macnn
10/11/2008, 6:00pm, EDT
Saturday, October 11th
Walmart to carry iPhone in November?
As Apple continues to expand the retail distribution of the iPhone 3G, a new report indicates that Walmart may be the next retailer to begin selling the quickly=growing smartphone. While previous rumors have suggested that Radio Shack may also carry the device, BGR indicates that Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, may start carrying it as soon as November 15th. Rumors that Radio Shack would begin selling the iPhone surfaced just before the iPhone 3G launch in July, and subsequent trials for Apple-like designer stores bolstered their credibility; however, the report indicates that talks with the electronics company may be faltering.
If true, the Walmart agreement could be a major coup for Apple, expanding distribution significantly. Walmart has over 3,500 stores across the US compared to Apple's almost 200 shops, and AT&T's arsenal of nearly 1,200. As of earlier this month, AT&T said that all of its stores now carry both 8GB and 16GB (black and white) models.
Filed under: iPhone
Other story tags: iPhone 3G, Wal-Mart, Walmart, Radio Shack
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No more exclusivity
for the iPhone. It seems it might become another RAZR. I don't know why Apple feels it needs to have so many distribution points for the iPhone. Best Buy should have been enough. I'd hate to see the iPhone in Radio Shack. Whatever. Apple supposed to know best what will work for sales, so I'll just have to rely on their judgment.
More and more
rumors.... that is. Like every Apple announcement, the rumors just get wilder and wilder. LOL :-)
I guess tuesday nite will tell.
More and more
rumors.... that is. Like every Apple announcement, the rumors just get wilder and wilder. LOL :-)
I guess tuesday nite will tell.
Re: no more exclusivity
First off, it is still exclusive to ATT. To a lot of people, that's enough of a drawback.
But what is your problem with multiple purchase points? Apparently you think the iPhone should be a high-class designer item, only sold in boutique stores or something? It is a phone. Apple should be trying to get it in front of as many eyes as possible (since it is their job to sell the phone, not just promote it).
And I'd take Radio Shack over Best Buy any day. Radio shack stores have people working them who seem to know what they're talking about. Even more so than the people working an ATT store.
But keep it out of Wal-Mart. All they do is promote slave labor in China, let alone market power in the US to get near cost prices on everything they sell. Plus, have you seen their stores? They look like they've been trampled through by a herd of bison.
Wal*Mart??
It's funny that Apple would allow distribution at no-service Wal*Mart, but they still do not allow their Apple Specialist resellers, who's sole focus is selling Apple products to sell the iPhone. Their excuse to us was that they wanted it to be sold by properly trained people and keep the buying experience consistent for the customer.
Yay Apple.
Re: walMart
Well, duh! One thing you know, Apple Specialists certainly cannot be trusted to have properly trained people and keeping the buying experience consistent! The next thing you'll try to tell us is that Apple Specialists have in depth knowledge of Apple hardware and software and know how to deal with malfunctioning machines! (Yes, read that with a the sarcasm tag turned on).
I'm not sure what "buying experience consistent" is supposed to mean. Buying one at an ATT store is completely different than one at an apple store.
For the Apple store, you'd go, stand in line for an hour, hoping they'd have the one you want, all the while being used as advertising for Apple and the 'high-demand' of the iPhone.
For an ATT store, you walk in, ask for an iPhone, they say "We ain't got one". You then order it, go home. They call you a week later that it is in. You go in, no line, and be done in 30 minutes.
Where would you guys fit in?
Wal-mart
Wal-mart will only Sell the Iphone in stores with a CONNECTION CENTER. CC's have associates that are trained by the carrier's Sales market rep. This rep trains the stores in his market meaning the same guy who trained the people at best buy.