Ipad 2: replace broken screen

I only went there because there were so many postings about the free replacement.And I know people personally who got just that. So I wasn't relying on a rumor. Also I was intrigued by it as an Apple user and a shareholder. I had to find it out for myself (In hindsight, I shouldn't have tried to get it fixed/replaced to teach my son a lesson, but the curiosity got the better of me). I own a lot of Apple shares and also made a lot of money from it. So trust me when I said it wasn't about the money.

I didn't take their $419 offer to teach my son a lesson. It's tiny little crack and it still works fine. Actually they called me back few days later and offered me another 10% off, which I declined. I want my son to be reminded of his careless mistake everytime he uses it. And he'll be rewarded with iPad 3 when it comes out, if he learned his lesson.

My first posting was only done to prevent other people from wasting their time. My only gripe was the way Genius bar worked and defective design of Smart Cover. My first and only interaction with Apple customer service in over 10 years of being a loyal Apple customer was a disappointment.

I suppose I expected a much more personalized and higher level of service from Apple, especially when done in person. It was no different from calling Microsoft or Dell telephone support.

If someone saved their time by reading my post, great. If $419 replacement offer or 50%-off offer works for them, good. It's great that Apple is doing that for their customers. Chevy doesn't give you 50% off on a new car if you crashed your car, right?

Apple just need to fix the way Genius bar works (90 min+ waiting time with appointment???) and the useless Smart Cover.

woochae wrote:

Please stop posting about personal responsibilites. I am not arguing that at all.

You may not think this is a discussion about personal responsibility. I, however, think this is all about personal responsibiity. You broke your iPad. You blame someone else. You want a free replacement. When you didn't get what you want, you blamed everything up to the the death of Steve Jobs (pretty tasteless, by the way). Very, very sad.

woochae wrote:

I didn't take their $419 offer to teach my son a lesson. It's tiny little crack and it still works fine. Actually they called me back few days later and offered me another 10% off, which I declined. I want my son to be reminded of his careless mistake everytime he uses it. And he'll be rewarded with iPad 3 when it comes out, if he learned his lesson.

So the lesson learned will be...

1. Break something
2. Wait a while
3. Get new, improved version

Wow, you are a VERY strict parent!

Chris CA,

If my child learns to handle things with care at this early age through this incident, I would say it was well worth the price. He has to handle it with care going forward so the crack doesn't get worse. If a 6 year old boy can do that for 3 - 4 months, that is an effort worth being rewarded for. I don't know how old you are, but that is a very long time for a 6 year old child.

It was an accident in the first place. Smart Cover detached itself unlike the iPad 1's case, which he used lot longer than iPad 2.

How did my first posting turn into this stupid accusations and cynicism? I feel like I am dealing with another 6 year old.

woochae wrote:

Chris CA,

I feel like I am dealing with another 6 year old.

Consider what we're dealing with.

"Consider what we're dealing with."

;-)!

6 year old child breaks $600 device, and to "punish" him, don't get it fixed.

Then if he doesn't break it again for 3-4 months, reward same 6 year old child by purchasing another (looks like his 3rd) new $600 device for him?

Check out this warranty company, it's cheaper that applecare http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/.

Chris CA

You are really like a 6 year old. Listen carefully. Like I said before, iPad 1 is still in pristine condition. He has been using both iPad's. And the crack is very small and it works fine. Why would spend $400 on iPad 2 when I know I am buying iPad 3 when it come out?

It was the Smart Cover he was not used to. Also, it's not about the money. But you seem to focus on the price of the iPad 2.

BTW, it is a $900 device, not $600.

You should still remember what it was like when you were 6, right? Did you ever break anything by accident? Did you consider how much the things you broke cost before you broke it? Did you even know how much it cost even after you broke it?

He would have felt terrible just the same way wheter it was a $900 iPad 2 or a $20 toy. They don't think like that.

It was an accident! It could have happened to anybody. I am not going to take away a device that is both educational and entertaining because he had an accident.

Would you feel different if iPad 2 we are talking about was $20? Then imagine it is $20, then think about what you would do with your son if he accidentally broke a $20 device that he enjoys using so much.

"Methinks he doth protest too much."

Also, it's not about the money. But you seem to focus on the price of the iPad 2.

No, I'm focusing on the fact that it's a 6 year old child with an expensive, semi-delicate electronic device and a parent who seems to lack a lot of simple, common sense.

You purchase a $900 iPad for a 6 year old child (twice), he breaks it (and you come here and complain) and somehow you think he has learned a lesson?

And you are gonna purchase another for him?

Regardless of how mature/responsible/good with stuff you think he is, HE IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD!

You are correct in that he broke it by accident, which is why you (as the supposedly responsible parent) don't let him use it unless he is sitting on the floor/couch and not playing around!

Forget it. You don't get it. $900 price tag is not important to me. And i am not here to complain about free replacement. Please get it out of your mind. I was upset about the Service of Apple. I expected higher level of service to my own chagrin.

Don't focus on the amount of money in question. I am sure you understand that it is subjective.

Do you have anything to say about Apple product and not about my child rearing?

I hope you understand the difference in values between you and me. What is important to you may not be important to me.

Chris, I don't know you and I hope you are a nice person. But don't try to force your value system on me. At this point, I regret I posted anything on this site.

I was upset about the Service of Apple.

You were upset because they did not do what they did not say they would do?

I expected higher level of service

A higher level than offering you 10% off and then offer another 10% off when they were well within all standards of good conduct to not offer you anything.

So you DID expect a free replacement?

Were they discourteous to you?

How is that not good customer service?

Good luck! Seems you will need it...

OMG! You guys sounds like 6 yr olds! Stop arguing. Replacements were/are totally up to the workers. The manner in which some reps speak to you like they are know-it-alls earns them labels as crappy customer service providers. It is totally subjective.

PS...My 2 yr old owns an Ipad. I don't ever use it and he navigates that thing better than I ever will. Accidents happen. Oh frikin' well!

Replacements were/are totally up to the workers.

Please note that there are reports of specific instructions from Apple concerning replacing items out of warranty.

Chris CA wrote:

Regardless of how mature/responsible/good with stuff you think he is, HE IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD!

You are correct in that he broke it by accident, which is why you (as the supposedly responsible parent) don't let him use it unless he is sitting on the floor/couch and not playing around!

Chris-

You forgot it wasn't the child's fault, either. It was Apple's fault! Remember the case was "defective"?