Wal-Mart announces iPhone availability beginning Sunday

[AppleInsider]

Wal-Mart on Friday formally announced plans to begin carrying the iPhone later this week but will not be selling the device at rock bottom prices as once rumored.

In total, nearly 2,500 Wal-mart stores will carry the Apple handset, selling the 8GB model for $197 and the 16GB model for $297 with a new two-year service agreement from AT&T or qualified upgrade.

Wal-mart also announced that its price match policy allows stores to match the price of any local competitor's advertised store price on the iPhone should one of its rivals announce lower pricing.

"We are delighted to bring customers this ground-breaking mobile technology," said Gary Severson, senior vice president, Entertainment, Walmart. "Our electronics associates have been preparing for many weeks for the arrival of iPhone 3G. We are excited to now help new customers learn more about the features and services that make the iPhone unique."

Once inside a Wal-Mart store, customers can find more information and assistance at the Apple iPhone 3G kiosks located at the Walmart Connection Center in the Home Entertainment department.

Word that Wal-Mart would join Best Buy as the only other third-party US retailer to offer the iPhone first surfaced in October.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[bloodymatzohball]

why didn't walmart do this before the holidays?

[.:R2theT]

Originally Posted by bloodymatzohball

why didn't walmart do this before the holidays?

Probably because Apple/ATT/Best Buy would not allow it. Contracts and such.

[Fast Fred 1]

Originally Posted by bloodymatzohball

why didn't walmart do this before the holidays?

Cuz everyday's a Holiday at Walmart! Wow, I can save 2 bucks on a iPhone!!

[GordonComstock]

Buying an Apple product in a WalMart makes the Best Buy experience feel like a trip to Nordstrom's.

My very rare trips to WalMart require a pre-flight check to see if my mental state is strong enough to take the inanity.

gc

[Hoss]

AT&T is the one that should be nervous now that Apple is on board with the Grand Master of all pipelines.

[guinness]

Well, Wal-Mart already buys most of their products from China to begin with, the iPhone is just another product to toss on the pile.

[thesahand]

any possibility that the activation fee will be waived?

I spoke to someone at Costco's Headquarters on the phone and they said that they are to bring to the iPhone after the first of the year, but they have no idea when

but anyway,
the advantage of buying from costco is that there is no activation fee (When planning to buy 5 iPhones for a whole family, this adds up to good savings)
But if Wal-mart waives their activation fee, I'll walk in today and buy them
anyone have any idea?

[hledgard]

I agree, Walmart is hardly the place to buy and iPhone or TV or some such. But I love the store. It is a great place to walk, and I trust their prices.

A year ago I went to our big grocer here, and my favorite chips were on sale for $2.79. I bought some, of course.

I just happened to go with a friend the same day to Walmart. There they were, my favorite chips, not on sale, $2.50. A good lesson.

I agree with the above. The iPhone fear is the grip of AT&T.

[obs1970]

Increased exposure to Apple products is good.
Hope they really tell people about the increase in their plan price... which where most of the iPhone cost comes.
Can't wait for Apple to get rid of ATT, this will result in lower plan costs..
Wal Mart sells a lot of cheap stuff; the good quality stuff, they sell at a meager discount ($3 ) or is even pricier than their competitors.

[applestockholder]

the iPod survived being sold at Walmart, so will the iPhone.

"Cuz everyday's a Holiday at Walmart! Wow, I can save 2 bucks on a iPhone!!"
->buy a hundred, you will save $200.00

[applestockholder]

"I agree, Walmart is hardly the place to buy and iPhone or TV or some such."
unless you are willing to trample someone to death for best savings...

OK that was a low blow, but the (american) consumer amazes me.

Walmart sells a lot TVs I believe - many seem quite junky, I think they also they also have good ones, at minimal discounts, as already pointed out

[robb01]

and the iPhone will become even more mainstream...

_________________

[mklos]

Originally Posted by Fast Fred 1

Cuz everyday's a Holiday at Walmart! Wow, I can save 2 bucks on a iPhone!!

More importantly, most people don't have to travel out of their way to get one now. Not everyone has an Apple Retail Store, Best Buy or AT&T store around you know. This will get it in the hands a tons of people just like it did with the iPod.

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by hledgard

I agree, Walmart is hardly the place to buy and iPhone or TV or some such. But I love the store. It is a great place to walk, and I trust their prices.

