Everybody hates waiting in long queues. But one would think that a smartphone manufacturer would want people queuing up at the door to purchase their products. Palm and Sprint choose to differ on that assumption, as both of the companies have stated that they do not anticipate and may want to stay away from long queues for the Pre as reported by Electronista. Palm Pre’s spokeswoman Lynn Fox confessed that Palm does not expect a mob of people swarming to get their very own Palm Pre. Instead they are looking towards a slow build-up. She commented that Palm is different from its competitor Apple and can’t expect to trigger the same behavior.
At the same time, Sprint press representative Mark Elliott also sought to prevent worry over long lineups and said quite contradictorily, that his company was trying to reduce those lines.
It’s “not about having a line out the door,” Elliott remarks. “It’s about being able to treat each customer and make sure they’re happy with their decision.”
If the flow of customers is regulated, the provider can ensure that Pre buyers don’t feel pressured and the likelihood of enjoying their phones in the long term increases.
These statements, made by the two companies, involve a moderate amount of spin in view of the supply-driven shortage which will occur when the Pre goes on sale today. Moreover, it reflects the tarnished image of the two firms and the deficiency of high-profile smartphones in their respective catalogs.