Verizon announces early store openings for DROID launch

We'd already heard through the grapevine that select Verizon Wireless stores would be cracking their doors open early to deal with the presumed flood of consumers "Humans" eager to snap up the first-ever Android 2.0 device, and now the carrier has come right out with the official details. We're told that "many" of its over 2,000 retail locations will open at either 7AM or 8AM local time to field orders for the DROID, though VZW mall stores will all open at their regular time. You should check with your local store to see exactly when they'll open, and while we can't guarantee it, we'd guess that having an Android-related tattoo on your person is a good way to get VIP treatment once you arrive on scene. Or, you know, you could just get your Best Buy pre-order in now and save $100 up front by dodging the mail-in rebate.

[Joao Cagao Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:08PM]

It would be awesome if the opened early, only to have KIRFs on hand, then saying to everyone "these aren't the droids you are looking for"

[oGMo Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:11PM]

Actually I think it'd be more "accurate" to have the actual units wouldn't it...

[xenolion Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:14PM]

In just a week Im already sick of hearing that joke, yep I think its time for me to do this.

*hands in geek card*

I just cant take that joke anymore Im out of this one...

[Joao Cagao Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:20PM]

@ oGMo

good point!

[recharged95 Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:58PM]

What would cause a riot is if they said, "the preopen was for Droid Eris models only, we thought you guys assumed that... But we do have these great Storm2s available and in full stock"

[pee tee Posted Nov 3rd 2009 6:14PM]

The boy next door on Android OS?

Anyway, we fairly believe that Motorola Droid already used all the "gasoline" in their engine to have this proper release, let's just cross our fingers and hope that the droid product is as good as what critiques have said.

Thank you BestBuy, hope you can continue to bring sweetdeals till thanksgivin' day. :D

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:11PM]

Count me in!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:10PM]

What time will Verizon be taking phone orders for this beast? Can I call right at 12:01am on Friday, and place my order?

[Sanskrit Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:11PM]

I thought someone stated 1230am on Friday.

[jtupeck Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:12PM]

I hear 12:30 am Friday as well.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:13PM]

pre-ordered mine via best buy...that seems like the best option at this point if you want first dibs!

[Roroco Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:16PM]

Do you guys know if BB will honor the $50 New Every Two rebates as well?

[IBrian Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:46PM]

Nah, I asked a dude there and he said you can't get that discount. That is why I am wondering if I should just eat the $50 and let someone else on my plan use the discount on their next phone (since only the main line gets the New Every 2 thing).

[apd123 Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:13PM]

Boo MIR I will stick with my BB preorder.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:14PM]

When will we be able to but it online?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:16PM]

Save your money. do not stop, goto Bestbuy sans the rebate crap. You will be up 100.00 if you do.

[Digon Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:14PM]

I pre-ordered the Droid through Best Buy , instant rebate +1 no wait in line +2

[st4xor Posted Nov 3rd 2009 3:29PM]

Something for people to keep in mind... Best Buy does not honor Verizon annual upgrades. I had to cancel my pre-order because of that policy

[Uncontrol Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:15PM]

Not that this isn't a great phone, but I don't think people are going to be flooding stores to purchase it.

[ChillyCat Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:22PM]

Betch-yer wrong !!

Check the 6 0'Clock News that night.

[Andir Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:37PM]

I was talking to my friend who works in a Verizon Premier Partner store about reserving mine and someone non-technical in the office overheard me and was excited about the phone... something I never expected... that makes me curious how big the real world hype is.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:55PM]

At the end of the day...iPhone Stands..Droid Fails

Enough said.

[ryanthered Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:56PM]

I wouldn't have thought so either, but when I went to Best Buy on Saturday afternoon the clerk told me there were already around 30 pre-orders before mine. I think there are tons of Verizon customers that really want a decent smartphone finally.

[Puggs Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:48PM]

@TheFalconer

At the end of the day, you go to bed a sad lonely little man!

[kyphem Posted Nov 3rd 2009 11:59PM]

This will fail just like the G1

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:15PM]

Is it just me or does it resemble a cylon?

[hq Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:34PM]

where the hell have you been the last weeks?

