I have gmail accounts coming to my bb... if I delete single ir a group of highlighted emails from my bb, it gives me the option of deleting only from my handheld or from both my handheld and on the gmail server... However, if I do a 'delete prior' to quickly cleanup my inbox on the bb, it automatically deletes the emails off the gmail server... why doesn't it offer the same option to delete from handheld only? just wondering.....

not really sure. one way around this would be to roll the trackball to the email at the top of the list, press and hold the ^aA (bottom-left button on curve) and highlight all the way down. click the option button, select "delete" and then it should give you the option to delete on both locations or on one or the other

Yep...just highlight them vice the delete prior option. Their is no actual functionality for what you want to do. (Should be though.)

Goto Messages > Options > Email Reconciliation. What is set for "Delete On:"??