Early Canadian iPod Owners Get $45 Credit from Apple

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

The Gazette reports (http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=ad18306f-7a94-4cc0-b336-b0dadf64af51) that two class-action lawsuits against Apple Canada have been settled with a $45 credit being offered to Canadian residents who purchased a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation iPod prior to June 24, 2004.

The basis of the lawsuit was due to claims that the iPod's battery life shortened to only 3 hours in the second year of ownership despite advertised claims of eight hours between recharges.

As many as 80,000 Canadians could be eligible for the $45 credit which can be used at the Apple online store. The decision mirrors a similar settlement (http://www.macrumors.com/2005/06/02/ipod-class-action-suit-settlement/) in the U.S. for the same claims. In that case, Apple paid out a $50 credit to affected individuals.

Full details of the settlement are available at http://www.apple.com/ca/ipod/settlement/.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/08/early-canadian-ipod-owners-get-45-credit-from-apple/)

[amac4me]

Something better than nothing Eh?

Everyone wins in this settlement. People get some money back that will find its way back to Apple in the form of sales of new iPods and/or iPhones!

[Darkroom]

Something better than nothing Eh?

oh, i had a 3rd gen ipod before 2004... tasty!

but they haven't yet posted instructions on how to make a claim... probably need some proof of purchase, as if i still have that lying around:rolleyes:

[arn]

Something better than nothing Eh?

Everyone wins in this settlement. People get some money back that will find its way back to Apple in the form of sales of new iPods and/or iPhones!

Heh... ya.... Apple might come out ahead on these credits as people buy iPhones (when it comes to Canada) and whatnot :)

arn

[sebimeyer]

Wow, $45CAN is $50US? The USD sure is in the crapper! :rolleyes:

Nice how they still manage to give less to international customers, even if its a lawsuit.

[shigzeo]

canada remains a cheap country to buy apple products compared some other countries, but why did americans get 50$ in 2004 and canadians 45$ in 2008? if they really wanted to make up the difference and be kind and treat canadians with a little more respect, they could offer a price that more reflects the currency disparity at time of purchase of the ipod. in that case, the canadian dollar was 82c us to buy so the price should be 55$.

oh well, not like anything will ever change.

[sebimeyer]

oh, i had a 3rd gen ipod before 2004... tasty!

but they haven't yet posted instructions on how to make a claim... probably need some proof of purchase, as if i still have that lying around:rolleyes:

Well, since you apparently still use the iPod every day... surely you also have the receipt? Or do you mean to say you stopped using that iPod years ago? I am shocked! :eek:

[bondsbw]

It's a total of $3.6 million in store credit, if all 80,000 eligible people claim the credit.

This obviously isn't very big money for Apple, especially considering that around 1 million early adopters of the iPhone were eligible for a $100 credit a piece. And as Arn said, Apple will only see profit from such a deal.

[bigrell486]

Wow, $45CAN is $50US? The USD sure is in the crapper! :rolleyes:

Nice how they still manage to give less to international customers, even if its a lawsuit.

No one said that $50USD equals $45CAN.
Infact at them moment $1USD equals 0.985 Cananadian dollars.

[graymccarty]

Is this only offered to residents of Quebec?

[deathshrub]

Batteries lose their charge over time?

Shocking and scandalous! Brb, suing any company I've ever bought a battery from. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, this is moronic.


oh well, not like anything will ever change.

It won't stop you from complaining though.

[ckurowic]

I say: STOP YOUR WHINING. New stuff comes out all the time, I bought an iMac and 3 months later the new models come out, should I sue Apple? No, because I'm not a douche.

[Omni Geno]

Wow, $45CAN is $50US? The USD sure is in the crapper! :rolleyes:

Yes.

[ckurowic]

Something better than nothing Eh?

Everyone wins in this settlement. People get some money back that will find its way back to Apple in the form of sales of new iPods and/or iPhones!

