Best Buy lists unsubsidized "regular price" for Palm Pre at $850; punch in the face is no extra charge

While subsidies, long-term contracts and unbecoming groveling are all part of the game when it comes to getting a hot new phone for a reasonable price, we'd say Best Buy's listed "regular price" for the Palm Pre is a little extreme: $849.99 will buy you a lot of Palm shares these days. That's miles away from Sprint's supposed $550 off-contract price, and it sounds like somebody along the chain doesn't want just anyone walking out of a Best Buy with Pre in their pocket and no "Simply Everything" plan hanging around their neck.

[Thanks, Fredrick C]

[BillF Posted May 29th 2009 11:11PM]

Its funny how the touch pro has better features and costs under $550 unsubsidized.

[htowngator Posted May 26th 2009 8:30AM]

Nothing brings out the endless iPhone fanboys like a Pre posting.

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 8:56AM]

No one should be blaming Palm or Sprint here... You won't see this "retail price" elsewhere. Best Buy always does this, they did it with the Touch Pro too (look it up and see how much they say it "costs" off contract).

Anyone who is stupid enough to pay that price off contract without doing the research first deserves it.

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 9:21AM]

Best Buy is 850 because they worked out a deal with sprint/palm to make sure that there stores are constantly stocked with the Palm Pre. In order for them to do that, sprint/palm is charging Best Buy a much higher price for the phones. I have a friend that works in Best Buy Mobile and that is what they were getting told last week when the deal was still in negotiation.

[jezzzzy Posted May 26th 2009 9:44AM]

The "flip vertical" on that thumbs up kind of gives me the willies.

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 11:55AM]

This phone is maybe 1/10th as cool as an iPhone. I am basically your average American. I barely passed high school, I work a menial job that I will never accomplish anything at, I have tons of credit card debt, and even though I am one more impregnation away from being foreclosed on, I don't wear condoms when I bang my common law wife. And I of course own an iPhone. I use maybe 5% of it's ability, and need even less than that, but damn do I look cool with it. A phone is about one thing, looking cool. And the Pre will never match Apple in this category.

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 11:59AM]

1. Buy the phone with the contract
2. Cancel the contract
3. ...
4. Profit!

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 12:15PM]

let's not forget that California law says you have to pay tax on the full price of the phone. Californians, that phone won't be 199. It'll be 277.53.

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 2:30PM]

Why on Earth would I want to buy a far more functional phone when I could possible compromise my place in the hierarchy of my superficial group of friends? The iPhone is unparalleled in it's ability to legitimize a persons cred with the in crowd. Nevermind the superior quality and affordability of the upcoming Pre. It will ruin my rep.

[(Unverified) Posted May 27th 2009 3:29PM]

Best Buy has always jacked up the price of uncontracted phones. Most recently charging 650 for the BlackBerry Storm which Verizon stores Sold for $499. This doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Best Buy can charge whatever they want if a contract is not attached