CNET reports today that RadioShack is already taking pre-orders for the new iPad, which goes on sale on March 16, making it the first retailer other than Apple to start doing so. However, CNET points out that if you want to pre-order your iPad via RadioShack, you have to buy a $50 RadioShack gift card and pre-order the iPad from one of RadioShack’s retail stores. It’s up to you whether or not you want to use the gift card to buy the iPad with or spend it on something else in the store. If you don’t want to buy the gift card, then you can always try your luck getting yourself down to a RadioShack retail store on March 16, from when the gift-card purchase stipulation will no longer apply, but you might find a few other folk have the same idea as you! CNET notes that RadioShack is also one of the few retailers that is offering trade-ins for your old iPad, and that unlike some of its rival retailers, RadioShack will actually let you trade in your old iPad at the same time as you’re buying the new one.
Source: RadioShack starts selling Apple's new iPad | Apple Talk - CNET News