Apple rat b@stards

[tokyo-joe]

One year ago I bought a 5GB Windows iPod. I have used it lovingly every day. In June the HDD died so Apple sent me a new one. Last week, the Firewire port came loose and I could not longer charge or sync the iPod. I sent it to Apple Japan for repair. They called yesterday and confirmed that the port was busted. They said they could fix it but that would require taking the unit apart. Cost of repair is 30,000 yen ($US280)!!!

:( :eek: :mad:

This is fricking unbelievable. I told him to send the unit back pronto. I feel like taking a hammer to it and sending it to Cupertino. I can understand that it is out of warranty but to charge full price is ridiculous. Rather than buy a new one I am going to get a Sony Clie with music features instead.

I will never buy another Apple product again.

Merry Xmas, you rat b@stards.

[ginalee]

Well there are people besides Apple that fix ipods - they usually buy broken ones for parts (ebay etc) and thus perhaps have just what you need. Not sure how much they charge.

When you have cooled down, you might want to either check them out or try your luck and fixing it yourself, seeing you have nothing to lose. Lots of people have opened their own pods so it shouldn't be too tricky.

[tokyo-joe]

Yes, I have read about such companies, especially for replacing batteries. However, after a bit of searching they don't seem to exist in Japan. And that still doesn't change the fact that Apple's policy is bogus. I work in the CE industry here in Japan. Steve Jobs has mentioned how they fancy themselves as being like Sony. Companies like Sony don't do this. When my stereo broke a few years ago, Sony Japan sent out a guy who took it apart and fixed it right in my living room. That is customer service. If they don't improve their service, word of mouth will kill them in the market.

[SuperMoose]

sony in america is terrible, most of their products are not too good...

[tokyo-joe]

Perhaps Sony possesses similar levels of suckiness in their quality. But that doesn't excuse Apple's outrageous service. And this isn't the first time. Their policy of high pricing for battery changes prompted howls from users. What do I have to do? Start spray painting graffiti on their ads to get them to listen?

[Umrath]

Sony has top quality products - only if their assistance was top quality as well.

[MikeM]

Try running a business where you cheaply fix out-of-warranty products that require parts you no longer stock and see how well you do. And all of that after sending a completely new product to the customer earlier that year.

Good luck.

[tokyo-joe]

Sorry, but even Apple is not excused from Consumer protection laws. And where I live, companies are required to stock parts for 7 years.

[tokyo-joe]

And I'm not saying Apple shouldn't be compensated for their repair work. I would be willing to pay up to 100 bucks. Charging the cost of a new unit is obnoxious.