Several tech pubs and blogs have been berating the fact that Wal-Mart is selling the T-Mobile G1 Android phone, just a week after the introduction of the phone for $31.11 cheaper than in a T-Mobile store. They say the price reduction is unfair, Wal-Mart associates are not skilled, it was too soon after the release, and the store is not known for cell phone sales.
We, say, "Wal-Mart and Google Rules!" Obviously, those geekoid pundits in their silicon towers, have never driven an hour to go to a Wal-Mart in their BMWs. First off, Wal-Mart shoppers will be paying at least $20.00 for gas in a compact car because Wal-Marts are generally not in a major metropolitan area. While there's probably a T-Mobile store much closer to their homes.
Next, the T-Mobile G1 with Google phone buyers will have to walk from the very far end of the parking lot at Wal-Mart, all the way to the back of the store to get the phone. Once inside the Wal-Mart, G1 phone buyers will be subjected to the intoxicating smell of fast food and the siren songs of rock bottom prices for a bunch of cheap junk nobody really needs.
The last time I was in a Wal-Mart, I spent about $30.00 on painting
supplies that I have never used because they were cheap, Wal-Mart soda
at 59 cents a bottle, candy, a pair of purple sneakers and 20 rolls of
toilet paper. Plus, I had to listen to the constant sound of kids
screaming, while waiting in line for fifteen minutes. Now, I avoid Wal-Mart at all costs, even to save $31.11 on a phone.
Wal-Mart makes its money on volume and probably has been hurting due to increase in the price of gas. The average monthly phone bill for a T-Mobile G1 will
be way over $31.00, the cheapest voice plan is $29.99, T-Mobile G1's $25 data plan offers 400 messages and unlimited
data access and the $35 plan adds unlimited messaging.
Google wants everyone including Wal-Mart shoppers to use their phone, because Google makes its money on search and ads. It's interesting to note that Google did a study on wireless phone buying and 78% of buyers research online first with many not going past a few clicks. Google had a link to information about the T-Mobile G1 on its search page. Now due to the Wal-Mart announcement, the T-Mobile G1 has a ton of tech pundits writing about it, clouding phone buyer research, so new phone buyers won't be reading the reviews of the T-Mobile G1 that rate it 3.5 out of 5 or the news of the G1's security flaw that was later corrected with an over the air update. Who wins? Wal-Mart and Google.
We advise our readers that there will be more better Android phones in the future and the longer buyers wait the deals will be sweetened. When the LG Vu was introduced it sold for $400 on eBay and now it's available for free through Wirefly with rebates and a new contract.