later i received another email stating they were out of stock. The money is still "pending" and I have not been refunded yet.
Edit: After 5 days my money has been refunded to my account.
"Cell2Get is one of the Nation’s largest cell phone retailers and is generally regarded as offering the best contract-free phone deals on the web"
Orrrrr, they could be a crappy fly by night store in Brooklyn that I've never even heard of (I'm from the area). That quote was from their "about" page. Dishonest on the page, dishonest to the customer's face.
Yep, i was on the verge of placing my order until i read the reviews and changed my mind.
Got it on craigslist factory sealed last week for 670 cash. Probably the cheapest you can find
And don't forget to send the link to the cell2get price to convince the craigslist seller to drop the asking price Works like a charm
Or use that link for anyone who promises price matches.
I apologize in advance if this isn't appropriate for this forum, please move it as appropriate.
I got my Fire a couple weeks back, rooted it and am enjoying the gedeROM. Now my wife wants one. She has a regular Kindle for reading but she also wants GMail & Google Calendar, so I'd like to get her one and tweak it so she can have what she wants.
So I'm watching Ebay and I'm astonished to see used Fire's commonly going for $170-$180. I've seen more then a few have Buy It Now prices of over $200 and I've actually seen a few over $300 WTF. I've seen broken Fire's going for $80. More proof of the sucker born every minute saying.
I'll keep watching that site, as much for entertainment as any hope of getting a decent deal as well was watching Craigslist.
I've also started researching getting a lower tier Android tablet and giving the wife my Fire. There are bunches in the $90-$200 range. My biggest issue is (other then the quality) how much I like this community and how active, creative and knowledgeable the regulars are, especially the ones creating the tools, rom's and kernals. From what I've seen, nothing else comes close to this level of activity for the lower tier tablets.
Anyone else have thoughts on this, maybe traveled a similar path?
Go for a refurbished one if they have them on Amazon. They get the same warranty as a new one and if used are going for that much on Ebay you may as well get one with a warranty that cost the same and is easy to return.
Yes, refurbished is definitely a great deal - at $139 with full warranty I'm very happy.
It was a great deal and I would have jumped on it but I missed it by a week. They only put them out occasionally.
You might want to check Craigslist as well. In my area they regularly are listed there from between $100-150. Not only that, but you can play with it a little before you hand over the money (insert that's what she said comment here)... if you get it from someone local to your area.
ExploreMN said:
You might want to check Craigslist as well. In my area they regularly are listed there from between $100-150. Not only that, but you can play with it a little before you hand over the money (insert that's what she said comment here)... if you get it from someone local to your area.
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Yeah, I am checking Craigslist, and yes, reason is more prevalent
Would really be nice to see Amazon come back with the refurbs again though. I have a much higher level of confidence, not to mention the price.
http:// http://androidheadlines.com/2013/05/htc-one-still-not-selling-as-well-as-the-galaxy-s4.html
It's interesting reading this article and the readers posts.
From my experience unless your buying an iPhone or Samsung the sales assistant does not know a thing and will guide you to either if you ask for anything but these 2 brands?
If I try and buy accessories for my HTC One it's almost near impossible as well.
Yesterday I was in Bluewater shopping center in Kent, now until Westfield opened it was the largest shopping center in europe.
I walked from one end of it to the other and there's 2x carphone warehouse, 2x phones4u, 1x EE, 2X O2, 1x Vodafone, 1x independent phone shop.
Now I kid you not I just wanted a replacement case for my phone, no one and I mean no one had one!
What they did have mind is racks of s4 cases! But ironic as it is they didn't have any s4 phones!
When I did enquire they just brushed me off and always gave a negative passing comment.
This I would like to think would not be having a negative effect on their sales but I can bet is has? When I upgraded the sale assistant was 'advising' me to wait 4 weeks for the new Samsung handset as it would be 'worth the wait'.
Has anyone else had experiences like this?
My local cpw prefered the one over the Sony I went in to look at. They suggested waiting for an iphone, I wasn't interested. They only had the car holder available for the one, no cases or anything else. The car holder I bought for £14 less from ebay, shopping around helps.
The shop didn't have a real one as a demo unit, so I bought it without seeing one. Glad I did though
jiggle_ said:
My local cpw prefered the one over the Sony I went in to look at. They suggested waiting for an iphone, I wasn't interested. They only had the car holder available for the one, no cases or anything else. The car holder I bought for £14 less from ebay, shopping around helps.
The shop didn't have a real one as a demo unit, so I bought it without seeing one. Glad I did though
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I have to agree with both of the above comments. I tried cancelling my contract via retentions and wanted to ask for deals on the HTC one. All I gotwas deals on cheap ass phones and when I asked about deals on the HTC one they realised I wanted something high end and said I could pre order the s4 or the iPhone is a good phone. I was like.... No .... I'm interested in the HTC one. Sure enough any "deals" were the same as a new customer could get by goinng through the website! Needless to say I got my Pac code and left.
The retentions guy and subsequent calls had no interest in offering the HTC one at all and like mentioned above. It's either Samsung or iPhone they offer people. Unless people see the one for themselves and don't get swade by the sales people HTC will miss a lot of sales due to the sales pitch of customer reps pushing other brands instead of being impartial like they claim to be!!
Can anyone tell us whether commission or sales bonuses etc have a bearing on this?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Yes I noticed this too, already when I was deciding on buying a desire and wanted to see some all sales assistants always wanted to show me the sgs too.
Anyway Samsung is smart I saw they make a lot of accessories for their phones too. I still haven't found a pouch for my One and indeed lots of accessories for the sgs4 even when it hadn't even been released.