[Microdot Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:18PM]

they need to open early to field all 3 walk-in customers?

look... all fanboyism aside, it just isnt going to do as well as they are hoping. sure, it will sell.... and it will probably sell pretty damn good on its own merits... but nowhere near to a point that they will need to extend store hours, or create lines for people wanting to get one. it just isnt going to happen. if they move over 250k units the first week i will be shocked.

[Roroco Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:59PM]

I don't know... Verizon consumer base is very loyal to Verizon because of the quality of service - I am one. Unfortunately, we all complain about the quality of phones and have been starving for a real phone. This is the first legit geek-chiq phone that Verizon is ahead of the curve on. I bet there are a lot of VZ customers that are going to grab this phone ASAP...

I mean... Look how well the Storm sold on VZ and that phone was very poorly reviewed.

[Microdot Posted Nov 6th 2009 11:08AM]

can i call it, or what?

[l0lcatz Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:18PM]

I made a pre-order las sunday in best buy.... so i will be able to pick it up anytime friday or even saturday with no worries about sold-out signs??.

[ilikespie Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:23PM]

thats the guarantee of a pre-order, that it will be available to you the day of. if it is unavailable, id consider complaining till you get some sort of compensation XD

[GaryZ Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:19PM]

Actually I checked VZW store times this past weekend, and it's already showing early open time for Friday at 7AM...

[Nortman Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:20PM]

My question is will these be hampered by the tethering to verizon services seen on VZW phones somehow, android may be open sourc ebut I wouldn't put it past verizon to handicap these things with their draconian lockdown measures.

[Andir Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:39PM]

/facepalm

Have you read any of the other posts on this? No lock down whatsoever, at all. Period.

[Nortman Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:44PM]

THat'd be great, but you'll still get nailed with the fee just for having a "smartphone" that all the carriers add. I really don't see the point of paying this when the only time I'd use their 3G network is in emergencies if wi-fi hotspots aren't available. The pricing schemes when you jump to a smart phone is ridiculous.

[MarcusMaximus Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:57PM]

@Sean: Plain and simple: Android needs a data plan. Without one there is no reason to buy an Android phone, since you could do everything from a dumbphone. There's just too much that's handled in the cloud to try to get by with just wifi.

[0998c0ad Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:11PM]

@Sean
I've already contacted verizon wireless to confirm the prices for me and they quoted $45 per month (I'm in a Family Plan and I get a 15% discount through a company discount)
$45 is "extremely" reasonable to me. On top of that I get an extra $100 for renewing my 2 year contract so at the end of the day I will have a Droid for $99 up front and $45 per month unlimited data (heavy usage rate)

If I wasn't going to be down n Disneyworld on Friday I would be getting my Droid.

There better be some left when I get home next week! *shakes fist*

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 7:06PM]

@Nitromax

If you dont want/need the enterprise option, it would only be $30.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:21PM]

* crickets *.... * crickets * .......

[G33K3d uP Posted Nov 3rd 2009 2:31PM]

[Blank Stare]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:27PM]

This will be a good phone. The wait is almost over.

BUTT

The HTC Passion rumor is so great it will keep me out of this line on Friday.

Get me past Black Friday for decision making.

[xFenixKnightx Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:24PM]

That UI. I still don't like it but overall that is one beast of a phone.

[sethmo Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:27PM]

My local BestBuy(which is 45min away) doesn't carry Verizon. And I called all my local VZW B&M stores and they all tell me "We aren't sure when we will get it in". *shrugs*

[Maddy Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:40PM]

Maybe it's time to move out of middle of nowhere.

[xFenixKnightx Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:56PM]

lol

My Bestbuy is literally 5min away.

[chanocular Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:56PM]

When I called my local Best Buy, they told me the same thing and that they've never heard of a 'Moto android' phone. Also the mobile sales person said that since they are a small store they won't get new phones like bigger stores. When I called back around noon and spoke to a different person, they said that they are doing pre-orders for the droid.

o.0

[RowdyReptile Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:27PM]

Wonder how many people will be driving across timezones to try and nab one an hour earlier.... or perhaps the other way so they dont have to get up so early.

[MarcusMaximus Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:38PM]

I'd imaging for most people it takes more than an hour to get to a different timezone, thus nullifying any ability to wake up later.

[Addyct Posted Nov 3rd 2009 1:59PM]

just another wonderful advantage of living on the east coast...