Essential for $450 at Best Buy...

[raqball]

Just a head up for those still undecided. I was poking around Best Buy's website and found this deal. $449.99 and they offer Black and White with free shipping.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...%2F5973001.p%3FskuId%3D5973001&token=Rs1SM3m2

 

[gibsonb2]

Dang... There are quickly becoming ZERO reasons not to buy this phone.

 

[modifier]

Nice. That's low enough to counter sales tax compared to buying direct.

 

[raqball]

Nice. That's low enough to counter sales tax compared to buying direct.

I'll probably contact Essential and have them cancel my order then pick one up from BB. No sense wasting $50... I live in CA so Essential charged me sales tax..

 

[modifier]

I'll probably contact Essential and have them cancel my order then pick one up from BB. No sense wasting $50... I live in CA so Essential charged me sales tax..

Ask if they'll price match and to cancel your order if they won't. That might be easier.

 

[raqball]

Yeah I sent them an email.. Will see what they say.

 

[DominionRoofs]

Thanks very much for the heads up. I just placed my order for the white. Also, sent in a return request for my Pixel 2 XL. I will be saving exactly $529. Yeah, I can live with an inferior camera and a tad less speed for that!

 

[Wildo6882]

Man, this is getting REALLY compelling. I’ve been debating between this, a Pixel 2, or the iPhone X. I’m usually one to try to have the latest and greatest, but the money savings on this thing is really starting to make sense over those other two phones. Man, what to do?!

 

[DominionRoofs]

Man, this is getting REALLY compelling. I’ve been debating between this, a Pixel 2, or the iPhone X. I’m usually one to try to have the latest and greatest, but the money savings on this thing is really starting to make sense over those other two phones. Man, what to do?!

If you're use to the latest and greatest, I would buy one of the other phones. I think you have to go into this phone sorta knowing you're not getting the best as far as camera and possibly performance

 

[modifier]

If you're use to the latest and greatest, I would buy one of the other phones. I think you have to go into this phone sorta knowing you're not getting the best as far as camera and possibly performance

Performance is fine. Camera isn't that bad now. You really need to buy one and try it with your own apps. I demoed a 2 XL at Best Buy and learned nothing since I couldn't install my own apps and use it like a daily driver. That makes all the difference.

 

[Wildo6882]

If you're use to the latest and greatest, I would buy one of the other phones. I think you have to go into this phone sorta knowing you're not getting the best as far as camera and possibly performance

The camera is also the only thing holding me back. And although I said I like the latest and greatest, I have been using a 6s Plus for almost two years now. It’s slow and the camera sucks compared to today’s standards. But it honestly takes fine pictures most of the time.

 

[andrew_ackley]

I went to Amazon where I bought mine to see about a price match and I noticed only third party sellers sell it. This is starting to feel like a sell-off. Thoughts?

 

[DominionRoofs]

Amazon is sold out of their own stock. I think it's just the price reduction that did it.

 

[raqball]

I went to Amazon where I bought mine to see about a price match and I noticed only third party sellers sell it. This is starting to feel like a sell-off. Thoughts?

Amazon is probably just out of stock after the price drop. I assume once they get stock it will show again as ships and sold by Amazon.. They do this often with other products..

On another note, Essential is saying they can't cancel my order that has not shipped yet. Not a good start to my ordering process to be sure. I asked if they'd price match BB and have not gotten a response yet.

Edit to add: Essential just wrote me back re: price match and here was their response.

Thank you for your follow up.

Unfortunately, we will not price match any re sellers pricing.

Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Cathy
Essential Customer Experience Team

Meh!

Their solution is for me to contact them after I have the tracking # and they will start a return then have me refuse delivery. Certainly NOT a customer friendly experience..

 

[modifier]

They ship directly from Foxconn in China. Once an order is in process it's on the way. It's not ideal but they're a small company and don't have the logistics of larger phone manufacturers. It is what it is for now.

 

[raqball]

I'm not really that concerned over the $50 and it's more the point.

They won't or can't cancel which is a waste of their resources to tie up customer service with an unneeded return. They will also waste their cost to ship to me and then to ship back to them after I refuse it.

Add to that, mine has been 'Processing' since Thursday so I don't buy that it's already on the way. As a small startup then one thing that they could have going for them would be above and beyond customer service. They don't. I understand them not price matching BUT they could have offered something to make up the difference. A coupon code that I could use later to buy forthcoming accessories, something...

It is what it is but I don't see this company making long term with this type of service and support.

I more than likely will just eat the $50 difference and let the order ride and arrive but it has left a bad taste in my mouth...

 

[modifier]

Add to that, mine has been 'Processing' since Thursday so I don't buy that it's already on the way.

I've ordered three times from Essential. It ships long before the website gets updated. Depending on what time you ordered on Thursday you'll probably get tracking info tomorrow.

Yes, returning and re-ordering is a waste of time but they don't have the resources or logistics to do it any other way. The company has about 100 people. That's just how it is.

 

[raqball]

I've ordered three times from Essential. It ships long before the website gets updated. Depending on what time you ordered on Thursday you'll probably get tracking info tomorrow.

Yes, returning and re-ordering is a waste of time but they don't have the resources or logistics to do it any other way. The company has about 100 people. That's just how it is.

I'll report back after I get the tracking as that will show when FedEx / UPS took possession of it.

 

[cz9h3d]

I bought white via Amazon last week, and got 10% off due to one day late in shipping, so $449. Also, they will split payments into 5 months, which what attractive.
So far I'm liking the phone. Still getting use to the "small" big screen vs. my Nexus 6P. It's much faster (of course).
I would love to have a "perfect" camera (i.e. iPhone X or Pixel 2), but certainly not at twice the price! Seems as good as my 6P was.

 

[raqball]

Amazon has awesome customer service.. Essential could learn a lot from that. I get it that they are a small startup but stellar customer service is one area they have complete control over and it's average, if even that...