Public Mobile Retail Launch: SIM cards now at Walmart!

[Jeremy_M]

Hey Community,

We have some exciting news for you!  

We’re pleased to announce that our SIM cards will now be available to purchase at over 350 Walmart locations across Canada.

Our retail launch aligns with the feedback and ideas that were shared through our Public Lab and Community. We would like to thank the following community members for their contribution.

Community Username:	Idea title and URL:
@Luddite	SIMS in Retail Stores
@pckku	SIM card pickup depots New SIM card delivery options
@infielder6	Vending machine for SIM cards
@prasprime	SIM distribution/pick up center in big cities

With this announcement, SIM pricing has also changed -  all SIM’s bought online or in Walmart stores will now cost $10 plus applicable provincial taxes.

Soon, we will also have a dedicated category in the Community where you can ask and discuss all things retail. If you visit a Walmart store, share your experience with us.

FAQ:

Will I still be able to purchase a SIM online?	Yes, and you can do so by clicking here
In which location or aisle in Walmart can I find Public Mobile SIM cards?	Visit the Electronics department, typically located in the back of the store.
Will you also be selling top-up vouchers at Walmart stores?	We are working to launch this as soon as possible.
Will there be other retail stores selling SIM cards in the near future?	Stay tuned - you’ll be the first to know if there are.
Is there a Walmart store locator on the Public Mobile website?	No, but you can find the nearest location by visiting Walmart’s website.
Will I be able to get account support at Walmart stores?	No, all account support is online via our awesome Community.

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@Luddite wrote:

Telus approves and/or dictates everything PM does. 

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That's a real sad fact to know.

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@Rockdaddy22 wrote:
You could say that about every decision

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Oh boy... 

[Luddite]

Telus approves and/or dictates everything PM does. 

[Rockdaddy22]

You could say that about every decision

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@Luddite wrote:

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@Angelic_Fille90 wrote:

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@CalvinW wrote:
Easier access to SIM cards but worse plans now. There is always a catch 22

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Tell me about it. 

Can current and long time members get discounts on new SIM cards though?

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No discounts. 

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I wonder now though if this is something decided by Telus and NOT PublicMobile. Seeing on how Telus owns them.

[Luddite]

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@Angelic_Fille90 wrote:

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@CalvinW wrote:
Easier access to SIM cards but worse plans now. There is always a catch 22

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Tell me about it. 

Can current and long time members get discounts on new SIM cards though?

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No discounts. 

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@CalvinW wrote:
Easier access to SIM cards but worse plans now. There is always a catch 22

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Tell me about it. 

Can current and long time members get discounts on new SIM cards though?

[CalvinW]

Easier access to SIM cards but worse plans now. There is always a catch 22

[Samianauman]

Send a private message with your ph#, sim# and your email mod and they will get back to you when they can.  https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

[Alain123]

I topped my account twice and my my account is still suspended

[TheOldVR]

OK - didn't notice this in the original post but the idea of in-store SIM distribution and increasing SIM costs has been directly attributed to the community... I assume the reduction in service options and increase in pricing will be attributed to the same....?

From the original post:

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Our retail launch aligns with the feedback and ideas that were shared through our Public Lab and Community. We would like to thank the following community members for their contribution.

Community Username:

Idea title and URL:

@Luddite

SIMS in Retail Stores

@pckku

SIM card pickup depots

New SIM card delivery options

@infielder6

Vending machine for SIM cards

@prasprime

SIM distribution/pick up center in big cities

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I don't recall these ideas generating positive feedback equal to anything even close to the negative response being shared around each of the three new changes.... but I may have missed the original conversations.

Anyhow - Happy Tuesday!

[kav2001c]

Apparently more retail locations are being launched

WOW Mobile is carrying SIMs now @Jeremy_M ?

[Warrior]

Thats great news!!

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@kav2001c wrote:

@Angelic_Fille90 "can handle" really?

It is like $4 a month for membership

Buy one big ticket item all year you have your money back

Or buy membership, use it, then cancel it at end of year for refund

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@Angelic_Fille90 wrote:

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@BasesLoadedWalk wrote:

Not everybody wants to pay the Costco addmission/member fee just for the "priveledge" of shopping there. 

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This is kinda off topic but this is literally the five time I've heard Costco being mentioned in less then three weeks.

