Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
More Confirmation of Wal-Mart iPhone
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This probably doesn't bode well for a 32GB version, does it? Why would they go to all the setup of just the 8GB and 16GB models only to have a bigger one come out about a week later?
if this is true and if apple actually expected this to be kept a secret, they were smoking something strong. walmart employees hate working at walmart and have no loyalty to the brand and will spill the beans as quickly as they can.
walmart is evil
first off, ive been on the site for years now, but just now joined to say this, well and cause its overdue, but still...
why has nobody mentioned walmart is the root of all evil? do people not know the waltons are sitting on 100 billion dollars and they have more workers on government aid than any other company in the us? they treat their employees horribly in a miilion unethical ways, and theyre like locust with what they do to small towns.
honestly, i love apple. if steve ran in right now followed by a guy with a gun i wouldnt even ask questions before acting as a human shield... or... maybe i would depending on the individual situation, but still.. but anyway, im just really disappointed. letting walmart sell your stuff might be good business, but to me its like doing it with the devil.
oh and btw, kudos on the 15%... im a lifetime fitness member and i get 13% off my att bill, and i dont have to work overtime with no pay to get it.
first off, ive been on the site for years now, but just now joined to say this, well and cause its overdue, but still...
why has nobody mentioned walmart is the root of all evil? do people not know the waltons are sitting on 100 billion dollars and they have more workers on government aid than any other company in the us? they treat their employees horribly in a miilion unethical ways, and theyre like locust with what they do to small towns.
honestly, i love apple. if steve ran in right now followed by a guy with a gun i wouldnt even ask questions before acting as a human shield... or... maybe i would depending on the individual situation, but still.. but anyway, im just really disappointed. letting walmart sell your stuff might be good business, but to me its like doing it with the devil.
oh and btw, kudos on the 15%... im a lifetime fitness member and i get 13% off my att bill, and i dont have to work overtime with no pay to get it.
I too get a FAN discount of 21%. Only counts on the rate and data plans, had to pay full price for the iPhone. With the discount it makes my bill pretty reasonable since my wife and I are on the family plan.
Walmart pretty much sells everything and I can see Apple/ATT's market share growing substantially in smaller towns where there is no apple/best buy around. After all apple is a savvy marketing and pr company
this paper is so ridiculously fake. i'm not saying the walmart iphone rumors are, but this is total crap. i work in retail, and this doesn't sound anything like what a memo would sound like. at all. especially the thing about NDA, sounds like a teenager wrote that.
furthermore, 15% discount for walmart associates? LOL
furthermore, 15% discount for walmart associates? LOL
too true. and in MN, there was a $50 million class action lawsuit brought on by employees suing because they wouldn't allow them to take bathroom breaks and denied them lunch. one was actually told to wear depends if she didn't think she could hold herself. and of course if anyone complained, they were fired. if ever there was a case for a union, walmart takes the cake. but of course they fire anyone immediately who even whispers the word. apple is indeed doing business with the devil. i understand wanting to reach areas they aren't able to, but this just smells.
At first I disagreed with the rumor that Walmart will carry a $99 iPhone and I still do.
That said, this move is a pretty bold move by Apple. Understandably the $2 off and the prospective of a classy phone like the iPhone having anything to do with Walmart may seem like a nightmare or joke to many here.
However, this is psychological marketing warfare. It's still the same phone period. This move works in the favor of Apple for a couple of reasons. Well, for Walmart the discount is there because it helps Walmart keep it's "low cost" image. It also attracts "penny pinchers", (yes believe it or not a large portion of Walmart consumers actually cut $0.50 coupons and carry them to the store).
This move broadens the geographic placement of iPhone not only to locations where AT&T, Bestbuy, and Apple stores don't exist, but more importantly the product placement is key to consumers who wouldn't shop at an AT&T, bestbuy, or an Apple store if they were across the street.
Finally the psychological part ( and I say this from personal experience from casual conversations) , most people I talk to immediately comment to me "oh you have on of those expensive phones" , "I wish I could afford an iPhone" . My point is the common perception has become "iPhone = Big$$$" to a ton of people (certainly not anyone on these boards ) .
How do you help fight this consumer perspective? Stick it in a Walmart and discount by it 2 bucks. pure genius. heck it must not be one of them expensive elitist gizmos if they sell it a Walmart.
Example as a bottom line. If you were Apple and had a choice of selling the iPhone at either the Armani store or Walmart which would be better overall. I think Apple made a smart choice. Even in terms of image I think Apple could afford to shed off a bit of it's elitist image. Remember more iPhone's sold = more potential PC to Mac converts also.
That said, this move is a pretty bold move by Apple. Understandably the $2 off and the prospective of a classy phone like the iPhone having anything to do with Walmart may seem like a nightmare or joke to many here.
However, this is psychological marketing warfare. It's still the same phone period. This move works in the favor of Apple for a couple of reasons. Well, for Walmart the discount is there because it helps Walmart keep it's "low cost" image. It also attracts "penny pinchers", (yes believe it or not a large portion of Walmart consumers actually cut $0.50 coupons and carry them to the store).
