iPad

This is yet another sign that the iPad as a product is maturing – Apple is expanding its outlet channels by adding Target stores to a short list of iPad sellers (currently you can get it at Apple stores and Best Buy). Target will be giving a 5% discount to folks holding the Target cards as of 10/17. Don’t expect to see any significant price drops yet – we’d probably have to see at least half dozen authorized brick and mortar sellers before any significant price reduction is introduced by one of them. On the other hand, given Target’s wide reach (Target has almost 2,000 stores) and the upcoming holiday shopping season it’s a win-win situation for all here (including customers)…

The story comes via Engadget…

If you are thinking about purchasing the iPad (goes on sale in about 6 hours) and for whatever reason you will not be doing it via Apple store or Apple.com below is the list of authorized resellers. Needless to say, this is applicable to the US only and the retailers. Needless to say, none of the retailers listed below will actually be selling the device today – for now, Apple will be the exclusive retail channel. I am pretty sure that Apple’s pricing will be stiff during the first couple of months after the release, however if you decide to purchase a bit latter I can see some retailers shaving off a little bit of markup thus generating savings for you (don’t expect to save a lot though). Saving on tax and shipping may be a completely different story – for example, Amazon.com does not charge tax and shipping on almost all Apple products and if we hypothesize that your purchase is valued at, let’s say $700 and if you reside in California you’d probably be saving cca $15 on shipping and around $65 on tax (taxed at approximately 9%) – add the two and you end up with extra 80 bucks which in turn you may spend on accessories or a nice dinner. Yet, if time is a factor and you don’t want to wait your best option is to go with a direct purchase from an Apple store.

Here is the list:
Club Mac http://www.clubmac.com Phone:(800)258-2622
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com Phone:(800)201-7575
MacConnection http://macconnection.com Phone:(800)800-2222
MacMall http://www.macmall.com Phone:(800)222-2808
Mac Zone http://www.MacZone.com Phone:(800)248-0800
MicroCenter http://www.microcenter.com Phone:(800)634-3478
ABT Electronics http://www.abt.com/ Phone:(888)228-5800
J&R Computer http://www.jr.com Phone:(800)221-8180
Frys.com http://www.frys.com Phone:(877)688-7678
CDW http://www.cdw.com Phone:(888)239-7220

Here are links to shipping or tax policies:

ABT Electronics (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(888)228-5800
Amazon.com (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)201-7575
CDW (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(888)239-7220
Club Mac (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)258-2622
Frys.com (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(877)688-7678
J&R Computer (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)221-8180
Mac Zone (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)248-0800
MacConnection (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)800-2222
MacMall (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)222-2808
MicroCenter (Shipping/Tax) Phone:(800)634-3478