PSA: Verizon Pre 2 is pretty much online-only (for now) 50
The PreCentral team just spent the past hour or so calling around to Verizon retail stores across the country (what, that's not how you spend your Saturdays?). The result of all that calling is that over a dozen stores report that they do not have the Verizon Palm Pre 2 in stock. Some tell us that it's online-only while others did offer to "special order" the phone for pickup at our local store.
So just FYI: if you want to but that Palm Pre 2, your options are buying it from Verizon Wireless for $199 with a $50 mail-in rebate on a 2-year contract or hitting up HP Wireless Central for $99 on-contract or $409.99 off-contract.
Some local reps told us that they expected to carry the device in-stores sometime in March. If your local store has them, please hit us up in the comments and let us know! Update: Some folks in the comments reporting that their stores have one on display - we've heard the same, but in terms of stock it's slim pickings.
50 Comments
I went to a Verizon store in my city and they had the Pre2 on display for $149.
buy on HP for $99 or Verizon for $149 after rebate... tough choice...
...and slim pickins is how the inventory is going to stay I'm sure. My money is telling me that Hp isn't even going to sell 10,000 Pre 2's.
After writing that I think 10,000 is probably a stretch.
Brickyard location, Chicago, guys have......1 in stock
I was playing on one in the verizon store at Lincolnwood Town Center in Chicago
They'd be insane to waste precious shelf-space on webOS, especially since HP has essentially announced the death of webOS on 2/9. That announcement, of course, was about two years late. The first webOS announcement to be too late and not too early, in fact.
I checked two Verizon stores in Montgomery, AL yesterday. One store had the Pre 2 on display and the other did not.
Any Stores in South Carolina, preferably the upstate region?
Not in Columbia, can't report on upstate though.
This has got to be the strangest and weirdest launch ever
not really. verizon does not really want the phone, most people don't want the phone and most stores don't want to train employees to use to phone. so it would be a waste of time, space, and money to keep it in stock when you are trying to sell as many iphones as possible.
What launch?
thanks for the bottoms-up reporting Dieter and Derek, great job once again. Not sure about doing it on Sat though...
I would buy one tomorrow for the $99 if it was on Sprint. Ok, maybe not tomorrow since tomorrow is a Sunday and the store is closed... but you get what I am saying.
I don't want a Pre 2, I want my Pre 3! NOW!!! Tired of waiting and having all these Androids Ads in my face all the time, HP shut them up already and RELEASE THE PRE 3!!!
OK. We get that. But what's the point of repeating this over and over again?
You understand that they *can't* release it now - right?
I know this because they are a profit-oriented company and if they could release it now they no doubt would.
So what's the point of this childish "GIMME, GIMME, GIMME" shouting?
Either resign yourself to the necessary waiting until summer - or move on.
All these tantrums get really boring after a while.
Well what would be the point in buying it at Verizon and paying $49 more?
I hear if you buy it from HP, you get it shipped in the coming days....
If you buy it from Verizon, you get a pretty rebate card too!! (in the coming days....)
Is there any way to activate a Verizon phone on Sprint? They are technically compatible, right? Is it just that they have the equivalent of the wrong SIM card in them and no way to switch it out?
Or do the carriers simply refuse to activate each other's phones, but could if they wanted to?
First, there is no "SIM card" in a CDMA phone. The problem is with the ESN, some people previously have had success activating a VZW Pre/Pixi Plus on Sprint network. Haven't been keeping tabs on the Pre2 so you may want to check the forums. Either way you would be buying the phone at full price or used, then attempting to activate on Sprint (there are ways). But you will not get contract price, so at this point, until the Pre3 carriers are announced I would wait to spend the money, then make your choice.
Hi guy
You can get the palm pre2 from verizon for $99 if when you call verizon just tell them it is available on hp website for $99 . what they will do is give you an instant $50 credit against your account + a $50 mail in rebate .
I went in to a Verizon store today, to get my hands on webOS 2.0. Since I am a Pre- owner, that's the only way I could exprerence it. The first thing is 2.0 is definitely fast, it was damn snappy. I have my P-minus overclocked to 1Ghz and it was still beating my phone in opening apps at the same time. Picture scrolling hasn't improved as far as being able to flick through pictures faster. Ofcouse I had to check out FLASH live in person. I was not impressed, flash video was choppy on two different sites that I checked. And the OS still would not play Flash videos from youtube.(disappointing) So on the Pre 3 Flash content should be smooth, with the 1.4Ghz cpu. Overall was pleased with how snappy 2.0 is. Disappointed in how choppy Flash is.
in Irving Texas
I bought my Pre2 on line through Verizon - got my discounts and paid ~$54. None of the stores in my area stock nor did the sellers look like they even cared. Waiting for the FedEx to show up so I can get rid of my Storm once and for all....
