So, I went into the Apple Store today to see if anything could be done to help mitigate the issues I'm having with my phone (dropped calls, poor data reception, proximity issue). I had an appointment and was assigned a tech. I expressed to him my concerns with the phone in a very polite way (it's not this guys fault my phone performs random acts of randomness) and let him know that I'm an experienced user and that this was my 3rd iphone. I basically summed things up by saying that my new iphone 4 was dramatically less consistent and reliable than the previous 2 versions I have had.
Experience 1: The tech takes the phone back in the back of the building (or behind the big green curtain like the Wizard of Oz). I have no idea what they tried or how they tested it but he was gone for about 10 minutes. He comes back and says he has never heard of the proximity issues and since they couldn't replicate it, he refused to swap out the phone. I told him that what he was saying is exactly what I expected him to say and that I likely will need to return the phone. I asked him when my 30 days was up. He said 30 days from the day I ordered it. I thanked him and left.
As I left, I called my dad and phone subsequently put him on hold and then dropped the call altogether! Nice! I call him back and we chat for a couple of minutes and then it starts beeping in my ear telling me that my FaceTime chat failed. Nice! I'm about 200 yards from the Apple Store. Frustrated, I call back and ask for a manager. After talking to one of his call screeners I finally talk to the manger.
Experience 2: I explain the problem to the manager and tel him that my frustration isn't with him or his staff, but with my device. I explain the proximity issue etc. He admitted that he was aware of the issue (finally!) and had seen it happen to other store managers etc. He said would gladly replace my phone but advised me that all iphone 4's are having this problem and none of the iphone 4's are having this problem. In other words, it's user specific depending on face shape, how the phone is held etc. He said that there is an patch coming in the next few weeks to address this issue and that it's not a hardware issue. I was pleased because at least he admitted the problem and offered me options (replace or return). I asked him when I had to return it - he said 30 days from the day it was received.
Experience 3: After talking with the store manager I call the Apple 800 number. The rep asked what problems I was having. I quickly explained the issues to her. She too advised me of an impending patch. She didn't know when, but also said it would be in the coming weeks. I asked her about the return policy and she said it was 30 days from the day it was shipped.
So, they admitted the problem exists, that it's not hardware, that it will be fixed soon. I hope it's before my 30 day return window closes otherwise I'll have to return the one I have.
Experience 1: The tech takes the phone back in the back of the building (or behind the big green curtain like the Wizard of Oz). I have no idea what they tried or how they tested it but he was gone for about 10 minutes. He comes back and says he has never heard of the proximity issues and since they couldn't replicate it, he refused to swap out the phone. I told him that what he was saying is exactly what I expected him to say and that I likely will need to return the phone. I asked him when my 30 days was up. He said 30 days from the day I ordered it. I thanked him and left.
As I left, I called my dad and phone subsequently put him on hold and then dropped the call altogether! Nice! I call him back and we chat for a couple of minutes and then it starts beeping in my ear telling me that my FaceTime chat failed. Nice! I'm about 200 yards from the Apple Store. Frustrated, I call back and ask for a manager. After talking to one of his call screeners I finally talk to the manger.
Experience 2: I explain the problem to the manager and tel him that my frustration isn't with him or his staff, but with my device. I explain the proximity issue etc. He admitted that he was aware of the issue (finally!) and had seen it happen to other store managers etc. He said would gladly replace my phone but advised me that all iphone 4's are having this problem and none of the iphone 4's are having this problem. In other words, it's user specific depending on face shape, how the phone is held etc. He said that there is an patch coming in the next few weeks to address this issue and that it's not a hardware issue. I was pleased because at least he admitted the problem and offered me options (replace or return). I asked him when I had to return it - he said 30 days from the day it was received.
Experience 3: After talking with the store manager I call the Apple 800 number. The rep asked what problems I was having. I quickly explained the issues to her. She too advised me of an impending patch. She didn't know when, but also said it would be in the coming weeks. I asked her about the return policy and she said it was 30 days from the day it was shipped.
So, they admitted the problem exists, that it's not hardware, that it will be fixed soon. I hope it's before my 30 day return window closes otherwise I'll have to return the one I have.
