Internal memo lays out Walmart iPhone plans, prices
updated 10:35 am EST, Wed December 17, 2008
Walmart iPhone memo
A leaked internal memo describes Walmart's plans for an iPhone launch later this month, a report alleges. The memo appears to validate signs that the phone will launch on December 28th, specifically at 9AM. It goes on to make mention of an earlier pilot program, however, in which some 488 stores will be given five iPhones each, to be sold only to Walmart employees; eligible workers are being picked via raffle.
If accurate the memo would appear to suggest that the pilot is already in progress, given a phone activation date of December 17th. It further backs up Yahoo indications that prices will start at $197 for 8GB, and adds that a 16GB phone will be available for $297. Buyers in the pilot program should be eligible for a 15 percent discount on a two-year AT&T contract, but there is no mention of a rumored $99 4GB phone, expected in part of because of Walmart's insistence on low margins.
A three dollar savings
12/17, 10:53am (1 reply) reply
WOW! Those savings are definitely worth dealing with all the crowds in the store!
"Save Money. Live better." I always say! : )
MeandmyMac
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Joined: Feb 2008
15 percent discount
12/17, 11:05am reply
15 percent discount on the att plan is about 150 up to 300 dollars over the 2 year, not bad.
Peter Bonte
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Joined: Aug 2001
wallyworld
12/17, 11:11am reply
REALLY?!? Wall mart employees make enough to where they can afford an iPhone!
byRyan
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Joined: Jun 2007
Wall mart
12/17, 11:31am reply
wow, i live in europe but even here we're beginning to use that name for badly payed jobs. Talk about a bad name.
Peter Bonte
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Joined: Aug 2001
i call fake
12/17, 11:52am (1 reply) reply
I see a run-on sentence, a sentence ending with a preposition, and descriptions of the iPhones as "8G" rather than "8GB".
martygearbox
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Joined: Jun 2002
Not fake- just dumb
12/17, 12:42pm reply
@martygearbox - not to mention the pilot/Pilot random capitalization phenomenon. I like the idea of a store manager named {black blob}.
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999
Wal-Mart
12/17, 01:34pm (1 reply) reply
$197 and $297? With all the money Wal-Mart saves on employee benefits, you'd think they might their workers a better deal.
Oh, wait. It's Wal-Mart.
jvputten
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Joined: Aug 2001
You scoff
12/17, 02:00pm (1 reply) reply
But this is the first step in Apple's conquest of the home front. iPods sell well at WalMart and Apple's brand will be pushed higher in the rankings as people buy their phones from the same place they get tampons and groceries.
I know I was relieved when I was at the outer banks of nc and got an iphone charging cable at walmart. it's not a bad thing that the world's largest retailer is selling apple's stuff, what is interesting is they only offer a $3 difference. The elite will only buy from Taj Ma Apple's Stores, while the rest of us who can't afford the $6 in gas to go to the stupid store pick one up on our monthly (bi weekly) shopping trip to walmart.
do not underestimate walmart's influence.
ibugv4
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Joined: Jun 2003
lower margin?
12/17, 03:48pm reply
" expected in part of because of Walmart's insistence on low margins."
This is totally stupid. Wal-Mart does not want low margins. They want a low cost so to be able to either underprice the competition or to increase their margin. No company wants lower margins
chadpengar
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Joined: Oct 2001
PLEASE STOP!!!
12/17, 04:21pm reply
Please just stop this FUD.
Like ANY company would wait till 1 week before Christmas to roll out a major product on to store shelves in the US?! And for that matter, two of the biggest companies - w/o an advertising campaign??!?!?!?!?!?
Please, just stop this madness.
davedawgnyc
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Joined: Oct 2005