Costco is more for people who live with others and can handle paying the admission/member fee  anyways.

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It's that small? 

I wasn't sure if it was more than that.

I'm becoming new to anything Costco more and more. 

[kav2001c]

@Angelic_Fille90 "can handle" really?

It is like $4 a month for membership

Buy one big ticket item all year you have your money back

Or buy membership, use it, then cancel it at end of year for refund

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@Angelic_Fille90 wrote:

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@BasesLoadedWalk wrote:

Not everybody wants to pay the Costco addmission/member fee just for the "priveledge" of shopping there. 

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This is kinda off topic but this is literally the five time I've heard Costco being mentioned in less then three weeks.

Costco is more for people who live with others and can handle paying the admission/member fee  anyways.

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[Angelic_Fille90]

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@BasesLoadedWalk wrote:

Not everybody wants to pay the Costco addmission/member fee just for the "priveledge" of shopping there. 

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This is kinda off topic but this is literally the five time I've heard Costco being mentioned in less then three weeks.

Costco is more for people who live with others and can handle paying the admission/member fee  anyways.

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@danielj wrote:

Walmart locations across Canada. If entering retail should pick a Canadian company like SuperStore or Public Mobiles public company Telus. If entering an America or non-Canadian retailer should be one like Costco where people can purchase an unlock phone and overall better in line with the affordable original market approach Public Mobile had in the beginning the people have come to wish would come back.

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When I purchased my very first cellphone, it WAS in a Wal-Mart and it was PublicMobile.

[Hard to believe it's been five years since then.]

I remember it was a one month free offer and than I would pay just 19 dollars a month.

[BasesLoadedWalk]

Not everybody wants to pay the Costco addmission/member fee just for the "priveledge" of shopping there. 

[Rockdaddy22]

Stay tuned 🙂

[danielj]

Walmart locations across Canada. If entering retail should pick a Canadian company like SuperStore or Public Mobiles public company Telus. If entering an America or non-Canadian retailer should be one like Costco where people can purchase an unlock phone and overall better in line with the affordable original market approach Public Mobile had in the beginning the people have come to wish would come back.

[ute1978]

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@Jonavin wrote:

I do like the option to be able to pick up a SIM card in case I lose my phone, but I don't like the $10 price. In other countries a $10 SIM would come with $10 credit. For some reason in Canada we think $10 is a reasonable price... probably because they (the other carriers) used to charge $25 or more.

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You are aware that other's carrier's SIM also cost money? Or even worse? Most of the other carriers have a $25 activation fee?

[Jonavin]

I do like the option to be able to pick up a SIM card in case I lose my phone, but I don't like the $10 price. In other countries a $10 SIM would come with $10 credit. For some reason in Canada we think $10 is a reasonable price... probably because they (the other carriers) used to charge $25 or more.

[Rockdaddy22]

I love Kelowna 🙂

[Jorno]

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@Jeremy_M wrote:

Thank you, for sharing @Jorno!

If you don't mind me asking, which Walmart location were these pics taken at?

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The pics were taken at Walmart Supercentre in Kelowna, BC.  I have added the location to my original post.

[mimmo]

was just at my local walmart.  PM cards were hard to find eventually saw them next to the chatter topup gift cards.  

But there was a tv screen  in one of the isles that had a PM "video" looping,  with the call to action "see sales associate in electronics dept".  

Hate to beat a dead horse but have to give this venture a D-

• PM's "Plans starting from $30" vs Chatr $25/month  
• Chatr having a much better presence (real display, brochures etc) vs PM's single hanging card and an overhead  TV screen (which was hard to see/notice).

Don't think many people are going to be buying at walmart from instore impulse, only if they know about PM and want to get one of their offers.

[Rockdaddy22]

I'll check my local Walmart in Alliston Ontario, I'll let you guys know what I see 🙂

[Angelic_Fille90]

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@Jeremy_M wrote:

Thank you, for sharing @Jorno!

If you don't mind me asking, which Walmart location were these pics taken at?

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Yeah, which province and city? 

[Jeremy_M]

Thank you, for sharing @Jorno!

If you don't mind me asking, which Walmart location were these pics taken at?

[Rockdaddy22]

Thank you for posting the photos. 🙂

[Jorno]

The Public Mobile display at Walmart Supercentre in Kelowna, BC:

The available information card: