Be careful who you partner your business with. Make sure that the partner has a clear picture of your core customer. Without that, you could do more harm than good with your new partnership. Case and point: Nexus One launch.

It’s no secret that T-Mobile has been struggling here in the States. Outages, lack of coverage, unappealing devices, the list goes on. How do they remain in business? Ask any T-Mobile subscriber—if you can find one—why they are still with them, certainly they didn’t get a visit from Catherine Zeta-Jones. They will let you that T-Mobile has the best customer service of any wireless company hands down. Full disclosure: I am with T-Mobile & that is the ONLY reason why I’m still with them.

I digress, to get back on point, partnering with Google has angered their core loyal customer base. Many folks, not just me, have been waiting for a top of the line device on T-Mobile. We hoped that the Nexus One would be our savior. As soon as it went on sale, I went and tried to buy one from Google’s site. I found out that I had to pay $100 extra for the phone cause I was an existing T-Mobile customer even though I’m not under contract. Other existing customers with data plans had to pay an extra $200. I am not alone when I say:

WHAT THE FUCK GOOGLE?

You will allow me to get a new number with T-Mobile and cancel my current plan for $179. But for some reason you want to tack on an extra $100 if I want to keep my existing phone number. Again:

WHAT THE FUCK GOOGLE?

Not only are you screwing loyal T-Mobile customers: the ones who have stayed with the pink provider past their contracts, but you are screwing T-Mobile. You point out that a version will be available on Verizon in a few months for the price of $179. Causing the remaining customers who haven’t switched to Ma Bell, to jump ship in the spring.

I’m sure that T-Mobile is helping to subsidize the cost of the phone somehow, but what are they gaining from being the first one to carry the phone? They are incurring wrath from existing customers. Google is doing nothing to help promote T-Mobile. Google could have at least mentioned that T-Mobile upgraded their 3G to become fastest 3G network—7.2 mbit/s HSPA—in the States as of today (01/05/10) to help push sales up. I don’t understand why they didn’t given T-Mobile’s public perception as of late. This version of the Nexus One can only take advantage of the T-Mobile network in the States. Thus, making you a FOOL if you pay the $529 to have the freedom to choose your provider. Even better how many of you knew that the Nexus One was available for sale at the launch?

Need more proof?

Sorry to use Google again, but Google has a track record of late of screwing over it’s partners. Motorola pushed DROID with an all out media blitz past few months, only to be blindsided by the Nexus One. Killing numerous DROID sales for sure.

So what can we takeaway other than Google doesn’t care about it’s partners? Be sure to define the goals of your partnership before you engage in the project. Analyze the effects that your new partnership might have on both your existing customers & new customers. Make sure that you and your partner have the same business philosophy. This will help ensure that things are resolved quickly if you run into a bump on the road such as the checkout process on Google’s site. 😉