This is bad!

**aznspiki** · 05-06-2012, 03:39 AM

Ok so i was at Staples today.. looking for PlayBook accessories to use it with my PlayBook 32GB. I couldn't find any so i asked the manager and he said they stopped selling BlackBerry Playbook and BlackBerry accessories few months ago... SO i asked him why and he said they are not doing good so they stopped selling BlackBerry stuff in their stores.
I saw other tablets on display except for blackberry PlayBook.

Next stop.. Radio Shack and same thing no PlayBook or PlayBook accessories.

Is the playbook really that bad for retail stores that they stopped carrying blackberry Stuff??? This is really bad and RIM should do something about this.

Anyway i just want to share this with you guys. No wonder our playbook is not popular because retail stores refused to sell them and customers that are shopping for tablets don't know about it.

**escape525** · 05-06-2012, 04:40 AM

I believe that in Australia the only place to buy a Playbook right now is at the blackberry shop (still at $700 for a 64gb) and at BigW (a department store also for $700 for a 64gb). That is it. It used to be in a major electrical chain and a phone company, but not anymore. Priced themselves straight out of the market.

**GreyGhostRos** · 05-06-2012, 04:41 AM

Yes even here in India Playbooks seem to be out of stock in most retail stores.. Those mobile store chains seem to not be ordering new stock.. I had a bit of difficult time finding a 32GB Playbook so I ordered it online.. :P
Hopefully with BB10 they manage to get back to popularity..

**spencerdl** · 05-06-2012, 04:54 AM

In recent months the only place I saw the PlayBook for sale has been (of all places), A Sprint cooperate store and they only had the 16gb for $199. All of my favorite electronic stores and even my non-favorite electronic stores that once carried the PlayBook and accessories no longer support the PlayBook. In my area a person would be hard pressed to find a PlayBook. How do you as a company get product to the masses.......ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE and ADVERTISE, so consumers want your product and major retailers request your product, not that hard.

**BBplaybookJS** · 05-06-2012, 05:46 AM

Funny I was in Staples last Tuesday and they not only had Playbooks on display they had prominent signage

**kdeckels** · 05-06-2012, 08:15 AM

I'm in more of a rural area, & shortly after Christmas they didn't have any new units & had all the accessories on clearance.

**reschp** · 05-06-2012, 08:19 AM

A retail outlet is not product loyal, they are turnover and profit motivated. If they were able to turn over BB accessories at a profit they would sell them. Most clerks do not have access to the sales numbers (and probably don't care as long as their break is not interrupted) so they say what they heard or made up (during break gossip).
When BB makes its comeback, sales will pick up and more retailers will offer BB products again.

**crackberryjill** · 05-06-2012, 08:22 AM

My Staples has a display.

But I would think that RIM may finally be running out of the current backlog of playbooks and until the 4g comes out a lot of stores will not have it, but should have the 4g upon release. Not sure when that is as Heins simply said before the end of the year at BB World.

**kbz1960** · 05-06-2012, 08:22 AM

They have to be about out of the run they made of them. I haven't heard they ever started making any more. They will not manufacture any more of the current models. The new ones will be coming.

**billsterjito** · 05-06-2012, 08:27 AM

In my area of Canada they are still instock and advertising playbook at Bestbuy, the source(radioshack) and Staples.

**eszklar** · 05-06-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by stark4

Ok so i was at Staples today.. looking for PlayBook accessories to use it with my PlayBook 32GB. I couldn't find any so i asked the manager and he said they stopped selling BlackBerry Playbook and BlackBerry accessories few months ago... SO i asked him why and he said they are not doing good so they stopped selling BlackBerry stuff in their stores.
I saw other tablets on display except for blackberry PlayBook.

Next stop.. Radio Shack and same thing no PlayBook or PlayBook accessories.

Is the playbook really that bad for retail stores that they stopped carrying blackberry Stuff??? This is really bad and RIM should do something about this.

Anyway i just want to share this with you guys. No wonder our playbook is not popular because retail stores refused to sell them and customers that are shopping for tablets don't know about it.

I've been lucky here in Toronto getting my PB @ Staples, full-body ZAGG screen protector @ Future Shop, OtterBox Defender case @ Canada Computers and mini-keyboard/Rapid Charger @ The Source.

That being said, it is worrisome that the PB doesn't have the retail presence of other tablets, but ultimately everything is available on-line. Crackberry itself has a fabulous e-commerce/sales site (well now that the mini-keyboard shortage has been resolved).

