palmOne's Eroded Brand Values

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post today for there is nothing joyous in reporting Treonauts' overwhelming frustration and disappointment with palmOne's attitude towards them. 

Following Friday's short survey, so far a massive 700 total votes were cast with 9 out of 10 people supporting the proposal that palmOne should extend its original $599 unlocked Treo 650 GSM pricing for a minimum two week 'introductory' period and also 9 out of 10 people believing that palmOne misled them by stating that the previous pricing was an 'error'.

Furthermore, Treonauts responded en masse by addressing over 300 comments (11 pages long) to palmOne and most did not mince their words in expressing how they felt.  A select few of these below:

This is a very poor move on their part. Palm users tend to be a very loyal group (much like Apple users), and we don't quickly forget such atrocities.

Very unfortunate to see a company so out of touch with its customers. I am also a shareholder of PalmOne. I am disgusted.

Why you would treat your customers like this is beyond me. It seems like you hold the chips when it comes to the relationship with Cingular. Just negotiate a lower price-- Is Cingular really willing to NOT carry the 650.

Pa1mOne better explain themselves. They have serious egg on their face and they have pissed off lots of loyal customers.

This sort of bungling hurts not only palmOne, but the many dedicated developers (such as myself) who work tirelessly to bring value to palmOne products.

I've decided they are clueless when it comes to the end customer. The entire launch of the 650 shows a pattern of being more concerned with the carriers (who mostly don't really care about real customer service - thanks to market consolidation!), than they are with end users. This will come back to haunt them.

The PalmOne ship is adrift while the crew is below decks. No one is paying any attention to CUSTOMERS!!!!! That is corporate stupidity like I have never seen. Who's "leading" this sinking ship?

Simply put, they just need to get their act together!

This violates all of the basics of marketing. In fact, I don't know of a better way to trash or kill the initial release momentum of a service or product. Secondly, what does this do for developing reliability through trust?

Just another sign that Palm is headed even further down the tubes and away from the customer care that originally, long ago, made them great.

Honesty and integrity...? Are these values of PalmOne, or greed?

Listen to your loyal customers and treat them fairly and your company will continue to grow and prosper...hint, hint

They are done. They have not had any sense of creativity or ingenuity for years. Before they bought Handspring, Palm was dying. The Handspring acquisition was a last gasp. Instead, they have killed it, too.

For PalmOne to state that it's pricing was a genuine error would be a insult to my and I'm sure the general public's intelligence.

This is a shameful way to deal with customers, and an excellent way to lose brand faith and support.

PalmOne should be MORE interested in building a quality product with a loyal customer base and getting them hooked on their software while the competition is still weak. Instead they seem more intent on bleeding their customers while they have no other alternatives. Current loyal customers will not forget and now new customers have more reason to wait to check out the up and coming MS based smart phone devices. I would not be surprised to see this company going out of business in five to ten years. Their Board needs to take notice, fire current management, and get a team that cares about quality and customers over short term profit.

It saddens me to see PalmOne not only bow so completely to the providers, but then to lie about it.

UPDATED CLARIFICATION: Reading some of the comments made in this post and the survey, I think that it is necessary to clarify what this 'rant' about the change in the unlocked Treo 650 GSM pricing is and is not about.

It is not about questionning palmOne's pricing decision per se - the company is free to charge whatever it wants for its products - nor is it about getting palmOne to change its price back to $599 (beyond a promotional or introductory period) or even about arguing that the price is 'too high'.

It is however very much about letting palmOne know that its customers are not deaf, blind or dumb and that they do not appreciate being lied to or manipulated.  It is about palmOne's openness, transparency, honesty, fairness and respect - all of which are qualities that we demand in return for purchasing and advocating the company's products.  It is about letting palmOne know that our continued support and patronage should not be taken for granted.

So, where do we go from here?  As Theodor Adorno once said: "The adequate knowledge of what is wrong lights the path to the correct solution" and it is very much my hope that palmOne will intelligently use this latest crisis to not only reflect upon its future but more importantly to react and do something about it.

Here are my own suggestions for some of the reading (but by no means complete) that should feature prominently on palmOne's desks over the coming months as there is obviously a serious need for some fresh and new thinking within the organisation if it holds any hope to establish itself as an industry leader:

The Naked Corporation : How the Age of Transparency Will Revolutionize Business by Don Tapscott & David Ticoll
If you have to be naked, you had better be buff. We are entering an extraordinary age of transparency, where businesses must for the first time make themselves clearly visible to shareholders, customers, employees, partners, and society. Financial data, employee grievances, internal memos, environmental disasters, product weaknesses, international protests, scandals and policies, good news and bad; all can be seen by anyone who knows where to look. Welcome to the world of the naked corporation. Transparency is revolutionizing every aspect of our economy and its industries and forcing firms to rethink their fundamental values.

The Transparency Edge: How Credibility Can Make or Break You in Business by Barbara Pagano
Today's leading organizations have seized on the concept of transparency as the key to gaining the confidence of investors, employees, and customers--and gaining profits. In The Transparency Edge, leadership expert Barbara Pagano demonstrates that transparency is more than an excellent policy--it is a powerful management skill that managers can learn and use to make themselves and their organizations more competitive.

Body of Truth : Leveraging What Consumers Can't or Won't Say by Dan Hill
Body of Truth contributes a fresh and welcome perspective to the discipline of marketing. Dr. Dan Hill’s work will be enjoyed by all intellectually inquisitive professionals who seek to build better relationships with their customers, employees, and channel partners. Synthesizing recent developments from biology and psychology, the book highlights the primary role that sensory-emotive connections play in creating authentic relationships that drive business results. In the end, Hill reminds us that emotions enrich all of the associations that enliven a brand.

Relationship Marketing: Successful Strategies for the Age of the Customer by Regis McKenna
In this spirited recap of the 1980s, marketing consultant McKenna elaborates on a revolution in the computer-age marketplace that has all but laid low corporations whose isolated managements used massive advertising campaigns to dictate what the customer would buy. Today, he writes, the focus is on direct consumer contact and personal relations with the business "infrastructure"--media, suppliers, analysts, etc.--whose feedback will influence product development and marketing strategy.

Customers For Life by Carl Sewell
Sewell focuses on the expectations and demands of contemporary consumers and employees, showing that businesses can remain committed to quality service in the fast-paced new millennium by sticking to his time-proven approach: Figure out what customers want and make sure they get it.

Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard
America is in the midst of a service crisis that has left a wake of disillusioned customers from coast to coast. Raving Fans includes startling new tips and innovative techniques that can help anyone create a revolution in any workplace--and turn their customers into raving, spending fans.

Customers.com by Patricia Seybold
The first section of the book outlines five steps aimed at any organization grappling with the challenge of doing e-commerce right. The final section offers a technology roadmap and suggestions for getting e-commerce initiatives off the ground. But the heart of the book is the 16 case studies of companies that have successfully embraced e-business and e-commerce. Each is well researched, and includes an executive summary and "take-aways" about what each firm did right. If you're looking to develop your business online, this book belongs on your desk, not your bookshelf.

Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy by Carl Shapiro & Hal Varian
Shapiro and Varian argue that if managers seriously want to develop effective strategies for competing in the new economy, they must understand the fundamental economics of information technology. Whether information takes the form of software code or recorded music, is published in a book or magazine, or even posted on a website, managers must know how to evaluate the consequences of pricing, protecting, and planning new versions of information products, services, and systems. The first book to distill the economics of information and networks into practical business strategies, Information Rules is a guide to the winning moves that can help business leaders-from writers, lawyers, and finance professionals to executives in the entertainment, publishing, and hardware and software industries--navigate successfully through the information economy.

Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
Beckwith argues that what consumers are primarily interested in today are not features, but relationships. Even companies who think that they sell only tangible products should rethink their approach to product development and marketing and sales. For example, when a customer buys a Saturn automobile, what they're really buying is not the car, but the way that Saturn does business. Beckwith provides an excellent forum for thinking differently about the nature of services and how they can be effectively marketed.

Finally, below you will find the complete list of over 300 comments that you and your fellow Treonauts addressed to palmOne:

Leave it at 599.99. That is already too much. The price is already almost the same price as a laptop computer. DA
* * *
From a loyal user of PalmOS PDAs for 9 years (Pilot Pro!) this action alone made me recoil back my hand that was extended and ready to dish out the 599. It made me rethink "what's up with this P1?" I have over the past week actually talked myself out of buying a 650 and continuning my current Palm+cell+blackberry concoction until the next (if ever) version of a Palm phone. You know what is funny, like you, I am also noticeably sad that p1 keeps getting it wrong! Deep down I want them to make kick butt PDAs which not only "hit the spot" of my geek heart but also that kick Microsoft's butt! I'm not truly loyal to any other brands, c'mon P1... get it right... I actualy *want* you to win... I'll dish the $$.. just get it right!
* * *
They have totally lost touch with their customer base. They released the 650 without anywhere near the proper level of testing, let alone the butchered memory. How many customers do they have to lose before they start to notice?
* * *
Go f*** yourself. I plan to start looking at alternatives. You've just lost a customer.
* * *
It's plain supply and demand. If they can't make them any faster and have long waitlists - why not sell the few they have to those that are willing to pay the most? Heck, they should be auctioning them. I'd rather Palm get $700 from those of us that can afford it and "need" one RIGHT NOW, to help palm stay in business longer, and then lower the price in a few months when they have more stock to sell. If you're going to petition them to lower the price, why not argue they should sell them for $59 instead of $599? It's not Palm's job to sell these things cheap and go out of business doing so. And, Treos are not like bread of heating oil - it's a luxury good (and yes they can be used for business - and many businesses are prolly willing to pay more $). Get a grip folks! 
* * *
I was told by the manager of a Cingular store in Michigan that they pulled the sale of the 650 (from stores and internet) because they had too many 600's left in stock. When the 600's are gone they will release the 650. I believe this was a contributing factor to palmOne's decision. I am no longer waiting for a 650 -- I am currently looking at a different brand and a different carrier.
* * *
I really like the phone but the ongoing turmoil regarding the 650 release and it's (lack of or disabled) features does leave a bad taste. Not to mention that I'm on a Mac. It's like going for a cruise on a beautiful, sinking ship.
* * *
Palmone is one a slippery slope of successive missteps. If it were not the for the fact the Tre0650 is not the defacto standard for "smartphones", many of us have already invested in the unit, several will pull back and reconsider this investment. the Treo650 in its current state is note the "gold standard" that we all were looking for nor has PalmOne demonstrated any consideration for its current or future customers.
* * *
Corporate thievery and price gouging are a couple of terms that come to mind when things like this happen. I was thinking about switching from Sprint to Cinular recently for coverage reasons. This however turns me off to Cingular as well. 
* * *
This is a poor move by Palm 1. I will now seriously consider buying a GSM Pocket PC. I cannot support a company that blatantly lies or misleads their potential customers. This is less about the price than inexcusable business practice. How can we trust you? 
* * *
As long as they keep making great products, they'll be fine.
* * *
Time to do the right thing. CVB
* * *
Goodby palmone, I switched!
* * *
Why do they tie up with operators in teh first place? Why don't they just sell the darn thing directly?
* * *
Sticking with the 600 for now
* * *
First, the memory is messed up. Second, the DUN is disabled on both versions. fine, I can live with both of those. I went to the iste today to buy a Treo 650 after selling my Windows Mobile Motorola MPX220. I found the pricing 'error' and was shocked and appauled. This is simply ridiculous. I can...
* * *
palmOne se ha convertido en una gran mierda. Es una empresa que no oye a sus usuarios y eso la va a llevar al fin...
* * *
I'm not happy with PalmOne. They had a great product, and this upgrade to 650 is garbage.
* * *
Well , I am a Royal PalmOne Treo user and all of the sudden the price of Treo 650 rose..What is going on with you PalmOne...and I thought that PalmOne is going to lower the Price of Unlocked Treos
* * *
I'm now looking forward to the HP release.
* * *
Its their product and they can price it however they like. I would also guess that they can't handle (production-wise) a massive amount of people all of a sudden purchasing GSM Treo 650's just when they are trying to ramp Cingular up. In a way, we're lucky they're willing to sell an unlocked Treo...
* * *
there is no excuse for this. the price has been on the palmone web site for months. i was going to upgrade from my 600 to a 650. i've been a loyal palm customer for years. i've purchased more plam devices than i can remember... Now i think i'll scrap the platform altogether.
* * *
I called PalmOne and tried to get the initial $599 price for the Treo 650. I was told that pricing was a 48 hour promotion only. I saw no mention of any promotion on the website and the CSR could not give me a concrete answer after confronting him about his claim of a 48hour promotion. At $599...
* * *
Extremely disappointed. I'm seriously looking for PocketPC alternatives.
* * *
PalmOne have been making " too many " mistakes in the Treo-650, from memory issue which is still in a state of limbo right up to the price increase. As a faithful user since the VX days, I am angry and disgusted.
* * *
eff
* * *
Incompetence and lies will come back to haunt P1 one day or another. Customers think with their wallets too, P1 seems to forget that. 
* * *
Why should they lower the price due to the complaints of website visitors. The ones who got it for $599 should feel lucky.
* * *
Palmone better hope we do not find out that they have delayed shipping of the unlocked 650 because of pressure from the cariers.
* * *
The customer comes last. Near term profits are more important than long term growth.
* * *
PalmOne should consider in opposite way. Lower the price for unlock Treo650 to $499 and swipe the market. If I am CEO of PalmOne I'd do it. Simply speaking, $499 is still profitable for the cost of manufacture, and under this price you don't have to waste any marketing advertisement. We'd do that...
* * *
Do the right thing!
* * *
I wanted a Treo 650, I really did. But it's not worth $700. Seven Hundred Dollars. For a phone! What are they thinking? It's just retarded and they come across as a form of evil that's beyond even companies like Microsoft. Speaking of Microsoft, I think that PalmOne (and by extension, Palm) wi...
* * *
memory problems, - Egg one Unlocked Problmes - Egg two I'm sure someone will find the bacon soon. Looks like a full meal deal for Micro$ofts phone
* * *
I'll stick with my p900 until the price adjusts to a 'sensible' level
* * *
It makes me sad to see yet another screw-up by PalmOne. It is a shame to sabotage a launch of such a nice product in this way. It is getting easier and easier to move over to Windows Mobile Pocket Pcs. I have had enough of all the Palm screwups and always being behind the cutting edge of technology.
* * *
Rectify this!
* * *
It's too expensive no matter what you do. I'll buy it, but I've got a great business account with AT&T natch Cingular. Truth be told, no PDA/Phone works well. Treo is just the best of the bad. Furthermore, they've overthought it. A good consumer PDA/Phone would only do five things - read/send e-mail (including basic attachments), read/send IMs, save addresses, save calendar events and make phone calls. Forget expansion. Cameras are fun, I guess, but not one's that suck. (Treo 650 phone still isn't really a camera.) Games are good, too, I guess, but not important. Reduce/simplify the features, reduce the price (a lot), make these things stylish (a la Zen Micro, Apple) not computery, and sell them like crazy. Add a good MP3 player - there's really only one - and you'd have a huge hit. We'll see.
