If you still have a hankerin’ for a Palm Pre, you’re in luck. Newly rebranded, The Shack (formerly known as RadioShack) will have the Pre discounted $50 this weekend as part of their rebranding celebration [noise warning]. That brings the price of a new Pre down to $149.99, though the sale price is only good for new Sprint customers, current subscriber two-year-upgraders will have to plop down $219.99 for a Pre from the Shack, a $20 premium over what you’d pay dealing directly with Sprint. The sale will run through this weekend only (August 7-9), and as always, requires at minimum a Sprint Everything Data plan. [via PreThinking]
The Shack is not alone in the Palm Pre deals game. Online cell phone retailer Wirefly has a permanently discounted price on their Pre phones: $169.99 for new Sprint customers. Two-year upgrade customers will find themselves paying $200, while those looking to purchase off-contract will have to fork over a hefty $799.99. Ouch. At least Wirefly offers free shipping.
Comments
That is a really old RadioShack picture!
$219.99 is $20 more than Sprint's after mail-in rebate price - a worthwhile distinction, imo.
Why would I want to pay $20 extra to upgrade? Thats crazy. Are they using the extra cash to pay for new "The Shack" signs?
While it does seem bogus that it's $20 more on an upgrade, there's no mail in rebate, Sprint's gona charge you $300 up front on new or upgrade, TheShack just gives it to you with no rebates. Also the outright price of the phone at TheShack is much less than WireFly,$599.99!
No, they're using the extra cash on upgrades to pay for the new customer discount :D
Besides, it's the same $20 another store would charge you to pair your bluetooth headset and apply your screen protector.
You can price match. Also, you only pay tax on $219.99 vs the sprint stores tax on $299.99. Which here in TN is over $7.00.(plus no rebate hassle). They are also offering 20% off Pre accessories including the touchstone.
Best buy have had the pre on sale for 149.99 since the $99 error.
I paid 160 and change 3 weeks back.
This is not a "THE SHACK" special lol
I don't like the sounds of this.
How much is Sprint paying these retailers to bring in new customers?
I understand the phone has to be priced competativly but dropping the price now almost seems like a desperation play on the part of Sprint.
The "mistake" at Best Buy is looking a lot less like a mistake.
Then again the money is not to be made on the phone hence present customers not getting any of these sub-$199 deals.
I don't like the sounds of this.
How much is Sprint paying these retailers to bring in new customers?
I understand the phone has to be priced competativly but dropping the price now almost seems like a desperation play on the part of Sprint.
The "mistake" at Best Buy is looking a lot less like a mistake.
Then again the money is not to be made on the phone hence present customers not getting any of these sub-$199 deals.
I bought my Pre from Radio Shack less than 30 days ago for $199. You think they'd give me the $50 discount if I went back?
yes they should. they have a 30 day price guarantee.
Well, I bought my Palm Pre from Radio Shack today, and all went well. In addition to the discounts listed above, I also was told that they are refunding the $36 connection fee, but it won't happen until probably my second bill.
The staff were drooling on my Palm Pre. They want to get one for themselves.
"The Shack"? I've been calling it Radio Shaft for close to 30 years now (starting whenever it was that I bought my first 5 1/4 inch floppies at extortionate prices because nowhere else that sold computer supplies was open on a Saturday back then.)
Well, I guess it's just "The Shaft" now. Sounds even more sinister that way....
RS will price match Best Buy on the upgrade price. No biggie.
Just picked up a Palm Pre at Best Buy for $149 as an existing customer...
They will refund your $50 if you bought it less than 30 days ago. I just went in last night and they refunded me, no problem. Makes me love my Pre even more!
Thanks for this article. It really saved me!
On Thursday, I ordered three Pres from Sprint.com. When I came home from work on Friday, I saw this article about the discount and then called Sprint to cancel my order. My girlfriend and I jumped on our bikes and hustled over to the nearest Radio Shack (Sorry, I can't bring myself to call it "The Shack" yet.), making it just 10 minutes before they closed.
To my surprise, the Radio Shack employees were happy to help, even though it meant that they had to stay ten minutes longer.
The Pre is fantastic. Radio Shack and Sprint have provided top notch customer service.
...After writing those last two sentences, I realize that prior to the Pre I never would have considered Palm, Radio Shack, or Sprint for any kind of important purchase, unless you think of audio cables from Radio Shack as being important. All three have done a wonderful job converting me!
if you put the phone on a new rsap (radioshack answers plus credit card, requires instore approval) then they take ten percent off the price of the phone.
here's the catch, it's ten percent off the pre instant rebate price.
meaning you get 35 dollars off if you're a new customer, and 40 dollars off if you are upgrading.
meaning new customers 115 for a pre, and upgrade customers only 140...
this has been a big trick, and helped me sell 22 of the phone since we got it into our store.
spread the word, save some money.
buy a case or some screen pretectors so our dm's don't hate us.
-stew, radioshack employee ann arbor mi.
email me any questions if you have them
p.s. radioshack price matches on all phones, so on an upgrade just tell them to match bestbuy and you'll only pay 199.99 as an upgrade.
I bought a Pre for $199 last week and went into Radio Shack to day to ask if I could get the better price. The sales guy said no.
I am trying to find out if I was given good information, but I can't find RS's official policy on price matching anywhere.
Can anyone provide a link and/or information?
Thanks
lawrencegoodman at gmail.com
Either go to another store, speak directly to the manager, or find the the 5x7 sign on one the monitors and call the distict manager phone number on it.
RadioShack has a 30 day policy on the back of the receipts but its the same policy from along time.
we DO price match, just bring in an ad. Must have been a grumpy associate. @ann arbor, greets from district 0569
Want to leave a comment? Register for free!
In an effort to reduce comment spam, you need to log in to comment. Registration is fast, free, and easy and gives you access to comment, discuss the Palm Pre on the largest Pre forums on the 'net, enter contests, and much more. Join now!