Target to sell Apple's iPhone at 846 stores starting Nov. 7
Confirming previous rumors, Target announced Monday that it will begin selling Apple's iPhone in time for the holiday season, as sales of the handset will begin at 846 of the U.S. retailer's stores on Nov. 7.
Target will offer both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, and customers will be able to purchase the handset with quick in-store activation. The iPhone will be sold as a part of the Target Mobile centers located in the company's retail stores.
"At Target we continue to offer our guests the best in electronics, so we're happy to add iPhone to our Target Mobile offerings," said Mark Shindele, senior vice president of merchandising with Target. "With expert support from Target Mobile specialists and in-store activation, our guests will be able to leave the store with a new, working iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 in-hand."
Last month, AppleInsider first reported that Target would be the next major third-party retailer to sell Apple's iPhone. The company also began selling the iPad on Oct. 3.
The Minneapolis, Minn.-based retailer is in the process of adding mobile phone centers to about 850 of its 1,743 stores in time for the holiday shopping season. The Target Mobile centers are being done in partnership with Radio Shack, which will also provide the tools that allow customers to activate the handset in-store.
Target will offer both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, and customers will be able to purchase the handset with quick in-store activation. The iPhone will be sold as a part of the Target Mobile centers located in the company's retail stores.
"At Target we continue to offer our guests the best in electronics, so we're happy to add iPhone to our Target Mobile offerings," said Mark Shindele, senior vice president of merchandising with Target. "With expert support from Target Mobile specialists and in-store activation, our guests will be able to leave the store with a new, working iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 in-hand."
Last month, AppleInsider first reported that Target would be the next major third-party retailer to sell Apple's iPhone. The company also began selling the iPad on Oct. 3.
The Minneapolis, Minn.-based retailer is in the process of adding mobile phone centers to about 850 of its 1,743 stores in time for the holiday shopping season. The Target Mobile centers are being done in partnership with Radio Shack, which will also provide the tools that allow customers to activate the handset in-store.
Comments
DeMint started the recession.
The Target Mobile centers are being done in partnership with Radio Shack, which will also provide the tools that allow customers to activate the handset in-store.
I hope Target knows it takes an entire Radio Shack's staff at least an hour to ring up & activate a single cell phone.
Anything involving Radio Shack is a kiss of death.
But Extraordinary it will be when we have multi-carrier choice along with multi-retail choice!
You already have that.
Yesterday I lost my iPhone 3GS. Mobile Me was unable to locate it. By backtracking, I managed to find it on the side of legislative route 26012. Unfortunately, it appears a small truck had found it first.
The Apple store is 40 miles away in Pittsburgh so I headed right down to the local AT&T store in Belle Vernon, PA and they informed me they didn't have any 4's in stock. (I was eligible for an upgrade). I drove across the street to Wal-Mart and they had none either.
Finally (I was about ready to travel to Pittsburgh) I got "lucky" at Radio Shack who had one iPhone 4. What followed next was an experience. 1 hour and 5 minutes. The sales girl kept attempting to sell me Apple Care although she had no idea what it cost or what all was covered. She called someone, who called someone else, who called someone else to get an answer.
Next it came time to activate. She didn't have a clue about this either. After about a 1/2 hour, she called over the manager "Al" who was only slightly more knowledgeable. They kept trying to tell me I needed a new AT&T SIM card, and I told them to open the box, it was included with the phone. They said they couldn't "unbrick" the box until they followed all the procedures.
Finally they said they needed a few minutes to print the agreement. I went out and smoked a cigarette while they printed this document and then came back in and they spent 15 minutes going over the contract line by line (even though this was my 4th iPhone)....
Bottom line - selling in retail chain stores is fine, but Apple really needs to spent time training these people. This is the Performa at Sears all over again...
Finally (I was about ready to travel to Pittsburgh) I got "lucky" at Radio Shack who had one iPhone 4. What followed next was an experience. 1 hour and 5 minutes. The sales girl kept attempting to sell me Apple Care although she had no idea what it cost or what all was covered. She called someone, who called someone else, who called someone else to get an answer.
Next it came time to activate. She didn't have a clue about this either. After about a 1/2 hour, she called over the manager "Al" who was only slightly more knowledgeable. They kept trying to tell me I needed a new AT&T SIM card, and I told them to open the box, it was included with the phone. They said they couldn't "unbrick" the box until they followed all the procedures.
Finally they said they needed a few minutes to print the agreement. I went out and smoked a cigarette while they printed this document and then came back in and they spent 15 minutes going over the contract line by line (even though this was my 4th iPhone)....
As I posted above, it takes the entire staff of a Radio Shack at least an hour to sell & activate a phone. I'm not TOTALLY crazy here folks.
Anyway, if Target is doing their iPhones in partnership with Radio Shack...
(edit)
PS- How many other customers came in (and walked out empty handed) during your ordeal?