Headphone Jack Broken - 5G - 60 GB

[StaplesGuy]

Okay so I got this iPod in January 2006. I use it a lot. With the exception of a 19 day canoe trip where I left it, I have never gone long enough without using it that the Apple logo boots up when I turn it on. I use it EXTREMELY frequently. I've used a few pairs of headphones and speakers, and I change between headphones and speakers 2-4 times a day.

This morning I was in the car and I plugged a Cassette player adapter into the headphone jack, and the sound came out only on the left side of the car. When I pushed the base of the headphones really hard to the left, it came out both sides. Then, when I got out I used my headphones. Nothing. Unless I pushed the base of the headphones really hard to the side continuously, I got no sound. I tried 4 pairs of headphones. Nothing.

That's when I looked and noticed that the white rim to the headphone jack, which used to sit quite nicely flush with the top of the iPod, had fallen into the hole! I think the whole headphone unit bit had fallen in too, so the connectors on the headphones don't connect right with the port.

I feel like I have 3 options.

1. Take it apart and fix it. I doubt I'll do this, because I hear the 5G's are wicked hard to take apart, and if it's a broken part I don't want to be stuck with no way to do anything because I opened the casing.

2. Go to the Apple Store Genius Bar and see what they can do. I hear they replace it with the current equivalent right out of the box (which would be the new 80 GB). I'm really tempted to do this, because I have 68 GB of media. However, I got this iPod in January and I don't know what they would charge for this even though it was due to normal use.

3. Replace it online. It's like $40 for Shipping and Handling and then I don't know if they'd charge for the servicing. I would get to keep my engraving, but that's not really taht important to me.



So what would this cost, and what do you think I should do?

[Toobs]

Are you sure that the Apple Store will upgrade you to the new 80GB? If so, pay the frate and get it. If not, I would imagine that they will replace it with another 60GB, since you are near your 1 year.

I had the same this happen to me with another player that I have (Zen Micro). It was 14 months old and the headphone jack just broke. Creative replaced it for free.

[StaplesGuy]

Well that's the thing. If I send it in they'll replace it with a 60 Gig no doubt. But if I take it to the Apple Store and do a physical transaction, they most likely don't have old iPods in stock because it would be a waste, so they take the closest one to it (the 80, especially since its $50 cheaper than this one) and replace it on the spot. At least, I hear that's what they're doing...

[Toobs]

There is your answer. Go and get an exchange!!!

[mrblobbysdad]

Hey StaplesGuy,

Just wondering if you took it down to the Apple store and what the outcome was. Im interested as I have a similar issue.

Thanks.

[godLOGIC]

One day I woke up, and I had sound only in left headphone.... tried using different headphones and speakers, thinking my headphones had broken, only to find that it was definitely an ipod problem... No problem, when i got my 30GB video ipod for Christmas last year, my wonderful girlfriend bought the 2 year warranty from BestBuy for 70 bucks. So I take it to BestBuy Downsview in Toronto, only to be told that they can't service or replace my ipod due to Apple's warranty superceding Bestbuy's "performance service plan" for the first year. No problem, as I've had the ipod only 9 months, and I happen to know that there's an AppleStore inside the nearby Yorkdale mall. At Apple, a confused young wageslave seemed caught off guard by my problem, and summoned her manager. The manager told me I'd have to send my ipod to the US, (I'm Canadian, BTW)and they'd gladly help me send it out if I purchased the Applecare protection plan. I stated that I had no interest in purchasing the Applecare protection plan, and inquired as to whether I could pay cash to the store for the shipping & handling fee to have my ipod serviced. The manager told me I'd need a credit card... I said "#### Apple", as I have no credit card, nor am I desirous of one.

Back at BestBuy, I learned that I could wait six weeks, at which time Apple's legal wrangling, that prevents bestbuy from looking at my ipod within the first year of service would expire, at which time bestbuy will likely give me a new ipod, few questions asked... but I got no ipod for six weeks.
So, the manager at Applestore Yorkdale is condescending, unhelpful and rude, bestbuy sold a 2 year warranty that is useless for the first year, (well, they will reimburse me for the S&H to Apple), and Apple seems unwilling to help a customer without a credit card... I think I'll buy a Zune, and find out how Microsoft abuses it's customers...