Purchase Help (Kin Twom)

[leachynut]

Hey guys, can anybody tell me where/how you can buy this phone now? The people at verizon told me online but the phone isn't on the website.. I really want this phone but i have no idea on how or where i can buy it from! Please help .

[nationalacrobat]

That's the $64 question right there!  It depends on who you ask.  I've been asking verizon maybe tywice a week, as I am also looking for this phone.  Basically, their response is "no information is available for this phone".  They do not say it has been discontinued, just that they have no idea when/if it will become available...

It certainly seems like they should be able to tell us something - I mean, how does the system work?  If they receive a crate of Kin 2's on their doorstep, they go ahead and start selling them?  If not, they just don't worry about it?

I've seen speculation on other sites of 1) they are discontinued, but Verizon doesn't want to say so because they are still trying to sell remaining Kin 1's, and 2) they are in the process of implementing an update and will be re-released with new features

I hope it's #2, but who knows?  There was a recent thread about availability, and a Verizon employee answered with the same "no information" answer.

Otherwise, you'll need to buy refurbished or used from eBay or another reseller.

[MojaveMoon_]

For about the past week there've been several "Kin Twom" phones ebay auctions in "new other" condition which ebay and the seller define as

"New other (see details): A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing the original packaging, or in the original packaging but not sealed. The item may be a factory second or a new, unused item with defects. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections."

"The phone may be classified as Overstock, Manufacturer Refurbished, Buyer Remorse / Carrier Return, or Used. Since we purchase in large quantities, we do not know the specific history of each model."

And now and then I see a "Kin Twom" phone in "new" (not "new other") condition for auction on ebay.

[nationalacrobat]

So I finally got tired of the lack of useful information from Verizon.  I discovered who made these phones - "Personal Communications Devices" is the company, and pcdphones.com is their web site.  They actually make quite a few cell phones for a variety of companies.

I spoke with them on the phone today, and was told that the Kin phones haven't been made in awhile.  The gentleman said that whenever Verizon sells out of their current stock, that's all there is (unless you buy 3rd party via eBay or the like).

So if anyone else was waiting for them to be back in stock at Verizon (as I was), maybe it's time to make an alternative plan.

I do think it's a bit dishonest for Verizon to claim they don't know the status!