Best Buy to Sell iPhone 3G Nationwide?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Best Buy is expected (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/08/12/sources_best_buy_to_sell_apples_iphone_3g_nationwide.html) to announce that they will begin selling the iPhone 3G next month, according to AppleInsider.

The announcement should come as early as Wednesday and represents the first time a 3rd party U.S. retailer will be selling Apple's iPhone. The iPhone will reportedly be sold in 970 Best Buy stores in addition to 16 Best Buy Mobile specialty outlets starting on September 7th.

Rumors of Best Buy's interest in the iPhone began over a year ago (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2007/08/06/iphone-coming-to-best-buy/). More recently, Boy Genius Report had heard (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/30/best-buy-and-radio-shack-to-sell-iphone-3g/) that both Best Buy and Radio Shack had been working on iPhone distribution. There has been no further word on any distribution deals with Radio Shack, however.


Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/12/best-buy-to-sell-iphone-3g-nationwide/)

[jbstingray]

That sounds like a good idea to get the phones out there, but considering stock is limited, why would they open it to even more places and cause an even greater shortage?

At least they aren't going with Radio Shack according to the rumor - the image of Radio Shack seems to be deteriorating....

-jb

[calvy]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

[TEG]

I remember when the iPhone EDGE came out, that at&t had expected to do roll out to all their resellers (including Best Buy and Radio Shack) in about a year. So it looks like that may happen. The only problem might be places where there Best Buy stores, but not at&t service. What happens then?

Also, Best Buy has been selling Apple Systems in a large number of their stores for about a year now. While they are still in their roll out phase with that, I doubt that it will be too long before we see Macs in every store. Heck, Flint, Michigan's Best Buy has them.

Also, this Best Buy deal may also extend to selling the iPhone at Best Buys and Future Shops in Canada, making it so people don't have to directly interact with Rogers or Fido staff.

TEG

[WoFat]

Does it come with shackles - the veritable ball-n-chain configuration?

[lord patton]

At least they aren't going with Radio Shack according to the rumor - the image of Radio Shack seems to be deteriorating....


Yes, deteriorating from dust molecules to their constituent atoms.

[SFStateStudent]

That's great, b/c BestBuy has been well stocked with everything v1 iPhone and 3G iPhone accessories. I noticed their 3G iPhone accessories have been flying off the shelves. :cool:

[bradl]

I can just see it now..

After getting stung from stealing things from people's computers (http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/06/1916207) (media files, movies, programs, pr0n, etc.), getting rid of the good guys there (http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/30/2056256), and using pirated software (http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/13/1958231), the Geek Squad now will try to grab apps off your iPhone without your knowledge.

Lovely.. :rolleyes:

BL.

[TEG]

Yes, deteriorating from dust molecules to their constituent atoms.

Right now the only purpose of Radio Shack is to quickly get some electronic components and a bread board, maybe batteries (if you can't use Google). Everything else is overpriced. And the computers and TVs they sell suck.

TEG

[Soundwave420]

2 pointless news bits about the iphone yet the important story about the iphones kill switch isnt talked about at all. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080811/tc_nf/61270

P.S. Props to the dude with the angel dust cover.

[corinhorn]

To-date, I have never had a good experience at Best Buy. The employees there treat many customers like pond scum and trying to get actual help is an uphill battle. They may as well slap my face with a dead trout every time I walk into their store—the Best Buy experience would be so much more enjoyable that way.

[MBHockey]

If anyone can ruin the iPhone 3G purchasing experience, it's Best Buy.

[Monty1]

snap will best buy now have to open my phone and activate in store now too?

[iOrlando]

and who on earth will support these iphones at best buy. They are clueless over there. Their support staff have no clue about technology. I can already see it now..sir you will have to call apple with that question..etc...

[paulrr]

2 pointless news bits about the iphone yet the important story about the iphones kill switch isnt talked about at all. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080811/tc_nf/61270

P.S. Props to the dude with the angel dust cover.

That story was posted a while ago.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=541770

[TEG]

That story was posted a while ago.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=541770

Nor is it news. So there is a kill switch, good.

TEG

[amac4me]

If this is true, it's a significant development. This would be a huge benefit to Apple as it would lead to a spike in iPhone 3G sales and would be a strategic move ahead of the holiday season.

Additionally, I say this argues against any upcoming iPhone 3G shortages as Best Buy wouldn't enter into such a deal without being ensured adequate supply.

[brewty]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

As the OP says, they are going to be offered in a limited number of stores. The Best Buy closest to me, does (did) sell Apple products, my parents bought a Mac Mini there about 4 years ago, I also believe that I have seen iPods there from time to time. This is in south eastern Washington

[Peace]

Ahum..*cough* *cough* (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5541877&postcount=408)
;)

[mustang_dvs]

Yet you still cannot purchase one from store.apple.com? :confused:

[BJWanlund]

Honestly, I've had good experiences at Best Buy. But then again, I haven't had to interact with their staff except to purchase the items I found. Their organization of all the different items they've had for sale means I've NEVER had to ask someone for assistance finding something (and if I'm buying an electronics item, I have ALWAYS done my research)!

If Apple got Best Buy to expand the stores selling Apple products, we'd ALL be better off. If we didn't have an Apple or an AT&T store near us, we'd more than likely have a Best Buy selling Apple products near us (unless Apple plans more store openings, which seems extremely unlikely to me).

