Note To fellow Macrumors Users
Many on here have concerns with Apple's pre-order system regarding newly announced products. To those people (and in my opinion too) Apple's pre-order system is flawed, and dosen't quite match the rest of the industry with regards to this feature. Many have been burned in the past with pre-ordering a product , and have it ship after their local Apple Store receives their copies.
Examples..
iPod 5th Generation (Video)
iPod Nano
iPod Nano 2nd Generation
iPod Touch (current issue)
To many, this is a bad experience with Apple, and for many it is their first experience with them, or with their customer service. I am not fully sure what Apple's intent for their pre-order system, however most of the public (because of other companies systems) expect to get their product either first or at the same time stores receive them. However this isn't how it ends up working with Apple in most cases (there are some exceptions).
Often (as in the case with the current Touch) People's items have not even shipped two (plus) days after the stores started to receive the new product. Even if they could get a product at their local store, Apple locks them into their online purchase (even if the product has not been shipped), making that customer even more frustrated.
My main concern with this issue is the fact that many look down on Apple for this, some never forgiving the company for this Policy / mistake?
My request is to have everyone effected or concerned about this practice, send a letter, or comment to Apple. Venting on places such as Macrumors does feel good, and lets your voice get out, however it is likely not going to help resolve what you perceive as being a problem. Since Apple likely would only skim forums like this (if they do at all), sending letters or notes to the company directly is the only solid chance for your complaints to be effective. Online petitions rarely work, so investing time into those is often a futile endeavor.
Apple needs to understand customer expectations on this issue (or others like it), to reduce the bad press / feelings from people paying for these products beforehand. If Apple is going to maintain a pre-order system, they should do everything they can to ensure that those who paid for (and are locked into purchasing) their products early on, receive theirs either before, or near the same time as their own retail stores do!
I was personally burned by this during the release of the first iPod nano, and have since stopped using Apple's Pre-order system. I am seeing many complaints being posted currently regarding the iPod touch (which I picked up myself at a local store avoiding their flawed (in my opinion) pre-order system).
Suggested ways to contact Apple.
Snail Mail (Possibly the most effective form of communication!)
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408.996.1010
VIA the Apple website
http://www.apple.com/contact/feedback.html
Many on here have concerns with Apple's pre-order system regarding newly announced products. To those people (and in my opinion too) Apple's pre-order system is flawed, and dosen't quite match the rest of the industry with regards to this feature. Many have been burned in the past with pre-ordering a product , and have it ship after their local Apple Store receives their copies.
Examples..
iPod 5th Generation (Video)
iPod Nano
iPod Nano 2nd Generation
iPod Touch (current issue)
To many, this is a bad experience with Apple, and for many it is their first experience with them, or with their customer service. I am not fully sure what Apple's intent for their pre-order system, however most of the public (because of other companies systems) expect to get their product either first or at the same time stores receive them. However this isn't how it ends up working with Apple in most cases (there are some exceptions).
Often (as in the case with the current Touch) People's items have not even shipped two (plus) days after the stores started to receive the new product. Even if they could get a product at their local store, Apple locks them into their online purchase (even if the product has not been shipped), making that customer even more frustrated.
My main concern with this issue is the fact that many look down on Apple for this, some never forgiving the company for this Policy / mistake?
My request is to have everyone effected or concerned about this practice, send a letter, or comment to Apple. Venting on places such as Macrumors does feel good, and lets your voice get out, however it is likely not going to help resolve what you perceive as being a problem. Since Apple likely would only skim forums like this (if they do at all), sending letters or notes to the company directly is the only solid chance for your complaints to be effective. Online petitions rarely work, so investing time into those is often a futile endeavor.
Apple needs to understand customer expectations on this issue (or others like it), to reduce the bad press / feelings from people paying for these products beforehand. If Apple is going to maintain a pre-order system, they should do everything they can to ensure that those who paid for (and are locked into purchasing) their products early on, receive theirs either before, or near the same time as their own retail stores do!
I was personally burned by this during the release of the first iPod nano, and have since stopped using Apple's Pre-order system. I am seeing many complaints being posted currently regarding the iPod touch (which I picked up myself at a local store avoiding their flawed (in my opinion) pre-order system).
Suggested ways to contact Apple.
Snail Mail (Possibly the most effective form of communication!)
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408.996.1010
VIA the Apple website
http://www.apple.com/contact/feedback.html