Looks pretty much like the "launch" with SFR, Pre2 was available on-line and shops did not have a clue ....
Read comments on Flash, I am a bit surprised, it works pretty well!
i somewhat think that the pre 3 launch may be the same way the pre 2 was launched. mostly by online only.
I bought my Pre2 through Verizon over the phone. Shipped a few hours later.
Couldnt help but notice in the picture that it says palm webos instead of hp webos.
outside USA still 399 Pounds or 499€
hp = huge fools
So here’s my thing: Barnes & Nobel announced their Nook Color on Oct. 26, I had it in my hand Nov 19. Now I know they aren’t the Biggest computer company in the world, hey they are a Book seller, but if they can do is why isn’t HP
The announced the Pre 2 Oct 19 2010 (after a series of leaks), made it available in France Oct 22 – And we are just now able to order it here ???
I can’t help but point out that in the press release for the pre 2 - dated 10/19/2010,HP clearly stated “The webOS 2.0 update will be delivered to existing customers in the coming months, with exact timing to be announced at a later date.”
Now they announce the Pre 3 – Feb 11, want to make a bet as to when it will be available here?
Is this any way to run a business?
on display. But not in stock. So much for impulse buyers.
Verizon store in College station, Tx has them. Unlocked Pre2 for sale for 200 bucks Dallas craigslist.
I don't want to 'but' a Pre2. But if I wanted to BUY one I'd probably buy it off-contract. Then I could swap phones and still have my free mobile hotspot. Or, would I still lose the free mobile hotspot feature?
I visited 3 Maryland stores in the Washington DC area, with no success:
Bowie: Manager said on-line only; they didn't sell many of the previous model and would be surprised if they carried it in the store.
College park: Don't have it, will have to check with HP rep and will get back to me.
Laurel: Whatever press release said it would be in stores was not "official." (!!!) It's online only now, they won't have anything until next week, probably Thursday.
This was the managers at each store; the sales droids (how appropriate) didn't have a clue what I was talking about.
I also called Germantown: Had one that I could look at, but it's not officially on display or in stock.
Clearly a badly manged roll-out.
I went to a local Verizon store here in Kansas City. When I walked in and asked if they had the Pre 2 on display, the salesman was quick to say 'no'. Apparently another salesman overheard me asking and quickly interrupted our conversation and walked me over to the Pre 2 on display (not in stock, though). Now, I've been an iPhone user since Sept 2007, but I've ALWAYS been intrigued with Web O/S. I tried the first iteration from Sprint, but it was to laggy/choppy for me to use, so I kept the iPhone. Then when AT&T released the Pre Plus, I waited a few months and bought a Pre Plus off eBay pretty cheap. It was better, but still not there. Today when I played with the Pre 2, I was really impressed!! The glass screen makes a huge difference for some reason - the screen just looks better (even though the resolution remained the same). Apps opened up FAST (including Maps). The phone feels better.
I tell you what, it's really sad that Palm wasn't able to have a more successful initial launch of the Pre - because this OS wipes the floor of iOS (and I'm an iPhone user). The key to Web OS device success now is going to be Apps - and lots of them. I really liked the Pre 2 and I'm excited to see what the Pre 3 is like - now that the hardware seems solid, and the Pre 3 sports a bigger display with a decent resolution, AND a faster processor, they may have found a new customer :)
i think verizon was obligated to carry the pre2.
i think hp is having a hard time finding carriers to carry any of their phone (pre2, veer, or pre3)
the reps told me from two different stores that it would be in there store next wek
I think it's great to see the respect kcguy76, an iPhone user, has for webOS and I am still hopeful HP-Palm can start to turn the tide. They are falling further behind but webOS is really the key and they really do need to focus on that in marketing. Quality hardware build is also key and they have to eventually get a slab model with a 4" screen, just to please folks who desire that....there are many. I was a Sprint Pre "minus" launch week owner (6/09) and then got the HTC EVO the first week it launched in 6/10, since I was up for renewal and Sprint had no updated Palm Pre. There are many of us out there in the same situation and I believe I speak for many of them when I say I hope the Pre 3 launch can occur on or before June 2011on Sprint. We have watched other carriers move in and get the better Pre phones and we deserve to get the Pre 3, and eventually a slab phone. I still use the Pre (wife still has it) and I miss multi-tasking. Android is ok but way to klunky compared to webOS. It reminds me of that song, which should be webOS's theme song, "but nothin, nothin can compare to you.." Build it and (I hope) they will come...
