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.
Wal-Mart Preparing to Offer iPad
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
How dare Wal-Mart sully the Apple image.
Hah; why is that? Do you feel Apple is neglecting their computers? I certainly do. Their hardware offerings are not that great.
Wow, Walmart is selling iPads?! Wow, this is major news!! OMG, you mean I can buy an iPad at a Walmart instead of ordering it on line at the hundreds of places that sells them? It reminds me of the time I found out that my grocery store was selling eggs and bread. It was quite amazing.
Seriously though. It's topics like these that give the Mac community a bad name. Only DORKS would care enough to follow where a company sells their products. I don't see how the "news" of Walmart selling Apple electronics has anything to do with the actual product. I mean... who cares unless you are a total dork. The "only" thing that makes this "slightly" interesting is that Apple is known for selling expensive... er, I mean high quality products, and Walmart, eh... not so much. Most people who shop at my local Walmart have Tracphone budgets, not Apple. Those iPads are going to get rather dusty sitting on the shelves. Especially since they aren't discounted. But hey, since they are at WALMART, they MUST be a good deal. Right?
Seriously though. It's topics like these that give the Mac community a bad name. Only DORKS would care enough to follow where a company sells their products. I don't see how the "news" of Walmart selling Apple electronics has anything to do with the actual product. I mean... who cares unless you are a total dork. The "only" thing that makes this "slightly" interesting is that Apple is known for selling expensive... er, I mean high quality products, and Walmart, eh... not so much. Most people who shop at my local Walmart have Tracphone budgets, not Apple. Those iPads are going to get rather dusty sitting on the shelves. Especially since they aren't discounted. But hey, since they are at WALMART, they MUST be a good deal. Right?
I don't see a problem at all with Apple distributing the iPads through mass merchandisers like Best Buy, Target and Walmart. You see all kinds of expensive "high-end" stuff in these places as well as Costco and Sam's Club. Some people can afford it and some can't. The iPad is a true consumer device and it is something that needs to be marketed and distributed to as many people as possible.
Apple seems hell-bent on locking up dominant market share in this new product category with the iPad like they did with the iPod. Apple really couldn't expect to do that with the iPhone in an already saturated market and when there are carrier issues to deal with. But there are no such constraints with the iPad, so why hold back when the demand is there?
Consumer electronics isn't exactly like the jewelry business. And the filthy-rich can always put their iPads in a Chanel iPad case that costs something like $3500 or a Louis Vuitton for $500, etc. An awful lot of people can afford a new iMac for $1200. This stuff isn't exactly a Mercedes or a Rolex.
Apple seems hell-bent on locking up dominant market share in this new product category with the iPad like they did with the iPod. Apple really couldn't expect to do that with the iPhone in an already saturated market and when there are carrier issues to deal with. But there are no such constraints with the iPad, so why hold back when the demand is there?
Consumer electronics isn't exactly like the jewelry business. And the filthy-rich can always put their iPads in a Chanel iPad case that costs something like $3500 or a Louis Vuitton for $500, etc. An awful lot of people can afford a new iMac for $1200. This stuff isn't exactly a Mercedes or a Rolex.
How about the boat loads of products they buy from CHINA? Walmart is the crown prince of outsourcing at the expense of the US economy. They also offer dead-end jobs to less fortunate people so that they can capitalize on the cheap labor.
So, basically... Walmart is a Chinese storefront. The ONLY people who profit are the Waltons and the Chinese and their communist workforce. The reason other stores couldn't compete with Walmart is NOT always due to mismanagement. It has to do with ability for Walmart to buy and sell for pennies on the dollar due to bulk buying and cheap labor. Smart business practice, but it drove most mom and pop stores out of business. Those mom and pops made up the foundation of american businesses. Now it's all going to the larger corporations and they are one of the main reasons our economy is in a hole.
But, nice try defending them. You work there?
Spanish translation of product details?
Learn something new everyday!
(Aprende algo nuevo cada día!)
Learn something new everyday!
(Aprende algo nuevo cada día!)
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?
Are you aware that Walmart has around ~3 thousand stores across the US? Walmart is in pretty much into every town and every suburb, in the US - poor or affluent- where Apple doesn't and will never have a sales point.
Are you aware that walmart does not necessarily carry the lowest prices in many items?. It depends on the particular market and the local competition from stores like Target and other supermarket chains.
Are you aware that there are many walmart locations not targeting low income folks, but are designed to appeal to a more "upscale" customer? Offering a wide variety of electronic products at higher price points is part of this.
Agree! If you think Apple stock can't go any higher? Wait 'til the earnings report after this Christmas season. I see an iPod Nano as a great stocking stuffer.
What you are missing is location. WalMart has two orders of magnitudes in distribution than that the Apple stores. I am sure the regional WalMart warehouses has a bunch of iPads ready to go and will restock nightly or several times a day when the "one for show and two to go" store stocking moves quick. Mark my word, I can see a cage of Apple iPads on or very near to the retail floor this season.
Remember, there are no Apple Stores in Katy, Texas but there is a WalMart.
