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When is Verizon going to FINALLY release the Blackberry Priv?!? Why so long?

I am a die hard Blackberry user and this device has been out on other carriers for some time now--I believe T-Mobile is even going to beat out Verizon in launching this device!!! I've seen March, but why so long? My contract expired long ago. I'm trying my best to hold out for the Priv, but if something doesn't happen soon, I may be switching over to another carrier that does not require such a long wait for new devices. Verizon is always the last to release new devices. Very frustrating considering Verizon is one of the most expensive when it comes to wireless service... Get with it Verizon and give us the new device we have all been asking and waiting for!!!

Comments

Verizon_Support

sonja102, Our goal is to give our customers the best products/services, not the first products/services. I know how it can be to wait for that special device. We would never want to lose you as a customer over a phone model. The manufacture has the right not to disclose any specific dates. For more information on product releases, visit:http://bit.ly/n5snpq.

Galvand

So Verizon, Can you release any information for us now about the the Blackberry Priv release date? Or maybe a complimentary email to all the people who have signed up for the update but haven't heard anything since November 8th of 2015.

You know I'm in sales as well, and if I left my costumers with, we don't have the device you want at this time but it's "coming soon" Ill keep you updated with a friendly E-mail, and I never contacted them between the period of time I told them to when I actually got the device. They would no longer be my customers because they would have jumped ship and gone to someone else like AT&T or T mobile. Your forcing a lot of customers to really try and hang on to a great network, that seems like they don't give a crap about customer relationship.

Throw us a freakin Bone!!!!

scfort

I'm with you, my friend. I have been a long-time BB carrier and am out of contract. I wanted so much to purchase a Passport but that did not work out for us VZW customers.

Fingers still crossed for Priv releasing on VZW this quarter.

Hang in there!

sonja102

I am so with Galvand right now. Rather than tell me that your goal is not to provide us with the first products/services, why not update those of us that signed up for updates back in November. The only reason I stay with Verizon is because you have the most reliable network. It is certainly not for the competitive rate plans (which they really aren't all that competitive as your rate plans are some of the most expensive) and clearly not for the customer service nor the price points of your devices (they are some of the most expensive out there as well). I'm really trying hard to stick with Verizon, but you are making it very difficult at this point. I may be switching back to TMobile soon--the company I came from.

Galvand

Hard to stay with a company no matter how reliable there network is, as if they don't treat there customers like customers. Almost tempted to tell them my next bill is in the mail and it will be "coming soon" and that ill update them on the status of that via e-mail

Verizon Wireless AdminVerizon AdminVerizon Wireless Customer Support

Verizon_Support

We would be sadden to lose you as a customer Sonja102. Being your service provider is a privilege and we would never want you to sacrifice network and reliability. I know it is important to have the best value, network considered as well. We have many plan options and offers to ensure you are always getting the best value. You can use our Wireless Account Analysis tool here http://vz.to/1P0KP0D to check your plan and see if there is a better fit for you.

As for the new phone, I am glad you are so excited for it! I am excited too and I hope that release dates are announced soon. If I had a release date I would happily share it, but that information has not been disclosed yet. You can monitor release updates and news for the device here: http://vz.to/1SxUfq3

KrystelH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

Verizon_Support

sonja102, Verizon never likes seeing our customers go elsewhere. We always want our customers to be able to use the devices they want on our network. If you have already signed up for the email alerts for the BlackBerry Priv, you are already in the best position to be notified. At this time we do not have any information to share regarding that device or the release date. Is there something specific, like a feature, you like about that device? We can take a look at what that is and try to find something equivalent.

MarkP_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

VWCM

MarkP_VZW:

I agree with Galvand. I have a business degree, more specifically a degree in operations and supply chain management. I am aware that sometimes a company is not be able to meet customer demand for a product, however when a company chooses to engage in poor customer service by refusing to provide customers with updates, they search for other alternatives.

I have been a Verizon month-to-month customer for many years. I too am contemplating a move to a Verizon competitor that can satisfy my needs. Now, even though Verizon currently cannot satisfy my needs, switching carriers would NOT even be a consideration if only there was only an update.

I am sure Verizon is aware that when customers speak up, there are countless others that feel the same way and are simply NOT voicing their opinion. Please note, that this is only one forum and you have three Verizon customers considering to leave for your competitors. How many more forums are there online (not just on this website) similar to this one? How many more people are also considering alternatives that simply have not voiced this?