* * *
I am an owner of the Treo 600 and like the device very much and get great use out of it, however if this company continues on this track then I may be considering another device for my upgrade. Sorry Palmone enough is enough.
* * *
The move to increase the price is ridiculus. The Treo 650 is nice, but not worth $700 for the unlocked version. You need to treat your customers better if you want to win the war against Microsoft. Word of mouth is the best way to gain market share, piss too many people off and no amount of spin by your best marketing person can repair that damage. I wonder if Palm as a company cares enough out their customers? I would like to upgrade from a T3 to Treo 650, but the price increase has given me pause. From what I've reading on the web in the last few day, there are many unhappy, or rather very angry people upset about the price increase as well. These are the loyal customers folks, the ones who would recommend a palm product to anyone in their sphere of influence without thinking twice. Now who knows if they will? Re-think your pricing strategy for the 650. It always comes down to money right. Before the increase you would have gotten my money, now you are not going to get it. Take your pick, $600 or nothing?
* * *
are you kidding? do you think that athere are no other companies making smartphones than palmOne? Do you believe that I'll buy Treo no matter the cost? Well... To see if the anserws are "yes" simply look at your shares price...
* * *
PalmOne should put their pants on and stop bowing to the whimpering and whining of the worst cell service around - SPRINT.
* * *
If it wasn't for the fact that PalmOne has a monopoly on PalmOS devices, they could close shop. They must have the most sucessful core customer alienation program in corporate history.
* * *
(My thoughts to treonauts.) Let (y)our money do the walking. Advocate that upgraders simply delay purchases into the next quarter and copy the research analysts. Hit em where it hurts ; in the stock price. Alternatively, (drastic I say) but moving to a different OS is doable but not without limitations. A relative of mine did this. 
* * *
I think I better start looking at other options 
* * *
Actually, I am disappointed with all US cell phone manufactures and companies. They should truely focus on what is best for the US consumer including unrestricted functions vs. profit.
* * *
I think they underpriced their product and it's worth 699 unlocked.
* * *
I'm wondering if there was some sort of squabble between pa1m0ne and Cingular. Certainly an unlocked model for $50 over the cost of a network-specific model would make the GSM networks in America squeemish, seeing as that's how they do business: lock their phones so you are more inclined not to s...
* * *
It saddens me to see PalmOne not only bow so completely to the providers, but then to lie about it.
* * *
PalmOne should be MORE interested in building a quality product with a loyal customer base and getting them hooked on their software while the competition is still weak. Instead they seem more intent on bleeding their customers while they have no other alternatives. Current loyal customers will...
* * *
I want the unlocked version, because that is the attraction of the GSM "world Phone" I will wait until the price drops before considering buying it now. Nice one.
* * *
Sounds like a case of price rape. It will backfire on you.
* * *
poor business practice
* * *
I was considering buying the Treo 650. I will not. 
* * *
get with the program. if you want to sell more of these things, you gotta target the "everyman" and the everyman can't afford this price! I know you gotta bend to the will of the carriers (Hell I used to work for one, so I know) but why don't you learn from microsoft and make this gadget as per...
* * *
i will not pay 699 for it because of the way they icreased the price.
* * *
Return the original pricing of $599
* * *
get it together.
* * *
There are other products on the market that offer similar features so I will consider switching my business to another brand.
* * *
PalmOne should sell the unlocked Treo 650 for $599, period. No promotional period. This is price gouging and they know it. This company is increasingly disappointing to me. One stupid decision after another.
* * *
This is treachery and I feel like my enthusiasm of this product has been abused and being taken advantage of. At this price, I think those other Pocket PC phones are getting more and more attractive not to mention WIFI at no additional cost or add-on.
* * *
You guys are really hurting your reputation with this sort of stunt :-((
* * *
bad business practice of plain out lying
* * *
I think they should stick to the original price announced; $599. No promotion period, no second thoughts, no nothing! Just the original price announced.
* * *
A company this large and well established does not make mistakes like this; a poor attempt at making an extra dollar off the people who were willing to pay a little more all along. 
* * *
What were they thinking??!!! they could have thought about these issues before they even placed the phone on the site.....
* * *
it's all cingular. no doubt of it.
* * *
Yet another case of a company that does not care about its customers. Merely the bottom line. I have certainly rethought my purchase decision. $700.00 bucks for a smartphone, is not so smart.
* * *
I have been waiting to buy a Treo 650 since last summer when my buddy bought a Treo 600. After a little research I learned that a "new" Treo was on it's way. It's finally here and after this dastardly move I will not buy ANY Palm products. No Treo for me. I'm heading over to Symbian land. I ...
* * *
Make the treo cheaper. The cdma model has been out for a while. And the gsm model gives access to gsm related mobile carrier users. How stupid can palmOne get? Its not like you guys put in more memory. What is up with the sudden price hike. Its way to too steep. The hp h6315 is much cheape...
* * *
haha....it would all be censored....
* * *
The Treo may seem the curse of PalmOne but this just proves it's really the other way around.
* * *
Was excited about the 600. It had problems. I would like to upgrade to the 650, but I really feel like we're gettting screwed.
* * *
Last time around, Treo 270 owners were treated to a nice discount. Now not only is it OTT expensive, but T-Mobile customers ( a healthy portion of the Treo public) have been left out in the cold. What's the point of doing these carrier by carrier roll-outs? Do they really have that much switchin...
* * *
It is a very bad marketing and PR mistake to increase the price by $100. One thing that palmOne fails to understand is that, you are ultimately serving the consumers, not the phone companies. Just imagine, would Apple do what you did? Apple is an extremely successful company with its iPod line. A...
* * *
This is crazy, I went to buy the phone today and the price went up $100. I travel worldwide and need a unlocked phone.
* * *
Watch your back - HP is coming. They will get my order. I will buy an el cheapo phone from tmobile and wait again for the phone of my dreams - From HP. The speed of the team is determined by the speed of the leader.
* * *
PalmOne can hardly win in this one, an 'error' of this magnitude smacks of incompetance, putting up prices after launch is unheard of. The T650 is already at a much higher price than other PDAs of the same spec, and lets not forget it really only is a PDA with an extra wireless transmitter.
* * *
I currently don't HAVE a smart phone or a PDA, but really need one. Thre Treo 650 has come up on top of my tough tech research, which I thoroughly enjoy. I just want the damn thing, and oddly enough, they could probably raise it another $100 and I would still be dumb enough to have to have it.
* * *
I think they were strong armed by Cingular into raiseing the price. I think they should have announced the mistake and honored the price for some time after the announcement. I was going to purchase an unlocked phone, but had not gotten around to it. Now I am out $100.
* * *
Its always sad when a company does things to make their customers feel taken advantage of and the company doesnt care. Some offenders of this are microsoft & verizon. They make you fell like they could care less weather you leave them or not. Your replaceble. Palm one made a mistake...maybe but w...
