It was just a matter of time. It looks like the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G will be coming to Wal-Mart sometime before the end of the year, but probably after Christmas. According to the Boy Genius Report, which claims its sources are reliable and to have come across some internal Wal-Mart correspondence, the iPhone 3G will be sold in 2,500 Wal-Mart locations in about a month from now. Remember that the iPhone 3G must be activated (unlike the original iPhone), so only Wal-Mart locations that can use a specific ordering and activation system can carry the iPhone 3G. Some Sam's Club locations will also carry the iPhone 3G, but they also must use the Wal-Mart ordering and activation system in-house (several Sam's locations use a different wireless activation system). All in all, this will make the iPhone available to just about every American (well, the ones with good credit at least) as more U.S. shoppers have exposure to Wal-Mart than just about any other store.
The question is whether Apple is forsaking the iPhone cool brand allure by offering it at the largest discounter in the world. At this time, no. The iPhone 3G has been out in the world long enough for the iPhone to make its name. Offering it at Wal-Mart now won't impact its reputation nor affect Apple's cred.
Since Apple pretty much dictates pricing to its retail partners, expect the iPhone 3G to sell for a dollar or two less than the standard $199 and $299 pricing levels seen at all other retailers. Say, something like $197.48 and $297.48, as Wal-Mart is into non-standard retail pricing schemes to try and create the illusion of low prices against the competition. The presumed launch date: December 28th. Get ready.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
11-20-2008 @ 12:35PM
Neolight said...
Beautiful symbiosis. And at a time like this, any kind of organic stimulation of demand is good news all the way around. I'm wondering what percentage of the US has never been to an Apple store and may not have a compelling reason to walk into an ATT store either... clearly middle America will be exposed like never before. It won't fix this financial implosion but might be a reason to look at aapl today, at $80..........
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11-21-2008 @ 8:16AM
Adrien said...
It's true Apple has this lock on all their products, you can hardly go on Ebay and find their macbooks cheaper than what they are in the refurbished apple store.
On another note I just got an iphone a couple weeks ago, and I have to tell you that the price is justified. It's amazing how much technology they manage to get in there and yet remain one of the simplest pieces of technology available.
Adrien
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11-21-2008 @ 9:07AM
Jon said...
Will Apple Sell A $99 iPhone Next Year? Yes
http://www.curiousread.com/2008/10/will-apple-sell-99-iphone-next-year-yes.html
The iPhone is the best tech buy ever. It does so much more than just be a phone...
11-21-2008 @ 9:31AM
Dan said...
I am still wondering about the symbiosis of Apple and ATT? Does Apple own a chunk of the shares? Out West Verizon has a better network in the rural mountain areas from what I found (friends on trips are always needing my phone to call, especially in UT). Verizon also has a 3g network. Why, as a 3 Mac computer family, am I forced to use ATT to be able to buy and use an iPhone? They open sales up to other retailers, now they need to open it up to the service that provided the best cell service in our area.
11-21-2008 @ 9:35AM
Beth said...
I love Wal Mart...great for so much. I bought a fleece jacket there that was adorable and it was only $10
I shop online to save money on gas, use less gas and not pay tax
most of the itme and use coupons. I shop at all my favorite stores
through an online website that gives me the unpublished codes at
about 300 stores (including Wal Mart Target, The Gap, Best Buy, Old Navy,
Drugstore.com, etc) as well as giving me between 5 and 50% back in
cash on my purchases. The site is http://www.fatcrumbs.com I am being
good to the environment and great to my wallet.
11-21-2008 @ 9:42AM
Kathy said...
now, if they would just bring back lay-a-way it would be wonderful.
11-22-2008 @ 7:43PM
Jason said...
I'll NEVER buy another Apple product. I have a touch purchased in April '08 that wouldn't charge as of Aug. '08 the warranty dept said they weren't going to do anything due to water damage? Huh? Um, sorry, it didn't go swimming! I'm sorry, but it's not worth $99.00 let alone the nearly $400.00 I wasted! Not a happy camper...
12-03-2008 @ 1:12PM
ashley said...
lol
11-21-2008 @ 11:27AM
liz said...
Yes to the layaway Kathy yes yes
11-21-2008 @ 11:49AM
Tricia said...
Yes please bring back walmart layaway
11-21-2008 @ 12:00PM
FB said...
Wally World is stepping it up!
11-21-2008 @ 12:01PM
cooper said...
Great now the satstus symbol I phone has become ghetto wall-mart may as well just have china run the country...oh yeah it pretty much does. i will be getting a new phone i would not even step foot in a wal-mar, job lot or any other low income housing shopper delight, sad just sad the economy has really turned America into a place for Welfare and low income housing people to have nice things instead of getting jobs. Ha
11-21-2008 @ 12:09PM
Pamela said...
Yes Kathy, Liz, and Tricia, they need to bring the layaway back. Here where I am, there are only 2 strores left that do layaway, Kmart, and they just opened theirs back up, and this store call AJ Wright. But I guess maybe people were not paying for their items in the layaway and Walmart got tired of returning things to the shelves. Just my thought about it.
11-21-2008 @ 12:13PM
Pamela said...
Great now the satstus symbol I phone has become ghetto wall-mart may as well just have china run the country...oh yeah it pretty much does. i will be getting a new phone i would not even step foot in a wal-mar, job lot or any other low income housing shopper delight, sad just sad the economy has really turned America into a place for Welfare and low income housing people to have nice
things instead of getting jobs. Ha
Cooper what are you talking about? Everyone that shops at walmart are not low income, i've see bmw's, benz' and a lot of other pricey cars in walmart parking lot. So don't think its just low income people shopping there, almost everyone low, middle, high income people are shopping there.
11-21-2008 @ 12:16PM
liz said...
Hey cooper. I work at walmart. Its not just for low income families. Wealthy people shop their too. Why would you go somewhere and pay 300.00 for something when you can go to walmart and save 50 bucks. Thats just lack of common sense. I am sooo sorry u think that it is just for poor people. Get ur nose out of the air, u just might drown if it rains.
11-21-2008 @ 12:21PM
JULIE said...
TO COOPER- alot of judgement there for someone who can't spell-maybe you need to spend more time checking yourself instead of judging someone else
11-21-2008 @ 12:30PM
Barbara Smith said...
Attn: Pamela, your comment about Wal-Mart getting tired of putting things back on the shelves that had been put on layaway. Let me just make you aware of the fact that if you put something on layaway and you make one or two payments and decide that you do not want that product YOU DO NOT GET A REFUND you lose your money! You think Wal-Mart got tired of restocking layaway--never it was new unused merchandise. Returns are the killer some have been used and you do not know where they have been. Layaway is a money maker either way it goes. People strayed from layaway because of credit cards and wanting everything right now.
11-21-2008 @ 1:06PM
Wheatonpup2 said...
thanks for the http://www.Cityskoop.com link. I just saw circuit city is offering $400 off a 42" Samsung hdtv.
lots of articles directed me to Cityskoop and Dealnews. lots of great deals now
11-21-2008 @ 1:43PM
omegadawning said...
WOW, Cooper! The fact that you feel you need an Iphone to secure your status in society is almost as pathetic as your comment. FYI genius, I know plenty of well-to-do people who shop at Walmart. Uh, people with million dollar properties...who don't need an Iphone to validate themselves. Ha! :P
11-24-2008 @ 12:11AM
Love-bug said...
Eye love shopping at Wal-Mart on -line because my wife said eye would save lots of gas! This was true, in fact eye saved so much gas, my wife said eye had to sleep in the other room!