With any new phone, first-time users are bound to find adopting a new technology difficult and despite many of them wanting to have the latest and greatest, the truth is that many products are just too difficult or too time consuming to adjust for some users.  Earlier this week a lot of buzz began circulating the Internet regarding the latest device from RIM, the BlackBerry Storm, a device which we have used extensively and currently resides in our repertoire of handhelds.  According to Silicon Alley Insider via BGR, the return rates for the Verizon BlackBerry Storm were as has as 40 to 50% in some areas and these rumors gained additional steam when Verizon decided to extend its return period through January 15th for all holiday purchased.  Well ladies and gentlemen, it is time to put an end to the speculation and focus on the facts so to start let’s hear what Verizon had to say,

“The Storm has the lowest return rate of any of our PDAs and at this point in its life cycle, it has the lowest return rate of any PDA we currently sell,” a Verizon rep told BGR.

Okay so it’s settled, the Storm is not being returned anywhere near the ridiculous 40 to 50% once rumored, but wait there’s more.  Earlier today RBC/ChangeWave issued a press release showing the findings of their customer satisfaction survey or the BlackBerry Storm and unfortunately for Verizon the results were a little different than their official statement.

Survey: Blackberry Storm Lags iPhone — But Inline with Other Phones.  Dec RBC IQ / Changewave data (new Storm owners) shows Blackberry Storm lags iPhone on initial satisfaction; 33% of Storm owners were Very Satisfied, 46% Satisfied — vs. 77% of iPhone (original) owners initially Very Satisfied and 15% Satisfied.  These satisfaction ratings are lower than iPhone but inline with satisfaction ratings for initial owners of other phones.

Regarding Potential Returns. 2% of respondents are Very Likely and 7% Somewhat Likely to return the Storm – not an alarming result, but higher than typical (est. 1-2%) returns.  Reasons for returning: battery life (21%), touchscreen (20%), difficult to use (20%).

Based on these findings it can be said that 9% of BlackBerry Storm owners are somewhat likely or very likely to return their device.  This number does not lead us to believe that the device has ‘lowest return rate of any of our PDAs and at this point in its life cycle’ nor does it have ‘the lowest return rate of any PDA we currently sell’.  In any event, at least the device is doing much better than the rumor suggested and if this survey was done on devices that were running the latest firmware only and ignored the shipping firmware, I think Verizon’s claims might be spot on. [AlleyInsider]