DROID Bionic And Accessory Bundle Costco Discussion Thread (Including Q&A from YankeeDudeL)

[ttaylor0024]

Yankee is missing, and this thread has made me a little uncertain on how legitimate this deal is...

Its legit. Cosco has put out ads about it already.

 

[thatguy188]

Its legit. Cosco has put out ads about it already.

Pics or it didn't happen. Where?

 

[ttaylor0024]

Pics or it didn't happen. Where?

http://androidforums.com/motorola-d...ssory-bundle-will-land-costco-just-299-a.html

 

[MtnbikerChk]

is there a date on that thing? I can't see one.

 

[ttaylor0024]

is there a date on that thing? I can't see one.

Is there a date on the bionic release? I cant see one.

 

[bigbabys]

http://androidforums.com/motorola-d...ssory-bundle-will-land-costco-just-299-a.html

No offense, but we are speculating the validity of that exact "leaked" ad, and your proof the ad is real is the same "leak" in question.

 

[MtnbikerChk]

Is there a date on the bionic release? I cant see one.

well I meant on availability at Costco (if it says 10/1 then we'll have half our questions answered).

 

[thatguy188]

http://androidforums.com/motorola-d...ssory-bundle-will-land-costco-just-299-a.html

We've already seen that You mentioned Costco has the ads and even on display ... I meant a pic of that. Not of something we all have seen before.

For all we know, some random guy could of photoshopped that together.

 

[Trooper]

I'd imagine you're going to be an authorized user on the account. If you are, your social would work, but have your wife's handy. Some people also have their accounts password protected, so see if she added one and what it might be.

Thanks man. Hope this all will work out.

Cheers.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I'm here guys, I wasn't working but stopped in to pick up a couple pizzas at Costco. It's not Jersey pizza, but it does the trick for down here. Followed that up with a social life.

Anyways, I'm gonna try to answer everyone's questions.

 

[HanSolo]

Hi Yankee, love your name btw!

I was wondering how long this special was going to last? I mean the one where you buy the phone and you get all the accessories for $299. I'm still thinking about getting the Bionic or waiting for Prime. But the Costco sale is a HUGE deal, I don't know if I can pass it up.

 

[Trooper]

Would be cool to find out if this deal is for real. Otherwise I may wait it out a bit.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

If I am not a member but have a "Costco Cash Card", could I purchase this deal?

I asked my KM who like me wasn't 100% sure, but thinks that wouldn't be an issue. It's kind incentive to bring someone new into the store, and gain a potential new customer. Of course, you could use that cash card to purchase a membership. It's def worth it.

Thanks for the Q&A!

Does Cosco use a Verizon Kiosk system or are the phones in the general electronics section?

Following, can one use a Verizon gift card to buy Verizon phones products (like at BJs)?

You're welcome!

We're a kiosk that's right next to the electronics. Everyone thinks we're Verizon because our kiosk is red and black. We're actually Wireless Advocates, a partner of Costco. We sell Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and DirecTV.

Sorry, no dice. However, I'm sure you could use that gift card to pay your monthly bill. Wow, I am a salesman. lmao

Does anyone know what the "new every two" price will be on the Bionic? If it's less than $299 will costco match it?

I've only ever seen $30 and $50 credits that would apply. We can't do those at Costco, that'd have to be done through a Verizon Corporate store. Still, on any smartphone we're going to be at least $50 cheaper. And you're always going to get a leather carrying case, car charger, and screen protectors with any phone purchase.

Will all Costco stores have this on morning of 9/8? If not, is there some way to check inventory/delivery?

My local costco mobile booth guys aren't very friendly or easy to work with. They won't even talk to you unless you're buying a phone right then and there.

I've tried to ask them about the Bionic they just ignore me.

I'm very sorry to hear that your kiosk isn't as warm and friendly and up to the high standards we employ. Next time you're there, I'd ask for the district manager and regional manager's card and contact them. That is unacceptable.

We can't be certain that we'll have the Bionic on drop day. However, giving the push they're making, I'd very much expect that we should. Also, it's on our inventory list already. It's coming.

Hello, I have a few questions regarding Costco and the Verizon store.

1) I needed a phone so I bought the X2 at the Verizon store. My return policy expires on sept. 10. Would it be possible to return the phone on the day Bionic comes out at the Verizon store (if its Sept 8 of course) and then go directly to Costco and buy the bionic there with the accessory bundle?

2) Will Costco have the Bionic day one?

3) As there is a 90 day return policy, can I go there and exchange it out for one of the rumored holiday super-phones such as the Droid Prime or HTC Vigor?

4) If i return the bionic, would all of the accessories need to be returned in order to get a refund?

and lastly 5) Is it frowned upon to go and return a two month old phone to buy the latest and greatest? It seems kind of greedy but after all it is in Costco's policy and I do pay to shop there.

Thanks so much to anyone who can help!

I did respond in PM, but I do want to respond to the last question here. Yes, it is frowned upon. Our policy is after 14 days that we can exchange a faulty device for the same exact one. Now, if a customer is truly not happy with a device, we're absolutely going to put a diff device in their hands that will meet his or her standards. You're correct in saying that you pay to shop there and we do have a 90 day return policy.