BJ

[Manatee]

The local Apples stores around here still get only a few iPhones a day, and sell out to the people waiting at the door (yes, it's _still_ happening). So where are all the Best Buy stores going to get all these iPhones?

[kresh]

Will Apple enforce the no cash sales policy for the iPhone at BestBuy? I don't know how they do it now at the Apple company stores since it is legal tender in all 50 states.

[ibrainch]

looks like Best Buy went ahead and made this announcement - they will be available on Sept 7th in all Best Buy stores.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080812/tec_best_buy_iphone.html?.v=2

[Chance1]

When you go into a Best Buy to buy any Apple accessories or a new computer the Geek squad will set it all up for you before you leave the store, they will put on great software to attack any virus you might get. What? and now these fools are going to be selling iPhone? Sure hope they give "Skippy" a little training before they turn him loose on the general public......iPhone - Best Buy.....don't think so

[thecartoonguy]

and who on earth will support these iphones at best buy. They are clueless over there. Their support staff have no clue about technology. I can already see it now..sir you will have to call apple with that question..etc...

You would have to do that anyway. No one at At&T can help, they always send you back to Apple unless there is a billing error or sim replacement.

[typecase]

Also, Best Buy has been selling Apple Systems in a large number of their stores for about a year now. While they are still in their roll out phase with that, I doubt that it will be too long before we see Macs in every store. Heck, Flint, Michigan's Best Buy has them.
TEG

Why knock Flint? :p I've been there and I for one am glad Flint has them.

[thecartoonguy]

Ahum..*cough* *cough* (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5541877&postcount=408)
;)

I bow to you sir :D

[Ace Fury]

In the San Francisco Best Buy cellphones are sold and supported by carrier staff, ATT, Sprint etc. There is also an Apple section that sells iMacs and Macbooks, staffed by an Apple person. iPods are mixed in with the MP3 players, which is good because that shows how bad the other players look.
The infamous Geek boys and girls are not involved with cellphones or Apple products.

[quid squid]

but this means you can make the phone cheaper with those best buy reward points that are about to expire.

[geerlingguy]

Right now the only purpose of Radio Shack is to quickly get some electronic components and a bread board, maybe batteries (if you can't use Google). Everything else is overpriced. And the computers and TVs they sell suck.

But even RS's selection of electronic components has dwindled to a very sad state lately. It's just not as fun walking in there anymore. Half the store (the front half) has overpriced TVs, R/C cars, and phones, and the back half has a few aisles of crammed-together wire, adapters, and a few breadboard components here and there. In the 'old' days, you could piece together your own digital computer using off-the-shelf parts at RS. Now you'd be lucky to put together your own transistor radio.

[bytethese]

Oh geez, they will sell them too? More idiots who do not understand a product, selling the product. Yuck. It's already bad enough at an AT&T store...

[BlueCynicalMoon]

I will have to agree with Ace. The SF Bay Best Buy is not a bad store. I have made many of purchases at the Harrison St. location. For every one store like that,however, there are plenty of Best Buy stores like the one that is located near me here in PA.

Let's see. Within 30 seconds of walking in the store, you become a few droplets of blood with the sharks swarming. The Mac selection is limited to an iMac 20" and a MacBook Pro. You never quite see any salesperson go out of their way to point out that they sell Mac's. There are no Apple trained employees.

The accessories are quite limited. They do have a Wireless Keyboard on display. It has been fingered more times then Freddy :rolleyes:. The grime build up reminds me of the finest Comp Usa (RIP). I actually did enjoy the Market St. location downtown SF.

I can just envision Best Buy locally having the iPhone and having their employees talk customers out of buying one for a Blackberry or any device that has some SPIFF on it. In all honesty, it would remind me of my local AT&T corporate store. iPhone, you must be kidding. They all want to sell Blackberries as the only thing worthy of your attention.

I am going to imagine that in some areas that it will be worth it. I just do not see it working in every location.

My 2 tarnished pennies worth and sorry for the rant.

[nintendude]

The local Apples stores around here still get only a few iPhones a day, and sell out to the people waiting at the door (yes, it's _still_ happening). So where are all the Best Buy stores going to get all these iPhones?

dont forget about the 20 something countries international release

[macduke]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

Weird, most of the Best Buy's I've been to have mini Apple store kiosks setup with MBP's, MBA's, MB's, iMac's, and every flavor of iPod on display along with several accessories such as mice, keyboards, time capsules, hard drives, cases, etc.

What they have been lacking are iPhone accessories...especially cases.

Hopefully the addition of the iPhone will bring with it a greater variety of iPhone accessories. There is no Apple Store where I go to college, and AT&T's accessories are a joke.

[starcrossed]

i can think of two locations off the top of my head in town where an AT&T and Best Buy are literally right next to each other and an Apple Store ain't but a few minutes away. That certainly might make the next iPhone launch interesting with more choices within those areas to buy it.

[gkarris]

I was at a Best Buy once checking out the mp3 players. A guy next to me was checking out the iPod Touch, and the Best Buy salesman said to him that the iPods were great, but the huge problem is that Apple limits you to having only 3 videos at a time on the device.... :eek:


Best Buy - lovely...

