After so many “mistakes”, “errors”, “system errors”, fake “deals”, real deals and price cuts, this time it seems like Sprint and Palm are on the same page, and there is good news for those who want to buy the Palm Pre but were on the sidelines because of the price. It isn’t a $100 Palm Pre deal, but it is definitely better than $200. Lets not forget that if you buy the Pre, you still have to endure the crazy mail in rebate, and get an everything data plan with a two year contract.
This price cut is not only welcome, but is also necessary after the announcement of the Pixi. And according to Ramon Llamas, an IDC analyst; “In an age of high technology, dropping prices rather quickly is not uncommon, as Apple did today.” Llamas also noted that the lowered price for the Pre is “not a result of poor sales, I’d say. That’s a knee-jerk reaction. If you want to see inventory really move, then price the smartphone below $100.”
Some bloggers and analysts believe the reduction on the Pre pricing is a sign that Palm and Sprint are having trouble taking smartphone market share. They say the Pre is “not living up to its hype”. I say they don’t see – or don’t want to see – the big picture, there’s plenty of market share for all the smartphones. On the other hand, there are also analysts that believe the relationship between Palm and Sprint is a healthy one, even if the Pre is not as popular as the Apple iPhone.
Next is what Palm said at the end of the Pixi’s Press Release:
In addition, effective today the Palm Pre™ phone from Sprint is available for $149.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $150 instant rebate and $100 mail-in rebate. You can find this great pricing at Sprint stores, on the web (www.sprint.com) and by calling Sprint’s telesales group (1-800-SPRINT1). With the new Palm Pixi phone, and Palm Pre at a lower price, Palm and Sprint are bringing greater choice of Palm webOS phones to a larger audience.
If you became a Palm Pre owner recently and feel cheated, don’t, here’s Sprint’s announcement on “Price match adjustment details for Palm Pre”:
Customers who paid $199.99 (after rebate) for Palm Pre within the past 30 days may be able to receive a price match adjustment.
Please take your receipt to the same type of retail outlet where the phone was purchased (i.e, if you bought your phone at a Sprint store, you can go to any Sprint store; if from a Best Buy, go to a Best Buy, etc.).
Customers who purchased a Palm Pre through Sprint Telesales or sprint.com may call 1-800-777-4681 (1-800-SPRINT1) and select Option 2.
