I hate Apple Inc. There I said it. Again. Though I don't know why I hate them as much as I do. It was pointed out to me a few weeks ago, that I had an unfounded hatred of the global corporation. I think I hate them because they are trying to monopolise the market. Just like Telstra do with the telecommunications industry. I guess I'm a fan of the under dog and I love it when the "Little Guy" wins big.
Any who, way back on the 16th of November 2011, my seven year old, First Generation iPod Nano showed the sad/dead iPod icon. I was distraught. I don't know all that much about technology or how to fix dead electronic devices. Hell, I don't even have iTunes on my laptop! I use a friend's iTunes, mainly because he has a better music collection than me!
I Googled searched - Sad iPod Nano. A long list of devastatingly complicated fixes came up. I couldn't make heads nor tails of what to do to fix my iPod. Until I stumbled across a news article from theprevious day stating that Apple had initiated a world-wide recall of First Generation iPod Nanos. The recall was due to faulty batteries, that had been installed in the devices that overheat and can, on occasion catch fire.
I did the right thing and contacted the Apple support department via telephone. I gave the foreign dude on the other end of the line the serial number of my dead Pod. Yep, sure enough I had one of the effected devices. BINGO! I was advised that Apple would replace my defective Nano by sending me a replacement device and I was told to return my faulty device once the new one had arrived. I was rapt! I was advised that it would take between four to six weeks for the new iPod to arrive, so I eagerly watched the mailbox and waited for my new iPod.
Six weeks went by and nothing. No new iPod had been delivered. I got angry. I called the service department again. The second foreign fellow that I spoke to advised me that my order was still being processed and as there had been a huge response to the recall that it may take a further four to six weeks for the replacement device to arrive. I was frustrated but satisfied with the response I was given. So back to waiting it was!
I do not have a very patient demeanour. It's a Gen Y trait that I'm not proud of. I want it and I want it NOW! After a further five weeks of waiting, making it a total of 11 weeks, I called the service department once more and yet again, I spoke to a third foreign fellow. I gave him the serial number of my dead iPod and low and behold he could not find it in the system! Something inside me snapped. The fella politely asked me if I would mind being placed on hold and took my contact number in case the call was accidentally terminated whilst he was looking into my query. I obliged and was happy to sit on hold and wait for this situation to be fixed. I mean, I don't have a job right now,so what else have I got to do besides sit by idly and listen to crappy hold music.
39 minutes later the fellow came to back to me. He informed me that the information I was given on both of my previous calls was incorrect and that I would have to start the whole process again! I reiterated that I had called twice, waited 11 weeks and now I had to go back to square one? I was told yes. Lucky for me, whilst I was on hold I had a feeling that I was going to have to start all over again, so I went onto the Apple website and created an Apple ID and logged the serial number of my faulty device. I was then given a postage paid label to print out and use to send my shitPod back to Appple. I bid farewell to the fella on the phone and commended him for such great service.
I printed my label and went to the post office to send back my piece of shit, fucked iPod. The lady behind the counter gave me a box and bubble wrap. I wrapped up the iPod, slammed it into the box, taped it shut and stuck the label on the front. I kissed the package and whispered "God's speed little iPod. God's speed". I handed back to the post office lady and left.
Two weeks later I received a confirmation email stating that my iPod had made it's way to Apple and would be sent off for diagnosis. It sounded serious. But I was just pleased that the ball was finally rolling.
Which brings us to today...17th February 2012. One hundred and three days after my initial contact I opened my inbox to an email from Apple. It read:
" Dear Kelly,
Your service request has been completed and your IPOD NANO shipped on 16.02.2012.
Shipping address:
XX XXXX STREET
ALTONA, VICTORIA 3018
AUSTRALIA
Your product shipped via Australia Post with tracking number xxxxxxxxx, which should be active within 24 hours at www.auspost.com.au/track. Please allow two to three business days for delivery. Note that shipments to remote regions may take up to five business days for delivery.
Serial Number of Original Product: xxxxxxxxxxx
Serial Number of Replacement Product: xxxxxxxxxxxx
Please retain this email as a record that your product's serial number has changed as a result of this service request.
Repair ID: xxxxxxxxx"
Woo hoo! Today I'm not hating on Apple as much as I use to! They are replacing my 7 year old, 2GB, fucked, first generation iPod nano with a brand spanking new, 6th Generation, 8GB, touch screen nano. That will teach them for using faulty batteries from Japan that cause the first gens to overheat and burst into flames in people's pockets!
Though, the proof will be in the pudding. Let's see what happens in two to three business days. The cynic inside me tells me that something else will go wrong!
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