Verizon Wireless Blackberry Storm “Private Sale” causes a furor

General

You all have probably seen this flyer floating around the Internet, in your neighbor’s mailbox, or maybe even your own mailbox last week. The flyer invites you, a most valued customer, to the Verizon Wireless Private Sale from November 17th to the 21st. Printed on the front right next to the invitation is a giant Blackberry Storm with the text “Introducing the Blackberry Storm. Exclusively from Verizon Wireless”. If you got this in your mailbox, what would you think? Probably what most people thought; that you were invited to a special sale of the Blackberry Storm. Imagine what your reaction would be when you arrive at the Private sale with your flyer in hand, only to be told that there are no Blackberry Storms in the store, not even demo models. You can’t touch one, never mind buy one and take it home with you. The best Verizon could do is put you on a list of customers that would receive a call on Friday to get a pre-order for the Storm. We bet that you would be pretty angry and go “storming” home to call that number on the flyer to give them a piece of your mind. Don’t bother as that line will just disconnect you and when you finally get through, after 4 tries and waiting 30 minutes on hold, Big Red will tell you to call back or go to one of our stores on Friday. We think one of our readers who detailed their aggravating experience sums it up perfectly “I don’t feel like a SPECIAL customer now.” You have seen the flyer evidence, you heard the testimony above, and now it is time to render judgment. Is this a case of blatant false advertising by Verizon or just a simple misunderstanding? They did list the private sale as going to November 21st, but still. We are leaning towards the former, how about you? Sound off in the comments and hit the jump for the rest of the evidence flyer.

Thanks to all who sent this in!

123 Comments
  • Patric

    I just called customer support to find out if the BB Storm will be compatible with Mac OX S, and after 15 min. or so they basically told me it will NOT. I was hoping to to get a Storm but now I can’t. I asked her if anyone had ever asked them this Q, and the nice lady laughing said yes.

  • Paul

    Bunch of fanboys fighting over a broken toy!

  • http://www.k5live.com Likeabite

    @ Paul another bitch wanting attention because this post isn’t about the iPhone…this post again isn’t for you so disappear bird.

  • Losman

    I’ m looking forward to Verizon’s open apology to those who got the “scam promo”…do the right thing VZ!

  • The Rooster Says

    hey just called the number from the link on page two and would like to say thanks…I think !?!?…after my third call to the 888 number the woman asked if I was calling regarding a promotion to which I replied yes, she asked which one I said the preorder of the storm and she said there is no preorder for the storm so I told her sorry it was for the one hundred dollars off and she said ok that someone would call me back at the number I gave her on Friday…Is this how it has worked with other “flyer callers” because one post said that they had ordered their storm and it would arrive for free on Monday 11/24 but I was not give that option ??? I was only told that a rep would call me back on Friday 11/21 so that I could order it then presumably with the one hundred dollars discount !!!, as the pror two calls I made fell on deaf ears as I was told that they had not mailed me the flyer due to my ne2 not being ready until 1/09…just asking so I don’t get my hopes up ?!?

  • The Rooster Says

    the free in my previous post regarding 11/24 meant free shipping bcz the poster had waited until that day for his storm to be delivered !

  • Paul

    @ Likeabite:

    Playing mayor again I see. Shut up before someone bitch slaps your toilet cleaning face! I did not mention any device YOU did. You must be obsessed with another device that outsold your favorite toys!

    What you no longer defending VZW? Some other the other fanboys are. HAHAHA

  • http://www.doctorneutron.com Mike Smith

    It’s worse than you have stated: I am on “the list”,
    which is essentially worthless, since Friday will be “first come, first serve, staring somewhere between 7 and 9 AM, depending on…”. This is a total PR fiasco. I thinking of reporting Verizon to the Houston SPCA.

  • AnnieBronx

    I just wrote to Mr.McAdam as well and explained my ordeal to him. I requested that he inform me if sending me a fraudulent mailer was a proper way to treat a long standing customer, a “VIP” one at that…

  • rjlawrencejr

    @Jake

    While you are partially correct about the “horizon” portion, I am not sure where you got your infomation, since the “veri” in Verizon does indeed refer to the word “veritas.” I should know, I was in the room in April 2000 when Denny Strigl personally announced to AirTouch employees exactly what our new corporate name would be and the thinking behind it.

  • PISSED OFF

    Turns out the Private Sale was for phones that no one wants at slightly below regular prices if you have the flyer. No Storm. And now with the RIM screwup, instead of having 100 per store, they are going to have 20 per store Friday, 40 per store for the next few days afterwards. Unless of course your store gets deliveries on Thursdays and runs out on Friday. You have to wait a week. AWESOME JOB with your Flagship Phone, Verizon. Thank you so much for considering me a valuable customer.
    Yes. I am PISSED OFF at VERIZON today !!!

