Corporate Sales

[catallah]

Recently I asked my mom (works for a big corporation) to see if they had a website or any information on corporate sales for Sprint. She pointed me to their website where I entered my information onto a page saying I am interested about the new Palm Pre. I just received an email today asking if I wanted them to order me the phone on Saturday...I WAS SHOCKED! I was wondering if anyone else was doing this and what were there thoughts. All I had to do was give my phone number and mailing address and they are going to lump me into the big corporate purchase they do on Saturday, no waiting in lines or even dealing with Telesales for me. Anyone else doing this?

[WMark]

I work for Sprint (in Enterprise Sales), and have a couple of guesses at what may be going on:

1. Corporate Sales fall into two categories - "Individually Liable" and "Corporate Liable." Most CL sales go through purchasing departments for approval and the costs are born by the corporation. IL sales are made directly to employees, who are granted a "corporate discount." Be sure you know which kind you are looking at, or your Mom could be in a bit of trouble with her employer!

2. IL (Individually Liable) sales are sometimes (but not always) handled by a third party (through a website or via telephone). These Sprint partners may have some stock of Pre's on launch, but I'd ask them to make sure first...they may be taking orders, but not shipping until inventory arrives.

Bottom line...be sure you know what kind of sale you are dealing with (CL or IL) and that the sales channel actually has stock on June 6.

[catallah]

This was personal (individually liable), the guy said he will be ordering at 7AM on Saturday, I also did not lie to him. I said what company my mom works for and that I do not work for the company. I am not sure they will have direct stock but it ends up being the same price as going to the Sprint store and I have to study all day Saturday soo hopefully it works out. Big thanks though on letting me know the difference.

[WMark]

Sounds like it's on the up-and-up, so go for it! Meanwhile, I anxiously await the day they make the Pre available for employee purchase...sometime later this summer, with any luck...

[catallah]

I just canceled my order with the individually liable store, I am not sure how soon I would get the phone and I am itching for it, so I am just going to go and wait like everyone else tonight. I hope I made the right choice and can get a phone tonight.