If you felt a bit snubbed after
reading up on just how much loot you'd be paying out if and / or when your dear
iPhone does break, you're not alone by a long shot. Reportedly, New York's Consumer Protection Board "issued a letter to Apple's CEO Monday asking for the iPhone to be a little more consumer-friendly," noting that the $79 charged to replace the battery, $29 "loaner fee" for using a temporary handset, and the ten-percent restocking fee were all asking too much. Moreover, the CPB suggested that "consumers should be able to replace the battery themselves," which admittedly seems to be a (somewhat)
common belief. Granted, not all of these requests are exactly rational, but more importantly, we highly doubt his Steveness is gonna go change up price schemes to appease a few disgruntled board members, amiright?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
quiksr20 @ Jul 31st 2007 9:09AM
Im as big of an Apple Fan as the next guy. But they really shouldnt charge you for a loaner.. If you need a loaner its probaly Apples fault this early on. I understand maybe a year or two when the battery is bad and you need a loaner but not now.
I was in my local Apple store last week and there was a girl with an iPhone at the support ( genious bar ) area. My girlfriend asked the girl how do you like your phone.
She said. I HATE IT. 4 trips here now it doesnt unlock $30 in loaner fees everytime etc.
So I hope Apple steps up to the plate. There should definatly be user replaceable batterys.
elindiano @ Jul 31st 2007 9:28AM
lame.
im not paying a "loaner" fee in addition to an 80 buck battery replacement cost.
thats why im not getting an iphone.
i love apple prob more than most, but COME ON!
thegrey @ Jul 31st 2007 10:30AM
Thats why i got a free Sony W810i when i signed up for ATT.
elindiano @ Jul 31st 2007 10:33AM
good phone, and you know what, i bet you can change your battery yourself.
Alex @ Jul 31st 2007 10:03AM
It's a free market (sort of)...
If you don't like all these costs of the iPhone, buy another phone...
Its not like they are hidden, they are clearly printed (and on 60% of engadget posts, lol)...
adam t @ Jul 31st 2007 11:07AM
the battery is covered under warranty. you would only have to pay that $79 after your one year standard warranty is up, or 2 years if you buy AppleCare. $79 is pretty average for a cell phone battery...
JULIO @ Jul 31st 2007 11:15AM
Seriously? $79 is NOT "pretty average" for a cell phone battery these days. And to throw a loaner charge on top of that is ludicrous. I will agree that it's free market economy at it's best but I'll stick to my BlackBerry with messaging options aplenty and keep my iPod in my bag for when I need it.
Brian @ Jul 31st 2007 12:33PM
Anyone ever see the Samsung phone from Sprint that has a screen on both sides? No user replaceable battery there, and no one seems to have any beef with that. And does Samsung even offer a replacement program? Not that I've seen. So, you now need to get a whole phone, whereas Apple will replace your battery.
Iscariote @ Jul 31st 2007 1:27PM
That's true. The problem is that Samsung phone is a hunk of junk, and the iPhone is supposed to be a huge evolution in phones. It's not that Apple does things worse than anyone, it's just that the way they market their products people expect more from Apple.
I personally think adding free loaners into the Applecare cost clears most of this up, but I don't get to make decisions.
keithwwalker @ Jul 31st 2007 1:34PM
Don't you people complain!
You know batteries are dangerous! Just fork over your money, so that Steve Jobs can change that battery for you.
If you are worried that the battery will go bad before the 2 year mark, give Steve-O $80 more and he will worry for you!
And don't you worry about loading any software!
Let Steve-O do the thinking for you! If you need it, Steve-o will take care of you.
jack @ Jul 31st 2007 1:46PM
It would be smart of colorware to add battery replacement to their services.. I would give them 200 bucks for a new case and battery when the time comes...
PEZ @ Jul 31st 2007 3:50PM
All that loot I gotta pat and I dont even get a reacharound?
SUFan @ Jul 31st 2007 11:41PM
How's that iPhone keyboard working for you...lol
a7878 @ Jul 26th 2008 12:58AM
There is a local iphone repair service in Manhattan that offers "while you wait" repairs if you are in the New York City area and shipping based service elsewhere. There are three stores in Manhattan: 307 W 38th St 8th Floor (near 8th Ave) in NYC, 2 W 46th St 16th Floor (at 5th Ave) in NYC and 169 Thompson st (@ W Houston St), New York, NY. The website is: http://www.portatronics.com and the phone number 646 797 2838.