Palm Pre rumored to be getting a price cut to $150

Machinehead · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2009, 07:37 PM

Palm Pre to see Price Cut to $150?

So, the HTC Hero is coming to Sprint at $179.99, and the Pre is still at $199.99. What is Sprint to do? How about lower the price of the Pre by $50? Thanks to a generous tipster working at a Sprint "indirect partner retail dealer" (something like Best Buy Mobile or non-corporate Sprint stores), we can say that does appear as though it will be the case.

From September 8 to October 31, 2009, "indirect partners" will be able to sell the Pre for $149.99 after mail-in rebate. This information applies only to these indirect Sprint retail channels, though it seems reasonable that identical price cuts will take place via Sprint’s own channels (retail stores, telesales, and Sprint.com). And as usual, the price of admission comes with an Everything Data or Simply Everything plan attached.

You’ll also be able to grab a Palm Centro for $29.99, a Treo 755p for $99.99, Treo 800w for $49.99, and a Treo Pro for $199.99 (all new contract prices). Off contract prices for all Palm phones appear unchanged. Oh, and if your local non-corporate Sprint store has a Treo 650, Treo 700p, or Treo 700w laying around, they’ll be free on a new contract. But you know which phone you want (hint: check the website you’re reading right now).

http://www.precentral.net/pre-see-cu...ay-september-8

jjday7 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 09:55 AM

palm has to do something because the hero will really put a dent in their sales. hopefully this doesn't slow down development of the pre and it continues to grow

Machinehead · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 11:08 AM

Considering the Hero is going to be $179.99, that would be my theory as well. While the $350 price tag of the Touch Pro 2 gives me pause, there really isn't as much of a different between $150, $180 and $200.

CountryDevil · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 01:07 PM

Just an FYI here, the price cut is only for IPCS customers. Which is probably due to some deal worked out through Palm and Sprint for IPCS customers.

http://www.precentral.net/more-50-pr...real-only-ipcs

Machinehead · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 01:43 PM

Yep, just read that myself.

Machinehead · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 03:09 PM

And it gets more interesting:

Sprint Offers $100 Service Credit to New Pre Switchers

Well now, things are getting interesting. While Sprint-affiliate IPCS is offering the Palm Pre for $150 after rebate, Sprint itself will be offering a $100 credit to all new customers who sign up and buy the Pre before October 31st Octbober 10th, according to Reuters.

Sprint said on its website that the offer, which does not apply to existing customers, would be available for new Sprint customers who sign up before Oct. 31 [update: the actual date is Oct 10] and commit to a 2-year service contract. The service credit would be added to customer invoices over a 3-month period, the company said.

Although the initial purchase price will remain $299 with a $100 mail-in rebate, the extra $100 dollars over the first three months would could go a long way towards helping Sprint grab more customers. We just called Sprint to confirm (the announcement is also up on Sprint's site, thanks Anonymous Commenter!) and they're saying that the new promotion only applies to customers who port their number in from another carrier, so Sprint is clearly trying to grab some marketshare while they still have exclusivity on the Pre.

There has been rumblings recently that the Pre isn't living up to sales expectations, number-wise, time will tell if this promotion can help turn that around.

Thanks to jpquezada for the tip!

Update: Roger lets us know that the credit also applies to activations for phones purchased from "The Shack" (do we really have to call it that from now on?). Presumably it will apply to any new customer who ports a number, regardless of where they purchase it. Thanks, Roger!

http://www.precentral.net/sprint-off...-pre-switchers

Machinehead · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 08:36 AM

The price cut is now official: http://www.precentral.net/pre-officially-drops-150

dbldwn02 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 05:34 PM

The $100 activation discount was a fluke. Sprint said it was a glitch in the system. Not sure what's up with that. I just read it on price cut story.

Gipionocheiyort · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 04:15 PM

I bought my Pre 28 days ago.

Just went back into Best Buy today and they gave me back $53 as part of their price match guarantee.

**sanmanc** · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gipionocheiyort

I bought my Pre 28 days ago.

Just went back into Best Buy today and they gave me back $53 as part of their price match guarantee.

Actually Sprint is offering this to all customers that bought a Pre within the last 30 days. Sucks because I bought my daughter's Pre 38 days before this offer was availble.