Thunderbolt - Best Buy Availability/Pricing/Ordering Discussion
- Thread starter Phil Nickinson
- Start date
Made it into the store this morning shortly after they opened. The old guy at the mobile center desk had no clue about the Thunderbolt, if they were doing pre-orders, or even how to enter a pre-order. The younger gal came to help me while the old guy was trying to push a tablet sale to another customer, she too had no clue. Luckily, she had a copy of the circular in front of her and I was able to locate the spot for the TB. With the SKU in hand, she found record of it in inventory but didn't know how to place the pre-order. She ends up taking me to the customer service counter where they were able get the pre-order entered and got me setup with the $50 gift card for my deposit. Overall not the best customer experience, but I've been accustomed to not expecting too much from Best Buy.
While the lady was trying to figure out how to enter the pre-order, I snapped a picture of the pre-order inventory screen. There was a screen previous to this one which had 2/14 dates, but this one says the pre-order item leaves stock on 2/24. This tells me this is when the TB will be available, or at worst when they'll take pre-orders on back-orders from thier initial shipment or two.
Edit, sorry about the size of the picture and its (lack of) quality. It came right from my Pre and didn't get to clean it up any.
While the lady was trying to figure out how to enter the pre-order, I snapped a picture of the pre-order inventory screen. There was a screen previous to this one which had 2/14 dates, but this one says the pre-order item leaves stock on 2/24. This tells me this is when the TB will be available, or at worst when they'll take pre-orders on back-orders from thier initial shipment or two.
Edit, sorry about the size of the picture and its (lack of) quality. It came right from my Pre and didn't get to clean it up any.
That says the in stock date is the 10th and they expect to be out of stock by the 24th. That is when they will begin receiving the next shipment.
Made it into the store this morning shortly after they opened. The old guy at the mobile center desk had no clue about the Thunderbolt, if they were doing pre-orders, or even how to enter a pre-order. The younger gal came to help me while the old guy was trying to push a tablet sale to another customer, she too had no clue. Luckily, she had a copy of the circular in front of her and I was able to locate the spot for the TB. With the SKU in hand, she found record of it in inventory but didn't know how to place the pre-order. She ends up taking me to the customer service counter where they were able get the pre-order entered and got me setup with the $50 gift card for my deposit.
When I asked about getting a call, they told me that I would just have to show up -whenever- it does come into stock. Overall not the best customer experience, but I've been accustomed to not expecting too much from Best Buy.
When I asked about getting a call, they told me that I would just have to show up -whenever- it does come into stock. Overall not the best customer experience, but I've been accustomed to not expecting too much from Best Buy.
I just got off the phone with a Verizon representative. She informed me that I will still get the $100 credit on the upgrade, even if I get it @ Best Buy. Heading over to deposit later today. I also checked regarding plan prices, and she indicated my plan will be unchanged as I am on the current version of the plan and have the data pack already. 
went into BB.. they had no idea what i was talking about, so i directed them to the flyer.. they got me set up with a gift card and started a "pre-order" list.. apparently there is supposed to be some kind of form that they use to show who pre-ordered the device so they are guaranteed a phone, and that form hasn't shown up.
they were super helpful and such, but seriously best buy.. if you're going to advertise presales in your nationwide circular, you need to make sure the stores know what's going on and have what they need to make it happen. total failure on their part imho.
they were super helpful and such, but seriously best buy.. if you're going to advertise presales in your nationwide circular, you need to make sure the stores know what's going on and have what they need to make it happen. total failure on their part imho.
That is why I did my pre order with a gift card. I have nothing yo lose.
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Just returned from my local Best Buy and he said the initial release date was 2/14/11 however that has been pushed back to a now unknown date. He said they can't do preorders until they get a new release date and would not do it for me. 
Great Best Buy experience
I went to my local BB and of course they looked up my account to see if I was eligible, I was, and told them I was due a NE2 discount of 50 dollars, one manager and one phone call later they told me that they would apply the 50 bucks to my next bill...I walked out with my 50 dollar gift card and the presale info. They told me the 14th or the 16th and that I would get a phone call on whichever day it occurred. Easy.
gnewvel...btw I'm new around here and ditching my dreadful Dare.
I went to my local BB and of course they looked up my account to see if I was eligible, I was, and told them I was due a NE2 discount of 50 dollars, one manager and one phone call later they told me that they would apply the 50 bucks to my next bill...I walked out with my 50 dollar gift card and the presale info. They told me the 14th or the 16th and that I would get a phone call on whichever day it occurred. Easy.
gnewvel...btw I'm new around here and ditching my dreadful Dare.
I went to the Woodbridge, NJ and East Brunswick, NJ stores. Since I am paying full retail price on it they would not let me pre-order the TB "because of the risk of reselling". The Union, NJ store did let me pre-order it but I was told it was a limit of only one.
Thunderbolt Will Release 2/14 for $250?
I was the 2nd person to pre-order the Thunderbolt at my local Best Buy. The guy who helped me said that they will start selling the Thunderbolt on Valentine's Day (the 14th!). It will cost $200 more, or $250 altogether for people buying new service or ready for upgrade!
Hope this information helps!
I was the 2nd person to pre-order the Thunderbolt at my local Best Buy. The guy who helped me said that they will start selling the Thunderbolt on Valentine's Day (the 14th!). It will cost $200 more, or $250 altogether for people buying new service or ready for upgrade!
Hope this information helps!
The Union NJ store On 22?
Thats BS you had to go to almost all the BBs in the north central NJ area.:-!
This is a bunch of crap and I am officially sick of it.
I'll go get one when the Verizon store has them. It's not like they'll be out of stock, all Verizon gives a damn about until after next week is the iMetoo.
Don't reward bad behavior. Until Verizon can be a little more honest and forthcoming about this phone, I wouldn't give anybody a single dime. There's no excuse for the shell game that's going on.
I'll go get one when the Verizon store has them. It's not like they'll be out of stock, all Verizon gives a damn about until after next week is the iMetoo.
Don't reward bad behavior. Until Verizon can be a little more honest and forthcoming about this phone, I wouldn't give anybody a single dime. There's no excuse for the shell game that's going on.
Yes the one on rt 22. They were very helpful - they said they would call me during the week when the shipment comes in and would set up an appointment time on Monday for me to come in.
Cool. Keep us/me informed, I live a few towns over. if VZW will not have the TB by the 14th ill head up rt22 to BB from the Verizon store.
This is crazy what is the difference if you want to resell it. The fact is bb will not have it before Verizon the only thing this does is stop us from having to wait at Verizon the store by me is aweful. Also we will get one the day it comes put. Verizon has dropped the ball on the past. D incredible and d x. Some people had to wait for weeks.
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Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
I went to my best buy at 2pm today and I was the first one to preorder a thunderbolt ay that store.
They also checked and told me that they will honor the early upgrade for the ne2.
They also checked and told me that they will honor the early upgrade for the ne2.
50.00 is not going to break me, so i dont care when it comes out or how much the data or phone is. I hate Verizon corporate stores and will give my money to Best Buy gladly. And if I decide to wait ill buy some Blu rays or whatever. I'm first on the list in Tucson and can't wait!
I don't even think I would waste my time at the Verizon store. I called customer service yesterday and said they had no release date for the TB. Best buy said it was definitely the 14th. It looks like the Verizon store doesn't want to crowd its stores with iPhone and TB people at the same time.
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