How do you figure? I don't see that these folks are going to go out and buy a new iPod, they cost more than $45 you know.

canada remains a cheap country to buy apple products compared some other countries, but why did americans get 50$ in 2004 and canadians 45$ in 2008? if they really wanted to make up the difference and be kind and treat canadians with a little more respect, they could offer a price that more reflects the currency disparity at time of purchase of the ipod. in that case, the canadian dollar was 82c us to buy so the price should be 55$.

oh well, not like anything will ever change.

Uh....yeah.

Yes.

Old news. Get your head out of the sand. The Euro is nearly double the US dollar.

[shigzeo]

Batteries lose their charge over time?

Shocking and scandalous! Brb, suing any company I've ever bought a battery from. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, this is moronic.




It won't stop you from complaining though.

i have not been mucha complainer on these boards mate. i don't post much but i am quite proud of my apple products and the service i have had. however, seeing as this happened in both states and canada, why not pay the canadians at least what they were paid in the usa? the exchange rate of when the ipod was purchased would be much better even considering then that the canadians paid a much heftier tarrif. it is really like giving them less 30% over what the american customers received.

glad you have been following my every post to know that i always complain. cheers

[Teddy's]

canada remains a cheap country to buy apple products compared some other countries, but why did americans get 50$ in 2004 and canadians 45$ in 2008? if they really wanted to make up the difference and be kind and treat canadians with a little more respect, they could offer a price that more reflects the currency disparity at time of purchase of the ipod. in that case, the canadian dollar was 82c us to buy so the price should be 55$.

oh well, not like anything will ever change.

Canadians never complain.
CDN at 82 cents: we get less :( awww
CDN at parity: we export less, this is hurting us :( awww
More taxes :( awww
Equalization :( awww
Western alienation :( awww
Quebec wants to go solo :( awww
More South Park gay jokes :( awww

[nathany]

My 1st gen iPod actually outlasted the Mini I bought to replace it. That's right, when my mini's battery died, my brother was still using my old iPod classic 5gb. Luckily I had an extended warranty with Future Shop to upgrade to Nano.

At this point in time it seems quite silly. It's like a mail-in rebate, how many people are going to dig up an ancient receipt and go through the process for $45 coin?

[atropos]

I bought a 3G iPod in the very first day launch, but the invoice is gone (who keep the invoice more than 3 months?? huh? ) .. so how to prove it???:confused: BTW I have open box photos... :p

[nnkd]

:D
This 45$ will go towards my next iPod when my 3 gen dies completely... or beer...

[shigzeo]

beer could be a great way to spend the drippings on

[marbles]

At this point in time it seems quite silly. It's like a mail-in rebate, how many people are going to dig up an ancient receipt and go through the process for $45 coin?


plenty of folk who are not as rich as you , obviously !

[sgibson]

Wait. The punishment for misrepresenting goods (I'm not arguing about batteries losing charge - but that was the outcome of the class action, so purely technicality here) is to give the customer money that can ONLY be spent with the company they had a greivance with? That seems a little odd (though also seems standard practice), especially since most people will put that $45 towards something more expensive. So Apple's court ordered punishment is to get people to spend more money with Apple.

Ah, sweet justice :)

PS Not trolling against Apple, just against the legal rulings in these cases.

[macduke]

Canada on strike? Looks like they got their theoretical dollars / coupon from Apple.

I'm not your fwend, guy!
I'm not your guy, buddy!
I'm not your buddy, fwend!





What what, in the butt?

[H$R]

Something better than nothing Eh?

Everyone wins in this settlement. People get some money back that will find its way back to Apple in the form of sales of new iPods and/or iPhones!

eveyone wins..that only counts for the US and canadian folks and Apple. there are also many european people with early generations.

but hey, no one forced me to buy an iPod back then..I wanted and I loved it. It was my beginning with a real confident Apple relationship. 45$ dollars for EVERYONE would still be nice

[slicecom]

Cool, if I can find the receipt for my 2nd gen, I'll put the $45 toward an iPhone when they finally come out here! ;)

[Shasterball]

canada remains a cheap country to buy apple products compared some other countries, but why did americans get 50$ in 2004 and canadians 45$ in 2008? if they really wanted to make up the difference and be kind and treat canadians with a little more respect, they could offer a price that more reflects the currency disparity at time of purchase of the ipod. in that case, the canadian dollar was 82c us to buy so the price should be 55$.

oh well, not like anything will ever change.