Check out this: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/publikationen/pdf/w024.pdf
It is a study of the blatant and complete failure of Walmart. They had to shut shop in Germany in 2006 and go home like a beaten dog with its tail between the legs. They were just inefficient and ineffective at providing the consumer the best value for goods. They didn't compete with the level of affordability that existing shops provided. And when they tried to treat their workforce in unacceptable ways, German courts soon took care of that.
But most of all, their success in the USA is based solely on their size and their ability to bully suppliers. In Germany, they couldn't do their bullying, and without the bullying the showed up as incompetent failures.
Were you aware that you can order from the internet? Some places offer free shipping, and you can usually get the item the next day. Oh, but wait! We americans are into instant gratification, so we are willing to stand in line or deal with Walmarts to get our Apple fix. I still don't see the big deal about offering Apple at Walmart.
I have 2 Apple stores within a 20 mile radius. I also can buy Apple products from a Best Buy down the road, plus access to products on the college campus 3 miles from my house. So, where to I usually shop? The internet. Items are usually shipped the following day (unless it's special order) and I don't have to deal with standing in line. People who flock to Walmart are impatient or have never dealt with ordering online. But... then some people who shop at Walmart don't have credit cards or have internet access, so I see your point.
Remember, there are no Apple stores in Katy, Texas but there is the Internet.
Walmart... It's retail on a grand scale
Please be sure to note this is a retail question. It is not intended to appeal to everyone. You are obviously not the target audience. I would say the buyer targeted here is the one who does NOT buy on the internet, likes to see a product before he/she buys and shops at Walmart. That sounds like a LOT of people to me. And you argument about iPads "collecting dust" made me chuckle. How many netbooks, laptops, computers, TVs and other electronics priced lower than, equal to and more than iPad does one find at Walmart? This additional retail source will immensely increase iPad sales this Holiday season. Hooray my my stock. THAT is why this is a an interesting Apple story.
Please be sure to note this is a retail question. It is not intended to appeal to everyone. You are obviously not the target audience. I would say the buyer targeted here is the one who does NOT buy on the internet, likes to see a product before he/she buys and shops at Walmart. That sounds like a LOT of people to me. And you argument about iPads "collecting dust" made me chuckle. How many netbooks, laptops, computers, TVs and other electronics priced lower than, equal to and more than iPad does one find at Walmart? This additional retail source will immensely increase iPad sales this Holiday season. Hooray my my stock. THAT is why this is a an interesting Apple story.
Based on your argument I can see clearly now why they are a good match for Apple.
Walmart doesn't sell bulk, that's the Sams's Club division. That is a far more tolerable store. But...
Possibly because Walmart has destroyed thousands of businesses in small towns across America?
Possibly because they have treated their employees as chattel, something modern civilizations frown on.
Possibly because that "green" guy earlier in this thread may have been a moron, but there was a ring of truth about the way people behave in this country. And that certainly applies to customers at Walmart, far too often.
This is basically a documentary.
But hey, it's the American dream, right? We should all be happy for the Waltons. They rise via the destruction of others. Forbes list for 2010 includes:
4. Christy $24b net worth as of Sept 2010
7. Jim $20.1
8. Alice $20
9. Sam II ("Rob") $19.7
98. Ann $3.2
136. Nancy $2.6
Total $89.6....Sammy's legacy still beats out ol' Gates, and (most years) anyone else around the world. Basically been the richest since 1982, riding on the back of killing small towns, workers, etc.
But hey, I'm probably just an elitist pig because I don't shop there, anymore.
Looks like the propaganda machine sucked you in good. The fact that walmart would even consider giving any benefits to those employees is amazing. The waitstaff at you local, "family owned", diner works ten times harder and has zero benefits. If it wasn't for walmart, those small town employees would have no place to work, let alone one that pays them that well and with some benefits. I hustled my way in a pizzeria when I was younger. Not a person in the place had benefits, not even the managers. We worked harder than any walmart worker ever has. It's the nature of those types of jobs.
Why are you even posting in this thread then ?
Seems it's somehow gotten you ticked off...
Exactly.
I want Apple products to be more high-brow than this.
Exclusivity is everything.
Check out the MAGICAL iPad that not one of you shopping in this store can afford!!!!!
You might be surprised to learn that many people with a lot of money have it in part because they spend wisely.My dad,who left an estate of over two million dollars only bought two new cars in his life,and regularly shopped at thrift stores.And yes we lived very comfortably.
Not everyone at Walmart are poor"commoners"for you to look down your nose at.Some are a lot smarter than you.
So, I take it the only shelf display tags they even have say, "Low Price" on them?
You know, independent of reality.
Rocketman
You know, independent of reality.
Rocketman
I'm happy to say there are no walmarts where I live. There are three apple stores within a couple miles of my house though. I'm still not going to buy an ipad.
lol!
The insecure walmart shoppers who feel the need to snark at people putting down walmart are also funny.
Insecure, no. Worked for them for 10 years through high school and college. Really my posts are meant to point out that Wal-Mart may have merchandise from China. Apple makes all of their computer hardware in China. People say Wal-Mart abuses their employees. Apple hardware is manufactured by Foxconn where they seem to have a suicide problem. No not insecure, just pointing out some of the hypocrisy on this forum.