CompUSA TAP replacement in San Jose

[jwtseng]

Following the lead of many iPod users on these forums, I purchased the 2 yr TAP plan from CompUSA in 12/01 on my original 5gb iPod. I sort of forgot about it until my iPod started having problems recently. The battery seemed to go caput all of the sudden...one day it just decided it wouldn't hold a charge for more than 2 hours. And the volume would go up and down erratically because the scroll wheel would move on its own when I moved around with the iPod in my pocket.

Anyways, I dug out my receipts and everything and brought the whole thing down to the CompUSA on Blossom Hill in San Jose, CA. The people there were nice enough and understanding...but didn't seem to know specific details about the TAP that I had purchased originally. The best they could do was take my iPod, copy the receipts, and fill out a service order to send to corporate. Now I am just waiting for them to call me back, I guess.

My questions include: How long will it take to replace my iPod? Is the TAP replacement based on the original purchase price ($399) which would put me at 15gb iPod territory...or will I get the next best thing to my original (10gb)??? I have read other stories on this forum and results seem to vary arbitrarily.

Is there some document that states one way or another definitely? I believe that when I was sold the TAP, I was told that I could get credit in the original amount paid towards a new purchase. Maybe they were just blowing smoke. At the very least I will get a 10gb iPod, I guess. It would be nice to get a 15gb replacement and then upgrade to the 30gb...wishful thinking...

[Louisville]

How much did you pay for the TAP for your original 5 GB? I got the $39.99 one for my 5 GB in december, then I started to have problems connecting it to my PC and charging it. I took it back to CompUSA and here's the story:

Well, the process went so smoothly. Let me tell ya, my mom and I waltzed straight into that store. Of course, I was a bit nervous because I knew I had voided the Apple warrenty by installing "unoffical firmware." (1.3 for Windows). So we go to the Customer Service Desk, I tell the guy their my problem, and he brings us over to a different window. Another guy begins to help us. I then explain my problem and when it started to occur. He checks the 5 GB iPod box, and everything seems to be in there. Then he takes the box and brings it to the back of the store. He comes back with all of these papers for us to sign. Special agreements so that they have a record of this process (it's part of their bureaucracy). Once that's all settled my mother and I tell him what wonderful service CompUSA has. (because I've returned my Klipsch Promedia 5.1's one before and it went smooth too.) He replies, "Thank you," and hands us an evaluation form for us to fill out. I was skeptical because I wanted to ask if I could pay the difference between the 10 GB and the 15 GB, in order to get the 15 GB instead of the 10 GB. Well, surprisingly I didn't ask because things were going so smoothly, I thought to myself, "Well I am alreadying getting 5 more GB's of space and I did well with 5 GB's, so what am I worried about?" I didn't forget to mention about the two year extended warrenty. He told us that it would be the same price as what we paid for the warrenty on the 5 GB ($39.99). He brings us over to a seperate cash register, with the NEW 10 GB iPod and at least two copies of everything we had signed, trifolded. I hand my mom two twenties, he gives us one penny, and we are out the door like that! It's that easy! They really mean "Replacement warrenty - No questions asked!"

[noryen]

Here's how TAP works, if your iPod is defective then it will be replaced with the same exact unit. However, if the same exact unit is *not* available, then you will receive store credit for the amount you paid for the unit.

So in this case, since the 5gb are no longer available, then you should receive store credit for $399 (that is if you still have the receipt showing you paid $399).

[Louisville]

I didn't recieve store credit, they gave me a NEW 10 GB 3rd Generation.

[sdrennais]

I bought a 10 gig (tactile) in august 2002, as well as the $30 2 year 'carry-in replacement plan' from comp usa. My battery life has gone down dramatically (3-4 hours play time after full charge), and thus I'm interested in having it replaced. My question is: will they test the battery to see if my gripe is legit? Also, I paid $400 for this 10 gig, which is at equal cost as the new 15 gig. Based upon your experiences, what do you think my chances are of pulling off this "old 10" for "new 15" switch? Thanks all.

[dumbguyO]

I bought my iPod 3-4 months ago (3G 15gb iPod). There is nothing wrong with it, I just want the assurance of knowing if something does eventually go wrong I can get a replacement at no cost. Can I still get the TAP because I did buy it from CompUSA but I didn't want the plan. Will they let me buy the plan for the iPod if it is in working condition with everythign it came with?

[GIR]

Originally posted by dumbguyO
I bought my iPod 3-4 months ago (3G 15gb iPod). There is nothing wrong with it, I just want the assurance of knowing if something does eventually go wrong I can get a replacement at no cost. Can I still get the TAP because I did buy it from CompUSA but I didn't want the plan. Will they let me buy the plan for the iPod if it is in working condition with everythign it came with?

I bought my 10gb at the Apple Store then went to CompUSA a month or so later and bought the TAP plan for it. They asked if i bought it there, and I just said that my girlfriend bought it for me as a gift and I thought she bought it there.

I'm still curious about someone else's post about what CompUSA will do with a broken 2nd gen 10gb. Would they give you a 3rd gen 10gb (valued at $100 less) or a 15gb?