The big box retailers have found a way to compete with telecom carriers when it comes to the latest cellphones. Palm Pre buyers, getting a Pre at Best Buy or RadioShack, will find that it costs them less at the register than getting the device at one of Sprint's stores.

Instead of making customers mail in the $100 rebate on the Pre's $300 price tag, Best Buy and RadioShack will instantly deduct the rebate price at the register. Effectively, that means out of pocket, the Palm Pre will be available for $200 at Best Buy and RadioShack stores.

Palm and Sprint went official with their pricing for the much-awaited Palm Pre phone Monday but they also delivered a zinger in the form of a rebate. As most of us know, rebates are a huge pain and Sprint is counting on the fact that not all Pre buyers will take the effort to mail their coupons.

We are glad to see electronics retailers do away with the rebate scam and offer the Pre at what should have been the final price for customers.

Meanwhile, if you would like to take a look at the innards of the Pre, check out the FCC filings for the device here and here.

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com