[invision-studios]

From a web developers POV, adding in another variable like an existing customer would be a nightmare, plus swapping phone numbers for the new device, etc. Call me naive, but I'm betting they are just trying to keep it simple.

I called VZW customer service and they said I could pre-order a Tour in-store. I'll find out later today if that's the case.

On another note, this is the first cell phone upgrade I've done while my current phone was still functional. I've been with VZW for a long time, and every time I got a new phone it was because the old one was dead or dying. I assume I own the phone, and I can re-sell it on eBay or whatever? Just curious what others do with their outdated phones.

[SuperJETT]

This is not the first new phone they've had, their system works really well most of the time. It's not like they have to program something new just for this phone.

[z06Rono]

If I can upgrade to any other phone via their website, why would the Tour being any different? There is no complexity here more than adding any other phone to their website. They have either had a brain fart or they are doing this intentionally.

[Sleepy515]

their not having any technical issues thats for sure.

i know how to design websites and a fix like this is simple.

its probably what you guessed invision.

i think that their just trying to get new customers in and trying to grab on to any excuse they can.

hopefully we won't see Out of stock* soon, because that would just blow. I remember reading a post on crackberry about

how they ordered a small stock. Its basic supply and demand.

I hope their not picking up PS3's marketing technique. issue out a small order, a week later issue out the same number of

order.... so on and so forth.

this just sucks! but it works.

ps i tried preordering it at my store but they said they couldn't do that and that they would get the new blackberry a week after its release.

[woodypeoples]

So, if your logic is correct, VZW better hope they can attract competitors customers or that new customers are born everyday. They will be in trouble if they do not want to focus on current customers.

[Sleepy515]

So, if your logic is correct, VZW better hope they can attract competitors customers or that new customers are born everyday. They will be in trouble if they do not want to focus on current customers.

its a perfect excuse to say that their having technical problems, why else can't i pre-order on the phone. its a win win situation for them.

[mab4285]

their not having any technical issues thats for sure.

i know how to design websites and a fix like this is simple.

its probably what you guessed invision.

i think that their just trying to get new customers in and trying to grab on to any excuse they can.

hopefully we won't see Out of stock* soon, because that would just blow. I remember reading a post on crackberry about

how they ordered a small stock. Its basic supply and demand.

I hope their not picking up PS3's marketing technique. issue out a small order, a week later issue out the same number of

order.... so on and so forth.

this just sucks! but it works.

ps i tried preordering it at my store but they said they couldn't do that and that they would get the new blackberry a week after its release.

Do you design Verizon's website?

[Sleepy515]

Do you design Verizon's website?

no if i did, it would be more user friendly and look modern.

my point is if it was a web glitch then going to the source, calling, would enable us to pre-order this phone. but it doesn't.

[Sleepy515]

look we're all in the same boat, i want my effin blackberry 9630!

:'(

[JohnJSal]

If they intentionally ordered a small amount and would have to order more, wouldn't that encourage some people to switch to Sprint, assuming Sprint doesn't do the same trick?

Seems like the "low order" trick would only really work if you had no competition.

[mab4285]

I don't think they ever said it was a web glitch.... I'm pretty sure they said it was a glitch in their system, which probably means a glitch in their sales system.

[Syco54645]

From a web developers POV, adding in another variable like an existing customer would be a nightmare, plus swapping phone numbers for the new device, etc. Call me naive, but I'm betting they are just trying to keep it simple.

I called VZW customer service and they said I could pre-order a Tour in-store. I'll find out later today if that's the case.

On another note, this is the first cell phone upgrade I've done while my current phone was still functional. I've been with VZW for a long time, and every time I got a new phone it was because the old one was dead or dying. I assume I own the phone, and I can re-sell it on eBay or whatever? Just curious what others do with their outdated phones.

please let us know if you can preorder in the store. if so, i will do that.

[mckinzie.rose]

their not having any technical issues thats for sure.

I just got off the phone with Verizon. Marketing is working on the problem now. Said it WAS a technical issue, and it existing customers should be able to pre-order online by the end of the day. Strangely though, they said online was the only way to pre-order.

[modernhobo]

I just got off the phone with Verizon. Marketing is working on the problem now. Said it WAS a technical issue, and it existing customers should be able to pre-order online by the end of the day. Strangely though, they said online was the only way to pre-order.

I also talked with them. Some points to consider:

• Marketing wouldn't be working on technical problem. They would dump it on the IT folks.
• The same thing happened with the storm. Some stores only sold it for new lines of service.
• Trust me this isn't that much of fix. They are using "Sun-ONE-Web-Server/6.1". So I'm guessing they are either doing webservices or ejb. This could have been implemented on their service layer.
• Don't you think they would have QA tested the website?
• They would have a system in place by now for phone and store orders if they cared about upgrades.

Verizon still sucks the least. But.... they are getting worse while there competitors get better. By next year I might jump ship.

[Darkfear]

If I can upgrade to any other phone via their website, why would the Tour being any different? There is no complexity here more than adding any other phone to their website. They have either had a brain fart or they are doing this intentionally.

I think it is intentional. think about it, all carriers get boners for new customers. they know they are getting the phone relatively first and want to snag all the first adopters and entice them. even if that they don't get the phone exclusively first they try to lure those away from other carriers with their claims of being the best network. "newest BB on the best 3g network" right?

well they know we are already starving for the tour and will get it even if we can't be the first to pre order online and some new customer can. the only option is to call the tele sales which does not guarantee 100% as some have complained about that. even if you can pre order on the tele sales line then you have to do any mail in rebate the ancient way which has its risks. i have lost a rebate once because they claimed it could not be read. BS! that's why i prefer to get my new phone online so i can get the rebate instantly and without hassle and i think many do as well. so yeah i think the existing cutomer is being locked out for now.

