Apple refunding $100 to disgruntled iPhone early adopters.

[Kutjara]

If you were one of the suckers who bought an iPhone on launch day (like...erm...me), Apple CEO Steve Jobs has posted an open letter on the Apple website stating the company will issue a "Apple Store credit" of $100, to be spent (of course) on more Apple goodies.

The details are still being worked out, but you can read the full text of the letter here:

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/openiphoneletter/

[Pierre.Suave]

1. gee

isnt that nice of him...

[Kutjara]

3. Yes indeed, it's like a gentle summer rain...

...directly from the eyes of God. Now repeat after me, "there is no God but Apple, and Steve Jobs is its Prophet."

[AllegroRondo]

12. um, thats not rain.

rain isnt yellow and warm.

[Kutjara]

13. ...

:rofl:

[IndianaJones]

2. that'll buy a lot of $5 episodes of The Office. nt.

[Pierre.Suave]

4. Such a good idea

that is such an awesomely funny show.

[IndianaJones]

6. Get it on itunes while you can. NBC is leaving...or Apple kicked them off...

depends on who you talk to.

[Kutjara]

8. NBC said they wouldn't renew their contract at the end of the year...

...so Apple told them they'd kick them off at the end of September. Sort of "you can't fire me, I quit!"

[IndianaJones]

10. $5 for an episode is ridiculous. Apparently NBC accounts for 40%...

of Apples video business.

[kay1864]

5. I read $200 cash on Yahoo

if you bought one within the last 14 days (before the price went down).

[Kutjara]

7. That's the standard return policy.

Actually, Apple has a blanket 14 day return policy for any reason, and a 10 day rebate policy for price changes. This rebate is for those who bought the iPhone anytime between June 29 and ten days ago (well, eleven days now).

[kay1864]

9. Right, the $100 rebate was for that (more than 10 or 14 days ago)

But the story said (IIRC) if you bought it < 14 days before the price went down, they'd give you the $200, even if you didn't actually return it. Like you say, the price change policy.

Nice of them to reiterate it IMHO, even it's standard policy.

[Kutjara]

11. There seems to be a lot of confusion at Apple.

The Apple support message boards and customer care lines have been flooded since the price-drop announcement, with angry customers demanding refunds. Apparently, Apple Stores have been dealing with similar problems. Some have been giving $200 refunds, some $150, some store credit, and some discounts on other Apple products the customer may already have on order. Other Apple reps are standing firm on the "14 day" policy and giving nothing.

If these stories are true, Apple may have opened themselves to a discriminatory pricing suit.

[kay1864]

14. Sounds like Apple doesn't have very good internal communication

Or they don't read Lounge threads! :P

This one quotes Apple's policy, and it's pretty clear-cut:

Pricing
Should Apple reduce its price on any Apple-branded product within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of purchase, you may request a refund of the difference between the price paid and the current selling price. An original purchase receipt is required, and you must request your refund within fourteen (14) calendar days of the price reduction.

[Kutjara]

15. Of course, you also have to factor in the possibility...

...that some of the people crowing on the message boards about getting refunds are simply lying in order to whip others into hassling Apple.