A year ago I went to our big grocer here, and my favorite chips were on sale for $2.79. I bought some, of course.

I just happened to go with a friend the same day to Walmart. There they were, my favorite chips, not on sale, $2.50. A good lesson.

I agree with the above. The iPhone fear is the grip of AT&T.

It just goes to show not everyone has the same taste in walks.

[mklos]

Originally Posted by bloodymatzohball

why didn't walmart do this before the holidays?

I was wondering the same thing. My guess is that they couldn't get the agreements around, get Wal-Mart employees trained, and possibly even get ample supply in all Wal-Mart stores in time for the Christmas buying season.

[stonefree]

Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer

It just goes to show not everyone has the same taste in walks.

Seriously. And here I am taking walks in parks.

[hillstones]

Originally Posted by hledgard

I agree, Walmart is hardly the place to buy and iPhone or TV or some such. But I love the store. It is a great place to walk, and I trust their prices.

A year ago I went to our big grocer here, and my favorite chips were on sale for $2.79. I bought some, of course.

I just happened to go with a friend the same day to Walmart. There they were, my favorite chips, not on sale, $2.50. A good lesson.

I agree with the above. The iPhone fear is the grip of AT&T.

There is nothing wrong with buying an iPod, iPhone, or TV at WalMart. They carry top brands and they have the same warranties.

As you discovered, groceries are less expensive than supermarkets. Same goes for Target. Another example, Nestle coffee creamer is almost $6 at Vons, but $2 at WalMart! Savings vary by product, but there are some good savings to be had. New Walmarts are very nice inside.

Selling the iPhone at Walmart will make newer models more accessible in the future.

[wilco]

Originally Posted by GordonComstock

My very rare trips to WalMart require a pre-flight check to see if my mental state is strong enough to take the inanity.

[halhiker]

Now that Apple has decided to allow the major $2 discount of the iPhone, they'll allow for EPP discounts on them through their website and allow ATT to offer business discounts on service.

Ah, who am I kidding?

[GeekboyATL]

Originally Posted by halhiker

Now that Apple has decided to allow the major $2 discount of the iPhone, they'll allow for EPP discounts on them through their website and allow ATT to offer business discounts on service.

Ah, who am I kidding?

Actually, I get a business discount on my iPhone service. All you have to do is call AT&T and use your Corp FAN #, and they'll give you a discount on the monthly service costs.

As for iPhones at Wal-Mart, I say go for it. Simply put, the more that Apple products get put into the hands of a mainstream consumer, the greater the adoption rate, and the better it is for everyone. I've used a lot of smartphones over the years, and the iPhone beats them all hands down.

Cheers!

[walshbj]

I don't shop at Walmart very often, it's not a convenient location and I have a Target nearby.

But when I do shop at Walmart I don't find the prices on their computer peripherals very enticing at all...

[macFanDave]

Originally Posted by robb01

and the iPhone will become even more mainstream...

...and what's wrong with that?

I've never heard of any business -- or artist, author, musician, etc, for that matter -- aim for permanent obscurity! If your creation is vastly different from the current zeitgeist, it is not a disgrace that the collective mindset rushes to accept yours. In fact, that is a GOOD THING.

You do know that the Mac OS is totally "mainstream," right? If they had written a particular NDA in the late 80's a little better, then Apple would be as big as Microsoft. What Windows did was to make the big idea of the Mac mainstream, and repudiate the conventional wisdom of DOS. Of course, Microsoft's execution of Windows has been clunky and fraught with problems, but the big picture is that Gates & Co. ditched their "creation", DOS, in favor of Apple's Mac Way.

[Chris_CA]

Originally Posted by applestockholder

OK that was a low blow, but the (american) consumer amazes me.

Walmart sells a lot TVs I believe - many seem quite junky, I think they also they also have good ones, at minimal discounts, as already pointed out

Most consumers will gladly accept mediocrity (or less).

[thompr]

Originally Posted by Hoss

AT&T is the one that should be nervous now that Apple is on board with the Grand Master of all pipelines.

AT&T makes their money from the 2 year service plan, not from the initial sale. In fact, the initial sale is painful for them. AT&T is paying a subsidy to Apple regardless of the point of sale, which they recover (and then some) over the life of the contract. So AT&T couldn't care less who gets the initial sale. The more the merrier, in the long run. (Hurts margins up front, though.)

