So with CompUSA carrying the Nokia770 and a new firmware update and reports of Euro customers unit' shipping...
anyone care to call today!?!?!?!?!
So why exactly can't you call yourself?
By the way, as soon as anyone here gets a shipping confirmation, they'll almost certainly post about it. You won't have to wait for someone to call and find out the latest story. Speaking of which, given the changing story time after time, any "new" info is unlikely to be reliable anyway. My guess is also that retail channels are entirely separate from direct sales so they probably won't even be aware that CompUSA has it listed.
I've been quiet because griping just cheeses off everyone else... but I think that in true modern marketing style they've been hoarding the US units for retail chains. Logistics are easier for Nokia to deal in bulk like that. The bizarre nature of making people who've already filled orders have to wait 60 days before they're fulfilled just strikes me as odd though. Not the way to win hearts.
I just called the Mountlake Terrace, WA (near Seattle) CompUSA and they now have a display up (with a working unit), and will have stock out on the floor this afternoon.
So the question becomes: hang on with your internet order - which will be shipped God and Nokia only knows when - or cancel it and buy one at CompUSA for $100 more (assuming you got in on the $50 online rebate)?
None in the PV CompUSA here in Phoenix. Teenagers currently assembling Nokia 770, but no floor models/stock. Staff has no idea where they are.
I have to say, I am pretty peeved that they are out to CUSA before filling our orders, but then again, I JUST WENT THERE TO CUSA TO BUY ONE FOR $50.00 Extra!
Well, after some consideration I guess I can see Nokia's point of view... Their biggest interest is likely to get the 770 in front of as many people as possible in meatspace-- somewhere they can actually handle it and bask in the wonderfullness of its screen Just advertising online to a selected few fan-atics like us will not make for success. Part of that is doubtless a contractual agreement with CUSA. I can just hear the pitch:
CUSA: "You want us to do what?"
Nokia: "We want you to sell this new web-tablet-"
C: "WHAT is a web tablet and why do we want to sell it for you???"
N: "Well it's super-cool and has these amazing features..."
C: "And you want to sell it on your site for $40 less before we even have a chance? Right. Don't call us, we'll call you!"
I imagine the agreement may have included delightful terms like a mandatory hold period for online orders to allow the stores to get their units in stock and maybe even a delay to ship until after the holidays. I just really wish they hadn't even bothered to take the orders and then sit on them. Maybe the deal was completed after they started taking orders? Who knows. It does not look good for getting a unit any time soon though.
Went to the Compusa in Emeryville, California (North of San Francisco). They didn't have a display up nor did they have any idea what the device was. They even told me they were not going to carry it. I pointed it out to them on their own website. They agreed to special order it for me or to pull from stock once it arrived. Who knows what that means.....
Just advertising online to a selected few fan-atics like us will not make for success. Part of that is doubtless a contractual agreement with CUSA. I can just hear the pitch: