Verizon locks in BlackBerry Storm launch for November 24 at $199.99?

by Chris Ziegler, posted Nov 11th 2008 at 7:48PM

Murphy's Law dictated from the very beginning that Verizon's claim of a November launch for the Storm meant late November (at best), and indeed, it now looks like that's where we're headed. Boy Genius Report has picked up some juicy documentation that seems to suggest that November 24 is the zero day with a $199.99 retail price after rebate; what's more, stores will be opening an hour early to accomodate the throngs of rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth businessmen and businesswomen in Zegna suits looking for their latest BlackBerry fix. It looks like there'll also be a "pre-launch" on the 20th, meaning customers Verizon really cares about -- not us, by any stretch of the imagination -- will have a chance stroll into one of 123 extra-special corporate stores to tool around with a demo unit and place their order in person. Either way, stores are expected to have tons of units available for sale on the 24th, so don't show up at 8pm the night before. Unless you're into that sort of thing.

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Verizon Wireless, GSM, EDGE, EV-DO, HSDPA, UMTS, CDMA

Tags: blackberry, rim, storm, verizon, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless, vzw

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Hank Briar @ Nov 11th 2008 9:07PM

FIRST!!! LMMFAO! JK ppl. YES!!!!!!!! Finally I know the price and can shoot for it!! I'm going to Best Buy Mobile to pre-order mine's with a $50 deposit!!!

Neutral

wako @ Nov 11th 2008 9:21PM

last time i checked, bestbuy does not do pre-orders/reservations....

Neutral

Gib @ Nov 11th 2008 10:52PM

Word on the street, last I heard atleast, was that Best Buy WAS doing preorders for $50.

Neutral

MidnightDT @ Nov 11th 2008 9:12PM

really? I dont see a price listed on there.
also this doesnt seem to be about the launch it talks about having to RSVP and ordering something thru direct fulfilment (which means the mail)

Lowest Ranked

cl347bv @ Nov 11th 2008 9:16PM

this has been up for nearly an hour, and im first? wow

either way, sweet. bout time we have a launch date

Highest Ranked

TheAngryGamer @ Nov 11th 2008 10:20PM

That could be the most epic of all fails I've seen today.

Neutral

cl347bv @ Nov 12th 2008 5:36PM

yeah well, when i actually wrote that, there were no comments...

Low Ranked

JeffIsGreat @ Nov 12th 2008 12:47AM

Why would this be a 'FAIL'? An EPIC one at that?

Neutral

tra la la @ Nov 12th 2008 12:59AM

because s/he put "and I'm first", when - in reality - s/he was 3rd.

Low Ranked

br74 @ Nov 12th 2008 3:49AM

why do we have to pay for this phone... vodafone worldwide offers if you sign the 2 year contract with the 35 pound ($53.50) plan a month
From £35 a month you could get:

* a free BlackBerry Storm smartphone
* 600 inclusive minutes talk time
* unlimited texts, email and internet

why do we have to pay 4 the handset?

Highly Ranked

tenchi71 @ Nov 12th 2008 7:40AM

Because this is the US cell phone market. Why are you so shocked?

Neutral

GetOverIt @ Nov 12th 2008 9:40AM

You have to pay for it because it costs alot of money. No one cares what Vodafone is doing with the price (notice how inexpensive the plans are if that is correct as well)

Its so cheapskate like you don't walk in to get a Storm and then whine about the data plan being required because you think everything should be FREE FREE FREE just because you pay a monthly bill. moron

Neutral

mattyb123 @ Nov 12th 2008 8:45AM

Went to Best Buy and got my preorder in yesterday. Seems a little strange, but they said I was the first person to preorder it in Montana so far. They had no idea about a date or a price, but nonetheless I'm beyond excited to get my hands on this!

Neutral

stormfeaver @ Nov 12th 2008 8:47AM

Best Buy is taking pre orders for the storm, i just went in last night and put down $50 to reserve one.
@ $199 it seem Verison is positioned to compete with the iphoney. The storm has no wi-fi that's the only bummer.

Neutral

Andrew @ Nov 12th 2008 11:57AM

Why are you going to bestbuy to pre-order it. Has anyone ever bought a phone from those people that work at BB they are incapable of handling that. I cant imagine the problems you guys are going to have. Mattyb123 thats why you are prob. the first one who pre-ordered it form BB, Their is going to be plenty of them your best bet is to wait and get it from a verizon store. Stormfeaver why do you need wifi it has nationwide internet that is required on the phone and it has global internet.

Neutral

Richard @ Nov 12th 2008 1:34PM

When I went to BB to pre order mine, the guy walked away and I looked through his 3-ring binder. 2-year and 1-year plans were listed as "TBA", but full retail price has the Blackberry Storm listed at $699.

Neutral

Tee @ Nov 12th 2008 1:48PM

$699!!! Are you kidding me? Thats a flat panel tv!!! However, I do have stormfever, but I cant justify spending nearly 700 bucks on a cell phone. I am already with Verizon Wireless, and am not elgible for an upgrade yet. I wonder what they can work out if they can work anything out?

HELP!!!

Neutral

plh2034 @ Nov 12th 2008 3:34PM

@ Andrew

The best reason to buy a phone from BestBuy is their rebate policy.

Verizon will make you do the mail-in rebate that may or may not get completed/paid off.
BestBuy just gives you the post rebate price upfront the way it should be.