iPhones at The Shack - The UpStream

RadioShack has been reinventing itself a lot this year. It started with a brand change - The Shack, continued into the introduction of T-Mobile into their mobile line up and is completing with another major announcement: the iPhone.

This marks the last major wireless retailer carrying the iPhone. Now Apple, AT&T, Best Buy, Wal Mart and RadioShack all will have the iPhone. What does this mean for consumers? Choice. Not because of price, because Apple sees to that with price fixing. Instead, it will be a race for customer service.

Wal Mart will, inevitably, fail to offer decent customer service and stop selling the device. Best Buy will continue to dominate with people who know how to use the device already, either because of the iPod Touch or a previous iPhone. Apple, having very few stores, will continue to have the sales that they have, as will the AT&T corporate stores.

This leaves the 7,200 store RadioShack Corporation quite a market, as they have knowledgeable associates (in many stores) and are always running major deals. Since they can't touch the price of the device, it is assumed that they will offer bundles, either free or incredibly discounted, for purchasing the phone. They can also help you setup your email, messaging and show you how to use the phone.

I think this is a good move for Apple, AT&T and RadioShack. 7,200 stores over night is a major change in sales, just ask Verizon Wireless when RadioShack stopping carrying their phones a few years back.