Pre Launch Phases and Inventory Rumors

Posted By: Ryan Kairer Friday, May 22, 2009 9:12:21 AM

Pre MegaphoneEven though we finally have the long awaited Palm Pre release date and price, the rumors continue at a steady pace. With the launch details in hand, demand high and inventory expectations being sculpted, people are naturally beginning to wonder what actual the stock situation will be like on day one.

Some rumors have been starting to trickle out with numbers and details. The BGR has two such reports concerting Best Buy locations. The first claims that the retail chain's launch allotment is about 4,000 units and if evenly distributed nationwide would work out to something like 4 units per store. Furthermore, another report details that Best Buy does not expect the Pre to be available in volume until tentatively late July/ early August.

Sprint Launch Hours

If you are wondering whether your own local Sprint stores will be carrying the Pre a nice tip comes in from jkOnTheRun. You can browse the Sprint Store Locator, plug in your zip and it will display which locations will have special hours on 6/5 and 6/6.

Update: There appears to be some inconsistencies showing up via the Sprint Store Locator searcg. Various users are reporting no stores showing the special hours in large metro areas. Others report seeing different results from the same searches a day prior, so Sprint may still be updating and fine tuning the locator data.

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Example of special hours notice

SeldomVisitor @ 5/22/2009 9:31:15 AM # Q
Go to Sprint's Store Locator and type in 20001 as the Zip (that's Washington, DC).

The first entry has the words "Special Store Hours..." on it's entry.

When I type in my actual zipcode in Rich County USA - Fairfax, VA - none of the stores have those words.

RE: Example of special hours notice
SeldomVisitor @ 5/22/2009 9:33:48 AM # Q
In fact, I have to ask for stores within 30 miles of where I live to get that notice - and the store in question IS the DC store.

Not a whole lot of stores are having those special hours...

[Fairfax VA was, until recently, Sprint's HQ's home]

Something unusual going on
SeldomVisitor @ 5/22/2009 10:14:50 AM # Q
http://discussion.treocentral.com/1612642-post6.html

This could suggest limited supply causing store managers to compute costs/profit from unusual hours or simply changing their minds due to prior expressed interest (or lack thereof) of potential customers.

Or something else.

But it seems kinda unusual to put up that special banner, then remove it.

Within 50 miles of my Zip only the DC store has that Special Hours banner on the Store Locator.

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Availability

vetdoctor @ 5/22/2009 2:50:35 PM # Q
I, gasp, called the Fairfax Town Centre (yes, the "re" makes things more expensive) and asked if they would have the Palm Pre. The store guy said they would have "lots" though they expected high demand and shortages. (Hows that for making sure I come). They (he said) will be open early and until midnight on June 6
In short, I had always believed that the world involved magic: now I thought that perhaps it involved a magician.
- Chesterton
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