Apple iPod's Dirty Secret

[DaveR]

DIRTY SECRET (http://ipodsdirtysecret.com)

Although within the last few days, they say you can get replacement batteries for as low as $99

[ December 05, 2003, 12:44 AM: Message edited by: DaveR ]

[DJ Duke]

Originally posted by DaveR:
DIRTY SECRET (http://ipodsdirtysecret.com)

Although within the last few days, they say you can get replacement batteries for as low as $99 That is REALLY Fu#ked..... I just got one I am ready to return it.... what a scam

[DaveR]

Providing that this rumor is legit (I haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise), you can bet that those battery prices will come down pretty quickly - prob below $99.

A company like Apple could never withstand this type of backlash and bad press in this economy.

---------------------------------

"According to sources, Apple is planning on introducing an official iPod Battery Replacement program. Through the program, iPod owners will be able to send in their out of warranty iPods to replace worn batteries. The lack of an official battery replacement program has been a common criticism amongst iPod owners. Apple's official replacement service is expected to be priced at $99.

Replacement iPod batteries have been available from 3rd parties from $50 and up, but have only available for earlier iPod models."

[ December 05, 2003, 01:05 AM: Message edited by: DaveR ]

[alex zen]

this is something apple should have told people before hand.

[DJ Duke]

Originally posted by DaveR:
Providing that this rumor is legit (I haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise), you can bet that those battery prices will come down pretty quickly - prob below $99.

A company like Apple could never withstand this type of backlash and bad press in this economy.

---------------------------------

"According to sources, Apple is planning on introducing an official iPod Battery Replacement program. Through the program, iPod owners will be able to send in their out of warranty iPods to replace worn batteries. The lack of an official battery replacement program has been a common criticism amongst iPod owners. Apple's official replacement service is expected to be priced at $99.

Replacement iPod batteries have been available from 3rd parties from $50 and up, but have only available for earlier iPod models." I just checked. They are ALL $50.00 now. Regardless $50 for a new battery every 18 months on a $299 pice is ridiculous and there is NO ZERO NADA disclousre on that. I smell a lawsuit soon.. I might even do that for fun.. screw them..

[O'love]

this is common for lot's of "Gadgets" with rechargeable batteries, like personal organisers and all-in-one mobile phones.....

furthermore i know some people who bought a first-generation iPod when it first was released and they're still using it without any problems....

the thing is: apple advertises with 10hours useage on a charged battery, but of course the battery capacity is decreased over years of useage....but the thing is: use shuffle, skip tracks, use backlit or EQ and the 10 hours logically decreases to around 4/5 hours....when people complain about this apple support just replies the battery is probably damaged...

Olaf

[Digiman]

It's hardly a secret, Apple acknowledged this on the iPod discussion website at apple.com ages ago.

The chemistry of rechargeable batteries means that this phenomenon is unavoidable whether it's an iPod, phone or whatever. I've got one of the original 5GB iPods and it still works fine.

[JoeB]

great choice on having n.w.a.'s "express yourself" in there.

thanks for posting this.

[Edmund White]

I also have an original 5gb iPod that works wonderfully. This person is out on a crusade against apple, and was simply misinformed. He went public with this on the same day that Apple announced its repair service for iPod $99 (http://www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html). There are also 3rd party batteries available..... (http://www.ipodbattery.com/)

More-accurate information:
http://www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html
http://www.ipodbattery.com/

This is old-news, but this particular person probably ended up with a clueless tech-support representative and ran with it. A quick search on google would have resolved his problem painlessly.

See the discussion on Slashdot.org (http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/25/0056209&mode=thread&tid=107&tid=176&tid=187&tid=188)

[DaveR]

Originally posted by Edmund White:

This is old-news, but this particular person probably ended up with a clueless tech-support representative and ran with it. A quick search on google would have resolved his problem painlessly.
Ah, the dreaded "This is Old News" reply - well, it was new news to some of us slackers as you can see ;)

Thanks for the additional info Edmund - very helpful (serious) graemlins/acclaim.gif

Obviously this clip is for sensation, but I do not doubt the validity of it - getting both positive and negative information like this is helpful to consumers in the long run.

The simple fact that Apple "Announced it's repair service for iPod" suggests that they needed to "respond" to growing consumer concerns/complaints.

I just bought a replacement InfoLink battery for my Sony MiniDV camera - similar situation - since I bought the camera, I don't remember Sony having to announce anything - replacement batteries were right there online, or instores at reasonable uniform prices.

I mean, do you think the folks that put this montage together, just happen to have their recorder ready for the 1 and only time they called ? ... do you know how many people are in Apple's Customer Service call centers ? ... I suspect that all of Apple's CSRs were responding with the $250+ answer, and then as concerns grew ........ well you know the rest.

Peace !

DR