Apple - Wrong product delivered, no Apple packaging, iPod in a plastic bag!

[ChrisWB]

I'm sharing this story because it makes me unbelievably angry. By sharing it, I hope to work out some of that anger.

I ordered a new iMac as part of Apple's back to school program. The promotion allowed me to purchase an iPod 30Gb Video for $50 after the rebate. I went along with it and purchased the iPod.

Both the computer and iPod were supposed to be delivered yesterday. I tracked the packages online via FedEx's website. At approximately 11:00 FedEx tracking stated my address didn't exist and the driver could not deliver my package. This was odd to me seeing as how my father's business, a frequent customer of FedEx with custom FedEx address labels and the works, is located at the same address. I had to drive out to the FedEx shipping center to pick up my iMac and iPod. This put me in a lovely mood, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Today, I opened the box that should have contained the iPod. Within, I found two plastic bags. One contained a scratched iPod Nano. The other contained a group of accessories and a CD. They were loose in the FedEx box.

I obviously called Apple support right away. The apologized and are allowing me (allowing me?) to return the iPod for an exchange. I have to wait until they receive the iPod they sent me before they mail the iPod I ordered.

I am livid with anger! The iPod was quite literally rattling around in the FedEx box it was shipped in. The iPod was in a plastic bag - the type you might purchase in a dollar store. Unbelievable.

[DarthTreydor]

wow. that is ridiculous. it sounds like something sketchy is going on. like maybe the fedex truck driver decided to trade in his old nano.

[kuebby]

wow. that is ridiculous. it sounds like something sketchy is going on. like maybe the fedex truck driver decided to trade in his old nano.

That's certainly possible. If you haven't boxed it up already I'd look up the serial number of the nano on Apple.com just to see if it is the driver's.

[parafish13]

Yeah...this is unnatural. I did the back to school stuff (as did millions) and everything ended up quick, new, and in the beautiful Apple packaging. I hope everything ends up okay for you.

[WizardHunt]

wow. that is ridiculous. it sounds like something sketchy is going on. like maybe the fedex truck driver decided to trade in his old nano.

Sounds like it huh? Wow what a story. That is sad.

[WizardHunt]

That's certainly possible. If you haven't boxed it up already I'd look up the serial number of the nano on Apple.com just to see if it is the driver's.

Did the box looked like it was tampered with? That would be determining factor. If the box looks like it was opened, someone could have pulled a switch, though ups or Fed-ex employees I think should be bonded but I am not 100% sure about that.

[ezekielrage_99]

wow. that is ridiculous. it sounds like something sketchy is going on. like maybe the fedex truck driver decided to trade in his old nano.

Sure sounds like it, I think someone did an "upgrade" somewhere along the shipping line because I know from buying several products from Apple they would never let a thing like this happen.

[Sbrocket]

I wonder what kind of idiot you have to be to actually think you could pull that off...

[Eidorian]

It sounds more like a shipping issue then a fault of Apple.

[iW00t]

I believe someone 5 finger discounted an EDU discount and then 5 finger discounted a free iPod upgrade too!

[scottrob]

It's only an iPod. Apple has offered to make it right. Why the tirade?

[jimN]

Plus it doesn't sound like it's Apple's fault. And as far as them 'allowing' you to return it. Think how it must sound when someone rings up to complain that their iPod is opened and unboxed, I bet a few people try to perform some sort of switch on Apple, you have to forgive them their weariness. Seems to me that Fedex are the problem here.

[ChrisWB]

It's only an iPod. Apple has offered to make it right. Why the tirade?
Scott,

I can see where you are coming from. The tirade stemmed from a culmination of events that have made this week downright lousy. The iPod was the event that finally set me off.

Saying "It's only an iPod" is not fair - that is $250 of my earned money that is gone without the product I ordered in return. $250 is a lot of money for me.

Jim,

Also a good point.

I have actually received a number of products from Apple that were broken right out of the box. My first two MacBooks arrived broken. I had to send them back and wait over a week both times for the money to be refunded. For third MacBook, I went to an Apple store where I asked the salesman to open the box and allow me to test the computer before I walked out.

