News
Best Buy to begin selling iPhone Sept. 7 [updated]
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
News Category: iPhone
Best Buy will become the first independent retailer of the iPhone in the U.S. when it begins selling the iPhone 3G across 970 full-size stores and 16 Best Buy Mobile locations on September 7, reports the Associated Press. “We had a lot of work to do, obviously, to get in a position where Apple and AT&T would feel good about Best Buy Mobile carrying it, and that’s what we’ve done in the last 18 months,” said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. Best Buy also offers the iPod and some Mac computers in its stores, a relationship that Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris pointed to as the reason Best Buy would be able to sell the iPhone. Last week Best Buy announced that it had completed a two-year conversion of its stores to include upgraded cell phone departments, which will be branded Best Buy Mobile and will now be able to handle handset activations. Best Buy Mobile is a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse, which offers the iPhone in the United Kingdom.
Update: Best Buy has issued an official press release confirming that it will begin sales of the iPhone at its U.S. stores on September 7.
“The iPhone has changed the way people think about their mobile phones, and we are delighted to help more customers get their hands on this revolutionary product,” said Brian J. Dunn, president and chief operating officer, Best Buy. “Our Best Buy Mobile employees have the training and expertise to deliver the best experience possible for our customers - from the initial purchase through the life of their iPhones.”
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1
This means it is coming to Best Buys in Puerto Rico? The phone’s never been available here.
Posted by Luis on August 13, 2008 at 3:17 AM (PDT)
2
“best buy” and “expertise” in the same sentence. That doesn’t happen very often
. My experience with BB employees show them to be ignorant upselling creeps. They will probably push Monster brand screen covers for iPhone’s now lol!
Posted by walleck on August 13, 2008 at 7:40 AM (PDT)
3
At least this means that Best Buy will have iPhone accessories as well. Previously they had very few and instead focused on the iTouch stuff. Having a greater selection to shop from is always nice.
Posted by TosaDeac on August 13, 2008 at 8:34 AM (PDT)
4
Say what you will about Best Buy—and much negative can be said—this is pretty good news for the reason TosaDeac put forth. The lack of iPhone accessories in many stores, including the very AT&T;stores that peddle the device, is pretty troublesome. It’ll be nice to have another option.
Posted by Flippy Hambone on August 13, 2008 at 9:16 AM (PDT)
5
Oh good. Another place that won’t have any iPhones in stock
Posted by Dale Reeck on August 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM (PDT)
6
What are you talking about Dale, every single Apple store in the entire country has all 3 models of the iPhone in stock at this very moment, except for one store in California (Thousand Oaks) that only has the White 16GB, and one in Washington (Tukwila) that doesn’t have the White 16GB. Yes, I just checked every single store in every single state.
Posted by geko29 on August 14, 2008 at 6:16 AM (PDT)
7
this will be the way to go ! the best buy warranty allows to exchange items when they are broken for replacement items i do this with all my stuff from best buy, even my 160gig ipod that way after the short period apple warranty runs out your covered by best buy
Posted by draven898 on August 14, 2008 at 5:42 PM (PDT)
8
Thats it have best buy sell the iphone. Why expand when you can not buy one at at&t;and most apples stores now? How about fix the problem with no stock at the stores that claim to sell them now!
Posted by Mark on August 15, 2008 at 2:50 PM (PDT)