Perhaps this is actually a communication issue? Sometimes in a large company like Verizon, management is unaware of the severity of certain issues to its customers. Could you please do us all a favor? I would like you to notify your direct report's direct report's direct report (your boss's boss's boss; 3 levels up) about this problem and personally respond to us on this issue. I am assuming this would be at least a senior manager, director, or senior director. I look forward to hearing from them.

Thank you,

Chrono2050

deloused

I love Blackberrys, I've owned 5, I've been to their factory and headquarters in Waterloo, and am also looking forward to the Priv.

Its no fun to be ignored but that's not what this is. With every product they give 2 announcement updates, 1 when they reach a sales agreement (which we are aware of) and the 2nd when everything is finalized and a launch date is set and imminent. The time between these can definitely be too long for my liking also.

While I wish it was quicker they can't give us an update right now since there would be no information available for them to provide other than 'Hey we're still working on it!' I'd be annoyed to receive regular updates saying that personally. The Priv passed FCC certification on 12/23, so now the real work can happen.

There are so many different parties and factors involved, from the manufacturing, testing, creating online/retail marketing, training, IT integration, IT app creation, and having their insurance carrier accept and assign it to their policies. They also have to have all documents approved by their legal department and RIM, and have the shipping and schedule plans set for the device, and for accessories from their vendors after they make them and set pricing, and roll out training to all customer facing employees.

Even the rep's boss's boss's boss would only be able to provide us with the same 'update' information telling us they're still working on it, and to sign up for updates to be notified asap since a manager/director in the customer service dept also has nothing to do with product launches. They can listen to you vent if that helps, but Verizon keeps any launch info confidential until ready even internally to prevent leaks of info that could change, be incorrect or affect them competitively. They'd rather not provide a 'guessed' date that would likely change or be inaccurate since that also decreases customer satisfaction. Blackberry as a company is a little slimmer and slower nowadays than they used to be due to their financial situation, so that's part of it especially if they are manufacturing other devices for other competitors that placed an order first, but certainly most delays occur at the carrier level, and Verizon certainly isn't the fastest.

Release dates tend not to be planned too far in advance, as historically it's negatively affected sales during the interim. Executives are definitely aware customers would like this process to be faster, but since they don't lose many customers due to 'wanting an update that isn't available' they focus most on the actual reasons the majority of customers cancel to maximize profit like any other smart company.

Yes there's complaints about updates, and tons of other issues, and there has always been. You can look back years and see the same process. If the delay in updates is critically important, the only real way to voice the need for change is to speak with your wallet, as they pay attention to why they lose customers and money.

In the past they lost a significant amount of customers to competitors due to not offering specific devices such as the flip razr, iPhone, plan pricing so they continue to analyze and come out with new devices and pricing structures when needed. Lots of customers over many years have complained about not having rollover like AT&T, and even threaten to leave, but very few actually do, like with this 'update delay' issue. More recently they've lost a good amount to T-mobile for their 'no contract' option, and to others for ETF buyouts so they implemented those also. They'll continue to analyze market trends, read complaints and suggestions and survey customers as things change.

Verizon has never been known for fast launches, so besides being nothing new the size of their customer/employee base can take somewhat longer than others to ensure enough products are in place and that training is completed.

The other manufactrers are also factored in. If there's issues or launches going on (especially the ones that make them more money due to customer popularity), it can cause a delay, and some manufacturers might have an agreement with Verizon to not launch new smartphones from other manufacturers within a specified time period surrounding there's.

I know you want an update yesterday, but aside from them making up information or guessing since they don't have it yet. Employees do usually receive launch date information the day before it is publicly announced, but even then would be restricted from sharing the confidential information until a public relations announcement, and wouldn't want to risk their jobs. The process is similar with software rollouts, just much less involved.

postitthoughts

Over on the Android blogs the story is that the delay is Marshmallow. As in the other carriers released the device with Lollipop, to be updated later. VZW is waiting to release the device until they can market it with the very newest version of Android. It's the only valid reason for a delay this significant. It hit the FCC in December, so that's not the problem. Delay makes the device seem dated when it finally is released. And obviously contributes to customer dissatisfaction. I seriously thought they would make a Valentines release to try to increase sales, but I suppose all the hardware keyboard people and the dedicated BlackBerry fansd will all just continue to be patient... Or, indeed, switch.