My father's iMac arrived with the operating system installed incorrectly. Apple had me reinstall it. No dice. They repaired it.

It is easy to understand how I feel. Out of the four MacBooks I purchased (two returned due to their failure to function out of the box), only two worked properly. Out of the three iMacs, only two worked properly at arrival. My family has experienced a high percentage of failures on Apple's part. 3/7 computers arriving damaged, and now this.

[kwood]

The box the iPod came in, was it an iPod nano box? or was it the 5G box you would expect. The reason I ask is because the new iPods do not come with install discs for iTunes. So if there is a CD then clearly it was a switch.

[ChrisWB]

Kwood,

Neither of those boxes were with the iPod. It was in a plastic bag.

[kwood]

Today, I opened the box that should have contained the iPod. Within, I found two plastic bags. One contained a scratched iPod Nano. The other contained a group of accessories and a CD. They were loose in the FedEx box.

So it was the FedEx box you opened which should have had the iPod, I understand. It wasn't clear, even still the 5G iPod don't come with a CD neither do any of the new iPods. What generation was the Nano?

[jimN]

It is easy to understand how I feel. Out of the four MacBooks I purchased (two returned due to their failure to function out of the box), only two worked properly. Out of the three iMacs, only two worked properly at arrival. My family has experienced a high percentage of failures on Apple's part. 3/7 computers arriving damaged, and now this.

Seems like you've had a really tough time of it as far as build quality goes. I have to say this couldn't be further from the experiences that I've had with Apple. Here's hoping for a rapid resolution and an apology (from someone) - people always seem to weary to say worry but it is not an admission of guilt, it's just good manners.

[ChrisWB]

So it was the FedEx box you opened which should have had the iPod, I understand. It wasn't clear, even still the 5G iPod don't come with a CD neither do any of the new iPods. What generation was the Nano?
Kwood,

Beats me. It wasn't aluminum. Does that make it the first generation? There was no Apple packaging material whatsoever. Everything was just tossed in the two plastic bags.

[kwood]

Kwood,

Beats me. It wasn't aluminum. Does that make it the first generation? There was no Apple packaging material whatsoever. Everything was just tossed in the two plastic bags.

That would make it first generation. Even the refurb iPods come in apple refurbished packaging. Someone switched out your iPod.

[mccldwll]

Scott,

I have actually received a number of products from Apple that were broken right out of the box. My first two MacBooks arrived broken. I had to send them back and wait over a week both times for the money to be refunded. For third MacBook, I went to an Apple store where I asked the salesman to open the box and allow me to test the computer before I walked out.

My father's iMac arrived with the operating system installed incorrectly. Apple had me reinstall it. No dice. They repaired it.

It is easy to understand how I feel. Out of the four MacBooks I purchased (two returned due to their failure to function out of the box), only two worked properly. Out of the three iMacs, only two worked properly at arrival. My family has experienced a high percentage of failures on Apple's part. 3/7 computers arriving damaged, and now this.


Isn't this your post from last month?

"I ordered one from Amazon. It arrived in three days, but arrived broken. I called to return it and they said it would take about two weeks for them to take the one I returned and send me a new one. They told me that, as an alternative, they could set up a new order for me and send one out immediately. They would simply refund the first laptop when it arrived. I agreed.

The second laptop arrived after another ten days and died within the first five minutes I had it on. It was a rather dramatic death, too. Amazon quoted the same policy. I told them I would simply return it as I couldn't wait another ten days.

I bought my third MacBook from the Old Orchard Apple store. They let me take it out of the box in the store and test it for a good hour (I was taking no chances). This MacBook is picture perfect and has had no problems to date - knock on wood.

Moral of the story: I would not purchase a MacBook from Amazon. Their return policy is a pain in the butt. They ended up waiting about two weeks each time to refund my money. They even gave me a follow-up call saying that yes, the computers were quite broken."

[killerrobot]

That is really fishy -- two plastic bags. WTF?? It's good Apple let you return it (I would be pissed about it as well) but you need to talk to FEDEX as well, because their driver or someone on the loading line is one hell of a thief, and if they are going to keep delivering your orders, something has to change.

