Apple PR Blunder

[Metaltastic]

They offered a refund. Doesn't sound like a lack of service to me. If I were in his shoes I'd take the money Apple offered, never mention it again and go buy another iPod.

I'm with 006. Thats why I wrote what I did. (not that I would really want the family hurt) Shit happens.

Personally, I've never, ever had an apple product go bad yet. Not in any way shape or form. (not saying it doesn't or wont happen)

Totally disagree here - I'm usually the one to say all's well that end's well and to let things go as long as you get what you want in the end, but signing away your right to any defense if Apple decides to sue you for, say, posting your horror story on a forum? You've gotta be kidding me guys, that's the biggest load of shit I've ever seen! (especially for someone like me who can never keep his trap shut )

 

[cobhc]

Exactly! I've heard good things about Apple's customer service in general, but that isn't what's getting to me here, it's that godforsaken gag order shit that Apple decided to pull!

 

[LydonB]

I am sure even if these people signed the agreement and they told a couple of people about the issue, Apple would not find out about it. Apple may have been trying to avoid something being published about the problem. I don't think they should have issued a gag order at all, but on the other hand, shit does happen and they were most likely trying to prevent bad press, which they got anyway.

 

[SocialNumb]

Of course Apple is/was trying to prevent bad press. Maybe one asshole who works for Apple fucked up, maybe a lawyer. As a business owner I wouldn't want bad press either. The Gag order is extreme tho.

"My iPod blew up!" Parent's start yanking away kids iProducts, Apple takes a big loss because one dude dropped his shit on the floor. So he claims. For all I know he rigged it to blow up his daughter.

 

[Kazrog]

My friends and I have all had a faulty Apple product at one time or another, sometimes multiple problems with the same product. Apple has always been cool about going the distance and repairing or replacing the product in question, sometimes with a better product, at no cost.

Every PC maker has these kinds of problems, but Apple seems to be very happy to go out of their way to solve them, in every case I've seen personally anyway. In the long term, I'd like to see Apple stop outsourcing manufacture to "lowest bidder" sweatshops and take some more stewardship for the rest of the industry in terms of human rights in production and long term reliability of products, rather than disposable consumer devices.

Apple will always want to keep their press positive - they go to extreme, often unethical lengths to do this. This, and every aspect of the company's conduct, is reflective of Steve Jobs' personality - he is an old-school tyrant. Hopefully their culture will become more open once Steve's time as CEO comes to an end.

 

[LydonB]

In the long term, I'd like to see Apple stop outsourcing manufacture to "lowest bidder" sweatshops and take some more stewardship for the rest of the industry in terms of human rights in production and long term reliability of products, rather than disposable consumer devices.

I completely agree with this. Not sure if that would happen though.

 

[ze kink]

My friends and I have all had a faulty Apple product at one time or another, sometimes multiple problems with the same product. Apple has always been cool about going the distance and repairing or replacing the product in question, sometimes with a better product, at no cost.

Every PC maker has these kinds of problems, but Apple seems to be very happy to go out of their way to solve them, in every case I've seen personally anyway. In the long term, I'd like to see Apple stop outsourcing manufacture to "lowest bidder" sweatshops and take some more stewardship for the rest of the industry in terms of human rights in production and long term reliability of products, rather than disposable consumer devices.

Apple will always want to keep their press positive - they go to extreme, often unethical lengths to do this. This, and every aspect of the company's conduct, is reflective of Steve Jobs' personality - he is an old-school tyrant. Hopefully their culture will become more open once Steve's time as CEO comes to an end.

Damn, that's exactly what I think too! And also the experiences my friends have had with Apple so far. Myself, I've only got one really old iPod Nano (the first one they made) that somehow broke it's screen once. I didn't care as I always used it on shuffle anyway, so I didn't take it to get it fixed, so I've no personal experience yet. Besides, I'm not sure if they would've even fixed it for me if I'd brought it somewhere, as it was bought from the US.