Ummm, why would the exchanger rate play a role here? You bought something with Canadian money and you get back Canadian money. Just because Apple is an American company doesn't mean that you factor in exchange rates. If Apple was Canadian, how would it have affected your purchase? It wouldn't -- you would have paid the same amount and gotten the same amount back.

Also, the Canadian courts decide the amount. Do you think Apple looses the suit and just decides what to give people? Why not just give you $1. Or a coupon to Tim Horton's.

And, now that the US dollar is weaker, Apple is paying more that they would have in 2004.

Why do Canadians have such an inferiority complex on this site. It's so weird.

[matticus008]

That seems a little odd (though also seems standard practice), especially since most people will put that $45 towards something more expensive. So Apple's court ordered punishment is to get people to spend more money with Apple.
In this case, it makes perfect sense. You can put that money toward a battery replacement for your iPod, which by now it's likely to need. It pays for more than two-thirds of the cost to do so, which more than compensates customers for the capacity problems they may or may not have actually experienced. Members of the class have the opportunity to resolve the issue at a nominal cost and don't have to prove having had the problem years ago.

Store credit generally is consented to by the plaintiffs settling a class action because it results in a greater dollar award than a cash settlement would (e.g. a $40 credit instead of a $4 check/cheque).

Ultimately, the award or settlement isn't for the members of the class, who bore the risk of zero monetary loss and contributed zero labor toward the litigation. The settlement award is intended to be punitive in nature. It costs the company money that they would not have had to spend if they avoided the lawsuit in the first place (thereby disincentivizing similar future behavior). Any compensation to members of the class at all, in most mundane class actions, is purely a bonus.

[Reason077]

Ugh... why is it only for purchases before June 24th? I purchased my 3G on July 3, 2004 (still have it, and the receipt for CAD$632.45!)

[LouTreize]

Is this only offered to residents of Quebec?

Nope. From the settlement papers, it mentions a Quebec class action suit carried out by Ines Lenzi and an Ontario class action suit carried out by Bradely Waddell...

[Abstract]

Canadians won't get as much as the American settlement because these lawsuits were handled differently, decided upon differently, and therefore, don't correlate at all. The Canadian settlement happens to be $45, which also happens to be similar to the $50 that Americans settled for. It's a mere coincidence that they're very close in value, which lead many of you to believe that they decided on the settlement through currency exchange or something. That's probably not what happened. The settlement amount per customer probably probably could have been anywhere from $0 to $60 Canadian dollars, but $45 was decided on. That's all.

Canadians never complain.
CDN at 82 cents: we get less :( awww
CDN at parity: we export less, this is hurting us :( awww
More taxes :( awww
Equalization :( awww
Western alienation :( awww
Quebec wants to go solo :( awww
More South Park gay jokes :( awww

Haha, that's the funniest thing I've seen in awhile. :p

[Buschmaster]

Nice how they still manage to give less to international customers, even if its a lawsuit.
So... Apple gives customers $45 credit and you think that this is Apple shafting them?

Clearly they could pull a Dell and offer them just new batteries, but who would want that? It's for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation iPod, surely they're not used widespread anymore. I even occasionally see the 4th generation, maybe once or twice a year at this point.

Also, before you post... think. It's not hard.

Apple gave less to the international customers because
A) these customers bought a more expensive product
B) the customers feel that they were shafted out of $200
C) it was a more recent product

If someone went in to replace the battery on their 2nd gen iPod, for example, it wouldn't be $200, and maybe if it were $200 they would give them $100.