scter15

Service providers in places like Pakistan release phones faster than verizon. Even T-Mobile released the phone atleast 60 days sooner than verizon; but if it was the NSA favored iPhone then they'd have available immediately.... do the math on that one.

scter15

They could provide an update and release the phone in a substantially more timely manner.

sonja102

I am a Blackberry user and I like Blackberry devices, period. There is no "equivalent" device that would satisfy me as it would not be the Blackberry Priv--which is what I want. Aside from that, I would be very upset if I locked myself into a two-year agreement (or paid some astronomical price for) a device that I really didn't want in the first place and then you launch the Priv. That right there would definitely send me packing! If the company was not in a position to be able to provide regular updates to its customers, then why even encourage us to sign up in November? I think that's the cause of much of our frustration. I get that you're just a customer service guy that makes no decision, but you should share with the higher ups the beating you guys are taking on their behalf. My patience is wearing thin is all I can say...

VWCM

If Verizon can't tell us the release date, can't they at least tell us the date that an announcement will be made?...I think that would be more than fair!

Ann154

No, they don't normally announce when an announcement is going to happen. If or when Verizon Wireless announces a phone will be available for purchase, it usually occurs a few days before the the phone is officially available. At most, the announcement is a week before the phone's release date.

VWCM

"They don't normally announce when an announcement is going to happen."...but perhaps they should make an exception this time. 68 pages in the "Verizon Priv waiting room" on Crackberry.com and counting plus this thread among many others. And considering that the phone has been out for months on AT&T, when it does appear on Verizon, it will be old tech, I think it would be more than fair to at least provide an estimate as to when to expect an announcement.

It almost appears as if Verizon wants this phone to fail. It will be released either near or after the release of the new Samsung Galaxy phone, and rumors are at a price on par with the Galaxy which will have superior specs such as a faster processor, longer battery life, more notoriety, etc...

Ann154

They might make an exception for the high volume high dollars devices. The BlackBerry Priv is neither one of those. Since you mentioned Samsung, discussion about when the next Samsung phone will be released will likely well over 100 pages across multiple threads. Verizon Wireless allocates funds for advertising and marketing based on the rate of return. I don't see the Blackberry having a high enough rate of return to justify the "full page spread" resources.

jasken

Five months ago or so a leaked image of a Priv running on Verizon's network appears.

Around the same time, evleaks announced this device would be coming to all four major U.S. carriers through Twitter.

Shortly thereafter, John Chen/BlackBerry announced that the Priv would indeed come to all four major U.S. carriers.

In the first week of November, John Nelson/Verizon announces the Priv will be coming to Verizon "soon" on Twitter.

In Dec, John Langre/T-Mo announces they are working out a deal with BlackBerry to carry the Priv.

Also at the end of Dec the Verizon model of the Priv passes through the FCC.

On Jan. 6th, Big As exclusive deal with the Priv ends, T-Mo. immediately announces they will have the Priv by the end of Jan. They delivered on that promise.

Also shortly after the exclusivity, Jeff Nelson tweets that the Priv is currently undergoing testing (by Verizon)

Jeff Nelson continues to tweet that the Priv is "coming soon".

Jeff Nelson then tweets that the Priv will be coming to Verizon by the end of March (if not sooner).

And on and on with the "coming soon" from both BlackBerry and Verizon.

For some of us we have known about this "slider" since MWC 2015.

As to the announcement about and announcement... Well, BlackBerry did announce (one month ago) that they will make a future announcement (before the end of Feb.) for when they plan to roll out Marshmallow. So, they announced the announcement that will announce the date of the rollout.

All of this waiting is driving many of us nuts, and some to other carriers. I am one who participates in one of those other forums and I can attest that many feel this issue is more than just a faux pas. Verizon, you are leaving your customers hanging here and seriously upset.

For the last four months we have been hearing "coming soon" from both BlackBerry and Verizon. This is a little more than ridiculous. I have been off contract for months now and am losing patience. "Soon", and boy do I mean soon, I am going to leave Verizon and take my family plan (and cable/Internet, too) to someone else.

