Palm Pre at Best Buy No More? 13

Back in the day ('the day' being January), there was a steady stream of rumors linking up the Palm Pre with Best Buy.  More specifically we had been hearing that Best Buy (and Best Buy Mobile) would have a non-Sprint-Store exclusive on selling the Palm Pre.  Lately it's been pretty quiet, so it didn't come as a huge surprise when a tipster hit us up to say that the word these days is that Best Buy will not be selling the Pre when it launches (whenever that is).  

We imagine this could change again -- its in Palm and Sprint's best interest to get the device out there as much as possible.  Then again, the Pre will likely be popular enough that people will seek it out wherever it is, so Sprint keeping retail sales all to itself for a little while doesn't seem like a crazy idea.

If you're reading this, you likely don't care much where you get the Pre as long as it's a reputable dealer.  But if the Pre isn't going to be at every Best Buy Mobile, 3rd party mall kiosk, and corner mom-and-pop shop, will that hurt the device in the long run?  Heck, the iPhone is available at Wal-Mart, do Sprint and Palm really need to keep it all to themselves?

Thanks anonymous tipster!