This move broadens the geographic placement of iPhone not only to locations where AT&T, Bestbuy, and Apple stores don't exist, but more importantly the product placement is key to consumers who wouldn't shop at an AT&T, bestbuy, or an Apple store if they were across the street.
Finally the psychological part ( and I say this from personal experience from casual conversations) , most people I talk to immediately comment to me "oh you have on of those expensive phones" , "I wish I could afford an iPhone" . My point is the common perception has become "iPhone = Big$$$" to a ton of people (certainly not anyone on these boards
) .How do you help fight this consumer perspective? Stick it in a Walmart and discount by it 2 bucks. pure genius. heck it must not be one of them expensive elitist gizmos if they sell it a Walmart.
Example as a bottom line. If you were Apple and had a choice of selling the iPhone at either the Armani store or Walmart which would be better overall. I think Apple made a smart choice. Even in terms of image I think Apple could afford to shed off a bit of it's elitist image. Remember more iPhone's sold = more potential PC to Mac converts also.
Maybe because we're too busy thinking about how Apple sends all their work to communist China. Which, along with India, is a top offender for committing female infanticide by the millions.
Walmart's policies pale in comparison.
Wal-Mart has no idea what they are getting into!
Why does Wa-Mart think they are going to be able to just sell iPhones like they sell anything else? If you've ever been to an Apple store or an AT&T store and seen a few people getting an iPhone, at best it takes 15 to 30 minutes, if there is a problem with the persons credit or setting up the AT&T account, an hour or MORE! Do they really think an 80 year old granny who has been assigned to electronics for that particular day is really ready to handle that kind of situation? I've seen people really get upset when they get told that AT&T is asking for a huge deposit to get an account going. ( I was in my local Apple store and the Apple employee had been on the phone with AT&T for a while apparently when he had to tell the guy, who had been sitting there trying to get his phone set up for as long as I was in the store, that he had to pay some kind of HUGE deposit. I know all this because the guy blew-up on the Apple employee, screaming about the whole thing in front of everybody.)
Also, Wal-Mart employee's never seem particularly knowledgeable about anything they sell, so I think this will be a tragedy.
Why does Wa-Mart think they are going to be able to just sell iPhones like they sell anything else? If you've ever been to an Apple store or an AT&T store and seen a few people getting an iPhone, at best it takes 15 to 30 minutes, if there is a problem with the persons credit or setting up the AT&T account, an hour or MORE! Do they really think an 80 year old granny who has been assigned to electronics for that particular day is really ready to handle that kind of situation? I've seen people really get upset when they get told that AT&T is asking for a huge deposit to get an account going. ( I was in my local Apple store and the Apple employee had been on the phone with AT&T for a while apparently when he had to tell the guy, who had been sitting there trying to get his phone set up for as long as I was in the store, that he had to pay some kind of HUGE deposit. I know all this because the guy blew-up on the Apple employee, screaming about the whole thing in front of everybody.)
Also, Wal-Mart employee's never seem particularly knowledgeable about anything they sell, so I think this will be a tragedy.
Great point, but keep in mind that Walmart probably doesn't run pilot programs and give their employees product specific training on most products they sell either. Like they say in the US military, there is NO such thing as I can or a can't, there's either trained or untrained.
And that other point you were making on the hassle of credit approval. Consumers will face that regardless of what store they buy at. With respect to the point that consumers will receive poor customer service at Walmart when purchasing their iPhone, I would simply reply that they will receive a Walmart experience. That's just the cost of doing business with Walmart.
I hate Wal-Mart because:
they sell stuff so cheap, i'd rather pay more at mom and pop store
they're putting a gun to my head and forced me to work there
they won't let me pay union boss
their boss the walton is so rich they have like a gazillion dollars
my 80yrs old granny work there because she can't find work anywhere else
their stuff is made in china, i'd rather buy my iphone at the apple store where the iphone is made in the USA
they sell stuff so cheap, i'd rather pay more at mom and pop store
they're putting a gun to my head and forced me to work there
they won't let me pay union boss
their boss the walton is so rich they have like a gazillion dollars
my 80yrs old granny work there because she can't find work anywhere else
their stuff is made in china, i'd rather buy my iphone at the apple store where the iphone is made in the USA
Amen
My main issue is with Wal-Mart's assumption that iPhones are like iPod's. Wal-Mart seems to be all about moving product out the door as fast as possible and with as little customer interaction as possible. "Here's your iPhone. Thanks for shopping at Wal-Mart." ain't gonna cut it. I think the people who work at WM are good, hard-working American's that do what they have to do, but the company doesn't really put a knowledgeable staff forward in their business plan. Thus, you ask the kid in automotive about what motor-oil to use in your diesel truck, and he starts showing you the transmission fluid assortment. If you were to ask a manager about it, they are most likely going to give you a blank look on their face as a reply.... and then show you to the anti-freeze.
My main issue is with Wal-Mart's assumption that iPhones are like iPod's. Wal-Mart seems to be all about moving product out the door as fast as possible and with as little customer interaction as possible. "Here's your iPhone. Thanks for shopping at Wal-Mart." ain't gonna cut it. I think the people who work at WM are good, hard-working American's that do what they have to do, but the company doesn't really put a knowledgeable staff forward in their business plan. Thus, you ask the kid in automotive about what motor-oil to use in your diesel truck, and he starts showing you the transmission fluid assortment. If you were to ask a manager about it, they are most likely going to give you a blank look on their face as a reply.... and then show you to the anti-freeze.