[richard4339]

Yeah, that sounds like a FedEx screwup too. While unlikely, I know more than one person that has had a courier have two packages open with similar items. Since they don't know which one goes in which, they simply stick one in one and the other item in the other. Unlikely, but it could have happened in your case. Or, someone could simply have stolen it from the FedEx delivery.

Even Apple refurbed products come in a brown box... but you wouldn't get a refurb from Apple with the edu deal.

[ChrisWB]

Guys,

Apple came through for me. Last night, I emailed Steve Jobs in an attempt to resolve the situation. Today, an Apple representative called me in regards to the situation. He stated that he had been investigating and had narrowed it down to the FedEx center. Apparently, as many of you suggested, an employee switched out his old iPod Nano with my new iPod Video. Luckily, Apple can track the guy via the serial number on the iPod. They'll report to FedEx. Hopefully he is disciplined.

I feel as though Apple has worked hard to make amends. I have never been more impressed by a company's customer service.

[ChrisWB]

Just to add - they're shipping me a new iPod Video via one-day shipping.

[teflon]

Congrats! Glad that your problem's been resolved. I hope that FedEx guy gets fired.

[applecow]

This is quite amusing actually. I would've been "WTF" then laughed at the absurdity of the issue. Of course, I would've done exactly what you did afterwards.

Nice to see that everything worked out for you in the end. If that Fedex employee was really smart, he wouldn't have even left the Nano in it. He probably would've gotten away with it if he didn't leave another product in there. Then again, Apple would've tracked the serial as soon as he registered or synced it to his iTunes.

[kalisphoenix]

Guys,

Apple came through for me. Last night, I emailed Steve Jobs in an attempt to resolve the situation. Today, an Apple representative called me in regards to the situation. He stated that he had been investigating and had narrowed it down to the FedEx center. Apparently, as many of you suggested, an employee switched out his old iPod Nano with my new iPod Video. Luckily, Apple can track the guy via the serial number on the iPod. They'll report to FedEx. Hopefully he is disciplined.

I feel as though Apple has worked hard to make amends. I have never been more impressed by a company's customer service.

That's a good ending to the story :)

[drake]

Congrats! Glad that your problem's been resolved. I hope that FedEx guy gets fired.

If the guy actually did that, he should be charged with theft. How do these guys even get a job handling other people's property?

[mccldwll]

How about dealing with what I pointed out above. Why did you try to blame it on apple? Why did you leave the impression that in the past you had experienced a high failure rate from apple, when in fact, as your post from last month clearly showed, the high failure rate had been from/through amazon, NOT Apple. At the most, i of 7 from apple arrived damaged, and I wouldn't be surprised to find that the remaining damaged imac came from someone other than apple. It's bad info like you posted that gets picked up and spread around as fact by the anti-apple crowd. That certainly doesn't help anyone.


Scott,

I have actually received a number of products from Apple that were broken right out of the box. My first two MacBooks arrived broken. I had to send them back and wait over a week both times for the money to be refunded. For third MacBook, I went to an Apple store where I asked the salesman to open the box and allow me to test the computer before I walked out.

My father's iMac arrived with the operating system installed incorrectly. Apple had me reinstall it. No dice. They repaired it.

It is easy to understand how I feel. Out of the four MacBooks I purchased (two returned due to their failure to function out of the box), only two worked properly. Out of the three iMacs, only two worked properly at arrival. My family has experienced a high percentage of failures on Apple's part. 3/7 computers arriving damaged, and now this.

[Miguey]

Great ending, I wonder if the FedEx guy, if it is him, ever thought of the consequences that would have happened...

[ChrisWB]

How about dealing with what I pointed out above. Why did you try to blame it on apple? Why did you leave the impression that in the past you had experienced a high failure rate from apple, when in fact, as your post from last month clearly showed, the high failure rate had been from/through amazon, NOT Apple. At the most, i of 7 from apple arrived damaged, and I wouldn't be surprised to find that the remaining damaged imac came from someone other than apple. It's bad info like you posted that gets picked up and spread around as fact by the anti-apple crowd. That certainly doesn't help anyone.
Mccldwll,

Two out of the four MacBooks came from the Apple Store. All of the iMacs came from the Apple store. I have experienced a high rate of failure from Apple products.