The sweatshop thing was also one of the things that I used to criticize Apple for, but I felt kind of stupid doing that, since I'm pretty sure that other manufacturers aren't any better. It's cool to see them change their designs, package sizes etc. to be more green, though it's pretty funny how much they keep advertizing that

Still, I think that gag order thing is ridiculous.

 

[cobhc]

Again, I agree with Shane also, it's just the "unethical lengths" they've gone to this time is just appalling.

 

[TheDude]

Well, laptop batteries and car tires aren't suppose to explode either, but it happens every once in a while when somebody makes something that is defective. I'm sure Chrysler or whoever you use to work for has never done something similar

That's why they recalled all Dell computers with the faulty batteries (same type of batteries that Apple use btw, Lithium-ion). Also tires comes with a "recommended speed" tag to make sure you don't go too fast with them, since they might explode.

I'd like to see the parent who would buy an iPod for their kids if it had a "Warning, might explode if dropped" sticker on the box.

 

[Glenn Fricker]

I'm sure Chrysler or whoever you use to work for has never done something similar

I still work for Chrysler, and believe me, I'm not defending their polices. Frankly, they're a bunch of fucking morons & I'm used to being ignored when I have suggestions.

 

[006]

That's why they recalled all Dell computers with the faulty batteries (same type of batteries that Apple use btw, Lithium-ion). Also tires comes with a "recommended speed" tag to make sure you don't go too fast with them, since they might explode.

I'd like to see the parent who would buy an iPod for their kids if it had a "Warning, might explode if dropped" sticker on the box.

I said Dell and Apple, for the record once more. And I was referring to the tires that were exploding NOT because they were being pushed beyond their speed rating, can't recall the brand but it was a few years back.

He "thought he saw vapors" and then threw it out his back door and then it exploded. Regardless, who really gives a shit? I'll gladly use my iPod video every fucking day until it dies, at which point I'll come right back to Apple with ~$300 for the latest superior mp3 player on the market. I, for one, won't give a flying fuck about this stupid bullshit some douchebag ran to the press with to get some attention.

 

[Ermz]

Nice to see such unbiased analysis of the situation.

I don't know about you guys, but I personally don't want my portable mp3 player being prone to explode in..... well, EVER. At least this way people become aware of the situation. If the person in question were to take apple's refund bribe and put himself under their legal thumb for life it would put him in the same socially negligent scum bracket that a majority of the general populace falls into. So, good on him.

 

[Metaltastic]

I said Dell and Apple, for the record once more. And I was referring to the tires that were exploding NOT because they were being pushed beyond their speed rating, can't recall the brand but it was a few years back.

He "thought he saw vapors" and then threw it out his back door and then it exploded. Regardless, who really gives a shit? I'll gladly use my iPod video every fucking day until it dies, at which point I'll come right back to Apple with ~$300 for the latest superior mp3 player on the market. I, for one, won't give a flying fuck about this stupid bullshit some douchebag ran to the press with to get some attention.

Taking over for James as the resident staunch Mac crusader, Mike?

 

[poidaobi]

Macs are fucking gay.

 

[JBroll]

The amount of bullshit we're expecting to take from large companies must be pretty impressive when replacement of an *exploded product* is considered fair compensation - as if somehow doing otherwise wasn't an utterly dick move.

It's no secret that Apple keeps some pretty odd secrets... I guess we'll see if Shane's prediction of a better Apple after Jobs (who seems to be great for bringing Apple from the dead but not keeping them alive for extended periods of time) plays out, but if this is seen as 'Well, at least the family wasn't *drawn and quartered*' and not 'What the fuck are they doing?' then I have a hard time being optimistic just because consumers won't demand enough.

Jeff

 

[slayercannibalsuffohead]

Apple have sold in access of 170 million iPODS! A couple of hundred "explode"!
Thats 0.0001% of all iPODS sold. That is to say, 1 in a million chance! Not a bad percentage I would say. Now of those couple of hundred, 90% would have "exploded" due to miss-use. The one in question was miss-used.

Apple are contacted, and at my guess, would have knocked back the offer of a refund due to "an attack of the butter fingers". Not happy with the outcome, relatives of "Butter Fingers" then say they will go to the press.

