Comments on: Confirmed: iPhone 3G coming to Wal-Mart on December 28th, select Sam’s Club stores as well

By: Al

Al — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:50:53 +0000

Mooooo You. I’m going to buy one at Walmart today. Yeh, I’m pretty much cattle, a software developer, 30year professional pilot with a degree in physics….Now where is my baggy sweat suit?

By: krysten

krysten — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:37:36 +0000

I can’t see WallyWorld selling to many of these iPhones. The way they staff their stores you will have a hard time finding any one that works there. I never see anyone working in the electronics department and if there just happens to be an employee behind the counter asking questions about phones is painful and they give off that leave me the hell alone attitude. Congrats Apple on having the most despised retail outlet selling your product lets hope the employees can tell the difference between the Touch and the iPhone. Hey Steve maybe you should think about putting the iPhone in gas stations.

By: Damon

Damon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:19:21 +0000

do you people really think apple doesnt want wal-mart to sell thier i-phones,that they think only doctors,lawyers,etc.,will buy them,how many hispanic people do you see driving around in a brand new expedition,or a chevy tahoe,do you think people like them cant afford an i-phone?-wrong some of these people may work in a field,or are not citizens,but they do have money,and they do shop at wal-mart-yes i am white,and just so you know ive been married to a hispanic for almost 15 years.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:25:04 +0000

People shopping at Wal-Mart might not initially be interested in an iPhone but they are also the consumers looking for bargains and if its selling at a discounted price, why wouldnt they want to buy this “cool” device? And ya, it does make sense- Wal-Mart already sells iPods, it seems only natural for them to move into phone territory as the iPod market becomes saturated. At this point for Apple its all about getting the consumer to upgrade as demand is so down in our economy. Demand might be down but investors seem to still be feeling confident in Apple as sentiment was recently bearish but is beginning to become bullish. They’ve also been forecasted (http://www.predictwallstreet.com/stock/AAPL) to close up today and these forecasts have been beating the market by about 65% lately.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:15:57 +0000

Here here , well said D9!

By: getitright

getitright — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:29:10 +0000

just because you idiots work at a store that has apple at the top dosen’t make you have rubber band banks in your pockets either. Tell me something how much do you make a year? You said it yourself…

“My local Apple Store has among it’s clientele many doctors, lawyers, college professors, authors, e-commerce entrepreneurs, national sports figures and rocket scientists.”

So please tell me what does that make you? Sounds to me your just a regular person working behind the counter a regular job trying to make a sell. Think more about what you say before you say it next time and maybe you won’t make yourself sound as uneducated as you probably are.

By: wow

wow — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:18:14 +0000

Wow all you morons…before you comment go and use an apple iphone 3g…now comment..there is no phone or device for that matter on the market that even comes close to what is can do flawlessly 99.9% of the time…gps..flows perfectley.Full ipod!.real web…yes not sh*tty blackberry or sidekick web…real web browser..apps to blow your mind…when I read these comments it looks like you all are 80 yr old foogies…I would never put an mp3 player to my ear…wow get an education..grandpa

By: applecattle

applecattle — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:01:50 +0000

Heathen is so off base about Apple’s customer base and the iPhone user in particular. A good many of Apple’s customers are very informed about the products AND the “competition” before they enter the Apple Store. This is especially true of the iPhone users. They “swallow the marketing” because it’s true. While I think it would be hard to find an American living today that has not gone to WalMart at least once in their life to pick a necessity like soap, toothpaste or toilet paper, I can assure you that the majority of Apple’s customers are not frequent WalMart shoppers.

Take a look at the places where Apple has placed it’s stores. Most, if not all of Apples retail stores are in high traffic shopping districts located in or near high income communities. My local Apple Store has among it’s clientele many doctors, lawyers, college professors, authors, e-commerce entrepreneurs, national sports figures and rocket scientists. I think these folks, if they even care what you think, would take exception to being referred to as cattle. Of course they would realize that you are speaking out of your sphincter and would not waste time responding to your comment.

As to style over substance… see previous sentence about speaking from your rear.

And to the rumors of Apple letting WalMart get a piece of the pie… I doubt it. As others have stated, Apple is a premium brand and people don’t shop for premium brands at places like WalMart. That said, I know iPods are sold there, but just because the most popular MP3 player in the world is sold there doesn’t mean that the iPhone is a natural fit. If I’m wrong, I won’t eat my hat or anything, I’ll just enjoy watching the stock climb and be sad for all the AT&T CS people that will have to deal with the fall-out that selling this product through WalMart will cause.

Note to Scott: A great many more High School students than you would think have the iPhone 3G and MANY of those have the 16GB model. Take my word for it that a great many more of them will be getting them for Christmas.

