Walmart is following in the footstep of Best Buy and Radio Shack by stripping the Sprint EVO 4G of its mail-in rebate. With all of these other retailers doing this, it makes me wonder why would anyone even go to a Sprint store to buy the HTC EVO 4G?
With the release of the Sprint HTC EVO 4G on Friday, it’s nice to know these stores are giving customers some other options that don’t require them to wait for months on end for a mail-in rebate check. We know Best Buy and Radio Shack have been taking pre-orders for the device, but it’s still a little surprising that Walmart is doing this. They have always been known for “rolling back prices”, so maybe it’s not so surprising.
Some people may not worry about a mail-in rebate, but why go through the trouble when there are alternatives that automate the rebate? If you buy your EVO from a Sprint store, you will be paying $299.99 for the phone, and will be made to wait for the $100 rebate check to come in the mail. You’re still technically paying $199.99 for the phone, but the upfront out-of-pocket expense might be something to consider. Walmart (and Best Buy and Radio Shack) will give you that extra $100 discount on the spot and will collect the mail-in rebate on your behalf. Of course, if you want the EVO, you’re probably going to get it from the closet place you can find it, and that’s understandable.
Whether you’re a Walmart shopper or just detest them as the mass-market goods peddler for Satan himself, there’s no denying that Walmart’s got your back on your EVO purchase. At least after you sign your two-year contract to Sprint, you can pick up a Happy Meal at the in-store McDonalds.
[Via: Phandroid]