Being one of the most popular electronic devices of our time, this would be sure to get attention, which should not be classed as bad, but that attention would come from the "General Public', who like nothing better than to jump on the "tall poppy syndrome" bandwagon. Then along would come the media, doing all sorts of promos on all sorts of current affairs shows, proclaiming to be giving out info on how harmful these devices would be to our children and how "morally" wrong it is of Apple to try and silence them, when all that they would be doing it for, is to boost ratings! But most of the general public would not consider a ratings boost at the expense of others "morally wrong".

Apple have become one of the biggest empires on earth, through intuitive, well designed products and a management team, second to none.

To sit down and allow "common sense" (you dropped it ya dumb fuck, dont blame us) and allow the public to turn that common sense into a possible billion dollar loss, because its "morally wrong" to silence anyone (general public), would be doing Apple employees and consumers no good at all.

Another +1 to Apple for standing up to this, "I'll go to the media shit!". The western part of the world would sue anybody for anything these days, and if it gets outta hand, then at the end of the day, we would have nothing to explode!

 

[cobhc]

Well looking on this today with fresh eyes (as fresh as can be for not a lot of sleep!), I'm going to say I don't give a shit lol. I had a chip on my shoulder for some reason yesterday and felt like arguing about it all, but I don't use anything Apple, so what they do doesn't bother me.

And on that note...............good morning/afternoon gentlemen.

 

[006]

Nice to see such unbiased analysis of the situation.

I figured someone would try to play that card. And no, it's just I've had TWO iPods since they came out years ago and my first one is still kicking like new. I inherited an iPod Video from a friend a couple of years back and it's still going like new too. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it if someone simply called you biased when in fact it's just your experience with said products that leads you to stick with them. Don't get me started on my 3 friends with Zunes whom EACH have had to take them in for replacement/repair more than once... Knock the company all you want, Apple has a reputation it lives up to every single day for me. I really give no shit about this dbag with the 1-in-a-million iPod that he dropped then tossed out and then Apple actually offered a refund, he's fucking lucky he got that in the first place IMO.

Taking over for James as the resident staunch Mac crusader, Mike?

Somebody has to, or else you guys would have Steve Jobs on a stake by the end of the week!

Apple have sold in access of 170 million iPODS! A couple of hundred "explode"!
Thats 0.0001% of all iPODS sold. That is to say, 1 in a million chance! Not a bad percentage I would say. Now of those couple of hundred, 90% would have "exploded" due to miss-use. The one in question was miss-used.

Apple are contacted, and at my guess, would have knocked back the offer of a refund due to "an attack of the butter fingers". Not happy with the outcome, relatives of "Butter Fingers" then say they will go to the press.

Being one of the most popular electronic devices of our time, this would be sure to get attention, which should not be classed as bad, but that attention would come from the "General Public', who like nothing better than to jump on the "tall poppy syndrome" bandwagon. Then along would come the media, doing all sorts of promos on all sorts of current affairs shows, proclaiming to be giving out info on how harmful these devices would be to our children and how "morally" wrong it is of Apple to try and silence them, when all that they would be doing it for, is to boost ratings! But most of the general public would not consider a ratings boost at the expense of others "morally wrong".

Apple have become one of the biggest empires on earth, through intuitive, well designed products and a management team, second to none.

To sit down and allow "common sense" (you dropped it ya dumb fuck, dont blame us) and allow the public to turn that common sense into a possible billion dollar loss, because its "morally wrong" to silence anyone (general public), would be doing Apple employees and consumers no good at all.

Another +1 to Apple for standing up to this, "I'll go to the media shit!". The western part of the world would sue anybody for anything these days, and if it gets outta hand, then at the end of the day, we would have nothing to explode!

Quoted for motherfucking TRUTH.

 

[SocialNumb]

Apple, it feels good man. Join us, join us, join us, join us. . . . . . . . .

 

[006]

Apple, it feels good man. Join us, join us, join us, join us. . . . . . . . .