Thompson

[bandalay]

…accessing huge retail exposure.

WalMart has what, 3000+ locations in North America? Everyone is wandering around saying "what is Apple doing in WalMart?", but I would bet we haven't seen the product or strategy intended for it yet. While WalMart seems the antithesis to Apple's boutique retail strategy, they would be the ultimate launch vehicle for an all out assault on a weakening Wintel hegemony.

The inital post-Christmas iPhone launch fits neatly between Christmas and keynote/next iPhone iteration. Think of Applestore (250), BestBuys(838) and WalMart(3000) - all simultaneously distributing "something". Snow Leopard's seeming "anti-feature" approach, the iTunes/Appstore/TV model for software distribution, Apple's new relationships with alternative processor makers and talent - it all seems to point to a sea change/evolution in the way their industry would operate. The old OEM model is getting very long in the tooth. The no-margin netbook goldrush seems an early sign of its imminent demise.

Worst case, just as Apple has used Costco in the past to clear the channel of excess iPods, WalMart will be the uber-Costco, with the same goal in mind for the iPhone and other Apple products.

/post christmas reverie

[oneaburns]

...if it's just the iPhone. As long as Macs are never sold there I'm fine with it. Obviously, I'm not a big WalMart fan...I think places like Target do a much better job than WalMart. But there is obviously a large portion of consumers that like WalMart and to each his/her own. Maybe if enough of them buy an iPhone only to shockingly find that it doesn't have MMS they will join in the complaining and Cupertino will finally have some programmer spend a couple hours adding the software OK, probably not, but I'm trying to look for some possible upside for consumers.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by oneaburns

...if it's just the iPhone. As long as Macs are never sold there I'm fine with it. Obviously, I'm not a big WalMart fan...I think places like Target do a much better job than WalMart. But there is obviously a large portion of consumers that like WalMart and to each his/her own. Maybe if enough of them buy an iPhone only to shockingly find that it doesn't have MMS they will join in the complaining and Cupertino will finally have some programmer spend a couple hours adding the software OK, probably not, but I'm trying to look for some possible upside for consumers.

Oh, there might be a day when Mac minis or some other variation of Mac is sold at Walmart, after all they currently sell the AppleTV. I wouldn't discount the possibility of them selling Macs entirely (no pun intended).

[NOFEER]

access is what's its about, att wants to grow its market, verizon , sprint et al are putting their stuff in walmart, people do a lot of impulse purchasing. walmart gives them access. i'm glad for apple and att.
the more they sell the more likely new products will enter pipeline quicker---get away from competitor timelines....get away from the "noise" so people can hear your message

access to more iphone accessories ....which means i don't have to go to a best buy 25 miles away or an apple store 3 hours away

hey i like the availability of more iphone products

can't wait for june

this makes iphone more mainstream....BB Nokia, don't like this...they will try to put their highend units in fewer stores....kudo's to apple....RIM is nervous.

[mikeske]

Oh, the misadventures of buying from WalMart. Today the wife and I went to WalMaart and we were shopping when I decided that I wanted to get a iPhone. I went to the counter and said I wanted the 16G phone. I talked to the guy there and we started up the process of getting the phone. It seems that WalMart had set up a non standard procedure of selling the phone and it was not standard to way they usually sell phones. The computer would not allow it to happen, what a joke.

To make matters worse the sales associate calls a 2nd store and the person there said she was going home and could not help. Well after 30 minutes the sales associate gave up and I headed for Best Buy.

I get in the local Best Buy and they had me set up with a white 16G phone in under 20 minutes. Sometimes it just it not worth the B.S. to save a few bucks.

[NOFEER]

the first week att sold iphones it was messy as well
BUT after all this time, walmart and att should have this buffed up slick, also they have limited people in the high volume electronics store. try to do anything with a cell phone purchase....not typical walmart fast, when i watch people buy a cell phone most soak up much of the salespersons time talking about features and calling plans regardless of the cell phone. that salesperson is locked up for about 15 minutes even if the customer doesn't buy a phone any phone
people should know the feature set of the iphone and walmart should have a slick computer interface. and you have to compete with after Christmas returns, super buys and buying an iphone...i'd wait till you can get someone to focus on you.
the big question is if the sales process is slow than the perceived volume apple wanted may not materialize.

they may need a separate info ladden poster....1...2....3....sold.
i wonder if its an att thing or a walmart start up thing..

also are their specially trained "iphone" associates ?