[Bobdude161]

I will have to agree with Ace. The SF Bay Best Buy is not a bad store. I have made many of purchases at the Harrison St. location. For every one store like that,however, there are plenty of Best Buy stores like the one that is located near me here in PA.

Let's see. Within 30 seconds of walking in the store, you become a few droplets of blood with the sharks swarming. The Mac selection is limited to an iMac 20" and a MacBook Pro. You never quite see any salesperson go out of their way to point out that they sell Mac's. There are no Apple trained employees.

The accessories are quite limited. They do have a Wireless Keyboard on display. It has been fingered more times then Freddy :rolleyes:. The grime build up reminds me of the finest Comp Usa (RIP). I actually did enjoy the Market St. location downtown SF.

I can just envision Best Buy locally having the iPhone and having their employees talk customers out of buying one for a Blackberry or any device that has some SPIFF on it. In all honesty, it would remind me of my local AT&T corporate store. iPhone, you must be kidding. They all want to sell Blackberries as the only thing worthy of your attention.

I am going to imagine that in some areas that it will be worth it. I just do not see it working in every location.

My 2 tarnished pennies worth and sorry for the rant.

My only question is why would they talk customers out of the iPhone? I've talked to the BB mobile dept people in my store and all they want is a chance to sell an iPhone. There are basically no downsides to buying one (except the price per month :o ) and AT&T coverage is quite well in this area. I'm pretty excited for it's arrival. :)

[pbkiller]

If anyone can ruin the iPhone 3G purchasing experience, it's Best Buy.

That's already been done by ATT.....:rolleyes:

[gcmexico]

wow they are selling that phone every where!

[alberta-mac-fan]

I bow to you sir :D
I desire to be in the know. I wish i had some kind of connections, or was a somebody that new stuff before it was public knowledge. I guess I'm in the wrong business.

[deannnnn]

Will they be using Windows to ring up these iPhones?
The last time I was there the computer crashed in the middle of my purchase.... my credit card was still of course charged, I just got no receipt. Awesome.

[marco114]

I am glad Best Buy sees Apple as a major player again and is attempting to keep up with the Apple wave. It's sad they can't hire any adequate employees. I attribute this mostly to the management of BestBuy is just awful. They permanently banned me from the store at least twice and I come in the next day and they are clueless.

They attempt to upsell warranties and restore disks that already come with the computers and then don't even honor what they say. They'll promise if it breaks, they'll give you the latest model, etc. BestBuy is a joke and I'll only buy something that's cheap and I don't have to deal with someone to buy it.

The employees just lie to customers to sell them whatever they feel like. Most are punk kids that know nothing. There are exceptions, but in general, they are all losers. I try to help people that are being misled by the employees there all the time.

[aprilfools]

great. my best buy is too crowded enough as it is. you would think they are handing out free money every day. now i will have to deal with more people congregating at best buy and also deal with trying to find a place to park. I hate the damn iphone. I so wish it would go away forever.

[Analog Kid]

Best Buy? Heh, could have been worse... Coulda been Walmart...

[carrjar]

Will Apple enforce the no cash sales policy for the iPhone at BestBuy? I don't know how they do it now at the Apple company stores since it is legal tender in all 50 states.

iPhones are activated from a portable device...that portable device requires a "plastic" form of payment. If you have cash, you can purchase a gift card in the form of "plastic" and buy your phone. Cash was gladly accepted for me.

[Bobdude161]

Best Buy? Heh, could have been worse... Coulda been Walmart...

That's what I'm sayin. I think BB is the best option out of all the other retailers.

[neven]

Will Apple enforce the no cash sales policy for the iPhone at BestBuy? I don't know how they do it now at the Apple company stores since it is legal tender in all 50 states.

They do it by having the legal right (http://www.ustreas.gov/education/faq/currency/legal-tender.shtml) to do it.

[neo1221]

this is like adding a halo effect to the halo effect. Nearly 1000 Best buy stores offers macs and ipods, and now in september, iphones. There will no doubt be a lot of people who can't access an apple store locally but do have a best buy who didn't even think about going to best buy to buy apple products in the first place, until now, because this will get a lot of press. The iphone will open people's eyes to the fact of apple product availability at best buy. I didn't know about it until today, I'm sure I'm not the only one. I'm guessing the space these stores devote to pcs will shrink quickly to accomodate apple growth. I wonder if Best Buy will be installing apple branded genius bars too? In the end this should be good for apple products and the war against pcs.

[SWC]

Waaaaaah. Oh noes best buy is selling the phone. That means I can buy it there instead of buying it at an apple store and suckling on steve jobs teet.

[deannnnn]

Best Buy? Heh, could have been worse... Coulda been Walmart...

Haha... good point.
They used to sell Cingular phones in my Wal-Mart....

[WickedE160]

In the San Francisco Best Buy cellphones are sold and supported by carrier staff, ATT, Sprint etc. There is also an Apple section that sells iMacs and Macbooks, staffed by an Apple person. iPods are mixed in with the MP3 players, which is good because that shows how bad the other players look.
The infamous Geek boys and girls are not involved with cellphones or Apple products.


Exactly, In Springfield, MO our Best Buy has a seperate section that is essentially an Apple store it has a huge sign designating what it is, separate Apple employees, and all the Apple merch.

Besides this the nearest Apple store is 4 hours away in St. Louis so this works out nice for me.