I would never want a slab phone or 4" screen but if there is a webOS market for that I expect HP will build one. It was the smaller form factor and portrait slide keyboard that brought me to Pre. Recognizing the advantages of webOS came later.
got my Pre 2 finally..for all the negativity around, this really is a GREAT phone. I don't feel too bad about not waiting for the Pre 3. My Pixi Plus was just crawling in the end.
frederick, md. The store had none in stock and only one rep knew that verizon was carrying a new Palm phone.
Thank you iPhone user for your comments - Love the "droids" comment too - very fitting as guess what... my guess is the commissions, the sales kickbacks to Verizon and other stuff we don't know about is probably a big factor in how Verizon has handled Palm (now HP) for some time. I got my Pre2 for ~54 bucks - darn cheap! My guess is that Verizon didn't get much out of it (good!), My guess is that they get a lot more from Apple and RIM to sell their VERY expensive stuff.
Not sure I'll use a Verizon store again - their cell service where I am in So MD is much better than others but they sure don't service their customers and the products they own - I'm not a Droid and never will be one and soon will be off the RIM.
yeah, and it sucks.
web os FOREVER!!!
I visited a Verizon Corporate store tonight in Moreno Valley California. I was playing with the Pre 2 for about 30 minutes. During which several reps tried to interrupt me asking if I needed help (I didn't). Until finally the store manager approached me asking me If I wanted to leave with the Pre 2 in my hands. He was very knowledgeable and was a webOS fan himself. He made sure to let me know that he manages several corporate stores in the area and that he spent some time probing and asking a lot of question when the Palm rep showed up to demo the Pre 2. He also said something that made feel giddy. He said he couldn't wait to get the Pre 3 this summer. So I asked him, "wait- what? Is Verizon gettin' it?" He smiled and said yup!
Just thought I should share with all of you.
this is why I always tell people to order from verizon on-line or their call center (611) and avoid the stores.
the phone reps are more focused on positive survey results for the call and not on jamming a droid in your face. And they convert the rebate to instant discount, and sometimes even have a lower price.
there isn't any stock in the store anyway, so call to order and have it shipped to your home. Only reason to visit the store is if you need help exporting contacts from your old phone. And if you have been using the free contact backup service that verizon offers... You can just export them with a browser and dump them directly into yahoo or gmail.
I wish I could buy a palm shirt somewhere so I can where it when I need to hit the store, because it would be like kryptonite and keep the sales people at a distance.
just sayin
Just stopped by my local VZW store and not only did they not have any, the greeter at the door looked at me like I was an alien when I asked for the Pre2. She said "Oh, we don't sell those anymore." I'm sure she was thinking of the Pre Plus. When I told her this was a new phone, she said "Oh really? I don't know anything about that."
...sigh...
I went to the verizon store the day it came out as I have been waiting 4 monthes and 11 days (as of today) for this phone. When I got to the store a sale clerk greeted us and we waited for our turn with them. Note that this is my first smart phone and I am COMPLETELY aware of the palm pre 3 coming out. Well I told him of the phone, he looked at me like I had makeup smear all over my face and told me to hold on as he talked to the manager. He came back with a demo phone which had not been activated yet. So I, being a teen age girl, began to freak out thinking about how I was the first one to touch this amazing phone. Anyway, I ended up ordering the phone... So now I wait :/ it should be here tomorrow if you would like me to tell you about it once I get it! Because I will :) anywho! They have a Demo in Lincoln Nebraska if that helps!
Just stopped by a verizon store in louisville, kentucky, & the helpful sales rep said that they don't do demo units for any HP/Palm phones in the store. She didn't say "this store", just a blanket statement. Not a testament to great support at verizon. C'mon sprint! Don't fail me! Get the veer & pre3!
Just stopped by the Chicago Loop Verizon store (Adams & La Salle) today (2/23) and was told the Pre2 would be in stock tomorrow!