It is my opinion that a person shouldn't buy something that they have every intention of returning. When we exchange a device, you're getting a brand new one, not a refurb. That means Costco will have lost two phones on one purchase. Sure they're going to be reimbursed for phones they turn in, but they lose the ability to sell that phone you turn in. I don't think that's very fair.

Just something to consider, I know most people don't even realize this. And think about the children! lol

 

[tehsusenoh]

O O O me next! My questions!

 

[htom]

To clarify this, Costco only deals with contracted, subsidized prices. You can not buy a phone outright through us, save for one that we sell as prepaid on T-Mobile. And that's just a basic flip phone.

Thanks for clearing that up...I wanted to pay full retail for this but I guess I will pull one of my other lines to the shackles of the 2 year contract.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

My question: Is the deal real?

I was just at Costco just 30 minutes ago, asking questions.

The lady I had talked to was extremely knowledgeable, and even had the Bionic dummy units (they weren't out on the floor). She said that the chance of the deal were very, very slim.

She also said that I couldn't come back within the 90 days and get a different phone model without breaking the Verizon contract.

I'll make another post about the deal in a min or two, as so many people want to know, and rightfully so. Ah, poetry.

As to the return policy, as I've stated, we're only supposed to exchange that phone for the same one. The WSE has to qualify the complaint and judge if there is a prob with the device or if the person just wants to get a better phone. If the latter is the case, we're not supposed to.

Some WSEs at some kiosks will no matter what. Other's won't. That's why I say to verify with your kiosk. And try to speak to the kiosk manager.

Why does this make me chuckle? Could it be that ... not everything you read on the "innernet" isn't TRUE?!

Bill Gates is going to send me a check for forwarding an email. He just hasn't been able to cause everyone else that forwards it adds to my total. I'm gonna be rich, I tell ya. RICH!!!

I'm planning on replacing one of my announce day OG Droids with a Bionic. I've also got a small 15% discount (access and feature) on my Verizon account through my employer and the old school unlimited data plans. I've got a NE2 on one and an upgrade available on another plus a DX upgradeable next year, all under a family plan.

If I purchase the Bionic through Costco, do I lose any of the original discounts? Any other differences (outside of the noted return policies and of course "the deal") in the end result (now or later) instead of getting it through my Verizon store?

TIA,
Al

No worries, your discount still applies to your bill, and you'll still keep your unlimited data. You can't do a NE2 upgrade at Costco, but that's still a qualified upgrade. You just won't get the $30 or $50 credit on your phone purchase. We're still going to be at least $50 cheaper on the phone, plus the accessories.

Does the Costco member's name have to be on the VZW account? Meaning can a Costco member buy the phone and activate it for somebody else's VZW account?

Let's put it this way: only an authorized user on an account can make the upgrade. When you purchase the phone at the Costco register, the member would need to be with you.

They may have been referring to the leather case, car charger, headset and screen protector that all Costco phones have. Make sure that, when you ask, specify the details of the offer so you don't get jipped.

A good point as that's very possible.

Stopped by my local costco after work today. Noticed two different people working the phone booth, went over to talk to them. They were much nicer than the usual folks who work there. They said they just got transferred over from another store earlier this week.

As far as the bionic is concerned, they said they usually get phones 30 to 90 days after its released by verizon, so they don't expect it until October or later.
With regards to free accessories, they only said they know about the usual free case, car charger headset etc. Nothing about a dock.

I don't know how knowledgeable they are. But at least one of the guys knew everything about every verizon phone they had. Better than most of the verizon store reps I've dealt with in the past.

There's not a whole lot of rhyme or reason as to what phones we get and when we get them. Sometimes we get a phone on drop day, sometimes we get them later, we sometimes even get them early. I can't say for sure when we'll get the Bionic, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't on drop day.

Those 'new' people may have been nicer, but they definitely weren't any brighter. 30-45 days after launch? Why would they be selling the phone then that early? Who TF would buy and wait that long to get their phone?

Old people who have no idea what phones are even out there. That's about 75% of our clientele. lol

I certainly hope they were wrong. However, they said they are still waiting on the first shipment of Droid 3 which came out what, 5 or 6 weeks ago? All they have received so far is a dummy display and one working demo unit.

Even the Samsung Droid Charge, they claim they only received their first shipment about a month ago and it was only 5 phones which they sold out the first day they had it.

I'm going to stop by on 9/8 just in case

Costco already has the D3s. They just cant sell it in the stores until the D2 Global inventory sells out.

It's available on their website instead.

Yoda is correct, we have to sell out of a certain phone before we can sell it's replacement. And we're not going to get that shipment until the last one is gone. We had the D3 dummy unit the day of the preorder, but we didn't start selling it in store until about 3 weeks ago.

And for the record, we had our Charges on drop day.