* * *
This whole deal smells rotten. Maybe they fix the memory problem and that might justify another 100 dollars.
* * *
I believe it was pressure from Cingular that caused the price increase on the unlocked Treo 650 -- but then again -- (1) why cave into it, and (2)why wait until the 11th hour and 63 minutes to do it?
* * *
I can't wait for a competetive product to come out. I'll stick with the Treo becuase it's the best, but there are some exciting things out there.
* * *
palmOne proved that they are the lapdogs of the Ciingular/AT&T Wireless monster. 
* * *
palmOne suck!
* * *
Before the Treo 650 was released, I thought it would be the Perfect Phone. Given the quantity of blunders, the integrity and quality of Palm as a company to be supported by my dollars must be reconsidered.
* * *
You're in a 'death sprial' and don't know it. The O/S is going to be overtaken by Linux or some other open source product. The PDA is essentially dead. No one wants to carry multiple devices. You have a leg up on the competition but you seem hell bent on giving it away. It's sad really.....
* * *
The prices from PalmOne Asia were unveiled on Feb 1st and they were priced in excess of US$699 in all the regions despite the fact that the Treo 650 is assembled in Asia. While US users are moaning about paying US$699 their counterparts in the rest of the world are paying far more. The Treo 650...
* * *
PalmOne will have to drop it's price in a few weeks anyway when users get wowed by the new HP IPaQ. They're gettin' what they can while the gettin's good. "Nothing personal...it's just business." 
* * *
well i wish the price had not gone up but when there is a demand for a certain product, the company in the end will decide the price based on consumer demand. since it has gone up, i can buy at the price i want when the price comes down.
* * *
PalmOne wants to make more money instead of friends. I hope they stop acting like babys and grow up. Al
* * *
They are trying to gouge us. My guess is that the demand either far exceeds what they expected and they want to capitalize on it, or the overseas market was flooding them with orders and they are trying to support them by increasing prices here.
* * *
PalmOne has lost my respect. $599 is already a pretty outrageous price, and to make the Treo 650 affordable only to those who support GWBush is a travesty. People from blue states deserve to be able at least think they can afford this product.
* * *
palmOne has gone from a company with questionable practices to one that is downright sleazy and/or incompetent. After going through 4 T|T3's due to an assortment of issues, I bought a refurbished Clie TJ25, a basic but extremely functional PDA. With Sony out of the market and no viable PalmOS l...
* * *
Hopefully some other company will beat you with your own weapons. 
* * *
Do the right thing! Do not buckle to the cellular phone companies
* * *
Disgusting. I think I'll wait until I can buy one on Ebay for half. Which, in light of the Treo 600 barely a year and a half old, should be in about 3 mos.
* * *
When will you fix the memory issue on the 650? We're still waiting!
* * *
All your actions in the past weeks convinced me NOT to upgrade my T3 with the T 650. And after all the "iPAQ Mobile Messenger" is only some months away. Bye Bye Palmone
* * *
The only way to combat a company's disrespect of it s customer, would-be and current, is to voice your opionion with your checkbook. Complaining, yet still purcashing and using their products only supports their theory that 'they (the customer) will suck it up and take it like a man regardless o...
* * *
It's the arrognce of the company, and it was not good for Public relations
* * *
Disgraceful. Instead of following our urges we should seriously consider boycotting P1 till they've made amends.
* * *
They should keep it at the 599 price and start offering a rebate or upgrade price for current treo 600 owners.
* * *
That was wrong of them to do that. Really bad for the company, because even though I just recently bought a 650 for use with the Sprint network, I'm having second thoughts about keeping it, if the company making the product will continue to treat its customers and shareholders improperly.
* * *
Hey folks. They can charge whatever they want. Pay it or don't. No one has a gun to your head.
* * *
Severe disappointment and possible irreparable loss of interest in this product.
* * *
I have been a loyal Palm user since the very fist Palmpilot Professional - I never expected the Treo 650 would be cheep - $600 seemed plenty, but hiking the price $100 within days smacks of blatant profiteering - as much as I love my Treo 600, I fear I have bought my last Palm device !
* * *
Charge what the market will bear, guys. Don't listen to these whiners!
* * *
Executives at Palm One want to scam the consumers out of another 100 dollars.
* * *
This is really frustrating - I'm seriously thinking of boycotting all Palm products.
* * *
Its a company lucky to be alive........
* * *
drop the price for all models to 350 and stop screwing us for liking your product. 
* * *
they are killing their own company!!! they made a mistake before by releasing T5, and now this???
* * *
I think PalmOme realized they had a high demand for the product and they are trying to capitolize on the situation. The company is falling apart and at a time when Pocket PC's are taking over the industry (shipping more then Palm OS). On top of this rate hike they have also promised on their ...
* * *
PalmOne sales and marketing team is killing this product. Their is clearly blatant disregard and disrespect for customers.
* * *
Palm is completely out of touch with consumers. If this was genuinely a pricing error, I would expect Palm to cancel the orders like most online retailers do when an unshipped order is priced incorrectly. At least Palm honored the $599 price - that would have been the worst insult and shot in the...
* * *
Disgust and disappointment
* * *
$699 pushes me to Windows Pocket OS or Symbian OS. I can buy a small laptop with an 8" screen that offers Windows XP Pro complete with Wi-FI. I was waiting for my Sprint contract to end (this month) to purchase a Treo 650 from Cingular. I will not pay $699 for a Palm OS device. erniejazz
* * *
[censored]
* * *
Something very very strange is being cooked in the background (jeff and company ???)...Palm buys Handspring with the TREO 600 done to be a success... and they destroy all effort done ??????????
* * *
My gues is that there was an agreement with cingular about the unlocked price until cingular had sold X units. This minor detail never made it to the marketing. PalmOne thought that this drastic price jump would have gone unnoticed and would have if not for the few sights like this that keep u...
* * *
Palm has botched just about every aspect of the T650. Most of what's in the T650 was available on other P1 devices a year ago. Bluetooth and a better screen are old news and should have been included on the T600. It took a year for them to do, in my opinion, very little. The memory issue shows ho...
* * *
We should boycott Treo until PalmOne makes sincere and truthful public apology.
* * *
Great company, still.
* * *
You all @ P1 are making complete jackasses out of yourselves and ruining a great product and great community of supporters. You should probably think about reading sites like Treonauts.com and listening to your friggin customer base every now and again. You all have a unique opportunity to become...
* * *
I was one of the 'lucky' ones who ordered early at the $599 price...if you don't honor that price I'll be switching to the new HP smartphone and never giving Palm another look! I'm sure this whole fiasco is being driven by Cingular...but still, no excuse...palmOne needs to GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER!
* * *
Palmone needs to have more respect for its customers
* * *
amateurs
* * *
I would buy one at $600, NOT at $700. Simple as that. I mean Jeez I paid less than that for my Mac Mini - and that's a whole damned computer!
* * *
It's truly a mistake for PalmOne to do so to lose us so many faithful customers.
* * *
I have only been considering getting a Treo and now do not know if that is a "right" move to make. Will others ask the same question?
* * *
Even if it was a genuine error, being a company of their reputation, they must live up to their mistakes. The 2-week promo idea would be the bare minimum.
* * *
Wake the F--k up!
* * *
