I've always been an Apple fan - bought my first computer, the 270 DuoDock (minus the actual dock) circa 1996 - and have been a loyal consumer every since. The iphone is the one device I hadn't completely embraced - I was quite attached to my Blackberry and couldn't come up with a real reason to make the switch. But the company I now work for is all Apple, all the time - iCal, Mail, Powerbook, now iPad. The calendar sync (or lack of) was my real impetus for swapping - too many missed appointments. And admittedly, I wanted the new toy. So, Friday I walked into Radio Shack and traded in my Blackberry for $100 (shocking, as I bought it for $50 - at a Radio Shack), and walked out with pure joy.
All weekend I played with it, downloaded apps, did the music & photo sync thing, etc. Couldn't have been happier. Until yesterday...
Standing up from my desk chair, I heard the sound, saw the phone on the floor, picked it up hoping for the best (with memories of dropping my Bberry countless times resulting in no cracks or real scratches - warranting that 100 bucks), but then, turning the brand new iPhone over and seeing the worst. Less than 72 hours, a drop of no more than 1 1/5 feet, and a very unsightly large crack in the top corner. Big bummer.
Upshot: Radio Shack guys couldn't have been nicer, but couldn't help, wouldn't take the return. Stopped by Apple this morning and instead of waiting the hour to get service, made an appointment with the Geniuses for Thursday - but it sounds like they don't care too much about the fact that the "problem glass" is in fact a problem. Total bullshit. We're not talking a piece of china, but a daily-use device. Warranty, AppleCare - doesn't matter. Accidental damage isn't covered. Oh, they'll fix it for you - at a (high) cost. I've always been incredibly happy with Apple's customer service. But not today.
As I wasn't thrilled with my findings, I called American Express. They may be the company to come to my rescue. Purchase Protection. Sadly, it turns out they will only cover the actual charge on the card. Essentially this means they won't take into account the $100 "rebate gift" from Radio Shack. So if the claim goes through (no reason I can see that it wouldn't), I'll get money back, but not the full amount needed to purchase a new phone - essentially losing the $100 & the reason for going to Radio Shack in the first place... The other potential option, I've been told, is that AmEx will reimburse for the cost of repair...
Ugh!....
When I go back to Apple on Thursday, it will all be figured out. And I do know that one way or another, within a month - if not sooner - I'll have a phone with an un-cracked screen. But the hassle of it all leaves me with a bad taste for Apple. For 70 hours I looked adoringly at my new beautiful, sleek toy. Couldn't wait to pick it up and play. And now not so much. Instead of glancing across my desk and seeing a bundle of joy, I see a phone - and all the shit I'm going to have to deal with to give it a new screen.
My iphone crush has faded... much too fast.
Upside is it still works which is great considering. I'm on my 4th phone. And I'm still in love.
Posted by: Lisa Bayer | July 27, 2010 at 11:17 PM
you are right... it does still work!
Posted by: Susan Solomon | July 28, 2010 at 07:39 AM