[alxperez]

that sounds like an excuse a developer might use. as far as it being a nightmare thats a gross over-exaggeration. Its their job to code apps for the site.

[Darkfear]

that sounds like an excuse a developer might use. as far as it being a nightmare thats a gross over-exaggeration. Its their job to code apps for the site.

i agree with you

[DolfanCole#CB]

From a web developers POV, adding in another variable like an existing customer would be a nightmare, plus swapping phone numbers for the new device, etc. Call me naive, but I'm betting they are just trying to keep it simple.

I called VZW customer service and they said I could pre-order a Tour in-store. I'll find out later today if that's the case.

On another note, this is the first cell phone upgrade I've done while my current phone was still functional. I've been with VZW for a long time, and every time I got a new phone it was because the old one was dead or dying. I assume I own the phone, and I can re-sell it on eBay or whatever? Just curious what others do with their outdated phones.

From what I understand, the functionality to swap numbers, etc. already exists as people have done that for prior phones. So, it doesn't appear to be any more involved that flipping a switch to enable current customers to order. Plus, you can order any other phone and do all the other services. Just not the Tour. Things just don't add up to me.

[modernhobo]

I just got off the phone and went to a verizon store.

It took two transfers to get to someone that was willing to help me.

In the end, both the store rep and the phone rep agreed that this was a marketing decision on verizon's part. To araphrase, "I'm sorry. I agree that you should be able to pre-order but "high level decisions" were made to only allow preorders for new lines of service.

I don't think this is a good trend. Pretty soon verizon will be like the airlines or xm radio. You can book tickets or get service but customer service can take half-an-hour to days.

[cheech73]

verizon sticks it to their existing customers again.

[ChaplainBill]

Just a few minutes ago . . .

Please wait for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience!
A Verizon Wireless online pre-sales specialist has joined the chat. You are now chatting with Richard
Richard: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. Can I interest you in a new phone or phone accessory today?
You: Yes! How about the Tour?
Richard: The Tour is a great choice.
Richard: Are you an existing Verizon Wireless customer?
You: Yes I am . . .for about 20 years
Richard: Unfortunately, there is currently a website issue preventing My Verizon customers from processing an upgrade preorder for the BlackBerry Tour at this time. Our technicians are working to correct this issue as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you come back at a later time to place your order. Thank you for your understanding.
You: I hear it's more than a web site issue. That Verizon is not allowing existing customers pre-order . . only for new customers? Is that true?
Richard: No. It's a web site issue.
Richard: I recommend you try back in a few days.

My question is this: How long does it take for professional Web masters to fix a glich?

[originalbadman]

Just a few minutes ago . . .

Please wait for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience!
A Verizon Wireless online pre-sales specialist has joined the chat. You are now chatting with Richard
Richard: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. Can I interest you in a new phone or phone accessory today?
You: Yes! How about the Tour?
Richard: The Tour is a great choice.
Richard: Are you an existing Verizon Wireless customer?
You: Yes I am . . .for about 20 years
Richard: Unfortunately, there is currently a website issue preventing My Verizon customers from processing an upgrade preorder for the BlackBerry Tour at this time. Our technicians are working to correct this issue as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you come back at a later time to place your order. Thank you for your understanding.
You: I hear it's more than a web site issue. That Verizon is not allowing existing customers pre-order . . only for new customers? Is that true?
Richard: No. It's a web site issue.
Richard: I recommend you try back in a few days.

My question is this: How long does it take for professional Web masters to fix a glich?

Yea, let's be serious. A multi billion dollar corporation would be able to fix a website "issue" within a matter of minutes, not days. They have an entire team I'm sure at HQ dedicated to running their website. They are feeding that bull**** excuse so as to try and not **** off as many customers as possible.

I could have a local joe schmo programmer go in there and fix this "glitch" within 20 minutes.

I wonder how quickly the "issue" would have been fixed if it were NEW customers that couldn't order the Tour. 3 minutes tops?

******* greedy, money hungry Verizon man. They really **** me off.

[doomedromance]

I just got off the phone with Verizon. Marketing is working on the problem now. Said it WAS a technical issue, and it existing customers should be able to pre-order online by the end of the day. Strangely though, they said online was the only way to pre-order.

Marketing is working on a technical issue? Right.... More like marketing is working on the best excuse to keep people from realizing they did it on purpose to ensure they get the most new customers possible before letting current customers have what they want. What would you rather subsidized the cost of a phone for? Someone who's already paying you money, or someone who's never gave you money before but is going to now. Their plan is just in case the phone sells out, we aren't going to let current customers get it until we get the maximum number of new customers and we'll have marketing spin the situation to look like a website issue. If I were the web developers I'd be pissed that in order for VZW to stay greedy they get thrown under the bus. I don't buy it, that the problem can't be fixed in less than 24hrs.

[zippycrackberrygirl]

I just went to the site and it now says the following:
"Existing customers will be able to upgrade or purchase the BlackBerry Tour on this site very soon. Please check back with us tomorrow."

So they have at least updated their site to say they know it's an issue

[cheech73]

yes i seen that too, congrats on all you getting the tour as an upgrade... I guess verizon was listening to alot of pissed off people.