So let me get this straight, I am due for an upgrade on my OG Droid. Unfortunatly, I dont have a costco around me for over 100 miles, but will be buying from Verizon. When I do, I will have 90 days to return the phone and get a different one? So for example, I can return the bionic when the Prime comes out and get that? Do I have to pay for a re-stocking fee? Does the $300 carry over to the prime if I return the Bionic?

Thanks

Verizon's policy is that you can return a phone for a diff model up to 14 days after your purchase. After that, you have until up to 30 days to return the phone for the same exact phone in the case that you got a lemon. After 30 days, you fall under the manufacturer's warranty for a year.

Costco's policy differs in that instead of 30 days, you have 90 days. It's one of the benefits of being a Costco member.

 

[drexappeal]

There's been an awful lot of excitement about Costco's Droid Bionic bundle, and why wouldn't there be? For the same price you could pay for the Bionic in a VZW store you're going to get an extra batter and battery charger, desktop cradle, car cradle, car charger, leather carrying case, and (most likely) screen protectors. Not to mention we'll educate you on how to use your new phone (not that anyone here would have trouble with that ), and not try to push you out the door just so we can get to the next customers.

Since I've been getting a slew of (very welcomed) questions, I figured it'd be a good idea to start a thread dedicated to answering these questions. I'll still answer your questions in other threads and PMs, but I'm thinking it'd be helpful to have as many of these questions here for the next person with the same inquiry.

As the Bionic bundle has spurred this, I felt it more than ok to have this thread here. If a mod god or wise guide wants to cross post this, I wouldn't have an issue with that.

EDIT: I do want to add that this is not "my" thread. We have a lot of knowledgeable members here, so I encourage everyone to chime in when you can help someone. If something is inaccurate or I (or any other Costco WSEs or Verizon reps) can add, we'll do so. One love. lol

I'm willing to merge with the other thread if you all want. It's really up to you. Since the phone isn't out yet, I'm sure merges can happen after the fact.

I'm actually paying very close attention to the Bionic for a couple reasons:
1) curiosity on any possible cross-compatibility with the MoPho
2) a few family and friends that are on Verizon that I've convinced this entire year to wait for this phone...LOL.

Here's the original Costco thread that was started, for those that didn't see it:
http://androidforums.com/motorola-d...ssory-bundle-will-land-costco-just-299-a.html

 

[johnlgalt]

Old people who have no idea what phones are even out there. That's about 75% of our clientele. lol

You misunderstood my line. I used 'new' people to mean the replacement representatives at the kiosk.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

O O O me next! My questions!

lol

One, is this deal real? I have no idea. lol It's not been verified to me. This is what I do know. My kiosk is under the impression that it is. Earlier this month, there was a meeting between Costco and Wireless Advocates in Seattle, WA (where Wireless Advocates is based out of). Our Costco's store manager and our regional manager were on hand. As was the Bionic.

We were told that Costco was going to make a huge push on this phone. This meant accessories (though we weren't sure which), and advertising (which other than it's coupon book that they send out every three weeks, they don't do).

What I do know is that the Bionic is in our inventory list, with a SKU # and a price listing as $300. This can only mean one of three things:

1) As we know the price is $300 at VZW and we always beat their prices, then this will be the price of the phone PLUS the bundle.

2) This is the price of the phone before having a rebate applied.

3) Both.

As I've stated elsewhere, we don't get a whole lot of inside information. Almost none, really. I get most of what I know from the same places you guys do. So I can't confirm that this phone will come out on the 8th (despite every one of our channels pointing to that), that we'll have it on drop day (which every channel also points to), or whether this will be the deal when it does (again, each channel points to it). But I'm pretty confident that I'm going to have a Droid Bionic with the bundle a week from today.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

You misunderstood my line. I used 'new' people to mean the replacement representatives at the kiosk.

You misunderstood my quote. I meant who would be willing to wait that long to buy the phone after it dropped.

 

[koei]

Question,

If I am currently not a Verizon customer, and I want to goto Costco on the 8th to buy the phone and sign up for Verizon service, plus transfer my current number over, would it be possible?

 

[thatguy188]

Yankee,

First of all, thanks again for all the time your willing to give to help all of us, lol.

While nobody can 1000% confirm yet if this deal is real, is there any kind of timeframe to know if it is/isn't? Like will it be advertised starting only on drop day, or before etc.?

 

[drexappeal]

Everyone okay with leaving this thread separate or would you prefer me merging with other posts.

If I merge, I can easily add YankeeDudeL's first post on this thread to the first post in the merged thread.

Let me know, either way, and I'll go with the majority.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

Thanks for clearing that up...I wanted to pay full retail for this but I guess I will pull one of my other lines to the shackles of the 2 year contract.

No prob.

 

[opuntia2]

Does the Costco member's name have to be on the VZW account? Meaning can a Costco member buy the phone and activate it for somebody else's VZW account?

Let's put it this way: only an authorized user on an account can make the upgrade. When you purchase the phone at the Costco register, the member would need to be with you.

Thanks for answering my question, but when you say "account" do you mean a Costco or VZW account? Basically it seems that I (not a costco member) can walk with someone who is a costco member and have them buy me the phone...is that correct?