I don't understand all the complaints about Best Buy here, our Best Buy has all the signs and awards saying it's the best of the best buys but, I didn't think all the others were that bad. Althugh I did go to one in KC that was as small and dank as a Radio Shack, the one here is HUGE.

[Ace Fury]

There are no Apple trained employees.

I can just envision Best Buy locally having the iPhone and having their employees talk customers out of buying one for a Blackberry or any device that has some SPIFF on it.



As I said in my above post, there is a Apple staff guy at the Mac section, talked with him a couple times. Said business was good. He works for Apple not Best Buy. Maybe he was on break when you appeared on the scene.

I will repeat myself: Best Buy employees are not selling cellphones now. Each carrier has their people on board. Each has their polo shirts on with the cute company logos.

This is in San Francisco, can't speak for the rest of them.

[Monty1]

still sell with a contract only?

[crazyyankeefan]

I hate Best Buy. Most of their associates there are dumb. Do you guys really want those careless people to be the first people to touch your precious Apple products?

[WoFat]

Yep. 90# concrete shoes on each foot. The wait for a different carrier continues....

[ProwlingTiger]

I'm semi-excited for this, as I have an interview with Bestbuy this week. Trying to work part time thru school. This would entice me to get an iPhone finally.

[joemama]

still sell with a contract only?

That's what I want to know. I assume it will be with contract only, but then what's the point?

Why not just go to ATT or an Apple store?

[sn00pie]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

I sell Apple laptops and iPods on a daily basis.

Does this mean we will be able to buy the iPhones from Best Buy, or would we be forced to sign contracts with mobile carrier companies (AT&T, Rogers)?

As I said in my above post, there is a Apple staff guy at the Mac section, talked with him a couple times. Said business was good. He works for Apple not Best Buy. Maybe he was on break when you appeared on the scene.

I will repeat myself: Best Buy employees are not selling cellphones now. Each carrier has their people on board. Each has their polo shirts on with the cute company logos.

This is in San Francisco, can't speak for the rest of them.

That's not how it works up north. Here we just have blue shirts working in the cellular section helping customers with Rogers, Fido, Virgin Mobile etc. We don't have special reps.

[seedster2]

You all may criticize Best Buy (they deserve much of it) buying experience, but Apple store and AT&T purchasing experiences aren't consistently groundbreaking either.

This should have been implimented from the start. Apple's reluctance to provide AT&T stores and consider additional vendors for 3G launch created those artificially lengthened lines (and generated all that free publicity - mission accomplished).

Yes, the phone is still in high demand, but they could have sold it online at AT&T.com just like any other smart phone and cut down wait times.

[masterhiggins]

If anyone can ruin the iPhone 3G purchasing experience, it's Best Buy.

What?!?! Are you saying that standing in a huge line whilst being bombarded by multiple, loud theatre systems isn't pleasant? :)

[mrbrown]

Hey, where's WindowsGuy? He was insisting that Best Buy would not sell the iPhone (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5690723&postcount=48), and it turns out he was wrong, and now he's nowhere to be found on this thread.

All in good fun... all in good fun. ;)

[twoodcc]

this can only be good news if you ask me. i'm glad to see this

[ivladster]

=) When I first heard that Apple computers are gonna be sold at best buy i though that its gonna be horrible. All their employees know nothing about Apple products.

But...when I actually went to one near my house what I found amazing is that Apple doesn't need best buy people to sell anything at all. Apple did a very smart thing. They created marketing that would explain and sell the computers on their own. There are 2 giant screens that show small demo of APPLE and each computer has some sort of an application that runs simulation to what you would need to know. Amazing. That's how people learn it best. =) (i think)

So iPhone might be just a self-selling phone too with great branding and marketing around it.

[amac4me]

This is huge news for Apple as it will expose the iPhone to customers who don't visit Apple or AT&T retail stores.

Expect the iPhone to be one of the hottest selling items this holiday season.

[marcre]

I spend a lot of time between NY and Maryland and all the Apple stores i in those states seem to have a ton of iPhones lately. They never seem to be out. I'm not sure about the AT&T stores, but I was under the impression stock wasn't a problem for the past couple weeks. Even looking online at Apple's site, it seems most stores always have the phones in.

This best buy deal may be good, it will allow people to go somewhere else. The Apple stores are so busy now, it is tough to get help sometimes. I was at a store in MD the other day and there was 15 people waiting in line for the phone still and the store was packed. With the phone and the back to school promo going on, the store is packed every day. I like to see that though. I like that apple is doing well.

[kyleb822]

Good move by Apple to let Best Buy sell the iPhone 3G! I think it would make the iPhone lose some of its prestige if they started shipping it out to other retailers to sell like Walmart, Target, Radio Shack, and even Circuit City. Best Buy is a great store to sell the iPhone 3G though.

[Chance1]

I am glad Best Buy sees Apple as a major player again and is attempting to keep up with the Apple wave. It's sad they can't hire any adequate employees. I attribute this mostly to the management of BestBuy is just awful. They permanently banned me from the store at least twice and I come in the next day and they are clueless.

They attempt to upsell warranties and restore disks that already come with the computers and then don't even honor what they say. They'll promise if it breaks, they'll give you the latest model, etc. BestBuy is a joke and I'll only buy something that's cheap and I don't have to deal with someone to buy it.

