buy earpods or new shuffle..????

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

If the iPod shuffle is working properly, buy the EarPods and keep the iPod shuffle doing the work

If it's working properly now, you can continue using it until it gets damaged

If you look at this page:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD827LL/A/apple-earpods-with-remote-and-mic

Where it says "This accessory is compatible with the following:"

The 3rd generation Shuffle is NOT listed.

but everything needed is in the earpod.

I'm not sure what that means.

Only Apple knows why it's not compatible.

It doesn't make much sense to me, either, because as you said, the 3rd gen shuffle depends on volume controls to function. Apple's main number is 1-800-MY-APPLE. Let us know if you get an answer.

Probably a new shuffle, then. Unless you can find a reseller that carries the older kind of earphones with remote and mic.