By: hobbes

hobbes — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:08:33 +0000

I think it’s funny that people are complaining about Walmart employee’s not knowing about Iphones when i was in an AT&T (actual store not a reseller) and one of the salespeople told an Iphone customer who’s only question was “why can’t i download any music from the online store isn’t that what this phone is all about” she told him im sorry sir i don’t have one of those phones so i don’t know too much about them if you wait one of the other’s will be able to help you shortly” so yeah I guess AT&T Stores shouldn’t be allowed to sell Iphones either.

By: iBug

iBug — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:37:34 +0000

Bring it on WalMart!
I just want the devices or products cheaper, and would actually rather deal with a WalMart associate that doesn’t try to upsell me to death like most ATT folks do. ATT reps act like I’m disturbing them and like I don’t really know what I want.

I want it for less money and then I’ll manage my account online.. Thank you very much.

Wally’s price will allow me to get them for more family members, just like our flat panel TVs BlueRay players and our DVD and BR movies.

Long live WalMart!

By: brownbagbillsfan

brownbagbillsfan — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:09:24 +0000

Wal-Mart rocks!!

By: Eric J

Eric J — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:22:31 +0000

Interesting to see the emotion that this has stirred up. I am about to buy an iPhone after testing the Bold, Samsung Epix, and LG Incite. I tested those at an AT&T reseller. While she didn’t have the iPhone, she said she would set up our service (getting a new BB for wife due to BB Enterprise Server requirements), sell us the BB and then send us over to Apple to get the iPhone.

Her associate kept trying to push these phones over the iPhone but she didn’t bash it at all. For that reason, I will go back there and at least give that store some of my business after getting some knowledgeable advice. I think using WalMart as a marketing channel makes business sense but I hate that place and would much rather give my business to a “locally” owned store.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:22:13 +0000

It’s not the phone price, it’s the monthly fees ATT charges that are the killer.

By: Big Daddy

Big Daddy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:12:15 +0000

Apple bashers look like they just don’t know
about what they have not tried.

Make things easy fir yourself. Go into an Apple store or
AT&T retailer and actually use the phone.

Hold it in your hand and think about those 16 gigs of memory.
Think about and try using all the features and all those FREE apps
that enhance this usefull phone.

I am waiting for a better battery, eventhough there are battery pack available like the new Mophie for 3G.

The only other programs I want to be able to use is a top level Word and Excel type of program. There is just about everything else that I can do on the Apple.

Don’t like the iPhone? Actually go try it.
It’s like sex, once you have the actual experience, well you get the picture.

Big Daddy
Sent through my iPhone

By: Gina

Gina — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:02:29 +0000

Well thank you sir. I am the department manager of a Walmart Connection Center and I will put up my staff against yours anyday. We are well educated and DO know WTF 3g is. So keep your uninformed opinions to yourself so you don’t appear to be as ignorant as you obviously are.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:05:30 +0000

well im in middle school and i have an iphone but i think that its stupid theyre goin to sell iphones at wal-mart because they dont even sell fuckin cases for it.

And when i walk into wal-mart with my phone out theyre goin to know i hacked it.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:31:31 +0000

Another Wal-mart associate here… How exactly does Wal-mart mess up your bill? We add the features asked for only. We tell you when a certain feature would save you money on your bill, but do not force it down your throat if you don’t want it. I can tell people over and over that $20 for unlimited text will be cheaper than pay per use in the long run, that with $5 insurance for most phones they’ll be out $110 on their phone as opposed to $250-300 if it breaks 1year in, but most of our customers are looking to get what everyone else has for a lower cost. We save people money, that’s our whole thing… If they don’t believe us that a feature won’t help them, they won’t get it. So when the bill comes in for $400 it’s not because we messed up the bill, the features and plan are clearly stated on the contract that is signed. A bill with a lot of per-use charges isn’t messed up, its just expensive…

By: Bobby

Bobby — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:42:18 +0000

Oh, and it’s also worth mentioning that this Wal-Mart “sales droid” gets paid close to $12/hour to do an easy job he’s very good at. If I’m not mistaken, that’s more than some sales droids at AT&T core stores make. Only difference is I don’t get commission, so I don’t pitch a fit if a customer tells me they don’t want a particular feature or service.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:28:53 +0000

To all of the dickheads on here that assume we Wal-Mart associates don’t know anything about cell phones or 3G or whatever: You’re wrong. I’ve worked in the Connection Center (Wal-Mart’s name for their wireless department) for nearly two years now, and have been a manager of the department for eight months going on nine. I know my stuff, and once I attend the scheduled training class with our district manager I will be well-informed as to what to do. I’ve had very few phones that I’ve sold returned, and the ones that have come back are from people who just don’t like the form factor or something to that effect. As an example, I recently had a lady purchase the Blackberry Pearl for $18.88 and exchange it for a Blackjack II because she didn’t care for the Pearl’s keypad. There was nothing at all wrong with her bill, and she even told me that the service she received was excellent. So please, come down off your not-so-high horses and get a clue. You likely don’t know any more than I do. After all, you care more about your commission than you do about satisfying the customer.

