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iPads at TJ Maxx were bought at retail
Just in case you missed it, here's a resolution to the whole question of where those iPads at TJ Maxx came from. A high tech tablet isn't really the usual fare for the discount clothing retailer, and Steve Jobs himself confirmed that the chain wasn't an "authorized reseller" of Apple's magical, revolutionary device. But TJ Maxx says in an official statement that it has its ways: "Earlier this week, a small number of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls stores received a very limited quantity of first quality electronic tablets that were sourced from a retailer," the chain tells Fortune. In short, they bought the iPads from someone who was authorized to sell them, and then resold them (losing about $100 off of the standard retail price) to whoever came in the store and found them. Why? The "coming in the store" part was the important one -- for around $8000, according to analysts, TJ Maxx picked up a sizable amount of foot traffic from people just coming through the doors on the weekend before Black Friday, not to mention a flurry of publicity on Apple blogs like, say, this one. In short, it was a publicity stunt. Honestly, as publicity stunts go, selling iPads for $400 is a pretty good one. Steve himself wasn't real happy about it, but if any other retail chains want to pick up the banner, we'll follow the charge. [via App Advice]
T.J. Maxx and Marshalls offer 16GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399
Update -- 9to5Mac published a Stevemail stating that TJ Maxx is not an authorized reseller. We kind of figured that, Steve. Note the 9to5 post suggests that the iPad stock may have come from Costco -- however that seems a bit unlikely, considering that the discount membership store chain fell out with Apple over not being allowed to carry the tablet. Also, the TJ Maxx Twitter feed clarified the timing: the iPads are on sale now, the weekend of 11/19 -- not next weekend, the traditional Black Friday shopping crush. TJX is not announcing which stores are stocking iPads, so you'll have to scout about. --- In what will probably be the best Apple-related Black Friday deal to be had, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, which are both owned by TJX Companies, Inc., are offering the entry-level 16GB Wi-Fi iPad for US$399 on Black Friday. That's a whopping $100 off the entry-level iPad's standard price. T.J. Maxx confirmed the rumors today via Twitter after the story broke on Engadget. If you're hoping to grab one of these discounted iPads, you'll need more than just the ability to wait in line for 12 hours before the stores open, however. Luck is going to play a big role. T. J. Maxx tweeted that only select, unadvertised stores are carrying the 16GB Wi-Fi iPad, and quantities will, of course, be limited. How many is "limited?" Only T. J. Maxx knows, but a Mac Rumors forum member did reportedly confirm that Marshalls stores in Florida are going to be receiving 100 iPads a day over the three day weekend. Whether those same quantities will be showing up at the T. J. Maxx stores, and whether those units are all entry-level iPads remains to be seen.
