Wal-Mart iPhone Sales: Where's the Discount?

"Wal-Mart is rolling out sales of the iPhone 3G this weekend -- but don't expect to see a lot of savings. As was speculated back in November, the discount retailer will begin carrying the iPhone on its shelves Sunday. Missing from the equation, though, is the discount.

Wal-Mart's iPhone Offering

Wal-Mart will offer the 8GB iPhone 3G for $197 and the 16GB model for $297. That's a whopping $2 off AT&T's iPhone prices and includes the same two-year service contract. Best Buy, in contrast, is currently offering the iPhone 3G models for $189.99 and $289.99 -- seven bucks less than Wal-Mart's "always low prices."

Now, to be fair, Wal-Mart does promise to match any local store's advertised store price, so if you remember to bring in a printed Best Buy ad, you can get the lower price. Still, for a chain famous for having cheap stuff, it's surprising Wal-Mart isn't dropping its own price from the start -- particularly when you consider the recent $99 iPhone rumors and Wal-Mart's own past 3G deals......."

No $99 iPhones, damned internet rumors.

Why Wal-Mart is key to iPhone domination

CNET.com

Sat Dec 27

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