Wal-Mart Preparing to Offer iPad

[cvaldes]

I have been seeing them at the Apple Stores in Chicago. They were initially hard to find. I ordered mine online after failing to find them several times. You would think they could ramp up production quickly of something so simple...

The bottleneck is the availability of the IPS display. Apple's supplier partners simply cannot manufacture enough of these screens to keep up with demand. If Apple was using ordinary components, it would be far easier for them to churn these out. However, Apple tends to select high-quality components for their designs, often choosing new technology that is just beginning to reach mass production levels.

They have recently increased production from 2 million units per month to 3 million, but demand is still outpacing supply (and the international rollout of the iPad isn't even complete).

 

[Eidorian]

At this rate I'll have my Macbook until the plastic degrades.

 

[Hastings101]

I have no choice, it's either Wal-Mart or the scary locally owned grocery store in my town that I swear sells most of their items expired

 

[SandynJosh]

"...with initial stock of just five units per model for this location."

It's not unusual for Walmart to keep low initial stock of a high value item. "One to show and two to go" is how stocking usually goes on cameras and other electronic devices, mostly for security reasons.

But that's 54,000 iPads to just initially stock the stores they picked to handle the iPads. I'm not sure that includes the show model that will have special software in it and be in a special case.

 

[NT1440]

And so the takeover begins

 

[SandynJosh]

By the time brand X iPads arrive on the market even Wallmart shoppers won't want them and Apple will have second generation on the market.

Seeing this kind of market acceptance of Apple products is such a refreshing difference from when vanilla Proforma Macs were being sold in stores such as Sears and no one cared or bought them while the clerks were steering people to the Windows models.

 

[faroZ06]

Walmart is not exactly the type of retailer Apple would want their products to be associated with.

Walmart marked the death of Blu-Ray when they stopped selling Blue-Ray movies (except for a few). I'm glad about that because Blu-Ray was really getting on my nerves with its low-quality HD H.264 video and overpriced discs and players. Seriosly, my DVD player w/ upscaler gives out better quality than Blu-Ray.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Walmart has the iPhone, so it makes sense. Besides, the more places that sell it, the more Apple sells. They aren't stupid.

 

[MorphingDragon]

Walmart marked the death of Blu-Ray when they stopped selling Blue-Ray movies (except for a few). I'm glad about that because Blu-Ray was really getting on my nerves with its low-quality HD H.264 video and overpriced discs and players. Seriosly, my DVD player w/ upscaler gives out better quality than Blu-Ray.

I could feel my IQ drop as I read that post.

 

[japanime]

I wonder if this means that Seiyu stores — a Japanese chain wholly owned by Wal-Mart — will also carry iPads.

OK, I'm only kidding. But yeah, we've got a version of Wal-Mart here in Japan, too.

 

[sineplex]

Walmart?
That is just WRONG!

Why in heavens name not ? It's all made in CHINA. More than 70 per cent of the commodities sold in Wal-Mart are made in China and Americans never cease to stop buying these wonderful Asian made goods. I don't see a problem at all. Foxconn staff will continue to suicide so that middle class American's can tweet and facebook from the couch. No one will care for more than 5 mins and everything will just continue on as per usual.

 

[Merthyrboy]

Wonder when the uk gets the iPad on different stores? Was suppose to be after 60 days of the release but I don't think they're in any other stores yet.

 

[StackUnderflow]

I could feel my IQ drop as I read that post.

I thought it was just me.

If it's WalMart, shouldn't the $499 model be available for $498.97?

 

[MorphingDragon]

If it's WalMart, shouldn't the $499 model be available for $498.97?

Why .97?

 

[MythicFrost]

Target, K-Mart, and now Wall-Mart! :O

 

[StackUnderflow]

Why .97?

If you've ever shopped at a WalMart, you should have got that.

What I mean to say is that WalMart used to (I'm assuming they still do) use an "off" number in a price - if one store sold an item for $4.99, walmart would sell it for 4.88 or some other number - anything accept .99. I'm not sure why, that just how they do. No significance to the number 97, I'm not trying to pull a 23 or some lame thing like that.

 

[MorphingDragon]

If you've ever shopped at a WalMart, you should have got that.

What I mean to say is that WalMart used to (I'm assuming they still do) use an "off" number in a price - if one store sold an item for $4.99, walmart would sell it for 4.88 or some other number - anything accept .99. I'm not sure why, that just how they do. No significance to the number 97, I'm not trying to pull a 23 or some lame thing like that.

