Thunderbolt Pre Announcement Waiting Room & Availability Thread.

[Chris Kerrigan]

Verizon definitely doesn't want to distract from it's iPhone launch, and let's face it, Apple wouldn't appreciate it too much either (not that the Thunderbolt is going to deter it all that much to begin with).

 

[Chrisy]

Makes sense. And I'm kind of glad it's not hyped like the iPhone. This way I don't have t worry about VZW running out of stock!

I'm so excited now!

 

[Jaguarr40]

Verizon definitely doesn't want to distract from it's iPhone launch, and let's face it, Apple wouldn't appreciate it too much either (not that the Thunderbolt is going to deter it all that much to begin with).

+1
Agreed. If you have your mind set on an Android phone period and you know that is where you are headed no matter what device you wind up with be it tbolt, Bionic or other the iphone launch is going to be massive, stores will run out, Apple retail stores will be flooded for several months and then things will calm down. At that point except for maybe the anticipated Feb. launch of the tbolt and shortly thereafter Bionic all the stores will be stormed again for these so it is for sure a WIN WIN for VZW.

 

[mclarryjr]

Makes sense. And I'm kind of glad it's not hyped like the iPhone. This way I don't have t worry about VZW running out of stock!

I'm so excited now!

I still would try to get to the Verizon or BB the day of the release just to be safe.

 

[easyrun99]

Wouldn't VZW want to space the TBolt out so that iPhone 4 purchasers cannot return for this phone?

 

[TBolt2011]

I still would try to get to the Verizon or BB the day of the release just to be safe.

I didn't know anyone else had any other intentions >.>

I'll be there day 1, no matter what 'holiday' it might be. Haha.

 

[TBolt2011]

Wouldn't VZW want to space the TBolt out so that iPhone 4 purchasers cannot return for this phone?

Maybe not. The restocking fee is going up to $70, so essentially anyone that returns the iPhone paid an extra 70 bucks for the Thunderbolt.

 

[Chrisy]

Will VZW authorized dealers have this phone on launch day?

I'm still probably just going to order it online. I never bought a phone in the store!

 

[thedeceiver]

Maybe not. The restocking fee is going up to $70, so essentially anyone that returns the iPhone paid an extra 70 bucks for the Thunderbolt.

Do we really think that someone who is going to go with the iPhone 4 on Verizon is all of the sudden going to see a Non-Apple product and go with that? I doubt it. If someone goes out and spends the money to get the iPhone 4... are not going to be swayed by something that does not have a lot of additional features or functions.

if anything, they'll end up losing functionality on some very important things (like Netflix, etc.)

 

[TBolt2011]

Will VZW authorized dealers have this phone on launch day?

I'm still probably just going to order it online. I never bought a phone in the store!

Authorized as in Mall Kiosks and whatnot? That's a good question actually. I know Best Buy has exclusive rights to start with, but do VZW Authorized Dealers count as Verizon? Because I know that this phone will be in VZW Stores and on the VZW website.

 

[Chrisy]

There's no VZW stores in my town. The two closest are authorized dealers.

 

[TBolt2011]

Do we really think that someone who is going to go with the iPhone 4 on Verizon is all of the sudden going to see a Non-Apple product and go with that? I doubt it.

Hey, AT LEAST one person will do it, I can 100% guarantee that. That's potentially $70 more than they would get if someone isn't willing to pay retail after their return time is up.

Idk, can you see where I'm going? If it's not offered, there's NO chance for it to happen. If it's set up like this, and ZERO people do it... There is still no loss whatsoever.

 

[thedeceiver]

Hey, AT LEAST one person will do it, I can 100% guarantee that. That's potentially $70 more than they would get if someone isn't willing to pay retail after their return time is up.

Idk, can you see where I'm going? If it's not offered, there's NO chance for it to happen. If it's set up like this, and ZERO people do it... There is still no loss whatsoever.

Of course, but even with the 14 day policy at least one person is going to get their phone returned with no charge. Does it limit it? Sure... but I think the "prevent people from returning it" aspect is probably more coincidental. More than likely they're doing it to ease stress on their support areas.

 

[Jaguarr40]

Wouldn't VZW want to space the TBolt out so that iPhone 4 purchasers cannot return for this phone?

They will since VZW just changed the time you get to check out a new phone from 30 days to 14 days so I am sure it will be spaced out. VZW has thought of all this very carefully.

 

[Jaguarr40]

There's no VZW stores in my town. The two closest are authorized dealers.

Make the trip to Sarasota kiddo, you are not that far away for gosh sakes...LOL

 

[Hangfire#AC]

I posted this in another thread but I'll post it here also:

I know this doesn't mean scratch to anyone but I went by the VZ store on my way home just to browse. Talked to a girl I went to school with and she stated that they had already had training. I asked when it would be available and she stated Feb. 14th. I asked specifically if that would be instore and she confirmed. I asked her to reconfirm that she said Feb. 14th and she said yes. She stated they already had training on it and simply stated "OMG, it's amazing! Sooo fast and smooth as butter. I like the sense thingy they had on it, it was alot smoother than my Droid X for some reason." Take it for what it's worth, she didn't hesitate when I asked the date and I've known this girl for 16 years. I hope she's right because I'm letting the 3rd of Feb. slip by me in hopes that she is right.

 

[rigorx]

If it's really the 14th as more & more VZW reps are starting to say, then we may even see pre-sale info before the end of this week.

 

[Hangfire#AC]

I can tell you one thing, if I hold of on pre-ordering the iphone and that "friend" of mine who works at the VZ store was wrong, I'll be quite upset.

 

[Forgetful]

I'm debating picking this up on a 1 year contract at the store or online. I'd love to get it in store that way I can have it a few days earlier. But will the online price be cheaper?

How does the pre-order work too for VZ phones?

 

[Hangfire#AC]

It's my understanding that only certain devices with a great amount of hype do pre-ordering. iPhone 4 for example.