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

[sonja102]

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!!!

[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.

[VWCM]

No one is asking Verizon to allocate funds to advertise the Priv. Just to at least provide an estimation to when an announcement will be made if they cannot provide an actual release date. There are many people waiting for the Priv compared to the low cost of writing a simple message, "We expect to have information on the Priv's release date in approximately..."

The cost of writing that 30 second message? Just the few cents in wages to whomever posts it. Therefore, the rate of return?...High

[Ann154]

And if such an announcement is in contrary to the DND agreement, the cost is very high aka the employee is fired.

[VWCM]

Again, unwarranted assumptions being made, not sure why...no one is asking employees to go rogue and leak information. Looking for Verizon to be good to its loyal customers and provide something, anything, even if it is NOT the actual release date...just toss us a bone...

[Tidbits]

They will not. They never have. They will not announce not say anything until they are ready. No carrier does for that matter.

[VWCM]

Tidbits:

That part is true for not just Verizon, but for all companies. However, you are completely missing the point.

...anyway, doesn't matter because it is apparent that this forum is a complete waste of time.

~Chrono2050

[Tidbits]

I am not missing the point.  I know what you are saying, but the point is they will not and that's you answer.  THEY NEVER HAVE.

[VWCM]

Someone who misses the point but insists that they haven't and therefore continues as such...I have to admit, a bit humorous. Props for making me laugh lol

[Tidbits]

So what's the point am I missing,

Your point you want them to tell you something as the "right thing to do" correct?  Like an announcement when they will make an announcement(This sounds more humorous) or an actual announcement when and if they'll carry the devices.

So to that answer they will not because they never have... I am spot on man... 

[VWCM]

Are you on the right track? Yes. Are you spot on? Not at all.

I know how businesses work, in fact I have a degree in Business and years of experience. And I have stated that you are right that Verizon, nor any other company, will disseminate information prior to being ready, so what is it I want then? If you can answer that question correctly, perhaps you'll understand why you are not "spot on". That is all I will say.

And as far as "an announcement when they will make an announcement" being humorous, I am not sure why you would find it as such. This is done all the time. Sometimes companies have a date set that that they allow to be public knowledge for when they will elaborate more about a product such as in specs, features, release date, etc. For example, during a keynote but it is not always that formal.

[Tidbits]

That's completely different... If you don't see how that is  different.

Let's explain why it is different. Manufacturers vs carriers. Manufacturers do it to show their new products. Carriers do not. They only announce when they'll carry a product. So you want them to make an announcement about an announcement on when they will carry a product. That's why it is humorous. Show me a company that announces when they will announce they will carry a product that isn't their own.

What you are trying to get is to find out of Verizon will carry it or not. The answer is they will not announce anything until they are ready. If you don't want to wait there are other carriers that offer it. Talk with your money...

[VWCM]

1) Yes, there is a big difference between a manufacturer and a retailer. My keynote example was just that, an example. I deliberately stated that it is not always that formal because it would definitely NOT be for a retailer. An announcement is really just communication whether formal or informal. You do not have to be a manufacturer to communicate.

2) No one is still interested in knowing whether Verizon will be carrying the device because they announced that they would months ago. The question on people's mind is, "When will the device be released?". Ideally, yes, that would be nice to know, but I am definitely not expecting to hear this information from them through this forum, or prior to them being ready to make the announcement.

3) I do not understand why you keep mentioning that they will NOT announce anything until they are ready. I have agreed with that point from the beginning so I am obviously NOT expecting them to do just that.

[Tidbits]

Seems like you are just arguing to argue and don't want to face the truth.

Verizon will not make an announcement until they are ready. No matter what you say here is relevant to them. If you want the device now then switch to a carrier that offers it. This has always been every carriers MO since forever.

Anyway I am done here, and best of luck getting the information you seek as we all know won't happen.

[VWCM]

Not sure what the "truth" is according to you. If it's that they will not announce until they are ready, I have agreed with that many times so I'm assuming you are speaking about another "truth". Since you have appeared to be highly confused throughout our discussion, I am going to wager that whatever this "truth" is, it is actually wrong.

You keep bringing up the same moot points over and over again. Sounds like you are either having difficulty with reading comprehension (which is okay, some people do), or you are commending just to comment. Either way, its been interesting to say the least.

~Chrono2050

[Tidbits]

Truth

Are they selling it now? Did they give a date they are selling it?

When they said coming soon everyone knew there was am exclusive deal and no one knows what that deal is. Anyone in the industry KNOWS for a FACT exclusive deals means NDAs are involved.

I bet when that exclusive deal officially ends is when Verizon will give a date like they always have unless the manufacturer drops the deal like Sony did recently.

[VWCM]

Welcome back Tidbits!

It is possible that it is due to an exclusive deal. There are also rumors that they are waiting to have the bugs fixed (there have been bugs reported) and to release the device with Marshmallow. Either way, this is all just speculation for now. We'll have to wait and see.

[sonja102]

Well actually, verizon has already made an announcement that they were going to carry the Blackberry Priv‎ several months ago, in fact it was a few months after AT&T released the device. Then shortly after Sprint & TMobile released the device, they asked up to sign up for emails to get the latest updates on the release (they initially said it would be January 2016). That was in November. Our frustration lies in the fact that we signed up for these updates & all we've heard are crickets... Again, therein lies my frustration. We pay top dollar for the service, as well as the devices, but get customer service that, frankly, [removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service] !

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

[Tidbits]

I am aware of what they said. Coming soon

Also you may not be aware. BB doesn't have the same capacity they did 10 year ago. You also may not be aware no one knows the exclusive agreement details are. So Verizon may be under a gag for the time being until the exclusive is over. Sure T-Mobile started selling it about a week ago... BB could possibly put all their eggs in the GSM variant first due to exclusivity and possibly now started to make the CDMA variants, and that could be part of the exclusivity deal.

Anyway doesn't matter. Either you wait or switch. Since you know it's coming that's your only options.

[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.