The employees just lie to customers to sell them whatever they feel like. Most are punk kids that know nothing. There are exceptions, but in general, they are all losers. I try to help people that are being misled by the employees there all the time.



Thanks Marco114 My same feelings exactly Thanks for restating.

[Ticcioni]

N/a

[mrglass]

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.


Yeah, this sounds like you either took what they said out of context, blew it out of proportion, or the employee was simply pissed off at you for some reason. Every Best Buy in the US has carried the full line of iPods since at least 2004. They are right next to all the other MP3 players. BBY even carried the HP/Apple iPod!

Now not all stores have carried Apple computers though. About 50-100 carried PPC Macs back in the day and they didn't sell well, so they pulled them out of most of the stores and put them online only. When Apple rolled out intel, BBY again tested about 50 stores, which then turned into 200, then 400 and later this year should be around 800. This growth was due to FAR better training this time around and Apple actually caring enough to check in on many of the stores to make sure employees were getting trained properly.

Now to shed some light:
The reason why Best Buy didn't carry the original iPhone is because it wouldn't have been financially beneficial. Best Buy gets a $150-300 kickback from the service provider depending on the vendor for NEW activations. Since the original iPhone was activated at home, BBY wouldn't have ever seen a dime. With the new phone being subsidized and being activated in the store, Best Buy will get an activation kickback, making it worth their time to sell the iPhone 3G.

To the people who have had a bad experience at their stores: I can understand where you are coming from in some regards, many employees (especially associates in computer departments) have never used a Mac and have been in a way 'conditioned' to think Macs aren't great products, and anyone who uses a computer for gaming or business can't use a Mac without the experience being a pain. These are wrong ideas, but the stores that have bad district or store managers don't bother retraining and educating those employees. I'll be the first one to say, there are quite a few stores like this, but it is definitely not the majority. Stores in my area and several areas I've visited have knowledgable and helpful employees that go out of their way to find an answer if they don't know the answer off the top of their heads. (Although there is one store that has most it's employees that would rather stare off into the distance than be productive)

[koobcamuk]

this can only be good news if you ask me. i'm glad to see this

a) this is all you ever say about news stories

b) why is there so much white space in your sig?

I wonder if it'll just be O2 UK and Apple stores selling them here in the UK...

[Hands Sandon]

Out of thousands of square feet of retail space,there's one thing worth buying,a phone...! and of course a few Macs,sometimes.

[Sam Yikin]

An important step toward mainstreaming the iPhone, no matter how you view Best Buy or their sales people.

[fleshman03]

This is good for Apple.

It'll get the phones out there and take some pressure off the retail stores.

Of course that would require stock of iPhones though...

[salvatorereda]

its still to expensive for the masses
not everyone needs a smart phone with data plans

the iphone with 1300 minutes is still 90$ a month add taxes fess = 110
1320$ + 199$= $1519

1320 for years #2

= 2839 (thats with out texting over 3k if you add text)

[walala]

So does this mean I could buy the iPhone with a few Best Buy gift cards that I have?

[ProwlingTiger]

its still to expensive for the masses
not everyone needs a smart phone with data plans

the iphone with 1300 minutes is still 90$ a month add taxes fess = 110
1320$ + 199$= $1519

1320 for years #2

= 2839 (thats with out texting over 3k if you add text)

Thats in line with a smartphone though. People whine about the price, about the iPhone, yet they don't complain about other smartphones. The data plan is the same.

[GFLPraxis]

The real question- will they force you to activate it before leaving the store, or can you buy it for $200, take it home, and unlock?

[iMikeT]

With this announcement, the iPhone is now officially just another AT&T cell phone. :mad:

[Philberttheduck]

With this announcement, the iPhone is now officially just another AT&T cell phone. :mad:

But with Apple engineering, why does it even matter?

Does this mean people can purchase iPhone 3G and activate in-home?

[pg-13]

The real question- will they force you to activate it before leaving the store, or can you buy it for $200, take it home, and unlock?

I feel like such a tool for registering just to rebuke this one comment; but it's not your God-given right to buy the phone at that sweet $199 price and to then just walk away. AT&T subsidizes $200 because you activate a contract with them. Buying at that price point and then not activating the contract is fraud.

[kresh]

They do it by having the legal right (http://www.ustreas.gov/education/faq/currency/legal-tender.shtml) to do it.

I understand they have the legal right, it is just that it violates the spirit of the tender system.

[The Tall One]

Seriously, I am so tired of the lines that the Apple store and AT&T stores have been generating to buy this stupid phone. I can't believe how idiotic it is that you have to wait in line for so long. Its great that there will be more places to purchase the phone in the future. I just hope they improve Best Buy's employee competency... which I know they won't.

[Philberttheduck]

I feel like such a tool for registering just to rebuke this one comment; but it's not your God-given right to buy the phone at that sweet $199 price and to then just walk away. AT&T subsidizes $200 because you activate a contract with them. Buying at that price point and then not activating the contract is fraud.

The manager at AT&T (dumbass) told me that the subsidy is a result of the service-phone, not the contract. More than likely, he was wrong but I thought it was funny/stupid that AT&T said that.

What I still don't get is this: with early termination fees deemed illegal in california (case: sprint), what does the future of subsidies hold?

[Analog Kid]

That's what I'm sayin. I think BB is the best option out of all the other retailers.
When I said "it could be worse", I didn't mean it could be much worse...