[pmjoe]

Originally Posted by hillstones

There is nothing wrong with buying an iPod, iPhone, or TV at WalMart. They carry top brands and they have the same warranties.

I trust Apple to not sell more cheaply made versions of their products at WalMart. That is not true for other "top brands".

As you discovered, groceries are less expensive than supermarkets.

Some people are clearly not very aggressive in getting the best grocery prices, which is not at WalMart. Anybody who plans well would do better at a grocery store paying attention to their sale cycles and/or getting bulk items at Sam's Club or Costco. I wouldn't go to WalMart for their (so-called) "fresh" foods either. How is it possible for a bakery to screw up bread/rolls made the same day???.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by pmjoe

I trust Apple to not sell more cheaply made versions of their products at WalMart. That is not true for other "top brands".

Some people are clearly not very aggressive in getting the best grocery prices, which is not at WalMart. Anybody who plans well would do better at a grocery store paying attention to their sale cycles and/or getting bulk items at Sam's Club or Costco. I wouldn't go to WalMart for their (so-called) "fresh" foods either.

Two words: "farmer's market".

[mstone]

I've never been to a Walmart before but I always imagined the stereotypical shopper who buy lots of chips and soda and the only Internet they've ever used being AOL. Perhaps iPhone will sell well there but it does seem to be a strange mismatch - an urban professional type device at a rural America store.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by mstone

I've never been to a Walmart before but I always imagined the stereotypical shopper who buy lots of chips and soda and the only Internet they've ever used being AOL. Perhaps iPhone will sell well there but it does seem to be a strange mismatch - an urban professional type device at a rural America store.

Sure, there are a lot of lower income folks who go to Walmart, but there are also quite a few mid and upper income folks looking for bargains... probably more than you would imagine.

[mstone]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Sure, there are a lot of lower income folks who go to Walmart, but there are also quite a few mid and upper income folks looking for bargains... probably more than you would imagine.

I wasn't making any inference to their income level but rather their level of education/intelligence, although now that you've brought it up, there is obviously a direct correlation between education and income which may be why Walmarts are usually located in lower income areas. My point was simply that smart phones are for smart people and one would not expect to find such people in great abundance at Walmart.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by mstone

I wasn't making any inference to their income level but rather their level of education/intelligence, although now that you've brought it up, there is obviously a direct correlation between education and income which may be why Walmarts are usually located in lower income areas..

That would be a big mistake in judgement. It's not axiomatic that intelligence is tied to high income. I've met a few "idiots" who were millionaires, and I'd bet there are fewer millionaires on AppleInsider although the intelligence level is quite daunting at times.

Originally Posted by mstone

My point was simply that smart phones are for smart people and one would not expect to find such people in great abundance at Walmart.

Are we talking about the same "smart phone" that has iFart™ as it's current best-selling app?

My point is that Walmart is a great chain for distribution of iPhones and other Apple products, so don't knock it.

[oneaburns]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Are we talking about the same "smart phone" that has iFart™ as it's current best-selling app?

Hahaha, excellent point.

[samab]

Originally Posted by pmjoe

I trust Apple to not sell more cheaply made versions of their products at WalMart. That is not true for other "top brands".

That's because you are getting only a $2 discount for the same version of iphone at Walmart.

As for other "top brands" (i.e. Sony tv's) who sell at walmart/sam's club/costco --- they are not "cheaply made" versions. They are more likely to be leaving out a couple of features (by way of hardware reduction or by firmware crippling) --- which the general public doesn't use anyway. No point of getting "deep color" if there is no content available in deep color in the foreseeable future. I might as well use the savings to buy a color calibration hardware to calibrate my sony walmart tv.

[NasserAE]

Think about how much iPhones Apple shipped to Wal-Mart! There is a Wal-Mart in almost every city and town in the US (more than 4000). Think about how many Apple initially shipped to each store and multiply it by the number of Wal-Mart stores. This will boost the iPhone sales figures for Macworld. Expect China next quarter and a major market the next to keep consistence iPhone sales growth until the next version is released.