RIM is doing a bit of image damage control today after Amazon.com offered the BlackBerry Torch for $99. The retail price of the Torch at AT&T stores is $199, but Amazon came out immediately with an aggressive price point leading some to believe the the Torch's price had been cut due to poor sales.
RIM maintains the actual price is still the same $199 at all AT&T stores, while acknowledging Amazon has a lower price. A RIM spokewoman said, "obviously ... common online pricing and promotional strategy that has been used with many other product introductions in the past."
In fairness to RIM, Amazon does offer other phones at reduced prices, but RIM cannot afford the perception that the Torch is not a hit. The company is probably over sensitive to any negative press these days. With the Indian and Saudi governments threatening to ban BlackBerrys, and Goldman Sachs downgrading RIM, the news hasn't been all that great lately.
RIM maintains the actual price is still the same $199 at all AT&T stores, while acknowledging Amazon has a lower price. A RIM spokewoman said, "obviously ... common online pricing and promotional strategy that has been used with many other product introductions in the past."
In fairness to RIM, Amazon does offer other phones at reduced prices, but RIM cannot afford the perception that the Torch is not a hit. The company is probably over sensitive to any negative press these days. With the Indian and Saudi governments threatening to ban BlackBerrys, and Goldman Sachs downgrading RIM, the news hasn't been all that great lately.
