- Walmart shoppers reported a shortage of iPhones within the stores on Black Friday.
- The retailer previously touted a number of in-store, iPhone-related bargains.
- Walmart customers took to social media to complain.
Walmart shoppers flocked to the retail giant on Black Friday, expecting top in-store deals on high-ticket items.
But some Walmart customers seeking bargains on iPhones were sorely disappointed.
The Verge reported that the retail giant previously touted specific iPhone deals, including a $300 Walmart gift card with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR and a $400 Walmart gift card with the iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus. To get the gift cards, the iPhones had to be activated on AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon payment plans.
But shoppers took to social media to say that their attempts to purchase iPhones at the retailer’s Black Friday in-store event didn’t go too smoothly. In fact, a number of customers said that their stores only carried a handful of iPhones in total.
@walmart I have just had my worst customer experience ever. I come to your store on a holiday for an advertised Iphone special, which was advertised (no mention of limited quantities). The East Windsor, CT Walmart has just 5 total iPhones combined of all the current models, 5!
— Tom Tyburski (@Recguy14) November 22, 2018
Other prospective shoppers asked for guidance on which stores are still carrying certain iPhones.
@Walmart how do I find out what walmarts have iphone XR in stock? Just went to a walmart and they weren't even carrying them.
— Brian (@Big_Problems_) November 23, 2018
A Walmart spokesperson has not yet responded to Business Insider's request for comment. Walmart's website did not appear to be advertising the deals as of Thanksgiving evening.
Read more: What you need to know about Black Friday this year
Meanwhile, customers continue to complain, inquire, and boast about Walmart's Black Friday iPhone deals on social media:
https://twitter.com/burnhamish/status/1065766644084105216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What a disappointing @Walmart Black Friday .. Made it all the to Walmart ..asked almost 10 staff including the store manager about AT&T iPhone deal ..no one has any clues .. After struggling making way to Electronic department they say NO AT&T iPhone at that location.... pic.twitter.com/actKtso4DZ
— AVAY (@AVAYKTM) November 23, 2018
@Walmart how do I find out what walmarts have iphone XR in stock? Just went to a walmart and they weren't even carrying them.
— Brian (@Big_Problems_) November 23, 2018
BDJSKSM I BOUGHT THE LAST IPHONE 8 PLUS AT MY LOCAL WALMART AND PEOPLE ALMOST FOUGHT ME
— erika ❤️🔥 (@roadamerika) November 23, 2018
Wow that’s a fail. @Walmart big ads for iPhone X and XR and XS deals... in the store I went to didn’t have any. Been looking for days online, because it is an in-store only deal you can’t figure out who has phones in stock.
— Davina K Brewer (@3HatsComm) November 22, 2018
@walmart I have just had my worst customer experience ever. I come to your store on a holiday for an advertised Iphone special, which was advertised (no mention of limited quantities). The East Windsor, CT Walmart has just 5 total iPhones combined of all the current models, 5!
— Tom Tyburski (@Recguy14) November 22, 2018
@Walmart in queue for 2 hours for iPhone 8. You should give tokens which can be considered for priority doorbuster queue next year. This will ensure that toil of customers is paid next Thanksgiving and customer engagement is intact for a year. #Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/PkemESjOGH
— Prateek (@prateekinc24) November 22, 2018
More on Black Friday 2018:
- Thanksgiving is killing Black Friday by replacing it
- Black Friday deals sold out at stores like Walmart and Target before Friday even began - and people are furious
- Macy's, Best Buy, Kohl's, and JCPenney are being slammed for being open on Thanksgiving - and some people are threatening not to shop with them this holiday season
- Walmart says it's offering thousands more deals than last year on Cyber Monday in a direct shot at Amazon's most valuable day
- This Black Friday is set to be the best America has seen in years