News
iPhone 3G coming to Wal-Mart for $197
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Monday, December 8, 2008
News Category: iPhone
Following a report stating that Wal-Mart would begin offering the iPhone 3G on December 28, multiple new reports have confirmed the development, while a separate report indicates that the handset will start at $197. Both Bloomberg and the San Jose Mercury News have been able to confirm with multiple Wal-Mart stores that they will soon offer the iPhone. “It’s going to be very soon,” said Mark Blome, store manager of a Wal-Mart in Fremont, CA. “Originally they were going to release it before Christmas, but they can’t get them that fast to us.” Meanwhile, Mac Rumors has received an image from a Wal-Mart training materials and advertising computer, showing a flyer for the iPhone 3G with a price of $197. Neither Apple nor Wal-Mart has yet to make an official announcement on the matter.
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1
Yupiiii…. I get to save 2 bucks!
Posted by Jamabo on December 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM (PDT)
2
Seriously, though, what’s up with the $197 price tag? It’s almost insulting (if it wasn’t Wal-Mart to being with). I can see why Eviltown, I mean Wal-Mart, would do that, but why would Apple agree to something so pointless? Befuddling.
Posted by jasonact on December 8, 2008 at 8:29 PM (PDT)
3
Well, there goes the neighborood….
Posted by JonnyOneNote on December 8, 2008 at 9:26 PM (PDT)
4
...er, Neighborhood. (Someday I’ll get used to this MBP keyboard.)
Posted by JonnyOneNote on December 8, 2008 at 9:29 PM (PDT)
5
Jascon, Wal-Mart always does this. Sell stuff for $2 less and brag about them having “low prices”
Posted by Eddie.exe on December 8, 2008 at 10:28 PM (PDT)
6
What a bunch of snobs. Wal-Mart has great prices and a good selection of products. It helps me make my money go farther so maybe I can afford an Iphone or an Ipod.
Posted by Captain Puffy Pants on December 9, 2008 at 6:53 AM (PDT)
7
Do we have to step on Walmart workers to save the $2?
Posted by Larry on December 9, 2008 at 9:45 AM (PDT)
8
Does the 2 dollar discount really bother you people? If you actually have an opinion on that then you might want to take a break from the computer and detach yourself from the outside world for a little bit.
Posted by Surya on December 9, 2008 at 10:58 AM (PDT)
9
Many items, such as game consoles, digital audio players and cellphones are often price-controlled by the manufacturer and have an associated “minimum advertised price”.
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on December 9, 2008 at 11:14 AM (PDT)
10
poster “jasonact” must learn to cope
Posted by revco on December 9, 2008 at 11:25 AM (PDT)
11
Personally, I think Apple teaming up with Walmart is a huge mistake. Perceived value is a big part of the Apple brand, not to mention the “think different” philosophy. My feelings of Walmart aside (for the record I think they’re the devil), this feels like the wrong company for Apple to get into bed with. Apple has never been about appeasing the masses, they’ve been about thinking outside the conventional box and embracing uniqueness. Walmart and their audience are the exact opposite. Target would make much more sense.
Posted by thelottery on December 9, 2008 at 11:51 AM (PDT)
12
FYI: my Target comment above only makes sense in a “perceived value” sense. Target is basically just a fancy Walmart when it comes down to it. But at least there’s a level of design sophistication to Target that seems more in line with Apple.
Posted by thelottery on December 9, 2008 at 11:53 AM (PDT)
13
You guys are killing me. What’s with the morality on where to buy stuff?
Posted by drakebullet on December 9, 2008 at 5:55 PM (PDT)
14
thelottery - Apple selling product through Walmart isn’t new, they’ve been selling I-Pods for at least the last 3 years.
Posted by Captain Puffy Pants on December 9, 2008 at 9:17 PM (PDT)
15
While I have no doubt that this will/would be a very successful venture for both Wal-Mart & Apple I would rather pay the extra $2 and either go to the AT&T;or Apple store where someone with better training and more ability to fix any issues that arise is located.
Posted by Aaron on December 9, 2008 at 10:14 PM (PDT)
16
Opinions about Wal-Mart are all over the map, but as with any other major retailer, you are going to have people crying foul about Apple selling its products in literally every store that isn’t an Apple Store. “Oh, noes, not Worst Buy!” “Wal-Marks is teh debbil!” “I will NEVER shop at Circuit Sh*tty!”
It’s all about pushing product. Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest retail store and it has been one of the few locales to be relatively unscathed in these miserable economic times, so it makes perfect sense for Apple to put the iPhone on their shelves. Like it or not, there are lots of people who would much prefer to pick up an iPhone there, save a couple of bucks, and get their groceries and toiletries at the same time.
Posted by Flippy Hambone on December 11, 2008 at 8:58 AM (PDT)