Image by Getty Images via DaylifeLooks like engadget got a copy of the black berry storm due to hit the Verizon store tomorrow (21 November 2008). While I know this is our next phone, what makes this interesting to see is not just the level of detail they went to, but how they eventually felt about the phone. We already know we want one, but, given that there are some minor manufacturing defects, it might end up that we wait until after Christmas for this one. Engadget says about the blackberry storm:

Going into this review, we really wanted to love this phone. On paper it sounds like the perfect antidote to our gripes about the iPhone, and in some ways it lives up to those promises — but more often than not while using the Storm, we felt let down or frustrated. Ultimately, this could be a great platform with a little more time in the oven, but right now, it feels undercooked — and that’s not enough for us. Source: engadget

Rarely do I believe what other folks say, but engadget carries some weight here, and given the level of detail they went to, and that it is competing against the Iphone, we might wait. We are not in a hurry to spend money, the phones we have worked, they do things we want them to do. While we want the compelling reason to upgrade, and while one bad review does not an opinion make, there is something else that is going to piss off consumers. There are rumors of a Blackberry Storm shortage, and frankly do not want to play that game. Causing an artificial shortage of goods on launch is a crappy way of doing business, and will turn off customers who might have otherwise bought one. Here is why I say it is a crappy way of doing business.

The Verizon store is on the second floor of the mall we shop at, the Apple store is on the first floor and some 500 feet from the Verizon store. It is already a tossup between the storm and the Iphone. If I am there to get the blackberry storm and it is not in, guess what, going down to the apple store and stopping with feeding money to Verizon. It is just as convenient to go to the Apple store as it is to the Verizon store. Both offer a product I might want, both offer compelling arguments for and against the products that are in competition. Both offer a similar service, both cost a ton of money in the longer run for data service. All things being equal, a shortage of goods will do Blackberry more harm than good with consumers that can just wander down the mall hallway and get an Iphone. Alternatively, just wander down the street a few blocks and get something else.

Tags: blackberry storm, Verizon, shortage, engadget, review, customer, not cool