Updated: Rumor Costco 3g $699 + other plan options

[faith4more]

Hope this rumor is true. This is just a rumor but definite enough to make me not preorder. I want to see how things shake out. Probably unfounded rumor but who knows.

Costco To Sell Xoom On The Cheap, With MIR To Offset Activation?

by Tim Barribeau on February 20, 2011

According to a rumor on XDA, Costco might be severely undercutting Best Buy’s $799 pricetag for the Motorola Xoom. Says XDA user bwcorvus:

Today I have confirmed costco will have it for 699 and it will requirea one month activation. He also said the shipment will be there on the 22nd…he’s to hoping!!!
​

When asked about if it had a Verizon activation fee, he said:

Yes its $35 for activation. Costco will give you a $35 mail in rebate to cover it though.
​

So you’re still stuck paying for a month of coverage, but this is a hell of a lot cheaper than the Best Buy version. I hope this rumor comes to something.


Costco To Sell Xoom On The Cheap, With MIR To Offset Activation?

 

[melantus]

Best buy matches dont they?

 

[joeski27]

So you

 

[ckeegan]

Best buy matches dont they?

I don't believe they're supposed to, since it's a membership store, but sometimes the BB employees/managers don't care enough to fight you on it.

I pre-ordered at Best Buy today, and if I find out that Costco is really selling it for $699, you better believe they'll be price matching. If they refuse, I'll cancel my pre-order, use the $50 gift card to buy the folio case, and walk out the door. Then I'll drive a mile up the road to Costco.

 

[Wolfedude88]

Well while the 699 price point might be a bit of good news, really both the $35 activation fee and the first month of data service ($20) are irrelevant, and I'm still shocked that so many people don't know this. For all those who don't know, if you cancel your data plan within 3 days of activation, you will 1) not be responsible for the $35 activation fee (basically it will be taken off of your Verizon bill), and 2) you will only owe Verizon for any data used since the device was activated, on a prorated basis (which basically amounts to little or nothing. Here's the link to Verizon's return/cancellation policy page. Please see the first paragraph in the "Return & Service Termination" section.

Interesting, nice find. I wonder how this will go over.

 

[Mike S]

I'll be keeping an eye on this to see if it turns out to be true. If so I'll ask BB to price match and if they don't just use the gift card for something else and get it from Costco.

 

[Low023]

You should have preordered it from best buy, they price match. Sorry you are going to have to wait for your Xoom because of a rumor.

 

[faith4more]

You should have preordered it from best buy, they price match. Sorry you are going to have to wait for your Xoom because of a rumor.

No way I pre-order and here is why (Plus I do not think these sell out first day especially with contracts having to be signed. It will limit demand.)


Don't assume because you preorder with Best Buy you will get one.

"Problem with pre-orders is it locks into Best Buy. I did this on the iphone 4 and you cannot trust every Best buy store will get any even if they tell you they will. So what happens is if they don't you have to wait until they get stock or go try and hunt one down somewhere else. If can't find one at a Best Buy but find one at another retailer get stuck with Best Buy gift card you may or may not want. Inventory may not be a problem so might be moot.

My strategy is to wait and see what happens on the 24th. Patience although hard has usually worked in my favor on these kinds of deals."

 

[marctronixx]

^^^^ pre ordering does not LOCK you into anything. if the Xoom does not show up on the 24th you can cancel your placement on the pre order list and then head right to costco, wirefly or whomever you want to. really its not a big deal. i mean you dont have 50 bux to do a low risk short term investment? you will get it back in a few days if you decide NOT to use your pre order...

the iphone 4 was a much hyped product so i can understand supplies are going to be low. the evo was a much hyped product as well however i was able to get one on launch day.

you cant compare the iphone 4 (that has a HUGE following) to a first run product with a small following.. most here have sated they were either first or 3rd to pre order.. you are right its not going to be a big deal however the part about "locking" you in is a bit exaggerated.

 

[faith4more]

Not trying to exaggerate but do not be surprised if there are Best Buys that get no stock on launch day which means you could be first on pre-order list and leave empty handed. Sure the $50 is no big deal but thinking you will get one at Best Buy after going to trouble of pre-ordering and then not getting one stinks. You then have to scramble to find one somewhere else.

That being said this is not the iphone 4 launch as you pointed out. So there is really no need to pre-order as there should be plenty of stock. Especially since it looks like the first releases will be tied to contracts. Demand will be low initially.

^^^^ pre ordering does not LOCK you into anything. if the Xoom does not show up on the 24th you can cancel your placement on the pre order list and then head right to costco, wirefly or whomever you want to. really its not a big deal. i mean you dont have 50 bux to do a low risk short term investment? you will get it back in a few days if you decide NOT to use your pre order...

the iphone 4 was a much hyped product so i can understand supplies are going to be low. the evo was a much hyped product as well however i was able to get one on launch day.

you cant compare the iphone 4 (that has a HUGE following) to a first run product with a small following.. most here have sated they were either first or 3rd to pre order.. you are right its not going to be a big deal however the part about "locking" you in is a bit exaggerated.