We are all stupid. Companies, Customers, Reviewers. Everyone. The Treo 650 has a memory fault and others. We still buy it, or don’t send it back. Stupid. If we buy it or keep it, why fix it. If we don’t buy it or send it back, a fix will be at short hand (within a few weeks). Palm have to. ...
* * *
using the palmOS now for over 8 years, if palmone goes on handling things like this, my treo 600 was the last palm i bought! 
* * *
treo650 is not worth about 699 $ 599$ is even more than other smartphones~ damn~ palm sux, can't believe it couldn't release the treo650 gsm with sprint version in the same time~ and also is this scam? 599 increased to 699~ screw that, im gonna get a ipaq~ if i can't buy treo650 as its price is...
* * *
very poor custumer relationship and product strategy, especially information policy, product announcement (i.e. wifi-card for treo)
* * *
I don't understand why everyone is so bothered by this. Sure it sucks, but it's simple economics. Why would a company want to charge less for a product then they could? Palm is in the business of making money, if they think that they can make more money by jacking the price up $100 then it wou...
* * *
For PalmOne to state that it's pricing was a genuine error would be a insult to my and I'm sure the general public's intelligence. Mike Kirouac Sebring Florida
* * *
The Treo 650 was my dream device, after what they done to it's memory and now with this price issue I think they will not see any of my money. I'm staying with my Tungsten E... :(
* * *
Simply a shame. PalmOne just made PocketPC & SE910i a good option for me. No WiFi+Radio+BT headset at this price? Why bother. PalmOne needs to rethink their decision fast. Once many go the other way it will be very hard to come back.
* * *
Bastards.
* * *
The price should be $599. Who ever made the "error" should be fired from PalmOne.
* * *
PalmOne. You have a black service.
* * *
These guys will succeed: In pissing off their loyal long-term customers! - A PalmUser who had approx. 30 PalmOS based devices since 1996. Starting with the original Pilot 1000. Too bad for PalmOne that the Treo 600 was my last one!
* * *
This is a shameful way to deal with customers, and an excellent way to lose brand faith and support. I was absolutely ready by purchase my first Treo 650 after lusting after it for months; now, however, I don't think I'm going to come near it. I might even decide to switch to the Pocket PC realm;...
* * *
BULLSH!T
* * *
they must be high on goof balls... 
* * *
be smarter
* * *
Ludicrous to believe such a blatant attempt to extract more money could possibly be anthing other than that. I've waited for the 650's release to verizon or even to abdicate to Cingular's worse coverage in my area, just to have the 65- not anymore ! I'm moving toward one of the powerful pocket PC...
* * *
After all what happened recently in the management team of Palmone, and with the competition getting serious (the new HP communicator and the Ben-Q), and if you add the rumor about Treos running linux and microsoft, I can see Palmone going crazy and not thinking straight. This price thing is the ...
* * *
palmone should not alienate its loyal followers...there's a point of no return, when we finally get pissed and go the the "other side"...
* * *
I will now look elsewhere.
* * *
just another reason why tro has not become the # selling handheld/phone... Im tired of seeing blacberries which should be treo users
* * *
How can PalmOne not anticipate the repercussions! Did they honestly think this change would go unnoticed? This goes to show that PalmOne only cares about the bottom line, and can care less about customer loyalty. They must truly believe we are ignorant.
* * *
I'm still on T600 and hesitating bur PalmOne is making things more and more easy. It started with no Wifi, then there was the memory issue, then the long, long wait (still not released in Europe) and than the pricing. First indications show pricing as far as almost 1000 Euro (1300 dollar)! That i...
* * *
Give me a break!
* * *
It points to the larger picture of just how palmOne views it customer and fanbase. You said it best when you said that you could not believe the disregard and lack or respect. Its this attitude that the company displays on a repeated and public basis that make one extremely hesitant to support th...
* * *
I do believe that PalmOne should sell the 650 at the originally advertised price.Or atleast a 3 day sale.
* * *
bait and switch!!! cheaters!!!
* * *
They're slipping!
* * *
Very disappointed! I've been waiting to buy for over 3 months...and its not worth it!
* * *
you're making it easy for me to short your stock
* * *
Thanks, you made my decision for me. Looks like a non-palm device for my next PDA-phone
* * *
eh its capitalism - let the market "slap back" if it so desires :P
* * *
After this PR fiasco, I'm giving a serious look at symbian phones.
* * *
I was all set to buy one, but now I am not at all sure.
* * *
There are so many GSM customers out there who are dying to get their hands on this phone but have to wait at least another 90 days until Cingular looses their exclusive rights to 650. Many people don't want to wait that long but have to because they can't afford the unlocked. That price is redicu...
* * *
Please honor your orginal price as posted of $599 for an unlocked Treo 650.
* * *
They are done. They have not had any sense of creativity or ingenuity for years. Before they bought Handspring, Palm was dying. The Handspring acquisition was a last gasp. Instead, they have killed it, too. The memory problem, the unique headset adapter, the bluetooth crippling. They have c...
* * *
price gouging at its best....they probably had to do it to protect Sprint from people jumping to Cingular
* * *
you guys really make it hard to love you. stop being held by the balls of the carriers. Look at land line phones, there so f'ing cheap, and you don't have to rent a phone from anyone. When will this be the case? People are going to deal with the company that they have the best experience with. Th...
* * *
You should have the same people that make the deal with sprint make the deal with cingular. I heard that cingular put the pressure on PalmOne to change their price. Prices are set way in advance, it could not have been a "mistake", sounds to me like a "carrier" felt like they were not going to ca...
* * *
The treo is really not worth that price. Who are they targeting? Geeks who feel they cannot live without it and would pay whatever price they ask for? I think the whole market is unfair. If they offered it for a little less then they would have a much bigger market. I was interested until I saw t...
* * *
you're making it hard to be faithful to the treo. customers will go elsewhere. you are not the only decent maker of smartphones anymore. there will be only more and more comp. chomping at your heels. please palmone think before you sink.
* * *
It appears that PalmOne does not know how to properly treat their loyal customers. Their customer service is non existent. What I really feel? Not anger, not even surprise. What I do feel and certainly hope is that PalmOne will not be around for too long. Who cares, there is competition out t...
* * *
Also overnight... from incompetent to incompetent AND arrogant.
* * *
FUCK PALMONE. Making a great product doesn't entitle you to be a bastard. STOP PISSING ON YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!
* * *
Don't let the service providers push you around, you have the product people want. The service providers should be happy they have you to make these phones.
* * *
Gouging the customer makes for some very unhappy customers.
* * *
Palm should run its business how it wants. Cingular is probably paying enough to make this worthwhile. I lost my patience a while ago and got the Sprint Treo 650. It's awesome and worth the money. The phone number portability made switching from t-mobile a less than 2 hour process. Bravo!
* * *
This error is a complete lie and it is merely a way for PalmOne to juice more money out of customers. The Sprint Treo 650 was only $599 with out a service agreement. Why in the hell should the GSM be any more with out the service plan. The unlocked one doesn't even have EDGE technology. If Palm d...
* * *
A marked improvement, but doesnt require a price inrcrease, rather an adjustment since they are selling 600s for less. 
* * *
i hope they raise the price even more!at $699 its so undervalued. i would think a fair price would be at least $999
* * *
Its over priced regardless of whether the price is 699 or 599
* * *
be honest.
* * *
lyer lyer pants on fire
* * *
This is absolutely ridiculous.
* * *
I will hold off on buying a Treo for at least 6 months now until the market brings the price down.
* * *