I tend to avoid places like wallmart when I go to America.

They say the most enlightening thing to do while traveling is indulge in the local culture. They must've said that before contemporary American culture.

 

[mojohanna]

Over 6 months since the iPad launch, and I still can't find a camera connection kit anywhere. Best Buy never has them, neither does the Apple Store when I'm home in KC. With there being 5 Walmarts (!) here in this podunk town that I attend college, I'm hoping that I can at least snatch up one kit. I guess I could always order it online, but meh. I don't need it THAT bad, but it would be convenient and I always check when I'm at a store.

Order it from Apple on line. you'll have it inside of a week. Don't believe the lead times. mine shipped directly from China.

 

[THX1139]

Why would you buy an iPad at Walmart? Isn't the only reason to go to Walmart is to buy cheap stuff? They aren't offering any deals on iPads, so I don't see the point of putting up with such a crappy shopping experience. Now on the other hand, saving a few bucks on groceries makes it worthwhile... but certainly not for an Apple product. What am I missing?

Walmart has the iPhone, so it makes sense. Besides, the more places that sell it, the more Apple sells. They aren't stupid.

Yeah, because most folks who shop at Walmart can definitely afford to buy Apple products. No offense to anyone, but if you shopped at my local Walmart, you would see the irony in my post.

 

[danimal99]

Why would you buy an iPad at Walmart? Isn't the only reason to go to Walmart is to buy cheap stuff? They aren't offering any deals on iPads, so I don't see the point of putting up with such a crappy shopping experience. Now on the other hand, saving a few bucks on groceries makes it worthwhile... but certainly not for an Apple product. What am I missing?

Because not everybody has an Apple Store nearby. I had to drive an hour and a half to get my iPad at the nearest Best Buy this summer. Maybe shopping at Wal Mart for some people is sometimes a crappy experience, but it almost always is a convenient experience, which is the whole point.

And what a poor attitude some elitist posters have on here. Like the guy said early on, it's still an Apple product no matter where you buy it.

 

[iCaleb]

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?page_id=9798

 

[rans0m00]

Walmart is not exactly the type of retailer Apple would want their products to be associated with.

You can buy any of the cheaper Apple products at Walmart so why would they not throw the iPad in there also? Heck if they thought they could move the more expensive Apple products I am sure they would be sitting there also.

 

[bruinsrme]

If you've ever shopped at a WalMart, you should have got that.

What I mean to say is that WalMart used to (I'm assuming they still do) use an "off" number in a price - if one store sold an item for $4.99, walmart would sell it for 4.88 or some other number - anything accept .99. I'm not sure why, that just how they do. No significance to the number 97, I'm not trying to pull a 23 or some lame thing like that.

Using something other than .99 makes it harder for the customer to notice subtle price changes.

I starting to agree with the notion wal-mart shoppers don't deserve to be able to puchase apple products at their local store. They should be forced to buy at other high class stores such as target or best buy or better yet order on line and wait.
How dare steve make the iPad more readily available to the lower class citizens of this country? note, sarcasm
Next you'll see the people of wal-mart at Starbucks or panera bread.

 

[OllyW]

Wonder when the uk gets the iPad on different stores? Was suppose to be after 60 days of the release but I don't think they're in any other stores yet.

You haven't looked very hard.

It's available in loads of places. I've seen them in PC World, Currys, Best Buy, John Lewis, Argos, Comet and KRCS and I'm sure there are probably a lot more.

 

[eye]

Using something other than .99 makes it harder for the customer to notice subtle price changes.

I starting to agree with the notion wal-mart shoppers don't deserve to be able to puchase apple products at their local store. They should be forced to buy at other high class stores such as target or best buy or better yet order on line and wait.
How dare steve make the iPad more readily available to the lower class citizens of this country? note, sarcasm
Next you'll see the people of wal-mart at Starbucks or panera bread.

Marketing has done it's job when people give class values to retailers. They all just want your cash, they just go about doing it differently. People think Panera and Starbucks are "classy" and mcdonalds is not, although they have the same workers and low grade product, but with abstract art on the walls and a different target demographic. Walmart is the same as any other store, it's just that you dummies actually buy into the marketing tactics that tell you it isn't. Silly.