 

[marctronixx]

well that remains to be seen if there are best buys that have no stock or not enough stock.. however, with costco selling it, wirefly and verizon i dont see how anyone will be scrambling to find one. and the 50 bux is redeemable.. you can take the gift card right back to bby and get your money returned... OR you could buy an accessory with it..

there really is no cost associated with pre ordering at bby... no strings and not gimmicks..

your enthusiasm and your concern is duly noted however..

Not trying to exaggerate but do not be surprised if there are Best Buys that get no stock on launch day which means you could be first on pre-order list and leave empty handed. Sure the $50 is no big deal but thinking you will get one at Best Buy after going to trouble of pre-ordering and then not getting one stinks. You then have to scramble to find one somewhere else.

 

[tsanuri]

Best buy matches dont they?

They normally will not without an ad. And you will not see it in an ad for them most likely. Now I have had them call a store one time but it was not an easy thing to get them to do.


Best Buy Retail Store Price Match Guarantee - Best Buy

 

[redshift1]

So this if true then a $500.00 wifi only down the road is not unreasonable.

 

[faith4more]

Don't want to discourage anyone who feels need to pre-order from doing it. I was just relaying my reasons for not pre-ordering. Hope I did not come across as downing anyone who decided to pre-order. I understand the excitment as I am excited about this to and sold my ipad to pick up a Xoom.

I do feel it is a moot point though as by only offering 3g version demand will be limited. Should be plenty for everyone between Costco, Verizon, and Best Buy on launch day. Unless of course Moto botches launch by only releasing a limited supply. I would feel more pressure to pre-order if they were releasing wifi only version as I believe demand would be quite high.

That being said let's hope Costco offers this at lower price as it will put pressure on other retailers to match helping us all.

I will not pay $799 for 3g but $699 only $100 over the wifi model it becomes more compelling.

 

[faith4more]

I have been able to get Best Buy to price match by having them call Costco. I bought a TV several years ago and they did it. I think if they have a good supply of the Xoom they will be willing to give Costco a call. They will want to move as many as possible. If supply is small or demand is large and they think they can move it quick they may be less willing.

They normally will not without an ad. And you will not see it in an ad for them most likely. Now I have had them call a store one time but it was not an easy thing to get them to do.


Best Buy Retail Store Price Match Guarantee - Best Buy

 

[Vehtemas]

If and only IF Costco is doing this will I be getting the Xoom prior to the wifi only launch.

However, I did call them just now and they said they are not expecting the tablet prior to the first week of March.

Although I do understand they may have no idea themselves as to how it would pan out.

 

[gobluejd]

To those wanting to price match at BB. I do as I am doing the 18 month no interest thing.

Buy the XOOM at Bestbuy on release day. Next/same day go to Costco, buy it there, return to best buy with receipt and get credit. Then return the Costco XOOM back to Costco unopened.

Worth a $100 to me, you?

 

[marctronixx]

ill follow your lead on this... pretty slick...

 

[gobluejd]

ill follow your lead on this... pretty slick...

Plus I have like a $175 in gift cards and rewards, so I kinda have to get at BB.

 

[StreakTheQuad]

If and only IF Costco is doing this will I be getting the Xoom prior to the wifi only launch.

However, I did call them just now and they said they are not expecting the tablet prior to the first week of March.

Although I do understand they may have no idea themselves as to how it would pan out.

My local costco had no record of the xoom in their system.

IF I were to try and buy there, I would go with my father in law since he has a membership. Would there be any issues with me buying it with MY credit card and activating on MY VZW account, as long as he is there to swipe his membership card at checkout? What about returns, would I need him for that also?

 

[faith4more]

If you call your local Costco be sure and call mobile department. I called my main Costco number and they gave me separate number for mobile kiosk.

The guy told me would have Xoom on 24th. Did not have price or at least acted like he did not have price.

Must pay with Costco credit card, Amex, debit or cash according to rep. This is kind of standard for Costco I believe. You can't pay with a regular credit card.

 

[ckeegan]

I went to the Costco by my house, and they confirmed availability for this Thursday, with a price of $789. Their information showed the MIR for the activation fee, but there is no other rebate that would bring it down to the rumored $699 price.

I figured this would be the case. Not even Costco can buy in enough bulk to warrant a 12.5% discount compared their competitors.

 

[AcesFull]

Best Buy - 14 days on computers and iPads (presumably the Xoom as well).

VZW - 14 days.

Costco - 90 days.

Pretty sure I know where I'm buying my Xoom on Thursday.

 

[faith4more]

Thanks for the info. I still have my fingers crossed though. I have seen a few others that went to their local Costco post the lower price. I think lower price could be done by Costco by possibly giving up some of what they get from Verizon. $789 is probably more realistic but we will know soon.

I went to the Costco by my house, and they confirmed availability for this Thursday, with a price of $789. Their information showed the MIR for the activation fee, but there is no other rebate that would bring it down to the rumored $699 price.

I figured this would be the case. Not even Costco can buy in enough bulk to warrant a 12.5% discount compared their competitors.

 

[Mitchrapp]

My Costco membership ran out. Not sure worth getting it back to save 10 bucks.