So, I walked into my local Radio Shack about 20 minutes ago, and say I need to inquire about a phone on AT&T. She immediately states that they are taking reservations for the HTC Inspire. +1 She states the tidbit about putting down $50 on a non-refundable gift card towards the purchase price (who cares, it's going there anyways!), looks up my info, checks my upgradability, writes my name down on a sheet entitled "Inspire Reservations", takes my money, hands me my gift card and receipt, asks when I'll be in to pick it up. I tell her that Sunday. She said, "cool!". Easy as can be! There is a bonus of $30 gift card when the phone is picked up that can be used towards anything. Also, I managed to get a sneak peak at the MSRP of the device for all you out there paying top dollar: $449.99.
I'm torn. I want to ensure I have this phone for my wife and I on day 1 but I would rather get it from best buy. best buy stated that their buyback program would be free basically all this month so you wont have to pay the 50-60 dollar fee when you purchase a phone. I called best buy but they have no idea about preorder (which probably means they arent going to get it on preorder) but they seemed confident that they would be getting it at some point. Should I just play it safe and go with radio shack?
That is correct. She told me that they would be available when the phone is picked up. Although, Im not 100% sure if it's store credit or gift card. I know, basically the same thing. If the buyback program is a big enough deal for you, wait it out. Personally, I think the asking price of $99 is too good to pass up, and probably wouldn't get much back in return. Radio Shack is fine with me as long as I have my phone when it's released, rather than running all over town hitting up various stores trying to find it.
I dont have the option of getting it for 99 bucks. I upgraded (early) in december of 2009, and I have to wait to 6 months out from the end of my 2 yr contract to upgrade early again (which would be december 2011). So I am buying two of them straight up (yikes). I figured in december or so something better will have popped out or be on the horizon so it made sense to have the buy back option to recoup some of the cost.
So, you get the $30 card when you pick up the phone. Chances of being able to use it toward the phone?
The buy back program is great if you do not want to deal with craigslist, but dont mind getting a low offer for your product. for example, my HTC surround, though 3 months old at most, would get $150 from them. anyways, I'm going to go to my pre order today as well......hopefully they will have cases or something i can use with the $30 gift card!! EDIT: $450 msrp? man this phone is getting harder and harder not to own. I was thinking to myself "well maybe ill wait for the atrix who knows" but at $450 i cant say no
Slim to none, but I like your thinking! I mentioned that hopefully they'll have some decent accessories, and she said if not, put it towards a bigger memory card!
Man, I'm gonna feel like a real douche if this is the wrong price that I saw in the RS system. She even repeated it back to me. Hopefully it's accurate! lol See if you can get a definite acknowledgment from your store when you go in?
Does anyone think if you walk into the att store on launch day there will be enormous lines and a complete sellout of devices like when the iphone launches? Cause that pretty much determines whether or not I will preorder or use the att store.
I'm a bit on the fence on whether or not there will be any kind of lines, but I'm leaning towards saying "no". I just didn't want to deal with any hassles or surprises if so.
I would say probably not. Last June when they were releasing the Aria, there was so much hype because it was the first HTC Android (unlike the Moto Androids) but there wasn't that much demand. Same with the WP7 phones in November. I would say chances will be pretty good of walking in Sunday and walking out with one.
Does anyone know of any other way to reserve the Inspire? The 2 Radio Shacks within 50 miles of me don't have them. The last one I called snapped at me "We don't have anything AT&T." Dikc... That's why I don't shop there! Thanks in advance!
Just pre-ordered the phone and was also quoted the non-contract price of $449. Heads-up: you can fill out an online survey for a $10 off $40 purchase coupon after getting the $50 gift card for the pre-order. Add that to the $30 accessories card and it's $40 worth of "free" stuff.
Good find! Just checked my receipt, and I see the same thing. I'll be sure to do this soon before it expires.
Lets hope the photo quality on the Inspire far surpases the quality of that photo lol. On a serious note, thanks for the irrefutable proof of 449.
Im telling you if i didnt have an exchange and I was purchasing this phone the radio shack scenario is sweet!