  • http://www.k5live.com Likeabite

    @ Paul In case you haven’t noticed no one wants you here…if you’re not ranting then bounce like hydraulics bitch. No one has mentioned anything else but rants besides you and as I’ve already stated I’m not a fanboy as you can tell from this post. I speak the truth, no matter who it against so now that you know you were wrong about my fanboism you can hop off now and I can get back on top of your mom. You actually went through all the posts just to see if I had written something and comment on it. Wow, I guess my meat is that far up your throat that it’s impossible to get it out now, huh. Damn now I have to watch out for you for every comment I make about anything because you’ll be responding…following my around like a little bitch. Stop sucking me…I know I’m a big deal but damn!

  • bub

    What’s really sad here is the disproportionate amount of attention all here (and elsewhere) are devoting to these “tangible items” and the ensuing Marketing surrounding them. I’m not sure which is sadder; the slick, conniving corporate marketing, or ,those that fall for it. After all people,if you’re expecting honesty and integrity from VZW (or any corporate entity)-well…, need I say more? Most if not all of the comments posted here point to one obvious fact; the marketing works! Let’s face it folks- every individual in a viable economy is nothing more than a cash cow to be exploited and/or convinced (through cleverly concocted add campaigns (among other methods)) to part with their money, property, possessions, valuables etc… . Those of you out there with some intelligence(or a conscious) have already figured this out-others may truly know this but are in denial and the rest of you should crawl back under whatever pile of %@!* you call your life you ‘live’ in-blissfully oblivious to whats really ‘going down’ around the entire globe.Don’t get me started!

  • JustMy2cents

    Just a comment. Most of the verizon employees that work in the stores, don’t have the most up to date information and training. You are better of calling to one of the call centers.

  • Jack

    Verizon has REALLY botched the release – the stores were sold out by noon, the Verizon Wireless website was crashed all day long, and phone orders after noon won’t ship until December 5th at the earliest. On top of the ridiculous 4 or 5 tiers of pricing depending on instant and mail-in rebates and you have to wonder if the Treausry Secretary and Chairman of the Fed aren’t the ones who put the launch together

  • Ray

    I RECEIVED MY FLYER TODAY 11/22/2008
    AFTER THE SALE

  • Gary Ashorn

    I was in the store located in League City Texas and was told they would take my name for an appointment on that Friday for first option to buy my Storm. They took my name and called me on Tuesday to give me my time of 6am. If the time changed they would call me back. It was the one of the store managers I believe by the name of David. I called on Wednesday to confirm and he was not there. Another employee answered my question and said the time would be 7am and I would be on the list. I went by the store that Wednesday night and David was not there buy I spoke to a lady sales person who took my name. Neither of the sales people knew how they would handle the appointments but that I would be served before others who showed up with out an appointment. David called my on Thursday and stated they would not have any phones in the store on Friday and not to bother coming in. So I had them order the phone and they said it would be delivered by the end of the next week. On Friday a different sales person called me at noon asking if I was coming in to pick up my Storm. I told him the past history but if he had mine I would be there. He spoke with David while on the phone with me and then stated he made a mistake that they did not have any phones. So I went in that evening and got into an arguement with David and Tim, I guess the manager that they lied to me. They said they never had phones there that day yet I suspect they did have some and sold them and that Tim had mine when he called me earlier in the day. I have no recourse and I guess my phone will be in one day some time. But I will not stand by to be lied to. I will file with the BB and upper management. Anyone have ideas as to how to respond this this with them? thanks
    Gary

  • NATTY

    yep,i was fooled and humiliated. They didnt even let me in the store to pay my bill at first,” SIR,WHERE ARE YOU GOING” like i didnt see that long ass line. why have a customer access pay machines, if, when you have a false sale goin on a person cant use it? lng story short i called friday the 21st, 3 to 5 days my crackberry will be here! ALBEIT THE LONG LINES!

  • NATTY

    yep me too. suddenly i dnt feel like a special customer

  • Tom

    I ordered one on Friday, November 21 and was told It would arrive today. Here at 5pm I have yet to receive. When I called them about 5min ago they said they did not have enough and I would have to wait as long as the 5th of December before I get one. So much for pre-order! I have already been charged for a phone I will not see for another 2weeks. What a good way to start a 2yr contract!

  • Verizon Fan

    I think everyone needs to chill the hell out. It’s just a phone, it’s not the end of the world. What is the big deal, go to the store now that it’s launched. If they are out it’s because all these crazy tech-y freaks like you are running out to get it. They will order and ship it to your house for free if they are out of stock. Calm down… it will arrive at your house. Be nice to the verizon employees when your their. It’s not their fault.

  • Art Bowie

    Verizon is still mishandling their release of the Storm. They have no product in the stores. People purchasing it are told they have to wait until Dec 15th for a device to ship. Store people can’t even tell you where the product is coming from.

    You would think in this day and age, even if they didn’t have product in the stores they could get them shipped the next day.

    Bottom line is they have a big sales promotion going on and they have no product.

  • DavidB

    @Art:
    You can be so sure it is Verizon causing shortage of units and not RIM?

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