[WickedE160]

its still to expensive for the masses
not everyone needs a smart phone with data plans

the iphone with 1300 minutes is still 90$ a month add taxes fess = 110
1320$ + 199$= $1519

1320 for years #2

= 2839 (thats with out texting over 3k if you add text)


That's only if you get the most expensive plan with 1300 minutes though, I would be getting the 450 plan because I don't do that much daytime calling and that figures to be $960 cheaper than your figure

[WildCowboy]

From what I understand this will only be in Best Buy Mobile departments... Not every Best Buy will have a Mobile department during the Sept 7th launch. A Best Buy Mobile department is a little more different than your usual Cell Phone department in a Best Buy.

As of last week, all U.S. Best Buy cell phone departments are Best Buy Mobile departments (http://bestbuymedia.tekgroup.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4582).

[BenRoethig]

That's what I want to know. I assume it will be with contract only, but then what's the point?

Why not just go to ATT or an Apple store?

Because some of us would rather drive two minutes to Best Buy than an hour and a half (or more) to either the Apple or AT&T store.

[levitynyc]

I wonder if Best Buy employees will try to dissuade people from buying the iPhone the same way they do with Macbooks and just about any other type of Apple product.

[eastcoastsurfer]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

Huh? BB has sold iPods for a long time. Many also have Apple stores in them.

[eastcoastsurfer]

The manager at AT&T (dumbass) told me that the subsidy is a result of the service-phone, not the contract. More than likely, he was wrong but I thought it was funny/stupid that AT&T said that.

What I still don't get is this: with early termination fees deemed illegal in california (case: sprint), what does the future of subsidies hold?

Just change the wording of the contract into a loan that you pay off each month. There are many ways to keep subsidizing the phone and keep customers from jumping services.

[UTclassof89]

great... now in addition to incompetent Best Buy teenployees, crappy customer service, and long checkout lines, we can add a long iPhone sign-up process.

[sterlingindigo]

Good, I can get more Best Buy points when I upgrade to 3G...Still waiting for 3G service in my area, I'm told end of August.

[kbmb]

Think of the overall sales that Apple is losing under this new format where you MUST go into a store to buy the iPhone. They are losing all sales from Apple.com.

Apple already has a relationship with Best Buy in 200+ stores to sell Macs, makes sense that they continue this with Best Buy Mobile to sell the iPhone.

-Kevin

[eastcoastsurfer]

Seriously, I am so tired of the lines that the Apple store and AT&T stores have been generating to buy this stupid phone. I can't believe how idiotic it is that you have to wait in line for so long. Its great that there will be more places to purchase the phone in the future. I just hope they improve Best Buy's employee competency... which I know they won't.

You don't have to wait in line. Every AT&T store in my area lets you order one and they call you in a week or so when it comes in.

[Gasu E.]

At least they aren't going with Radio Shack according to the rumor - the image of Radio Shack seems to be deteriorating....

-jb

Damn! And I really needed some free batteries (http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=106562.msg844402)...

[Hands Sandon]

If a Best Buy offers a free NetShare with their phones there will be a stampede to their stores and it's game over for Apple.

[bbeers]

I am surprised no one brought up the Best Buy Extended Warranty. You know the one you pay for and they will replace the product with the latest version no matter what. They used to do this with the ipods at Best Buy and my sister used it to her advantage (ooops dropped my ipod out the window or a moving car).

Imagine Buying an iPhone and not having to worry about crack screen or water damage. And with all Apple products, Apple will service anything they make no matter where you bought it.

Now I am not saying that Best Buy won't misinform people or destroy what is left of the Apple buying experience. But I am saying there maybe a silver lining here.

[Gasu E.]

So does this mean I could buy the iPhone with a few Best Buy gift cards that I have?

You almost surely can. If it is truly a gift card (someone bought it for you with cash) it is as good as cash; in fact, almost every store will let you turn them in for cash if you want (some people don't realize this-- if you get a gift card at a store you hate, you can just cash it in). It's essentially a free loan for the store chain, so they love these; plus most people do actually use them at the store chain that issued them.

[bpl323]

Yay--maybe they'll give me something free when I buy one.

[Claytoniss]

You almost surely can. If it is truly a gift card (someone bought it for you with cash) it is as good as cash; in fact, almost every store will let you turn them in for cash if you want (some people don't realize this-- if you get a gift card at a store you hate, you can just cash it in). It's essentially a free loan for the store chain, so they love these; plus most people do actually use them at the store chain that issued them.

Really??? This I did not know, and now I could of used those for something good. I will have to try this out.

[sterlingindigo]

[QUOTE=bbeers;6030554]I am surprised no one brought up the Best Buy Extended Warranty. QUOTE]

Good point, another good reason to buy from BB.

[Sean Dempsey]

and who on earth will support these iphones at best buy. They are clueless over there. Their support staff have no clue about technology. I can already see it now..sir you will have to call apple with that question..etc...

The nearest bestbuy is 10 minutes away from me.

The nearest apple store or ATT store is 2 hours.

My whole city will be buying iphones from bestbuy.

[bpl323]

[QUOTE=bbeers;6030554]I am surprised no one brought up the Best Buy Extended Warranty. QUOTE]

Good point, another good reason to buy from BB.
BB warranties are not worth it... not when you can buy AppleCare.