VWCM

I hear you jasken. Their vague "soon" has become more than a little irritating. I guess that given enough time, their "soon" will actually begin to mean soon. I have been out of contract for YEARS and have remained loyal, but the exit door has begun to look more and more tempting with each passing day. If you did leave, I wouldn't blame you. Good luck to you!

sonja102

I concur. I have been month-to-month for close to a year now with Verizon and like jasken‎, I too will be jumping ship if I don't hear something definite, or if this device is not release by the end of March. Enough is enough and I'd much rather be with a company that values me as a customer as well as my opinion.

postitthoughts

OMG, they're doing pre-orders of the GS7 before releasing the PRIV. [Removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

Thank you,

Verizon Moderator

deloused

Of course they are, Galaxy's sell well, and they're in the business to make money. Why keep waiting for an older Android like the Priv?

postitthoughts

Guess what?!? We're still here! We still know nothing! Still can't wait for the @BlackBerry #PRIV !!!

VWCM

I may have just found an alternative to the Priv for those of you whose main interest is the physical keyboard. Samsung will be offering a keyboard cover for their new Galaxy S7 for a rumored $60. The actual keyboard cover may currently be viewed on the Samsung website. And as an added incentive (which I don't care about), they are adding free Virtual Reality glasses for all pre-orders which is valued at $150 according to Samsung.

For those of you who would like to point out that this is nothing new as Samsung offered a similar keyboard case for the S6, while that is true, the S6 was such a crappy phone that it wasn't even worthy of consideration (at least I thought so). The S7 is actually looking pretty good with its expandable memory slot, water resistance, and longer battery life.

While keyboard covers tend to not be the best, I hear that the Priv's keyboard isn't that great either. And since this one is made by Samsung, I suspect it may be better than the average keyboard cover made by a little-known third party manufacturer...Then again, the two phones will likely release around the same time, so if you are really adamant about the Priv, you may as well wait the extra week or so. The S7 does seem like a better phone specs-wise, however I would prefer a physical keyboard so I don't know about you guys, but I'm still undecided.

dirtlawyer

Respectfully, this is a ridiculous answer. I have been a Verizon customer for many years (TV, phone and internet) but am nearing the end of the line here. There has not been a shred of useful information regarding a release date. The answer that you strive to offer the best products, not the first products is a cop-out. It is more than 90 days since the product was available elsewhere so being first is not an option. What is gained by treating your customers like idiots and not giving them any information. I have tweeted the question as to when the phone would be released twice this week and have received no response.

dirtlawyer

Agreed. The lack of common courtesy and a response is ridiculous.

Momma23dogs

BlackBerry Priv Expanding to Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint - Yahoo Finance

the release date has been rumored to be January - didn't happen. New date is today.

AbstractBerry122

It was bitter sweet for me to hear Verizon was finally getting a updated Blackberry smartphone. No Passport or Leap for any CDMA phones. I was a loyal customer to Blackberry and they burned me many times. From the Blackberry Tour to the Bold to the Z10, it just seem Blackberry abandon their customers. I'm just afraid to spend $720.00 knowing how Blackberry has done me in the past. The phone has decent reviews and am sure it's a quality phone but again I just don't know if I can trust Blackberry will support the phone within the next few years. Their track record ain't good and with this talk of focusing on software and security it keeps me way from the Priv.

Momma23dogs

You aren't alone. BB is merging Android apps in a last attempt to keep afloat.

THe Priv has reported battery problems and it's too new to tell if it's a winner or not.

sfgwyn

It is communications and hurtful to be loyal to both BlackBerry / Verizon and find out on LinkedIn that PRIV was released. I had been waiting on my upgrade as a consumer and enterprise controls for others to test and deliver. This is 2 Strikes Verizon. My phone migration was excellent, order experience flawless (no agent required), and little to complain as I'm not a Google pusher. It is sandboxed. So here is my two cents:

1. Verizon Visual Voicemail, VZ Navigator this time and no VZVM. The Z30 was VZVM and no VZ Nav, you are kidding right?

2. BlackBerry Blend, unsupported operating system. That's on you BlackBerry!

Other than this, Verizon did deliver case, kickstand, holster protection for PRIV where Z30 was a bust and confused. Maybe Vodafone is good for you and me. I feel global again, -s

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