One assistant though assured me none of the pouches would fit because he had tried them for his own One.
jamiee6610 said:
Has anyone else had experiences like this?
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It's a shop assistant.
It knows less than you do but is convinced that it knows more.
See also record shops and hi-fi shops.
Clothes shop assistants are the opposite because they always know you look a total spunt in what you've chosen to wear but will never tell you.
Avoid shop assistants.
Maybe we should make HTC aware of our experiences if this is happening to us I wonder how many more it happened to?
Surely this has to be having some impact on their sales?
I was in Carphone Warehouse the other day; a couple in front of me were wanting to Upgrade there HTC Incredible S, first of all the assistant kept calling it the One S, obviously not having a clue what phone they were on about. Secondly the couple said they were preferable looking for another HTC and the assistant came out with "oh I wouldn't bother, Samsung is what everyone wants and should have now" and tried to tie them down to a S2 for 2 years.
This isn't the first time I've seen Carphone Warehouse and there Samsung biased. It's ridiculous. After they were gone and I finally got served, I told her the One was the best phone I'd ever used and not everyone "wants a Samsung" she didn't have much to say this time around.
UOKM8 said:
I was in Carphone Warehouse the other day; a couple in front of me were wanting to Upgrade there HTC Incredible S, first of all the assistant kept calling it the One S, obviously not having a clue what phone they were on about. Secondly the couple said they were preferable looking for another HTC and the assistant came out with "oh I wouldn't bother, Samsung is what everyone wants and should have now" and tried to tie them down to a S2 for 2 years.
This isn't the first time I've seen Carphone Warehouse and there Samsung biased. It's ridiculous. After they were gone and I finally got served, I told her the One was the best phone I'd ever used and not everyone "wants a Samsung" she didn't have much to say this time around.
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This behaviour is quiet concerning, I took the time to email them yyesterday after reading the replies.
I have to ask how damaging must this been to a company like HTC who right now are on the ropes?
Well its taken 4 high streets, 1 retail park and 2 shopping centres but i managed to find a case!
O2 had 3 in stock, they said the only get a few at a time because of lack of interest, again asked why didnt i wait for the SG4?
I remembered after I posted, I went to cpw 3 times altogether, first time I was told the phone was free with the contract I wanted. But my gf was moaning so we left. I went back just before the shop closed but then found I needed to pay a bit towards it. I didn't have any money on me.
I went back the following morning, the nice girl told me they where out of stock. I said you had them last night when you closed, can you check.
The nice girl came back with the phone I wonder how many other customers where turned away. If I hadn't insisted they had them I would have left without it.
HTC could do with better support from retailers
Samsung offer very large subsidies/rewards to retailers who sell their phones especially the flagship model which is maybe why everyone gets redirected to those phones. Also HTC brand awareness is not as strong as Samsung or Apple whose marketing budget is ridiculous! Samsung have released several adverts for the S4, especially in America where as I can only just remember the HTC one advert.
I know HTC in America have started offering vouchers or cash back to customers who buy their phone so may be more ONES will be sold in the future.
posted from a month ago, but While I was at the At&t store, Really surprised how:
A): not a single person was looking at the 3 HTC ones they had displayed -the guy couldn't even find them through the sea of other phones. I barely noticed them and showed him where they were - after I finally found them. No one there seemed to know anything about the phone either. Was there for an hour and NO ONE (except me) even looked at one and there were probably 30-40 people there. Funny thing is i thought there would be a crowd and id have to fight for one. SADLY was a breeze. This was the first week they were out.The store was litered with samsung, apple and LG.
And B): the ONE display was facing the back of the store and was no where even remotely visible to anyone that could walk in. Not even noticeable unless you knew that the phone was aluminum and knew exactly what you were looking for.
you expect too much from these shops
its like expecting camera advice in pcworld
they have heaps of phones and want to sell the latest, because these have the highest margins
the CPW i went into were quite sanguine about the one vs s4, the assistant said the one is nicer and they were roughly selling 50/50
i eventually bought it from a phones4u as it was cheaper and they weren't umming and arring about selling one off contract
There are two things about this issue.
First of all, not all of the sellers have tech knowledge good enough and yes it doesn't make sense. BUT, it is kinda understandable. I mean, there will be someone else there who can help you.
But what really annoys me had happened to me a few days ago. I was in a biiiig techmarket, comparing XZ, S4 and One, and some stupid sales assistant came and was like "omg why are you checking them just buy s4 rest is crap"
Even if what he said was true, this was the most annoying thing i've ever heard from a sales assistant. You are only there to inform, noone cares about your subjective comments. I'd have fired him right away.
Two largest T-mobile centres here and another operator (3 total) never heard of One, still don't have it and don't know when will it arrive. They all redirect me to information about One S, SV, etc.
People are raging like nuts here, spamming T-mobile and HTC pages on Facebook, etc.
Consequences of bad marketing...
I work at Cpw and I do my best to promote the one. We only have two types of cases and at least 6 different for the s4
verminatorno5 said:
I work at Cpw and I do my best to promote the one. We only have two types of cases and at least 6 different for the s4
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The sales assistant that helped me with my One today complained about same thing. He said that HTC One is the "not so popular" big gun. He said they don't have any accessories yet, not even from HTC.
Oh well, at least the phone is sooo good this time.
I just picked up my One yesterday.
I walked into the Telus store and asked the salesman what he would recommend in an android phone and the first one he showed me was the HTC One!
Also the Nexus 4 was recommended as well.
He barely mentioned the SG4. It was tucked away with the rest of the phones but the One was right in front of the door as you walked in and couldn't miss it if you tried.
When asked what phone he would use, he picked the HTC One.
Things are looking up.