[SPUY767]

This all depends on usage patterns. My 1G iPod I got in freaking '01 Still holds about 4 hours on a charge and it's never had the battery replaced. Two batteries that roll off the assembly line one right behind the other will perform differently, and someone who uses their iPod al day every day will have a different experience than someone who used their iPod only an hour or so a day.

[brad.c]

Not to complain, but I wish everybody would quit complaining, INCLUDING those complaining about the complainers.

[OLD ELPASO]

Dang... Nothing for the iPod Mini 1st Gen.

[twoodcc]

dang it took awhile, but glad to see that they finally got this settled

[Raid]

I bought a 3rd gen the day it was announced and never had battery problems to speak of until I stopped using it regularly. Even now it still gets ~ 3.5hrs per charge which is not bad considering how many battery cycles it has gone through. I might take advantage of the $45 dollar rebate though, as it's about time I replace that 3G iPod with an iPhone... now that's one hell of an upgrade, and $45 off sounds good to me.

[awvan]

This is welcome news. My 3G iPod didn't really have battery problems but the thing completely crashed and died just after my 1 year warranty was up. $45 towards an iPod touch or an iPhone is better than a kick in the ass.

[notjustjay]

I did buy a 3G, 15 gig iPod in fall 2003, and I remember paying $549 Cdn at the time -- and that was with the education discount! However, I sold that iPod years ago, and I very much doubt I would have any record of the purchase now.

To all of you who get money from this, great! But for many of us, this seems like a rather empty promise.

[obsoletepower]

I honestly don't know why people buy iPods. In terms of sound quality, they are the worst in the business plus they have that stupid shiny cover that scratches so easily. I am never buying a piece of crap iPod ever again!

[newno55]

I did buy a 3G, 15 gig iPod in fall 2003, and I remember paying $549 Cdn at the time -- and that was with the education discount! However, I sold that iPod years ago, and I very much doubt I would have any record of the purchase now.

To all of you who get money from this, great! But for many of us, this seems like a rather empty promise.

Yeah, I also bought one of those puppies in the 2003... shoot... possibly '04.

Regardless, I sold it a few months ago too! Had the battery replaced on it too during my usage.

I wonder if apple will credit that to me... haha. The Emotional distress caused by my 10 dollar replacement will leave a lifelong scar :eek:

[SPUY767]

I honestly don't know why people buy iPods. In terms of sound quality, they are the worst in the business plus they have that stupid shiny cover that scratches so easily. I am never buying a piece of crap iPod ever again!

http://www.digg.com

Go there.

[!¡ V ¡!]

So to wrap things up, we get less than $50 CAD after so many years. :rolleyes:


Anyhow I believe :apple: will be issuing rebates or some other form of store credit via the registration code. :)

[Takeo]

Wow, $45CAN is $50US? The USD sure is in the crapper!

Actually... $45 CND is $44.70 USD.

Apple still charges more for everything in Canada. And apparently they give us lower rebates too.

[queshy]

Thanks Apple, now let me go find that 5 year old receipt...

[macduke]

I honestly don't know why people buy iPods. In terms of sound quality, they are the worst in the business plus they have that stupid shiny cover that scratches so easily. I am never buying a piece of crap iPod ever again!

Get a case, or better yet, an iPod Touch. What do you suggest then, a Zune? Hah. Don't kid yourself. People buy iPods because iPods are the best. Period.

Which brings us to this little gem from December 2006...

WHAT??? Is Apple ****** stupid??? Who the hell is going to pay $600 or $700 for an Apple phone??? Good God!!!

EPIC FAIL.....troll boy.

[marclapierre13]

Ah, sorry. But does that mean if i bought an ipod in 2005, i will get a rebate?

[newno55]

Hmm, looks like 2005 will be too late.

Although apple is pretty generous with stuff like this. As long as your's was a NEW 3rd generation, explain the circumstances to them and I would not be surprised to see them credit you as well.

Specifically, I always found that dealing with customer relations regarding these types of issues was helpful.

Personally for the rest of us, i dont know how they are going to expect us to dig up such old receipts.