By: Daryl J.

Daryl J. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:13:17 +0000

I’m hearing people complaining that Apple’s in not running their business correctly? They appear to be doing just fine to me! The decision to push the iPhone through WalMart is just another ‘forward-thinking’ plan of a successful company… PERIOD! I say go for it guys!

In response to the comments about 3G network coverage in rural areas, I don’t see that stopping people from purchasing it. It automatically drops down to the EDGE network if 3G is not available so phone service is still there. Everything else just slows down a bit. Also, wireless (802.11b) Internet is rather common now.

In response to ‘kids’ and iPhones… yes they do! I recently put ‘3′ iPhones online (wife and two teenage daughters) and never was more satisfied. I use it as a motivational-tool to encourage my girls to STAY on the honor roll at school. No honor roll… no iPhone!!! So far it’s working GREAT!!! My contract on my AT&T Tilt expires today so I’m going to upgrade myself and make it ‘4′!!! The new Exchange support (even though limited) is why sold me. Even though the iPod is cool, the Internet is cool, and the games are cool, I mainly use my cell phone for business. Multiple email accounts, texting, and Exchange are the most important to me.

Go Apple!! You Rock!! Listen to President Obama all you Blackberry users… CHANGE IS GOOD!!!

By: Josh Brown

Josh Brown — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:22:15 +0000

YEAH THEY SELL IPHONES…. ONLY LIKE WHAT OVER 10 MILLION in 2008 already… more total sals than the razr has EVER and the iphone did it in just a couple years.

By: BGMTony

BGMTony — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:12:04 +0000

At last the Iphone is released into the general retail scene. I have ben using the Iphone 3G in my business for the last few months – I wrote a blogpost ( http://businessgrowthmastery.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/apple-iphone-3g-is-it-a-toy-or-a-real-business-asset/ ) about it a few months back – highlighting the benefits and downsides of doing so.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:59:14 +0000

Apple really does not want the iPhone sold thru the carriers. Initially, Apple has put up with them to learn the processes. Cell stores will eventually dissappear and we will be buying our phones primarily at Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It will be a bumpy transition initially but we will all adjust, especially when we are getting much better pricing.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:41:00 +0000

Seems like 2500 locations is a lot. Are you sure it’s not a much smaller number. Most WalMarts are in rural areas where AT&T 3G coverage is either weak or non-existent.

I would think that concentrating this channel in true AT&T 3G footprints would dwindle the WalMart locations considerably. Unless they’ll just sell them in territories where there is no 3G, and hope gullible customers don’t even know/care.

By: gadgetchic

gadgetchic — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:28:32 +0000

you its a sad day when apple would rather sell a product at walmart than in their own online store

By: J

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:11:08 +0000

@Ted T.

Why did you just quote a single line and based your opinion on that line? Did you even read my entire post?

I hate the iphone because I’m not allowed to sell it but I get loads of people screaming at me because of their f*kedup bills not to mention the random threats to fix their bills.

Apple’s decision to let the provider’s corporate stores to carry it doesn’t make any difference based on how much billing errors and overcharges I see daily!

By: TRV$

TRV$ — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:55:03 +0000

@Ted T.

The reason Authorized Retailers arent authorized to sell the iPhone doesnt have anything to do with us not selling a customer on an iPhone to make better money on something else. It has to do with att dumping tons of cash into the network to make the network compatible with the iPhone, and not wanting third party dealers profiting on a phone that corportate spent a bunch of money on the network to be able to handle.

I’d love to sell the iPhone. I agree that it’s a truly unique and innovative device. It chaps my ass that we’re not given the opportunity to help att make more money off of a great product, which would also help my store make more money, which makes the company I work for make more money, which makes att more money. and we all know: money that makes money, makes more money.

Basically, it makes good business sense to allow all channels of distribution the ability to sell a certain product. But looking at the way apple holds back on certain things and slow plays the upgrades/updates, to sustain the hype of their product, tells me that at some point down the line, retailers will be selling the iphone.

sorry for the long windedness

By: BlackberryMAX

BlackberryMAX — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:49:56 +0000

We only hate it because we cannot sell it. Let those fucktards at Wally World mess with your bill.

By: Baron

Baron — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:56:58 +0000

Well, sure we do:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11957536/ (not sure how that store is doing still with the changes we have been under going in the economy)

And while not high end, http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9720598
A six thousand dollar ring is certainly more than an iphone.

By: BlackberryMAX

BlackberryMAX — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:28:47 +0000

@mak

Knowing the iphones tech. is key for a authorized retailer to bump them to a different device. It is OUR job and knowing this info puts food in my mouth and clothes on my back. So yes it makes a diference becaue it makes me passionate about my job.