[auburnfan24]

[QUOTE=sterlingindigo;6031040]
BB warranties are not worth it... not when you can buy AppleCare.


actually, now they offer a $6.99/month accidental handling service plan....waaaaay worth it.

[Cinch]

I got a feeling that this idea was from a sale executive, whose number one concern is volume, market share, market penetration etc. iPhone brand and cache be damn.

Cinch

[kbmb]

I got a feeling that this idea was from a sale executive, whose number one concern is volume, market share, market penetration etc. iPhone brand and cache be damn.

Cinch

Are you kidding me?

Why are people here thinking that Apple wants to be a niché player in the smartphone market? Apple wants to get the iPhone in as many hands as possible. Apple is a business.....in business to make money.

Think if Apple only wanted you to buy an iPod at an Apple Store or Virgin Megastore, and those were the only two places you can buy them at. How crazy would that be?

The only reason this device (the iPhone) isn't being sold like iPods is because it can't run stand alone...it needs to be tied to an AT&T phone service.

I'm not sure why some Apple fans are sooooo against Apple trying to expand it's reach of their products. Not everyone lives close to an Apple store. Lots of people live near a Best Buy. If you can't get to an Apple store, but can easily get to a Best Buy, wouldn't Apple want to be able to sell you their product?

Yes, I agree that no experience will match that of walking into most Apple stores. But Apple is moving into a new area, an area where more and more people want to buy their products. They, as a company, need to reach out and get their products in front of as many consumers as possible.

Steve Jobs wants EVERYONE to have an iPhone and a Mac....why wouldn't he? Or rather....why wouldn't you? They are the best devices on the market correct?

-Kevin

[lazyrighteye]

2 pointless news bits about the iphone yet the important story about the iphones kill switch isnt talked about at all. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080811/tc_nf/61270

Welcome to 2 days ago, dude.
http://tinyurl.com/5cd2rb
What part of 131 comments = "isn't talked about at all?"

[Trajectory]

Best Buy, eek!

Well, good for Apple, but, I think if they want adoption of the iPhone to really take off, they would end the AT&T monopoly. Just doing that would triple iPhone sales overnight.

I'll never set foot in a Best Buy, I've had horrible retail experiences in that store one too many times.

[lazyrighteye]

Ahum..*cough* *cough* (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5541877&postcount=408)
;)

Respect!

[ProwlingTiger]

Well Bestbuy already sells Macs, so it was logical that at some point they could get the iPhone.

[deeforce]

The guy next to me at the Apple Store on "opening day" was buying his iPhone with cash. What they do is basically sell you an Apple Gift Card at the exact price of the phone, then you use said gift card to buy the phone. The circumvention of the need for a traditional debit/credit card makes me wonder why they wouldn't allow cash sales to begin with, if only because maybe during the initial hooplah that would be a ********* of cash to count down on a nightly basis.

Will Apple enforce the no cash sales policy for the iPhone at BestBuy? I don't know how they do it now at the Apple company stores since it is legal tender in all 50 states.

[yehudah72]

iPhone 3G coming to Best Buy... AWESOME!!! why is that so awesome??? well, because it will be very possible that they will allow you to buy 3rd party Insurance, like they do with the MacBooks and all other products. their 3rd Party Insurance usually allows for "complete care and accidental coverage"

[bbeers]

[QUOTE=sterlingindigo;6031040]
BB warranties are not worth it... not when you can buy AppleCare.

But you are forgetting AppleCare DOES NOT cover accidental damage. Bring you phone in with a dent in the case or a crack screen, and I bet you they claim they can't fix it due to abuse.

Best Buy on the other hand, just gives you a new one. Seems like a better deal, getting a new phone compared to a slap in the face. Especially when the slap in the face costs you $70 and only covers technical problems.

[sn00pie]

I just sold my iPhone 3G to a co-worker. Her sons birthday was coming up and she was unable to find one that wasn't being sold for a huge profit ~ I'm talking $800 CAD. :p

I'm hoping that Best Buy will sell these iPhone 3G's non-contract for like $299-$350, that would be the start of ginormous sales figures for Apple. :)

I'd pick up two on the spot.

[egseattle]

If Best Buy gets reasonable inventory from Apple, they could sell more iPhones then AT&T.
http://www.geldpress.com/2008/08/best-buy-may-sell-more-iphones-then-att/

[bobr1952]

Like anything in sales, I guess it just depends on what store, and what employee you happen to talk to--in general, my experiences with the local Best Buy have been good. For me in this area, they are really the only store I bother going to for my electronic needs--if I don't buy online. Last I checked, the local Best Buy didn't stock Apple products but hopefully that will change.

[tip]

If Best Buy gets reasonable inventory from Apple, they could sell more iPhones then AT&T.
http://www.asdfasdf.com/

*Cough* blogspam *cough*

[marksman]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

Best Buy has carried apple products for a long time. Perhaps you should do some of your own research?

[marksman]

Right now the only purpose of Radio Shack is to quickly get some electronic components and a bread board, maybe batteries (if you can't use Google). Everything else is overpriced. And the computers and TVs they sell suck.

TEG

Actually in the eyes of radio shack their only purpose is to sell cell phones and satellite dishes. They disdain the rest of what they carry.