P1 should offer trade up pricing. Trade in any older p1, hs, for treo for a discounted price. also have a competitive upgrade for wince users to switch and trade up for a smaller discount than for loyal p1 customers.
* * *
Long time Palm user and evangelist who has been waiting patiently for a hi-res Treo. I can't believe I'm typing this.... but I'm about to research the MDA III.... very sad. I don't want more Microsoft in my life, but PalmOne's behavior is so disheartening.
* * *
I'm happy that I bought the Treo 600 from T-Mobile for $250 brand new 2 weeks ago..I will wait till the Treo 700. 
* * *
Some of us have been using your products since Handspring first started, and keep hoping for some recognition of loyalty, but you always make me feel like Charley and Lucy Brown and the football. This is in the same league as the Handspring phone promised at Comdex by Christmas and delivered i...
* * *
Shady they are. They should have a promo for about 2 weeks. I'm glad I ordered mine just in time. Now I have to wait a long time for it. Two weeks after all the months I had to wait. Once again, SHADY.
* * *
Never will buy from P1 again. Once I am done with my Treo 650 (CDMA), I am done with them.
* * *
After waiting for many months for a Treo 650 GSM, I for one am not going to buy an unlocked Treo 650 for an inflated price of $699. I will wait for the competition, and from the looks of it I won't have to wait long.
* * *
Unbelievable from this company. After such a long delay for the 650, The least they could do is leave the price as it stood since day one.
* * *
don't be like that.
* * *
I'm very upset. Raising the price at all is bad, raising it $100?! You've got to be kidding! I was about to buy one, now, forget it.
* * *
Honesty and integrity...? Are these values of PalmOne, or greed?
* * *
they finally have to make some money
* * *
I think I'll get the Nokia 9300 instead as I don't expect PalmOne to be around for much longer.
* * *
Personally, I have just bought a Treo600 about 2 months ago in Toronto, Canada. I love the phone/pda and would probably upgrade to the T650. However, as of late, with the about-face on the price issue of the unlocked version, I find it difficult and disheartening to believe that PalmOne would be ...
* * *
Sad
* * *
I was about ready to jump on the Treo bandwagon, but at this point I'm hesitant. palmOne seems to take their customers for granted and I'm not sure I want to be included in those numbers. Unless palmOne makes a more concerted effort to be customer-centric, I'm afraid I will have to send myself ...
* * *
Very few people have a legitimate need for an unlocked phone. Clearly the price hike was to satisfy the carrier, who are the right people to keep happy. PalmOne sells phones by the thousands to carriers, vs. one-by-one to individuals. Guess which is more profitable?
* * *
I believe that this is tied more to Cingular and other cell service providers. Cingular wanted to ensure that as many phones as possible are locked to their service. All of this is part of what the cell phone service providers are trying to do in order to keep customers. Use to they kept your ...
* * *
none. C'mon! You're aksing for an unlocked, non-subsidized phone. It's going to cost you to get that.
* * *
people need to get over themselves.
* * *
Competition is getting tougher and tougher. I don't think $699 will sell well with other good options out there.
* * *
Typical of their ineptitude to bring a product to market. Good thing their product is very good otherwise they wouldn't be around much longer.
* * *
Listen to your loyal customers and treat them fairly and your company will continue to grow and prosper...hint, hint
* * *
I think PalmOne can be forgiven. It was clearly an error, or at best, something they just had to do to maintain their relationship with the carriers. I would agree, however, that it would have been better to begin calling a promo price good for two weeks, rather than raise it abruptly, but they p...
* * *
unlocked Treo 650 bought directly for 599 with no tax & Free Shipping vs A 2 year contract w/ Cingular with crippled Bluetooth DUN For 449 + tax = 484 It's obvious that the price hike is to encourage the Sale of Cingular contracts. shameful. The fair way to encourage Cingular sales is a la...
* * *
That's just dirty. D-I-R-T-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* * *
screw you palmone
* * *
Again, another PR miss-step of gigantic proportions. Of course, the casual consumer will know nothing of this latest blunder which is what PalmOne is banking on.
* * *
There is no reason to do business with a company that treats its customers such. As soon as there is a comperable device (BenQ P50) I will not hesitate to make the switch unless palmOne's attitude changes.
* * *
You guys are over reacting to an already overpriced item. Be truthful, if you were already going to spend $600.00 on a FUCKING PHONE (70% of it's use by average user) another $100.00 will not break you.
* * *
I believe that PalmOne provided a $100 discount to their loyal users in violation of their agreement with Cingular. When Cingular discovered it and complained, they "corrected the error" as demanded by Cingular. Those of us that purchase new Treos as soon as they are released purchased at a dis...
* * *
The pricing "error" is a bunch of BS. Pressure form Cingular is most likely the real answer. I however don't think they should pu the error price back up for a few weeks. What for? They've already screwed us over. I think I may just skip on the 650 for now. I was planning on buying the unl...
* * *
I think palmOne originally planned to sell it at $599 but Cingular complained b/c theirs is only $50 less than the unlocked version. Thus, palmOne had to increase the price. 
* * *
go ahead. piss off your most loyal customers.
* * *
cingular ...
* * *
Palmone has such a great deviceand loyal customers who will help sell this product through word of mouth, and readily buy new upgrades when available. However, it appears they are always trying to "nickel & dime" people and it turns off their most loyal followers.
* * *
Greedy Bastards!
* * *
This violates all of the basics of marketing. In fact, "I don't know of a better way to trash or kill the initial release momentum of a service or product. Secondly, what does this do for developing reliability through trust?"
* * *
PalmOne should act ethically and stand by their pricing.
* * *
I was going to buy one but now I'm switching camps to a Windows mobile device. "F" Palm
* * *
They can go to hell.
* * *
Palmone is entitled to charge whatever they want for their product. If people don't want to pay that they don't have to. The market will regulate the price all by itself. 
* * *
They suck
* * *
I was planning to buy a 650 GSM, but now I will not. I'm sure I represent the many long time Palm users out there who are willing to spend more for a better device. But after 20 years of buying technology and playing catch-up, I won't buy from Palm One now and here's why... Customer Service is...
* * *
Looking forward to seeing other companies releasing Palm OS smartphones.
* * *
I have been waiting on the GSM version in order to make my first TREO purchase ever. I have been a Palm user since the beginning and have hundreds of $$ worth of hi-res software just waiting to be put on an "SD" card in order to use this thing(Treo 650). It took me a while to get over the memory ...
* * *
I tried to buy a locked Cingular Treo 650 from Cingular but they made it difficult and no guarantee on time of delivery beyond early next month. Instead, I bought the unlocked version before price increase. I will wait to see if Palm honors my price before commenting further.
* * *
Why just two weeks? Why not leave it at 599.00? which btw is still on the high side for "non" corporate buyers.
* * *
If PalmOne want to keep market share, they need to fix this right now.
* * *
make it cheaper
* * *
It just seems that PalmOne does not have that hunger to be the number one provider of pda smart phones. This attitude will be their undoing.
* * *
absurd. any pricing mistake made by any company these days are noticed within a few hours. but for palmOne, this was a couple of days. it just makes you wonder....
* * *
Ths basically is wrong from every perspective. I will no longer support this company, unless they correct this pricing change. Making us wait so long for a device that when released is crippled by memory shortages, lack of wi-fi and then to up the price!! I'm switching to a better more friendl...
* * *
I agree to me it seems Palm One is suprised at sales and felt they had underpriced the GSM 650 and are trying to milk the consumer for more profit
