WOW!!!!
I've read this entire thread; watched it morph from how device salespersons belittle the Berry, to the lack of misinformed users dumping their Berry to use what they believe to be a better device. The rhetoric is excellent!
In all of this, there is still one prevalent aspect that stands out...
How little former Berry users know about the current state of Blackberries, and how non-Berry users call their opinions "fact" without posting their source of relevant information. When you COMBINE these points, the singular aspect becomes "misinformed". This is exactly why sales personnel can hawk their wares so effectively. And this is why Blackberry users are so adamantly against users of other devices slandering Blackberries.
I've read the nonsensical "Blackberries don't have this app, THAT'S why I went with this device", the "RIM isn't catering to my needs, so I went with THIS device", the "Berries can't compare to this device, they're old and they suck"...blah, blah, blah.
What I haven't read was "I got this device because I really like it"
It matters less to me what type of sale a salesperson can commission off of me. When I go to the drive-thru of ANY fast food spot, and the automated prompt to purchase the new things goes thru the routine of boring me, once it's done...I'm ordering a number 5 with a vault to drink. It's what I REALLY like, and as long as it's available, I'm going to keep consuming it.
There is no way you can convince me that an iphone is better than a Blackberry, because of sales figures.
There's no way you're going to tell me an Android has apps that a Blackberry doesn't, and I'm going to accept that as true
What I will tell you, the salesperson, etc., is that my money is green, I have it to spend, and if you don't supply it I will find someone/place that does.
Has Americas way of marketing items gone down the toilet; does that salesperson at that particular chain suck; could things be better...YES. Until it gets better, I'm on OS7.1. My device can compete, and I have MY own performance figures and apps to prove it