If anything, the same price that it is being sold for everywhere else. Going into that $2, Here's a little bit about Walmart's pricing scheme.
Ever wondered why they have prices that are a few pennies less than the going retail price? What they are doing is instead of using a national wholesaler, regional wholesaler, local distributor and trucks to get a $20 product from each one to the store (and each step requiring a fee, effectively meaning a price markup) and we pay $100 (price including markup), Sam Walton built his own distribution center, bought his own trucks, and ships his products from his own distribution center to his own store, saving money in the process (this is what killed K-Mart), and selling us the same product for $97. Walmart pockets that extra $3 off of that marked up product.
Now. Think about every product Walmart has in their store. Compare that product's price with the same product at Kmart or Target. Now do you realize why Walmart has all of our business (by advertising cheaper prices), and Kmart went bankrupt?
Now.. bring in the iPhone. They advertise it with cheaper prices, they pocket the $2, and depending on how many that are sold there, Walmart makes just about as much off the phone as Best Buy does. Best Buy is at full retail, and pretty much breaks even. Walmart profits by selling it cheaper, but makes up the difference in volume of products sold.
Now you know why Walmart is the #1 company in the world (seeing that Exxon/Mobil is starting to slide from the falling price of oil).
BL.
How do you know this ? Did you survey hundreds of thousands of Walmart employees ?
Some of you people are so damn stubborn.
It is happening.
That same thing is going on in my store, minus the lottery gig. We were told to just ask a manager about signing up.
The iPhone IS coming to Walmart. Both versions. Both $2 less than Apple / AT&T / Best Buy. No, there is NO $99 VERSION.
My blog didn't say so already or anything last week.....
How many other things have I broken news of? Asphalt 4 for iPhone was my last one. Maybe I should be a reputable source with my own track record.
I'm going to take a picture of the notes on the board tomorrow, and I'm posting them. You're welcome.
It is happening.
That same thing is going on in my store, minus the lottery gig. We were told to just ask a manager about signing up.
The iPhone IS coming to Walmart. Both versions. Both $2 less than Apple / AT&T / Best Buy. No, there is NO $99 VERSION.
My blog didn't say so already or anything last week.....
How many other things have I broken news of? Asphalt 4 for iPhone was my last one. Maybe I should be a reputable source with my own track record.
I'm going to take a picture of the notes on the board tomorrow, and I'm posting them. You're welcome.
Some of you people are so damn stubborn.
It is happening.
That same thing is going on in my store, minus the lottery gig. We were told to just ask a manager about signing up.
The iPhone IS coming to Walmart. Both versions. Both $2 less than Apple / AT&T / Best Buy. No, there is NO $99 VERSION.
My blog didn't say so already or anything last week.....
How many other things have I broken news of? Asphalt 4 for iPhone was my last one. Maybe I should be a reputable source with my own track record.
You have to come to the realization of something here.
As with most places on the Internet, this is a world of sceptics. In short, show quantifiable proof from a reputable source, or it isn't happening. In short, we will believe it from somewhere credible, or when we see it with our own eyes.
BL.
just goes to show how crappy Walmart really is
They are asking their employees to participate in an iPhone pilot, and they aren't giving them any incentives or discounts on the phone, other then the same 15% discount that any walmart employee gets on at&t service? What kind of cheap baloney is that anyway?!
Something tells me they won't even get 5 employees per store signing up for the phone. How can someone who makes $6.50/hour at Walmart afford an iphone anyway?!
They are asking their employees to participate in an iPhone pilot, and they aren't giving them any incentives or discounts on the phone, other then the same 15% discount that any walmart employee gets on at&t service? What kind of cheap baloney is that anyway?!
Something tells me they won't even get 5 employees per store signing up for the phone. How can someone who makes $6.50/hour at Walmart afford an iphone anyway?!
I work at Walmart, and I go to college, and I have an iPhone, and the such listed in my signature, and plenty left over for the bank. I got my iPhone when it was $400. Contrary to popular belief, it's possible.
Hey friends and fellow bloggers. Not to toot my own horn, but within an hour I'll have the proof listed on my blog. Like it or not, take it for what it's worth. Enjoy.
Then show us that he is right. post something that shows that what he is saying is true. Otherwise, all words, just rumour.
BL.
What about Costco?
They already sell iPods at WM, so this really no big deal. I am surprised that that they are not selling the iPhone at Costco. Costco already has a phone booth that sells AT&T phones/services. Also, Costco customers are vastly more affluent that the typical Wal-Mart customer. Costco sells $5,000 Swiss watches for example.
They already sell iPods at WM, so this really no big deal. I am surprised that that they are not selling the iPhone at Costco. Costco already has a phone booth that sells AT&T phones/services. Also, Costco customers are vastly more affluent that the typical Wal-Mart customer. Costco sells $5,000 Swiss watches for example.