* * *
palm1 probably ceded to pressure from cingular to raise the price so cingular could attract business. Very lame...
* * *
Keep up the good work guys!
* * *
The cynical may say that this is simply trying to cash in on what will inevitably be an extremely popular device.
* * *
Well, I was thinking that I was going to get an unlocked Treo 650 for my T-Mobile service, as I am not willing to change providers, but if they are going to treat potential users this way, forget them. 
* * *
I hope my pre-release price will be honored.
* * *
At a price of 699 I am willing to look at other models of smartphones from HP and Motorola and give up some of the functionality. In the end I was willing to part with $599 to obtain a Treo but this kind of underhand marketing, to me is simply unacceptable from a good company. And given this atti...
* * *
Just another sign that Palm is headed even further down the tubes and away from the customer care that originally, long ago, made them great.
* * *
I am a CDMA user. Palm fix the damn phone already!
* * *
My guess would be that carriers pressured palmOne into hiking the price (i.e.: Cingular) so that unlocked phones don't canibalize their sales. While it is unfortunate from a consumer standpoint, it's probably in palmOne's best interest to keep the carrier's happy until they can amass more bargai...
* * *
Get competent marketing help. Why have a roadshow to get evaluation units out if they wont be released until the next version of the treo comes out.
* * *
I ordered the unlocked Treo 650 on February the 2nd at its original price, and for some reason its was suddenly cancelled about a day later and I have no idea why the order was cancelled, I have written an e-mail to your support but I have not received any answers. When I then hear of the price i...
* * *
I'm of the mind set that palmOne picked up on the chatter that was being made about this new Treo and being bombarded by orders from the business account holders of Cingular/AT&T they did what any underhanded businessperson would do...they hiked up the price because of limited supply.
* * *
If Palm doesn't make it right than they have made there bed and when folks start migrating over to Microsoft don't cry.
* * *
greedy motherfuckers
* * *
It is a shame. I was really looking forward to purchasing this product. 
* * *
It shouldn't matter if a phone is unlocked or not. The phone should be priced the same no matter what! Thats why these companies give you an rebate for signing a contract for service. Full retail price on this phone "IS $599" no matter which company you go with. So there should be no reason for p...
* * *
Fuck em. Yeah, I own a Treo 600. But I bought it used from a friend for $300, + $50 for a Seidio car mount. Asking $600 for a fucking PHONE THAT CAN RUN PALM OS is ridiculous. Then to only up the price another hundred dollars? *shakes his head* We can only hope that PalmOne gets a clue at...
* * *
Dear PalmOne - How do you expect ppl to pay an extra $100 for an unlocked Treo 650, when anyone can take their branded Treo 650 around the corner and have it unlocked for $10? The 650 is nice, I haven't put it down since I got it yesterday and I'm pressing all my buddies to grab one up as well. S...
* * *
Profit profit is the only fair explanation I can find in this event. How bad it is to see how a Company like PalmOne could become like any other one. Let's hope that they will come across the simple truth of : my fans are my best PRs and ad' => so do them a favor.
* * *
The PalmOne ship is adrift while the crew is below decks. No one is paying any attention to CUSTOMERS!!!!! That is corporate stupidity like I have never seen. Who's "leading" this sinking ship?
* * *
Screw 'em. They saw that they were getting TONS of orders and got greedy and decided to raise prices... Add to that the fact that the telcos probably pressured them into this change...
* * *
Buy one from a carrier if you want a lower price. For Christ's sakes, why are we wasting time over 100 bucks!!!! Get a life!
* * *
Simply put, they just need to get their act together!
* * *
blatent price gouging, I was going to purchase unlocked treo at 599, will never purchase at 699.
* * *
Cingular or maybe even T-Mobile USA pressured them. Since T-Mobile continues to refuse to offer the 650 (an inside source says they "may not" because they are leaning toward devices like the HP's that have Wi-fi so they can bolster their "Hot Spot" business). T-Mobile users (like me)will/are buyi...
* * *
It is the old story, make hay while the sun shines.
* * *
I wish other companies made a much better smartphone. Perhaps Samsung in near future. Palmone deserves our massive reproval
* * *
bastards.
* * *
I'm finding it harder and harder to be an enthusiastic and active Treonaut these days...
* * *
Was thinking of purchasing....now I highly doubt it!
* * *
A company is only as good as its name. For a palmOne to lure interest in a product at $599, then jump the price two days later with the lame excuse that the first price was a mistake begs the question: why should anyone believe anything that palmOne says? I was arranging to purchase a Treo 650...
* * *
If I didn't hate Pocket PCs, I would not buy the new Treo.
* * *
plam should know that there are other product that use garnet os like the cool qda700 which is amazing device and also from the pcketpc like the benq p50 and the amazing motorola mpx so watch your back palmone stay alert
* * *
I was about to purchase an unlocked treo 650 when announcement of this pricing adjustment occurred. At this point, even if the price is returned to the original level, I am turned off both the incompetance and arrogance or PalmOne that I will postpone any purchase. Clearly, at the corporate and ...
* * *
Screw Palm.... I am done with them PALM DONE!
* * *
Charging $699 will turn Palm users into Microsoft users.
* * *
bullshit...won't buy one now
* * *
punk asses
* * *
i believe the price should stay at 599.- instead of having it for only 2 weeks. i am truly disappointed by PalmOne's action lately and am looking for other solutions for my needs now.
* * *
In Sweden we have laws against that kind of behaviour. And the two-week-special wont do me any good since PalmOne doesnt allow me to buy Treo 650 from its US site, only its european site, where it still is not to be found. I reckon i buy something else before dashing out 700 quid on a overpriced,...
* * *
I, too, am in total shock. I have waited for so long for this device, all the while talking it up to friends and colleagues. One friend, on my advice, purchased a Treo 600 over a XDA (PPC phone)long before the recent price reductions on the Treo 600. A colleague is strongly considering the Treo 6...
* * *
It is incredible that two days after a price is posted on the official website, Palmone posts a 15% increase. If the initial offer was for a limited time only, it should have so stated on the site. Palmone should go back to the original $599 offer or, at a minimum, to extend it for a decent p...
* * *
Could be an error, could be a lie. The fact is that they are the best game in town -- by far. I am just damn glad to own a T650 unlocked GSM. 
* * *
They can take it deep!
* * *
Keep up the good work PalmOne. These 'Treonauts' should've just ordered early if they wanted to benefit from a mistake.
* * *
I was looking forward to upgrading my T3 and Blackberry to the new 650 (unlocked for use on T-Mobile). With the $100 increase - palm just lost me as a customer.
* * *
It is fairly clear in today's marketplace that "unlocked phones" are more expensive because there is no 'consideration' from the carriers. Thus it is more expensive (or another way of saying, less of a discount) for the manufacturer to sell an unlocked phone. Clearly, with the turmoil of the re...
* * *
Get it right for once Palm. I CAN GET A FUCKING LAPTOP FOR THAT. Why cant you just get it right. Win based smartphones will put you out of biz. This saddens me. -a loyal depressed palm customer-
* * *
I tried to buy the Treo 650 at the $599 price twice and both times there were problems with getting my credit card verified. Now I've that squared away but I can't but it for the same price anymore. Thanks a lot PalmOne! I guess you lost me as a customer because there's no way I'm going to pay $...
* * *
Very unfortunate to see a company so out of touch with its customers. I am also a shareholder of PalmOne. I am disgusted.
* * *
plamOne you are suck! waste my time to wait for unlocked GSM Treo650 and raise the price. under such not reasonable action I'd choose wireless PPC instead.
* * *
