Wal-Mart Snags iPhone 3G for Post-Holiday Sales

Yes, that is weird. That's the first thing I thought. Why start selling it after Christmas? You'd think, particularly in such a poor retail economy, Apple would want the iPhone 3G in Wal-Mart stores during the holiday shopping season, if possible. On the other hand, this is forecast to be an extremely poor season, anyway.

Some 2,500 Wal-Mart locations will offer the device, according to the site, as well as 69 Sam's Club locations.

One good question is whether Wal-Mart will try to offer the iPhone 3G at a discount as they did with the T-Mobile Android G1. Of course, the darn thing hasn't shown up at any retail stores, according to reports, leading some to speculate that T-Mobile wasn't too happy with Wal-Mart's $30+ discount of the G1.

Hopefully Wal-Mart is not going to try to pull the stunt Best Buy did, selling stuff you could get for free at an Apple Store. But hey, it's Wal-Mart.

Here's the text of the leaked memo:

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