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HP TouchPad, HP’s webOS wonder has failed to make a mark on the market. In spite of the webOS “potential”, quick updates that fix the initial issues on HP TouchPad, multiple discounts, and even a $100 price cut, HP TouchPad sales are low, low, low. This information comes from AllThingsD, a reliable blog run by The Wall Street Journal.

As reported on AllThingsD, a Best Buy insider informs them that the top US retailer had ordered 270,000 HP TouchPad units thinking they would sell like hot cakes. Till now, post discounts and coupons, Best Buy has only managed to sell 25,000 TouchPads. That’s less than 10% of the stock. Another person with access to Best Buy’s HP sales numbers calls this figure “charitable” as it does not account for units customers brought back to store for refunds.

Apparently Best Buy is very disappointed with HP’s product and is unwilling to pay for the HP TouchPad units sitting at their stores, consuming expensive space. They have asked HP to take the units back but HP is asking the retailer to have patience. There’s news that a senior HP executive, possibly executive VP Todd Bradley, may come down to Minneapolis to discuss the matter with Best Buy executives.

Other retailers aren’t doing any better with HP TouchPad either. Even after a $120 discount on the tablet at Woots, only 612 units were sold. Walmart, Fry’s and Micro Center aren’t seeing a lot of movement either. Analyst Rich Doherty, head of the Envisioneering Group says that HP’s “wildcat pricing moves” on the TouchPad are prompting consumers to hold on for what happens in the next few months. They’re clearly expecting the price to fall further and it may well happen as things stand.

Will HP’s webOS licensing plans make things any better for HP? Maybe. But as far as the HP TouchPad goes, customers don’t want an OS that will become remarkable down the line; they want software that is awesome right now.

Wait for the holiday season. Lots of tablets will be toeing the $300 line, if only for retailers to offload slow moving inventory.

Best Buy Numbers for HP TouchPad Sales Are Dismal, WebOS Fails to Impress
Posted via RS Mobile