Indie Dealers shafted as CPW gets all the 6630's

[3GScottishUser]

The Carphone Warehouse has bought the entire UK allocation of Nokia 6630s, scuppering plans for a wider launch distribution of the 3G handset that’s tipped to emulate the sales success of the 7600.

Carphone’s quick dealings with Nokia have forced a de facto exclusive on what is expected to prove a popular handset, repeating its success with Nokia’s first 3G handset, the 7600.
The retailer had been planning the deal for months and had stated its readiness to buy large quantities to Nokia, while 3 is thought to have been testing and deliberating over whether to add the handset to its portfolio.

3 was reluctant to back the 7600, giving Carphone a window of opportunity. This time, however, the 3G operator wanted the device but Carphone moved first.

Nokia had no choice but to disappoint 3 when the operator said it would support the 6630 for wider distribution. Other retailers have to wait for Nokia’s HQ to ship its second batch of 6630 handsets to the UK for wider distribution, encompassing rival retailers such as the Caudwell and Dixons groups, as well as distributors.

Full story Here

[3GScottishUser]

Postscript:

You can understand 3 Uk making a mistake like this once (with the 7600), but twice?

Either very poor judgement on 3 UK's part or a deliberate policy to allow CPW to gain some advantage.... take your pick one or other or both?

[Ben]

No video calling. I think Three should leave this one be and focus on getting the Nokia 6680 onto their portfolio - at least that way they can argue that their decisions are consistent.

[3GScottishUser]

But tney are not consistant.... they happily register all CPW's 7600/6630 handesets on their network.

A case of having your cake and eating it.... shallow behaviour by 3 UK I suspect.

Just imagine the boardroom discussion.... 'We cant have that non-videocalling thing' (But customers dont care about that and 3 UK know that)... so... 'Let CPW have the wretched things and we'll pretend we dont really want to have them on our network'.

Sounds about right IMO!

[Hands0n]

It fits the "cheap calls" mantra that no doubt is chanted at all bored (sic) meetings.