Why you would treat your customers like this is beyond me. It seems like you hold the chips when it comes to the relationship with Cingular. Just negotiate a lower price-- Is Cingular really willing to NOT carry the 650.
* * *
Since I ordered my "Unlocked" Treo 650 2 hrs after they were offered for $599 I hope I won't get an email letting me know that I now need to pay more.
* * *
It seems to me that somebody saw that more unlocked units were being sold than Cingular-branded units and got worried and/or greedy. That person may have been an employee of Palm or it could have been somebody at Cingular who is strongarming Palm. Since we can only witness how Palm behaves and ...
* * *
Total lack of class from a dying company
* * *
As a Palm and Treo fan I have been waiting for many months to learn that the T650 would only be offered with Sprint when I wanted to move from Sprint to T-Mobile anytime. So I waited another 3 months for the GSM offerring to learn that only Cingular would carry it and that contrary to what was in...
* * *
Placing the Treo 650 GSM at the $699 pricepoint makes it more costly then similar devices marketed by its competitors. Given the rapid changes in technology, to pay this price today would provide customers with very little value in 6 months when the Treo's features, etc. would dated.
* * *
Yet another blunder, or, perhaps something that was pushed on them by other providers who saw the low $599 as too enticing. In either case it is a real shame! Pa1mOne better explain themselves. They have serious egg on their face and they have pissed off lots of loyal customers. Raising the p...
* * *
Made the "unlocked" version way to tempting to the buyers. The price was not that far from the service price. I am sure Cingluar (and others) barked when they were not selling the locked version as much as the unlocked. Just a theory.
* * *
I just can't believe all the ‘mistakes‘. it is getting so old. I have been with Palm since PalmPilot. I have never seen so many mistakes,problems and no regard for keeping customers happy. They are quickly losing their customer base. PalmOne needs to realize that the are not that big that they ...
* * *
I was a die hard fan/user of the 600 and upgraded as soon as the 650 was available (Sprint). I think Palm has screwed this up in a gigantic way for heavy users like myself who use their Treo's constantly. First, the memory issue is a major problem. I've deleted a major portion of the programs I u...
* * *
Not cool. Not cool at all.
* * *
"WTF?!?!?"
* * *
This sort of bungling hurts not only palmOne, but the many dedicated developers (such as myself) who work tirelessly to bring value to palmOne products. I was strongly considering the purchase of an unlocked GSM Treo 650, despite the fact that I already own a Sprint Treo 650. This latest move m...
* * *
PalmOne can kiss my now MS Mobile buying A$$ good bye. I was going to buy the unlocked version today despite the stupid-mall memory and lousy camera. Now? No way. Good riddance.
* * *
I've decided they are clueless when it comes to the end customer. The entire launch of the 650 shows a pattern of being more concerned with the carriers (who mostly don't really care about real customer service - thanks to market consolidation!), than they are with end users. This will come back ...
* * *
I'll take it one step beyond. Where is the existing owner upgrade we were use to? There are many who do not want to upgrade contracts/plans with providers and have the flexibility of GSM for international use. To me, a $600 upgrade from a 600 to 650 is just not worth the $. New buyers are a diffe...
* * *
How can you change the price after two days, because you made an "error" it sounds to me like you want to make more money out of the whole deal? So many of your customers are now upset with you but that doesn’t seem to matter to you. We already have Cingular pushing the customers around wi...
* * *
They obviously screwed up... Look at the price of other unlocked phones, they go for a much higher premium than $50. Cingular's no-contract price is $549, so for $50 you get an unlocked phone, I don't think so...
* * *
Apparently the mobile phone companies have palmOne by the balls as much as the film studios do the electronics creating media centers.
* * *
I am deeply disappointed in PalmOne and plan to take my business elsewhere.
* * *
Fuck them. I own a GSM Treo 650 already, which I bought from AT&T at a pretty good price ($350 with no additional contract term), so I can't say this directly affects me. But PalmOne can take this sort of lie-to-our-customers'-faces bullsh*t and shove it right back into the ass they pulled it ...
* * *
Your blowing it...Customers will leave you, your hardware, your platform. You will all be out of work (or worse, working for MS), won't you be happy then?...We (your VERY loyal customers) will hardly remember you....We will be happy to be treated better by someone else...maybe even MS. Bye! Bye!
* * *
Love my Treo 650, reasonably happy with Sprint (though I probably would've gone Cingular if it came out at the same time), but am not happy with a number of things including lack of DUN, continued unavailability of cradle/charger, and this change of price does smack of ineptitude. You've got a ch...
* * *
what an outrage!!!
* * *
This is a very poor move on their part. Palm users tend to be a very loyal group (much like Apple users), and we don't quickly forget such atrocities. Of course, we couldn't be fortunate enough to be where Apple people are right now with the minimac -- they lowered prices on the upgrades a week...
* * *
I think Cingular pressured them into raising the price. The same day this happened Cingular removed their 'unlimited' MEdia Works plan that most TreoNauts use for unlimited internet access of EDGE. To me it is an obvious move by Cingular to maximize their GSM monopoly while they have it. ...
* * *
Although I wanted one badly, I was holding off for a bit because I can't trust mobile companies. Past experience has shown that these companies value greed as a virtue above their customers, which leads them to handicap the basic feature set of their products and services to force consumers to p...
* * *
I think that palmOne is gauging the consumers based upon a better than anticipated release of the GSM TReo 650
* * *
Altho I ordered one on Feb 2 at 4:53 AM and got the price of $599 I think they discovered how pent up the demand was and figured it would be a way to pay their outgoing CEO a better parachute..........
* * *
Everybody should stop buying Treo 650 unlocked, until Palmone reinstate its original advertised price, but I mean everybody.
* * *
Pissing me off as a (hopefully soon) new treo owner. I don't understand why the release date was so secretive, why there was such a delay from CDMA to GSM, why they upped the price, why they haven't shipped yet. What's wrong with giving us information???
* * *
If they are not going to ship the unlock version when "released" they should not have "released it". Better to say nothing rather than lead people on.
* * *
Must be some heavy demand, or demands from Cingular working here. Kinds sucks to be a Treo-lover this week. Time to look at some of the other smartphones!
* * *
I feel that for the last few months the company is loosing focus. First they don't put WiFi in their products and refuse to come clean what their plans are for offering drivers, then there is the memory snafu (we are still waiting for a solution), then the CEO leaves (related to all of this?), t...
* * *
PalmOne!!!! Where is my $599 treo 650!!!!! Are you being forced by Cingular to increase the price to $699?! ADMIT IT!!!!
* * *
What a "SLAP" is coorect!!! I dont believe it for one second that this was a "mistake". Thank you palmOne (sarcasm) for being soo great to your treonauts!!!
* * *
PalmOne will be history in a few years. Sad but true.
* * *
Wake up and smell the coffee PalmOne!!!!!
* * *
It's your product--sell it for whatever you want to sell it for. If people don't want to buy it at the price you quote, that's their problem.
* * *
This is bs. You should publish the customer service email address, the general marketing email address and any feedback email address at Palmone so that people can clog their inboxes with their true feelings.
* * *
As a long time Handspring/Palm user (way back to the original Visor) and now an owner of a Treo 600, I was ready to upgrade to the 650. However, now I am considering waiting and ultimately leaving the Palm world. I think they should keep the $599 price and stop gouging, or risk losing their customers.

Treonauts can build castles or dig graves.  The decision is not theirs but palmOne's...