The trials and tribulations of trying to buy a Blackberry Storm.
Earlier this year I decided to give in to the call of the Blackberry, head over to the dark side and go crackberry. But with talk of the Blackberry Thunder and then the Blackberry Storm, the new touch screen, I've managed to put my jonesing on hold....until now.
I admit I was momentarily lured over by theiPhone - especially having seen how easy it is to use etc. Our tour guide in Israel had just gotten hers. So I was tempted and like Eve, almost went the way of the Apple. Thankfully I decided to wait until I got home and it's a good thing I did because a few days later, news or should I say, leaks about the Blackberry Storm, at that time being called the Blackberry 9900 or something like that, with the touch screen pulled me right back.
So for the last 5 1/2 months I've been "patiently' waiting. Tonight/today the wait was over, or at least the availability portion. At 9pm PST I made my first attempt to purchase the Blackberry Storm because after all it's midnight EST but no such luck. I tried signing in on the Verizon site but the Blackberry Storm was still not available. After half and hour of trying I realized that I needed to wait, yes, wait another 2 1/2 hours. But what's another 2 1/2 hours compared to the last 5 1/2 months?
So, I set my Jeff's phone alarm (no he doesn't have a Blackberry; we've only just gotten him introduced to a cell phone for the last year or so) to 11:50pm, figuring that will give me time to boot up the computer, sign in and be ready. Least I be unfortunate and they all sell out.
The alarm goes off, I quickly run to my computer. Ok, I didn't run but I moved fast, faster than someone should at 11:50pm whose only purpose is to buy a phone vs heading out for a call (aka, medical aid, fire, etc.). I sign in and lo and behold, the Blackberry Storm is still not showing up as available for me to upgrade. Sure I can buy it but I have to go through some 50 step process.
Panic goes through me - OMG, will they be completely sold out and will I have to wait months and months before I can get one? AAAARRGHHH! It's getting drastic and drastic times call for drastic measures. I know what I need to do. So I do it. I can't believe I'm going to but hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to get her Blackberry.
I call. Yes, it's after midnight and technically Verizon customer service is closed only to handle emergencies. I go through all the prompts: 1 if you want to discuss your bill, 2 if you want to do something and now I can't remember what it was and 3 if your phone is lost or stolen.
I listen several times, trying options 1 and 2 but they get me no where. So I have to, I have to go with option 3. I need a live person and I NEED that Blackberry Storm.
So I'm sweating as I push option 3 but they pick up immediately. I explain the situation and thankfully, Chris is kind and understanding and best of all, able and willing to help. We go through the entire process and while doing so, the Blackberry Storm becomes available online. But it doesn't matter because I've got someone live and this way I know I'm gonna get that phone.
Calling directly is a bigger coup but not only do I know my order went through but Chris is able to offer me an additional $100 discount off the price of my phone because of the length of time I've been with Verizon. And if that wasn't enough, he threw in overnight shipping for free. Of course, I pro him out and order the insurance plan, VZ Navigation, and change my phone plan. So he scores, I score and everyones happy.
Now I just have to wait another day until my precious arrives. But the question is, do I skip the oldest one's baseball game so that I can be here to receive and sign for my new bundle? Or do I hope beyond hope that the FedEx driver will be late so that I can watch the entire game? Decisions, decision.