They are a sales only organization where they even have contests for their inside sales channels selling their own products to themselves. It is the wackiest retail company that has ever existed.

They would be well served to ditch their sales-centric mentality and adopt a more retail mentality and then go back to their roots and focus on the small electronics and miscellaneous parts that actually made them useful.

[mdriftmeyer]

too bad I can't stomach Best Buy. I won't buy a Mac Product from Best Buy--I'll order online because the Inland Northwest doesn't have an actual Apple Store to visit and buy their products.

[rychencop]

i wish they would allow other carriers to sell it. i will not go with at&t just to have an iPhone and that SUX!

[PinkyMacGodess]

but this means you can make the phone cheaper with those best buy reward points that are about to expire.

You have obviously never read the backs of their coupons/offers. Anything good is excluded. No Bose, no Apple, etc... :mad:

It takes all the fun out of being a member... :(

[PinkyMacGodess]

too bad I can't stomach Best Buy. I won't buy a Mac Product from Best Buy--I'll order online because the Inland Northwest doesn't have an actual Apple Store to visit and buy their products.

I got an open box mini there once. Got a fairly good deal. Cheaper than an Apple store refurb... I thought I did good.

The Apple kiosk folks are supposed to be trained by Apple but the guy at the Saginaw BB talked someone out of buying an Apple access point with their MacBook. Instead, they got a Netgear (for more money I think). *GROAN* I'd think that a 'trained by Apple' sales person would know that Apple sells the Airport line and they'd beat the stuffing out of anything from Netgear...

[PinkyMacGodess]

Is the new and improved stuff from Apple possibly coming out on the 7th???

Could that be why BB could have stock? iphone Nano, in colours anyone? :D:):apple:

[TwinCities Dan]

**** YOU BEST BUY.

I've been told by Best Buy employees in the past "We do not and will not EVER stock Apple products" when shopping for a new laptop as well as portable music player.

I'd love to be able to find the few employees who made this comment to me in the past and shove it up their rear ends.

Hahaha! I've had a similar experience in a BestBuy, but at the Geek Squad counter a few years ago (back when :apple: wasn't so trendy)

Geek Squad geek: "Man, I dunno, only (censored) buy Apple computers, I wouldn't even touch one! You should buy a Dell..."

I almost grabbed the smug lil' bastard by his face...
:mad: (then)
:D (now)

[mcdj]

And so continues the unstoppable Razrfication of the iPhone...

[detnyre]

I like the convenience of buying Apple products at Best Buy. It avoids having to go to a crowded Apple store, wait for salesmen to stop demoing iPod nano's to clueless old ladies before I spend $3,000 + on a new laptop...

I purchased a laptop from Best Buy last month during my lunch break and it was a great experience. Only complaint is that Best Buy only sells "stock" computers - you can't upgrade hard drives, memory and etc like you can at an Apple store...

I would buy an iPhone from Best Buy without hesitation. My only hold back is that I refuse to have a phone that requires me to use AT&T. Their 3G network is crap and they are usually not the dominant carrier in most large cities... guess I will have to be happy with my iPod Touch for now...

[AppleInsanity]

Just in the US :(. Sux.

[TahBOSS]

awesome I have some friends that work at best buy! Maybe they can get me the 3G so I don't have to pay $600+

[Dmac77]

but this means you can make the phone cheaper with those best buy reward points that are about to expire.

I'm pretty sure that you won'tbe able to use them.if you read the fine print you'll notice that they exclude iPods, althygh if you b!tch at the employees enough they will override the computer. Nut I don't think that you'll me able to convince the apple/at&t employees to override the computer.

Don

[justinreclicks]

so that would make anyone carry iphone around...
did even apple make that much of iphone 3g yet?
i got mine wating 2wks

[notjustjay]

And so continues the unstoppable Razrfication of the iPhone...

Why is this a bad thing?

I want an iPhone, and I'm willing to wait. If I can get one for cheap, all the better!

[jeremytehjerk]

i was asked by a manager to leave a best buy once after informing another customer that the sales rep talking to her was wrong (and by wrong im pretty sure it was just lying)

now when i think of best buy i think of little brats with acne lying about technology to elderly women.

boo apple for doing anything to help this company. ><

[SurfAddict]

I'm pretty sure that you won'tbe able to use them.if you read the fine print you'll notice that they exclude iPods, althygh if you b!tch at the employees enough they will override the computer. Nut I don't think that you'll me able to convince the apple/at&t employees to override the computer.

Don

You can use your points that in the form of $ certificates its only the 10 and 12% off coupons that wont work... Sorry to all of you who have had a bad experience at a BB we do our best to make every time a customer comes through as enjoyable as possible, as a supervisor I know a lot of times you just get either employees who are sick of dealing with every customer in the world who says so you mean your going to let me walk over 50$ or ranting about the most ridiculous thing. Im sorry but if office is already on sale or even if its not no you are not entitled to the super special treatment of discounting we really dont make a lot of money on that stuff volume over quality. That being said this has been in the works for a while my store is one of the top 20 apple volume stores, trust me we like selling apple its the only damn computer we make money on. And iphone, BBY mobile is a lot better than the old wireless dept, yes there are a few bad apple's in the company but in my experience they are far and few between, heck I even just lost an employee to Apple who could pay him more than I could We love :apple:

[Mindflux]

Just saw this on bby