You might be able to get a discounted iPhone 3G if you wait till after the holidays. A rumor floating around the Web this morning claims Wal-Mart will start selling the 3G phone on December 28.
The Boy Genius Report obtained what it describes as “internal Wal-Mart correspondence” stating that 2,500 Wal-Mart stores and a handful of Sam’s Club stores across the U.S. will get the iPhone 3G, though no indication is made of how much the devices might cost. Some Wal-Mart stores started selling the T-Mobile G1 Android phone at a discounted rate — about 17 percent less than the T-Mobile cost — a few weeks ago, so the idea isn’t altogether improbable.
Wal-Mart, for its part, isn’t saying much — stating only that no announcement has been made.
The memo printed at BGR follows.
We are pleased to announce that Wal-Mart has reached agreement with Apple to offer iPhone 3G in Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart-managed Sam’s Club* Connection Centers nationwide beginning December 28, 2008. AT&T will support Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club with the activation process for iPhone 3G, and we need all National Retail employees engaged to ensure a successful launch.
*NOTE: This product launch DOES NOT apply to SC Kiosks within Sam’s Club managed by Radio Shack.
Wal-Mart has communicated the following launch plans and execution timeline to their employees:
* iPhone 3G will be available in-store only beginning 12/28/08 * New and existing customers in good standing can purchase iPhone 3G with a 2 year contract * iPhone 3G transactions only will be processed through POS.com, not the kiosk
Execution Timeline:
12/2 – 12/5: AT&T / Wal-Mart MEM Classroom Training for Store Leads 12/3 – 12/19: AT&T In-Store Training 12/26 – 12/27: AT&T In-Store Refresher Training 12/28: Nationwide Launch 12/28 – 12/30: Wal-Mart and AT&T War Room Support