On-line shopping is where its happening. Best Buy in the USA is getting slammed because people will simply go to Amazon and buy stuff that they physically may have checked out at a said Best Buy. It's simply the future.

**kb5zht** · 05-06-2012, 08:31 AM

It also doesnt help when the most sought-after apps arent to be found on this tablet but yet even a small handheld game device like PS Vita has them (yes, skype matters people). The fact that not enough people "get this" means it is not going to change. Why would the radio-enabled versions coming out make a difference when 90% or more of all tablets people choose to buy are wifi only?

**anthogag** · 05-06-2012, 08:36 AM

Salespeople don't know...anything...ever

**jacknewp** · 05-06-2012, 08:36 AM

I'm a big critic of retail stoes not displaying the PlayBook when they, in fact, have units in stock. Here in the Central U.S., my local Best Buy had (8) 16GB units in stock 2 months ago & not one on display (I still bought one). Then, I stopped by the local Office Depot yesterday - not only do they have the 16, 32 & 64 GB in stock, thay had a display unit out, most all the BB-branded accessories (journal, convertible, zip sleeves, cradle charger, etc.), & one of the employees was even telling me about his BB PlayBook training he went to. Ended up buying a new 64GB PlayBook & left with a smile

!

**world saviour** · 05-06-2012, 08:40 AM

Went to best buy (had it on display) and blackberry case, and staples also had it on display. Did not ask staples about accessories. No matter what if you want it someone will sell it. I'm glad we still have a freedom of choice at this time.

**homer1475** · 05-06-2012, 08:42 AM

Staples has said a while ago they will no longer carry the PB nor its accessories. This is why quite a few on here got rapid chargers and cases at clearance prices from staples. Store to store might be different(some may still have some stock left), but the company as a whole has said they will no longer carry the product.

**BackDaws** · 05-06-2012, 08:48 AM

im in the UK and i dont think ive ever seen an Advert for any Blackberry products, RIM need to advertise it might help.....lol

**madman0141** · 05-06-2012, 09:33 AM

It might be a regional issue some stores have them and some don't. It does seem that the number of stores carrying BlackBerry items has decreased.

**BB_Bmore** · 05-06-2012, 09:34 AM

Wake Up. Be Bold.

**lewis71980** · 05-06-2012, 12:40 PM

Well what is worse is that the shops that do have the displays don't have the companion blackberry to the PlayBook set up....shame.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

**mdmullis** · 05-07-2012, 08:36 AM

Staples Stores in Atlanta GA area stopped carrying as well as Charlotte NC and Nashville TN, however, Best Buy Stores remain a viable source in all these markets with both inventory and display devices at all stores and knowledgeable sales associates who favor BB with solid tech comparison information. However, motivated by commissions and profit Apple is handing out bigger money incentives currently and retail stores are pushing iPad's and iPhones because of it.... I still laugh when as a staunch BB PB user I compare my device against iPad whatever with Browser experience and Flash enabled video kicking Apple ......

**Yankee495** · 05-07-2012, 10:30 AM

At Christmas I went to my Best Buy and they had a PB...dead as a door nail.

I ask them to help me and if they could get it going...couldn't care less.

When I pushed them they said they had an Open box in the back for 10%, maybe 15% off and I said no thanks.

The Best Buy guys must have fake High School Diplomas because they are not too smart...Not all, but most do not know their products.

When I was a computer salesman in the 80's you had to know because the customer knew nothing...never seen a computer except at your store.

Even back then, profit was measured by the square foot. Anything taking up space and not selling was put in the back. I always thought we should put it up front (unless it was junk) but then I was not the boss.

**cdpblackberry** · 05-07-2012, 09:19 PM

The bigger volume radioshacks have them and they are on display. Accessories are all dirt cheap too... They have the 16gb for 199

**mandony** · 05-07-2012, 09:43 PM

Yah, the US retailers like Staples and BestBuy do not have the staff who know how to sell the PB, so they were not successful. From what you guys say, their Canadian operations seem to have them

RadioShack.com and their stores carry the PB at USD$199.99/249.99/299.99
Blackberry Playbook Models

**Real Estate Appraiser** · 05-08-2012, 02:12 AM

In canada I see lots of playbooks. Even in walmart, the wall of flatscreens in the electronics department was running some sorta blackberry add. In the USA it seems to be none existant.