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Did Apple send you a FREE BUMPER?

  • Yes.

    Votes: 50 17.5%
  • No.

    Votes: 235 82.5%

  • Total voters
    285
I telephoned my "local" Apple store (UK) and talked to the manager about the problem, and after 20 minutes of putting my case across to him he point blank refused (numerous times) to offer me a free bumper to resolve the issue.

He didn't even admit that there was an issue as nothing has been officially released from Apple about it, he said he'd just heard rumours.

He kept hiding behind the "no official statement", and "not company policy" lines, and the only option he offered me was to return the phone for a full refund of £599. That was it. End of story.

Very poor show by Apple, knowing that there is a resolution to the problem yet refusing to do anything about it because it would cost them money.
 
i just called, mentioned the bumper. Guy offered me a 30 dollar shipping replacement and no free bumper. Idk how these people are getting them unless they are outright asking for a refund. i order one and i would like a refund, i think im just gonna call and ask for one.
 
I called and was not given a free bumper. They just told me the engineers were working on it.
 
I called and was not given a free bumper. They just told me the engineers were working on it.

My colleague at work was told the same. I thnk they stopped giving them out as much as 1) they are working on a fix; and 2) dont want to appear to be admitting to a flaw necessarily.

I dont think cost is an issue - I mean they punch these things out on a line. Probably costs them 10 cents.
 
i just got off the phone with apple support and they gave me a free bumper :) first guy a talked to was really nice and saying he heard a lot about the issues and that he'd transfer me to a supervisor

supervisor got on and i explained the issues i was having holding the phone etc. etc. He replied that i shouldn't hold it that way, then broke out laughing, just kidding he said. I explained how people were saying that the bumpers would be a short term fix until we had a software update and that I didn't think I should have to buy a $30 case to make my $700 phone work. He agreed and said he'd ship me one. Took my info and said it would be in the mail today.
 
great so they will write a script that stops the bars dropping on the screen while not changing anything?

my thoughts exactly

I agree with you two.

While I hate to be a sceptic, after Steve Jobs first attempt to blow it off instead of accepting responsibility and demonstrating he cares, Jobs sent a clear message. Go spend another $30 and fix it yourself.

Let's get real people, look at all the money Apple is making off the iPhone.
 
My colleague at work was told the same. I thnk they stopped giving them out as much as 1) they are working on a fix; and 2) dont want to appear to be admitting to a flaw necessarily.

I dont think cost is an issue - I mean they punch these things out on a line. Probably costs them 10 cents.

Apple can't give out bumpers, they're out of stock. Or at least that's what I was told. In addition, if done on a large scale it would mean culpability.
 
I phoned apple care, told them I had the antenna issue. He said he has to transfer me to his supervisor if it's about that.

When the supervisor answered he asked me in detail how it happens. He got me to do it while I was on the phone with him. He said the reason for this is that he has to forward all the details to the engineering department.

He then said that even though it's a hardware issue, the engineering department are working on a software fix for next week.

He said in the mean time he will send me a free bumper. However, he then said I might get the software fix before I receive the bumper, Monday prehaps?

Apple are on top of this, even though jobs thinks its not an issue- it's clearly become one.
I also called Applecare and was forwarded to "the next level". They agreed to send me a free Bumper but didn't mention the Software Fix, but i hope your right.
 
What email address are you using to contact them? I ordered a bumper day of pre order so maybe I can get a refund.
 
I phoned apple care, told them I had the antenna issue. He said he has to transfer me to his supervisor if it's about that.

When the supervisor answered he asked me in detail how it happens. He got me to do it while I was on the phone with him. He said the reason for this is that he has to forward all the details to the engineering department.

He then said that even though it's a hardware issue, the engineering department are working on a software fix for next week.
You have mislead us. There is _nothing confirmed_

They are simply working on it. There is a big difference.
 
Are there enough bumpers for everyone or for at least everyone that is having a problem?

Is there a homemade fix? I have been reading about people applying nail polish. But, who wants to do that?

I see a big market for bumpers, if someone buys up all of them.
 
Apple can't give out bumpers, they're out of stock. Or at least that's what I was told. In addition, if done on a large scale it would mean culpability.

It is true they are out of stock of free bumpers. :D However, if they did give out free bumpers it would not nec. prove culpability. In fact, Jobs has already admitted there 1) is a problem -- couched as universal w/ all phones, and 2) that you could solve the problem by getting a case. So Apple giving free bumpers out does not appreciable move "the ball."

Are there enough bumpers for everyone or for at least everyone that is having a problem?

Is there a homemade fix?

$3.99 at Staples:

s0213301_sc7
 
Just got off the phone with an Apple rep. She said that "our company" isn't giving out anything free. She said that those are rumors but Apple is aware of the issue.

She also said that Apple will be releasing information regarding the matter/issue today. She said to keep checking their site.
 
On Thursday night, I spoke with someone who transferred me to a higher level tech person. Both were very nice. The upper level person offered me the free bumper without my asking for it. I have an order number, but don't know when it will be shipped. I hope this solves the problem somewhat. This is the first real signal problem I have ever had with a cell phone.
 
Wouldn't a hardware design flaw affect 100% of the phones? Alot of people have no problems.... Software script may jut patch this whole thing up
 
Good to know this is their fix. It's like they knew the rubber band was overpriced and yet it was a non-issue until that overpriced rubber band became the workaround for this issue. Stay classy Apple. :cool:
 
Aadhil said:
They'll reroute the signal so that it comes from a part of the metal bezel that's unlikely to be touched when you're on a call.

Lol
 
Yeah, I just rung up, she explained what I already knew and said it's a "hardware problem" - so we've all gone out and bought a faulty product that Apple probably have no intention of fixing. It's even worse for me, because I have HUGE hands so i lose signal whichever hand I hold it in! The nice American lady put me on hold for 10 minutes just to tell me that you could buy a bumper for £22 (which is wrong) from the Online Apple Store.

Joy.
 
Interesting to hear the different responses people are getting. I posted this in the other thread a minute ago but I'll post it here too. I called Apple about 45 minutes ago:

Well I'm one of the many that suffers from the reception issue. I just called Apple support and was connected to someone right away.

Apple tech: How can I help you?
me: Are you familiar with the reception issue when you touch the lower left corner of iP4?

Apple tech: Yes sir we are.
me: I have that.

Apple tech: Did you buy a bumper case?
me: Nope.

Apple tech: Oh, well the fix right now is to use the bumper case. I can send you one.
me: Is that the official fix?

Apple tech: It's just temporary right now until they get an update out.
me: When will that happen?

Apple tech: Hopefully next week sometime. I'll go ahead and send your bumper out to you and you should receive it on Monday or Tuesday.

I really had no intention of trying to get a free bumper out this since it seems that doesn't always fix the issue. I just wanted to get a case number and let Apple know how many people are affected. I'll take a free bumper though since she offered it up.

Just received an email confirming my "Do-It-Yourself" repair :p
 
Wouldn't a hardware design flaw affect 100% of the phones? Alot of people have no problems.... Software script may jut patch this whole thing up

I have to believe that it was possibly just a 'bad batch' as mine and others I know have no issues at all. I tried replicating the issue and couldn't. Either way, I hope Apple figures out a quick and fair fix for those who are affected.
 
I got a free bumper yesterday but shortly after they sent out a corp email to stop giving them out and sell them instead
 
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