Thinking I successfully bought my CSK this afternoon, my wife sent me this photo from the commuter train with this message:


Do you see pink and blue? --amy


No, I'm seeing a little red because after the Towson, Maryland T-Mobile store (the one behind the B&N) said they would hold their last CSK for me until I could drive over after work, the manager changed their policy and sold it to someone else.


I ordered the color camera for delivery tomorrow and could have ordered the CSK as well, but I thought I'd support my local dealer who was so nice to me back in October. Truth is, phones and customers are commodities and these stores have no incentive whatsoever to promote a loyal bond between one type of customer and a specific product.


Danger, here's an idea: e-mail your loyal customers' Sidekicks a week or more before release and offer them the opportunity to buy a phone. Why throw us to the clueless retail channel every time?


I'll bite my tongue now and cool my jets a little longer...


- mike lee - black and white in baltimore