As to the two MacBooks I purchased through Amazon: Amazon does not make Apple computers. They are not responsible for Apple's build quality.

I do not appreciate the tone of your post. In fact, I find it rather insulting.

[mccldwll]

"I have actually received a number of products from Apple (emphasis added) that were broken right out of the box. My first two MacBooks arrived broken. I had to send them back and wait over a week both times for the money to be refunded."

Your post contained two complaints directed toward Apple:
1. Broken out of the box;
2. Long time for refund.
However, the first likely was the fault of Amazon, not Apple, and the second clearly was the fault of Amazon. In fact, in your May post, you clearly stated that you had learned to deal with Apple, not Amazon. That wasn't reflected in your post, about receiving damaged goods from apple.

[iW00t]

Mccldwll,

Two out of the four MacBooks came from the Apple Store. All of the iMacs came from the Apple store. I have experienced a high rate of failure from Apple products.

As to the two MacBooks I purchased through Amazon: Amazon does not make Apple computers. They are not responsible for Apple's build quality.

I do not appreciate the tone of your post. In fact, I find it rather insulting.

Then vote with your wallet.

[ChrisWB]

"I have actually received a number of products from Apple (emphasis added) that were broken right out of the box. My first two MacBooks arrived broken. I had to send them back and wait over a week both times for the money to be refunded."

Your post contained two complaints directed toward Apple:
1. Broken out of the box;
2. Long time for refund.
However, the first likely was the fault of Amazon, not Apple, and the second clearly was the fault of Amazon. In fact, in your May post, you clearly stated that you had learned to deal with Apple, not Amazon. That wasn't reflected in your post, about receiving damaged goods from apple.
I disagree with you in that it was Amazon's fault the MacBooks were broken. They were new and still sealed in the original Apple packaging. The refund issue is Amazon's.

I still believe the best route is to go to the Apple store for purchases. That way you can open the item and try it out there. However, it is rather ridiculous to have to go to that length to ensure that an Apple product, new, in Apple packaging is in fact not damaged.

[CBAviator]

FedEx. Hopefully he is disciplined.

Glad to hear that you got your problem resolved. As for the employee, I would surely hope he finds himself jobless come Monday morning.

[mccldwll]

IMO, not only are resellers are not nearly a careful as Apple in handling and storing product, but all product goes through an extra stage of loading and unloading. That greatly increases the chances for damage. Why do you want to place the fault with Apple? 2 out 2 Amazon macbooks were bad. 2 out of 2 Apple direct macbooks were good. You do the math.

[queshy]

I highly highly doubt it was apple...I've had some issues with my buying experience but an iPod is an iPod whereever you go (just like a bigmac is a bigmac anywhere!). Apple has a factory where they have millions of stacks of iPods and they normally just give you one of those (well, something along those lines...). I highly suspect it was the driver!

[Draythor]

Glad to hear that everything worked out OK! How's the iMac doing BTW?

[yamabushi]

Electronics are often damaged during shipping regardless of the manufacturer.

If you took a look inside a distribution center during peak operations you could quickly understand why. Millions of packages are moving down belts, rollers, and chutes. People move the packages very quickly trying to get them to the trucks and delivered as soon as possible.

Shippers package items to try to keep them safe from damage but sensitive or fragile items such as electronics unfortunately still often suffer damage. I believe Apple does a good job of packaging their items.

The distribution system we have just isn't 100% perfect. Keep in mind that it is still rather amazing that packages can travel by plane, train, ship, and truck and not suffer any damage over 95% of the time.

[mccldwll]

Electronics are often damaged during shipping regardless of the manufacturer.

If you took a look inside a distribution center during peak operations you could quickly understand why. Millions of packages are moving down belts, rollers, and chutes. People move the packages very quickly trying to get them to the trucks and delivered as soon as possible.

