Electronics retailer Best Buy (which, until Wal-Mart lurched into the game just after the holidays, used to be the only third party retailer offering iPhones) has announced that it is now offering refurbished iPhone 3G units on sale in its store nationwide. A refurbished 8 GB model goes for $149, while a refurbished 16 GB model goes for $249. Both prices represent a $50 discount of the iPhone’s normal retail pricing.
“The refreshed iPhone is a great example of the depth of our offering, and clear evidence of why Best Buy is the best place to purchase a mobile phone,” said Best Buy Mobile marketing VP Scott Moore, in a statement. “Where else can you get everything you need to make sure your phone can be utilized to its fullest.” [sic]
The refurbished iPhones come with a one-year warranty.
The refurbed iPhones are initially available at 350 Best Buy locations around the United States, and the company expects to expand availability to all U.S. stores by the end of January. According to Best Buy, the phones are in like-new operating condition and were all returned during the 30-day trial period.
Best Buy’s pricing for refurbed iPhones substantially undercuts Wal-Mart’s $2 discount on the iPhone 3G, but doesn’t match AT&T’s earlier online offer on refurbished iPhones, which took $100 off the price of both the 8 GB and 16 GB units; however, AT&T’s discounted pricing on refurbished iPhones ended December 31.