I guess this move makes them look honest, while having to pay as little out as possibly...

[Darkroom]

I say: STOP YOUR WHINING. New stuff comes out all the time, I bought an iMac and 3 months later the new models come out, should I sue Apple? No, because I'm not a douche.

that's clearly debatable...

I honestly don't know why people buy iPods. In terms of sound quality, they are the worst in the business plus they have that stupid shiny cover that scratches so easily. I am never buying a piece of crap iPod ever again!

sorry you've had bad experience with iPod... i've had several since they first were released and they all worked fine...

Thanks Apple, now let me go find that 5 year old receipt...

seriously... maybe if i pay Royal Bank $45 they'll send me an old interac statement for my purchase...:rolleyes:

[slicecom]

Get a case, or better yet, an iPod Touch. What do you suggest then, a Zune? Hah. Don't kid yourself. People buy iPods because iPods are the best. Period.

Which brings us to this little gem from December 2006...



EPIC FAIL.....troll boy.

LOL Thanks for digging up that gem. Some people never change.

[DoFoT9]

:D
This 45$ will go towards my next iPod when my 3 gen dies completely... or beer...

beer could be a great way to spend the drippings on

IN STORE CREDIT!!!!

BUGGER!!! :mad:

[Macnificant]

Are you going to need to provide the receipt to get the rebate?

[matticus008]

Are you going to need to provide the receipt to get the rebate?
http://www.apple.com/ca/ipod/settlement/

[Darkroom]

http://www.apple.com/ca/ipod/settlement/

"View Instructions and Claim form English - coming soon"
"View Instructions and Claim form French - coming soon"

[matticus008]

"View Instructions and Claim form English - coming soon"
"View Instructions and Claim form French - coming soon"
The information is in the PDF. The answer is also in the post. Honestly, do people not even try to read anymore?

[dukemantee]

View Instructions and Claim form English - coming soon"
"View Instructions and Claim form French - coming soon"

[matticus008]

View Instructions and Claim form English - coming soon"
"View Instructions and Claim form French - coming soon"
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, THE REQUIREMENTS ARE IN THE FLIPPIN' PDF.

Here's even a direct link:
http://images.apple.com/ca/ipod/settlement/settlement_agreement.pdf

[kaiwai]

Canadians never complain.
CDN at 82 cents: we get less :( awww
CDN at parity: we export less, this is hurting us :( awww
More taxes :( awww
Equalization :( awww
Western alienation :( awww
Quebec wants to go solo :( awww
More South Park gay jokes :( awww

Meh, could be worse - atleast it isn't the NZ Peso.

[Macnificant]

Has anyone heard anything about receiving the settlement yet? When should we expect to hear?

[Yvan256]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, THE REQUIREMENTS ARE IN THE FLIPPIN' PDF.

If the requirements are in the PDFs then they should remove the two "coming soon" lines from that page.

[marclapierre13]

geezus, still "coming soon"....

[Darkroom]

looks like apple is really on top of this... :rolleyes:

[matticus008]

If the requirements are in the PDFs then they should remove the two "coming soon" lines from that page.
No, because the forms are still forthcoming, which is what the links are for. For those who simply want to know the terms and instructions, that information is, and has been from the day the page went live, in the PDF file.

Apparently people are incapable of the basic task of reading. It's not like it's even hidden. The section is labeled in big, bold letters with short words.
looks like apple is really on top of this... :rolleyes:
For those wondering why the form hasn't been posted yet but too lazy to read, that information is available in referenced documents as well: it must be approved by the Québec government, which will happen at a hearing June 20th.

So yes, they are, in fact, on top of it. If only forum posters were, too.

[Matty-Andy]

I've been watching that page waiting for how to apply... now the page has been taken down before providing any info on how to apply for the credit. :(

[matticus008]

I've been watching that page waiting for how to apply... now the page has been taken down before providing any info on how to apply for the credit. :(
What do you mean? The claim forms are posted for the battery settlement (Schedule A). Claims are due January 8, 2009.