Shippers package items to try to keep them safe from damage but sensitive or fragile items such as electronics unfortunately still often suffer damage. I believe Apple does a good job of packaging their items.

The distribution system we have just isn't 100% perfect. Keep in mind that it is still rather amazing that packages can travel by plane, train, ship, and truck and not suffer any damage over 95% of the time.

Yes. But to expand on this, not disagree, fully vertically integrated distribution (all through Apple), offers a much better chance for proper handling since Apple maintains control.

[gkarris]

Guys,

Apple came through for me. Last night, I emailed Steve Jobs in an attempt to resolve the situation. Today, an Apple representative called me in regards to the situation. He stated that he had been investigating and had narrowed it down to the FedEx center. Apparently, as many of you suggested, an employee switched out his old iPod Nano with my new iPod Video. Luckily, Apple can track the guy via the serial number on the iPod. They'll report to FedEx. Hopefully he is disciplined.

I feel as though Apple has worked hard to make amends. I have never been more impressed by a company's customer service.

How did you e-mail Steve Jobs?

This happens a lot, especially if the packaging has an Apple log on it.

I remember when CDNOW.com was in business. When I placed orders, my order would come but only 1 of the 3 or 4 CDs would make it. Definitely someone helping themselves...

[seahawk09]

dude that story was unbelivabe wow shocked:eek: I hope that Fed X pays for the shipping and apple apoligizes for that major screw up someone will get yelled at I hope. I think you should write a letter to apple and let them know whats happened.



Richard

hope your next parcel arrives safe and properly packed:D

[steamboat26]

Doesn't sound like apple to me, i smell something fishy

i've heard plenty of delivery horror stories, but nothing this bad

[shipdestroyer]

I'm glad they replaced it, but you shouldn't have to send an email to sjobs@apple.com for a problem like this.

[AS678]

I bought on 80GB black ipod from newegg.com. The box came in SEALED, inside of the box there was a white 20GB all scratched ipod, called up newegg, they will replace it, called up apple to let them know about. the person who was on the phine did not give a ***** about.
Who should I send an email at apple?

Thanks

[JimAtLaw]

This is theft, pure and simple. You should follow up to see who the iPod you got belonged to, whether that person was identified as, or as related to, one of the employees in the FedEx center, and whether FedEx identified the culprit(s) in the theft.

If they can track this person, they should be not only fired, but charged with this crime so that they can't just go across the street and get a job at UPS and rob someone else next time.

Ask FedEx to confirm in writing that the person in question was fired and referred for criminal prosecution, and if they claim privacy issues, you might remind them that they are actively concealing the identity of someone who committed a crime against you and that this could qualify the company both as an accessory to the crime and as a culpable party in a civil suit. You might also ask them to confirm it without any personally identifying information of the person in question, therefore not breaching any of his privacy rights (i.e., I don't need his name, social security number, or any other identifying information, just your written confirmation that he's been fired and that this information has been given to the relevant law enforcement agents).

DISCLAIMER: This is not legal advice - you should consult a lawyer before doing anything, ever. :o

[killerrobot]

DISCLAIMER: This is not legal advice - you should consult a lawyer before doing anything, ever. :o

Damm disclaimers. I already signed the form. :eek:

[Blueprint]

Glad you got things sorted, i work at UPS and if your found to have stolen anything its instant dismissal - same thing at FedEx i would think

[sofila]

I wonder what kind of idiot you have to be to actually think you could pull that off... there's a lot of "smarter" people out there... :D

[macgeek77]

Thats just sick. I'd get angry too! I think Apple is doing the best they can, but as many here have said, I don't think its them. I'd contact FedEx and report this.

[Texas04]

I think that this sounds a little bit like that boy from Hawaii that his mom bought him a iPod Video for Christmas and when he opened the box, there was raw meat!!

ahh What people will do to steal this iPods!

[Abstract]

Kwood,

Neither of those boxes were with the iPod. It was in a plastic bag.

