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Treo 650 Now Available in (most of) Europe!!!

Treonauts in Europe will rejoice at the news that I received a moment ago that the unlocked Treo 650 GSM is now available to purchase in Italy, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Greece and Portugal with either a QWERTY or AZERTY keyboard depending on the market.

However, there is one front on which they will not be too happy - its price.  The unlocked Treo 650 GSM in Europe has been released for a whopping (hold your breath) $960 (Euro 729) in all these countries except Italy where it retails for $920 (Euro 699) - some 35% more expensive than the $699 for the same model in the US and $730 in Singapore where the Treo 650 was also recently launched.  Talk about price differentials - fine there are between 12.5% and 20% taxes to add in Europe but still.

 

      

Those travelling for work in the US or who have friends there may be tempted to buy a Treo 650 for only $699 saving close to $300 in the process.  Alternatively, one could probably find a cheap airfare to NYC from Europe for close to $300 and buy the Treo 650 there (works out the same overall price as in Europe but at least you'll get a 'free' vacation in the process).  Still, judging by the number of times that I've had to insist that people playing around with my own Treo 650 in Europe return it, I am sure that there will be more than a few takers even at €729.

However, it is worthwhile noting that while the unlocked Treo 650 is noticeably more expensive in Europe, the subsidized prices offered by carriers are typically substantially lower than those in the US.  For example, when the Treo 600 was released by Orange in the UK it could be had for $240 then reduced to $200 and eventually available for free with a new voice plan towards the end of its lifecycle a couple of months ago.

Also, as you will have noticed, the four largest European mobile markets of the UK, Germany, France and Spain still won't have their own Treo 650.  No doubt this is due to the fact that palmOne will release phones in these markets in partnership with some of the largest local carriers who will have demanded a period of exclusivity (or combined release) before the company is able to offer consumers an unlocked Treo 650 (at this price however the unlocked Treo 650 wouldn't exactly be competing against the carriers...).  Both Orange's recent press release at 3GSM as well as my conversations with other carriers there would seem to indicate a launch of the Treo 650 in these markets within the next eight weeks.

Finally, considering the huge price differential between the US and EU versions of the unlocked Treo 650 GSM it would appear that palmOne's $599 pricing 'error' a few weeks ago was in fact genuine (or at least lends more credence to the error) thus making the few who got theirs at this erroneous price truly fortunate.  Having said this, I still strongly believe that the company should have openly apologized or made some sort of public statement at the time.

palmOne Europe Store

Treonauts are popping up all over the world...


Posted by Andrew on February 24, 2005 at 09:13 AM

Treo 650

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Comments

1
by Moroner | Feb 24, 2005 9:50:21 AM

Andrew, you forgot that the EU price includes VAT at 19% to 25%. If you factor that in, the price is "only" 800$. This is still 100$ more expensive that in the US, but not as bad as you make it.

2
by nico | Feb 24, 2005 10:59:52 AM

PalmOne has a really f...ing bad policy. Why the hell Italia deserves a special price over other European countries?
Moreover, I guess we can forget the free 128MB SD card...
Best of all, I can't find any clue regarding the warranty period (1 year, 2 years ?). What if I buy one in the states? I guess the warranty won't apply in Europe :-s
And the best is that when I call PalmOne in france I get a vocal menu asking me to dial "2" for customer service. After pressing "2" it cuts the line :-D

What a customer focused approach PalmOne ! Thanks !!!

3
by Jean-Paul Horn | Feb 24, 2005 12:56:28 PM

Hi,

In Dutch retail stores prizes already are starting to drop, to as low as € 580,- euro ($766, 2/23/05) including VAT. Mind you, this is a day after the official launch. For a good overview of subsidized prices, you might want to look here: http://www.smartphonestunts.nl/index.php?tid=18

Jean-Paul Horn,
Dutch Palm User Group (www.palmclub.nl)

4
by Leo Hameder | Feb 24, 2005 1:36:30 PM

Hi,
In Germany you can order the Treo 650 now for Euro 659,-. (including VAT already off course) Shipping will be when Cebit starts. Maybe we will got special Cebit Prices?
For Example: "http://www.bluehand.de/shop.php3?cart_id=04663bb7222c75fb33f127fe85907d58"

5
by steve | Feb 24, 2005 1:54:02 PM

HEHEHE i live in Switzerland and heard that the price here (if not bundled with this shitty organge or other major telco op) will be around 1299 CHF which makes it at 839 Eueors and 1134 usd!!

Well as I know that those big companies are only here to "steal our money" I ordered my treo on ebay last week for 729 $ including shipping.

Note that palmone swiss site is presenting only the treo 600 for the moment... goshhhhh ;)

6
by nico | Feb 25, 2005 5:48:31 AM

Well, Jean Paul, if you could provide us with websites offering treo 650 for less than 600€, please do so... :)

7
by Jean-Paul Horn | Feb 26, 2005 8:16:02 PM

Hi Nico,

Try here: http://www.centralpoint.nl/redir.cgi?page=index.html&what=fp.php&by=/ice.cgi?crit_keywords=treo+650. Mind you, supply is currently at zero, but word is shipments will start next week.

8
by nico | Feb 27, 2005 4:41:18 PM

Thanks Jean-Paul,
I had seen it already but they don't seem to ship to france... :(
I sent them an email, we'll see.
Otherwise, if you find brick&mortar businesses which sell the treo for less than 600€, just let me know :)

9
by Andy | Jun 20, 2005 6:36:26 AM

Where in Singapore can I buy a Treo 650 for S$730?

The comments to this entry are closed.

 
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