Don't worry, I also hate it when people don't read posts clearly, especially the first one in the thread. ;)



Your post contained two complaints directed toward Apple:
1. Broken out of the box;
2. Long time for refund.
However, the first likely was the fault of Amazon, not Apple

What makes this "likely the fault of Amazon". That's bs, and complete opinion. "Likely"??? In fact, I'd be more inclined to think that it was Apple's fault. It's hard to break a MacBook when it's in its box, even if you dropped or banged it. Look at how it's boxed up.

Opened my new MacBook up 8 days ago, so I do remember exactly how well it was packaged. It was also my 2nd MacBook, because the first one was incredibly faulty and was essentially a lemon. It was likely the delivery-man's fault.....anyone but Apple's.

And this "vertically integrated" stuff is also bs. Apple uses couriers. It's not as though the delivery companies Apple uses are way better than the ones used by Amazon. When Apple ships to a place like Toronto, it goes through 2 different delivery companies, neither of which are related to Apple in any way (other than Apple being a customer of theirs). Isn't that similar to an Apple --> Amazon --> US customer (ie: multiple drop-off) delivery?

So much for "vertical integration".

Also, Apple doesn't build computers...... again, no "vertical integration." The computers are just assembled using computer parts made by other companies. None of these parts were made or designed by Apple, but were created by many different companies. Then, these parts are assembled in a case to make a computer.......in Taiwan and China......by a company that makes computers for many other companies.

If you consider this "vertically integrated", then sure, every computer company is vertically integrated.

2 out 2 Amazon macbooks were bad. 2 out of 2 Apple direct macbooks were good. You do the math.

Ever do statistics? Two Amazon computers means jack. Lots of people receive perfect Apple computers from Amazon.

[AS678]

In my case the box came on time (next day UPS) from New jersey warehouse.
The main box had about $800 in computer parts and the ipod $326. all intact and sealed. Newegg.com will replace it. I called apple to report the problem they just don`t care. it is amazing. last apple produc I`ll ever buy.

[nydoofus]

Guys,

Apple came through for me. Last night, I emailed Steve Jobs in an attempt to resolve the situation. Today, an Apple representative called me in regards to the situation. He stated that he had been investigating and had narrowed it down to the FedEx center. Apparently, as many of you suggested, an employee switched out his old iPod Nano with my new iPod Video. Luckily, Apple can track the guy via the serial number on the iPod. They'll report to FedEx. Hopefully he is disciplined.

I feel as though Apple has worked hard to make amends. I have never been more impressed by a company's customer service.

Nice! I hate shipping company employees who help themselves to stuff. I guess the guy registered the old iPod Nano and that's how they found him?

I hope the guy enjoys the fact he just lost his job over an iPod. If he had just saved more, he could have just bought one.

[nydoofus]

In my case the box came on time (next day UPS) from New jersey warehouse.
The main box had about $800 in computer parts and the ipod $326. all intact and sealed. Newegg.com will replace it. I called apple to report the problem they just don`t care. it is amazing. last apple produc I`ll ever buy.

Why should they care? You didn't buy the iPod from Apple, you bought it from newegg. You took it up with them and they resolved it. If they want to find the culprit, its up to them. I don't see how Apple is involved here.

[RichP]

Luckily, Apple can track the guy via the serial number on the iPod. They'll report to FedEx. Hopefully he is disciplined.

Someone is about to get F#!@'ed at Fedex! Surprise..POLICE!

Glad it worked out well for you.

[kwood]

Don't worry, I also hate it when people don't read posts clearly, especially the first one in the thread. ;)


Or maybe I just read the original post differently then what they actually meant.


Today, I opened the box that should have contained the iPod. Within, I found two plastic bags. One contained a scratched iPod Nano. The other contained a group of accessories and a CD. They were loose in the FedEx box.



Whenever I order a group of small products they are always wrapped in plastic, but loose in the main FedEx box. I thought ChrisWB meant he opened the main FedEx box and inside there was the iPod box which contained the 2 plastic bags containing the iPod and other accessories.

ChrisWB cleared this up with the post you quoted. It is not that I did not read the post clearly, it was rather that the post was worded in a way making it open to interpretation. I just interpreted what ChrisWB said differently then what he meant. If you ever work with people you will realize that this comes up an awful lot, that is why further clarification is sometimes necessary.

I too dislike it when people do not read a thread clearly and end up posting something completely off topic. However in this instance I was not off topic nor did I misread the Original Post. It was simply a different interpretation. Please Abstract, in the future do not jump down somebody's throat because they ask a question you think is off topic. They may simply have interpreted it differently then you did.

As far as the rest of what Abstract posted I agree with. It is not going to be Amazon's fault that the computer you received was defective. They act as the "middle-man" and that is it. If I buy a computer at Future Shop and it doesn't work, I return it to Future Shop but I don't blame them for the fact my new computer doesn't work. They didn't assemble it.

[AS678]

Why should they care? You didn't buy the iPod from Apple, you bought it from newegg. You took it up with them and they resolved it. If they want to find the culprit, its up to them. I don't see how Apple is involved here.

OH DUH I did not know newegg makes iPod too. So that is why that are taking care of it for. again Apple $ucks.

[Spizzo]

OH DUH I did not know newegg makes iPod too. So that is why that are taking care of it for. again Apple $ucks.

Again... Apple made the iPod. They didn't sell you the ipod or ship the wrong one.

[mccldwll]

In my case the box came on time (next day UPS) from New jersey warehouse.
The main box had about $800 in computer parts and the ipod $326. all intact and sealed. Newegg.com will replace it. I called apple to report the problem they just don`t care. it is amazing. last apple produc I`ll ever buy.

Joined a few days after iPhone launch to allege that apple doesn't care about customers and that you'll never buy another apple product? Doesn't pass the smell test.

[mccldwll]

And this "vertically integrated" stuff is also bs. Apple uses couriers. It's not as though the delivery companies Apple uses are way better than the ones used by Amazon. .

I'll readily concede that vertically integrated was a poor choice of terms. What I was referring to was that IMO companies have more power/control/bigger club when it is in their control (their shipping order) the whole way. If there is an initial problem, they can't claim not responsible, it reflects directly on them, so they do everything possible to prevent it. Probably have contractual incentives with shippers re: returns for DOA. As soon as goes to 3rd party reseller, waters become muddied. Everyone can blame the other party. The only apple product I bought from an authorized reseller (iMac G3) was bad. Yes, statistically that's irrelevant. But as I'm sure you're aware, you can prove or disprove the exact same point using statistics (good friend a phd in stats, so I've heard it all). But I would bet dollars to donuts that problem rate much higher when any product goes through a reseller which ships.

[SalukiWildcat]

That really is great that your situation is resolved. Anybody on here who has reported that they've emailed Steve's office always seems to get a positive outcome, right away :).

This story does make me kind of scared though, since I'm moving to the same area that you seem to live in (Northwestern University in the Fall), and I no doubt will be having Apple goodies shipped to me...I hope this FedEx guy gets canned!

[nydoofus]

That really is great that your situation is resolved. Anybody on here who has reported that they've emailed Steve's office always seems to get a positive outcome, right away :).

This story does make me kind of scared though, since I'm moving to the same area that you seem to live in (Northwestern University in the Fall), and I no doubt will be having Apple goodies shipped to me...I hope this FedEx guy gets canned!

Yeah. I've had an iPod disappear "mysteriously" in transit. Apple did send out another one next day air though. That was sent DHL. Apple needs better, less recognizable packaging.

[MikeyTree]

If the guy actually did that, he should be charged with theft. How do these guys even get a job handling other people's property?
He could be charged with more than just theft. Fraud definitely comes to mind, as does mail tampering. Mail tampering is a federal Felony, though I don't know if FedEx counts as mail for that charge.

[seahawk09]

I know for certain that if you get a job with apple you have a heavy background check I think Stevejobs is very picky on who he hires, i think thats why he is almost toe to toe with IBM. i would hate to be fired from apple for stealing your job prospects would be nil after that GLUP:)

[Magritte]

Wow! That's a hell of a resolution. Congrats!