New York Senator Charles Schumer writes open letter to Steve Jobs

[Jack Dangers]

The letter is valid.

1) Apple needs to be held Accountable. And that goes to every naysayer in this thread who writes something as silly as "just return it if you don't like it." We all appreciate your "novel" idea. But this isn't about returning the phone or not - it's about Apple taking RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY for a product they released

2) Who cares if the press conference was already called. The Senator is going on record as saying that Apple needs to address this issue. As of today, NO ONE in the Public Domain knows what will or won't be covered in that conference. The Senator is giving a blow-by-blow request on what he feels needs to be accomplished. It's great timing. It's the last ditch effort to appeal to Apple that whatever they have planned tomorrow to include some/all of his requests.

Are you kidding me? You know Apple has already taken responsibility for this. They're standing behind their product and offering full refund if you're not satisfied. You know that people are still well inside their return period. This letter is a joke. The iPhone is not a utility. We live in a free market, and if you're unhappy take your business elsewhere. The company/corp will get the message soon enough. The last thing we need is some senator who is up for reelection getting involved in this. Now if Apple was not offering full refunds, then I say the senator has the right to get involved. Until then, enough is enough.

Sad times we live in... go ahead call me fanboy, but this is just asinine.

 

[BadMoon]

Cavalier, huh? Real chick magnet.

Some people don't need something as trivial as a car in order to attract beautiful women.

 

[zizo79]

So in other words, yes people in NY are this pathetic. Maybe if this is such a big deal in NY the people need to stand up for themselves and speak with their wallet. Long return lines at Apple stores will certainly do a better job of getting the message across. This isn't something you go whining to your senator about, grow a backbone and walk over to the Apple store and say it doesn't work and I want my money back simple as that. This isn't remotely a consumer protection issue.

Yes it is a consumer protection issue. If it wasn't for the media, Apple would still have ignored their customers concerns. Why would they announce a press conference if it wasn't an issue ?
It will be funny to see the reaction of all the people saying "I have no issues with my iPhone 4" if Apple admitted that all their iPhone 4s suffer the antenna problem.

 

[kuaiyouming]

.

 

[s8film40]

Yes it is a consumer protection issue. If it wasn't for the media, Apple would still have ignored their customers concerns. Why would they announce a press conference if it wasn't an issue ?
It will be funny to see the reaction of all the people saying "I have no issues with my iPhone 4" if Apple admitted that all their iPhone 4s suffer the antenna problem.

No it is not. If it really is a consumer protection issue can you explain to me what exactly the consumers need to be protected from? If a consumer buys a product is dissatisfied with it and has an opportunity to return it but doesn't than it is a consumer ignorance issue, and I really don't feel that people should be protected from their own ignorance.

 

[samcraig]

Are you kidding me? You know Apple has already taken responsibility for this. They're standing behind their product and offering full refund if you're not satisfied. You know that people are still well inside their return period. This letter is a joke. The iPhone is not a utility. We live in a free market, and if you're unhappy take your business elsewhere. The company/corp will get the message soon enough. The last thing we need is some senator who is up for reelection getting involved in this. Now if Apple was not offering full refunds, then I say the senator has the right to get involved. Until then, enough is enough.

Sad times we live in... go ahead call me fanboy, but this is just asinine.

I'm not into name calling. This is about more than refunds. At least to/for me it is. I was the one (one of the few) who Jobs' emailed back when I asked him what was going on with the Antenna issue. He, quite frankly insulted my intelligence with his quick retort "non issue - just try holding it different" Then Apple released a letter which was a giant smokescreen to the actual issue.

And now, if we are to believe the latest "reports" - Apple is indeed fixing the phone because there IS a design issue.

So yes - I hold Apple ACCOUNTABLE for their actions. Criticize me all you want. I'm glad they are doing right by the customer if these reports are true. What I don't appreciate is being told by forum members and by Apple (originally) that I have no issue.

 

[samcraig]

No it is not. If it really is a consumer protection issue can you explain to me what exactly the consumers need to be protected from? If a consumer buys a product is dissatisfied with it and has an opportunity to return it but doesn't than it is a consumer ignorance issue, and I really don't feel that people should be protected from their own ignorance.

Apple lied. Or perhaps a better way to say it - they misrepresented their product. The onus isn't on the consumer in that scenario, is it?

Apple should be and IS being held accountable. If Apple didn't think they needed to be accountable - why the press conference? Why the (reported) fix on the way.

If Apple was in the right - there's be no need. Nuff said.

 

[bluenoise]

I'm not into name calling. This is about more than refunds. At least to/for me it is. I was the one (one of the few) who Jobs' emailed back when I asked him what was going on with the Antenna issue. He, quite frankly insulted my intelligence with his quick retort "non issue - just try holding it different" Then Apple released a letter which was a giant smokescreen to the actual issue.

And now, if we are to believe the latest "reports" - Apple is indeed fixing the phone because there IS a design issue.

So yes - I hold Apple ACCOUNTABLE for their actions. Criticize me all you want. I'm glad they are doing right by the customer if these reports are true. What I don't appreciate is being told by forum members and by Apple (originally) that I have no issue.

No, you don't. You still have their product and they still have your money. Reverse that, then you can say you're holding them accountable.

 

[aohus]

he just wants the 'techie' vote. elections are coming up haha

 

[magpie maniac]

The corner store shorted me 13 cents in change yesterday. Hopefully, I can get Chuck to write a letter on my behalf.

When the hell did we start thinking that everything has fallen under the prevue of career politicians in Washington, DC?

 

[s8film40]

Apple lied. Or perhaps a better way to say it - they misrepresented their product. The onus isn't on the consumer in that scenario, is it?

Apple should be and IS being held accountable. If Apple didn't think they needed to be accountable - why the press conference? Why the (reported) fix on the way.

If Apple was in the right - there's be no need. Nuff said.

Yeah even if you feel that way it is still not a consumer protection issue. They are offering refunds, this is the most the government could force them to do anyways and they're already doing it.

This is absolutely ridiculous, again if you can explain to me in what way the consumer needs to be protected in this situation than that's a different story, but I don't see that happening.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

lol...another one who didn't read the press release.

No, Apple has always been silent on any problems until they emerge with a fix. Why should it be any different just because a politician said so?

 

[samcraig]

No, you don't. You still have their product and they still have your money. Reverse that, then you can say you're holding them accountable.

So you're saying that anyone in america without an iPhone or Apple product has more validity in holding Apple accountable versus those that have invested?

Wow.

 

[zizo79]

The corner store shorted me 13 cents in change yesterday. Hopefully, I can get Chuck to write a letter on my behalf.

When the hell did we start thinking that everything has fallen under the prevue of career politicians in Washington, DC?

The coner store is taking more than 13 cents in this case dude

 

[zizo79]

I should have known better before starting this thread lol

 

[kuaiyouming]

.

 

[s8film40]

I should have known better before starting this thread lol

This could be about a droid for all I care and I would still feel the same way, people don't need protection from their own ignorance.

 

[bluenoise]

So you're saying that anyone in america without an iPhone or Apple product has more validity in holding Apple accountable versus those that have invested?

Wow.

What?


You claim to be holding Apple accountable, but you are not doing anything of the sort. You're hoping some opportunistic politician will do it for you. You bought a product and you are not satisfied with it. That happens, especially when the product is flawed. You should just return it and get your money back. That is ALL that is owed to you, regardless of what Mr. Schumer and his ilk say. You can do that today.

 

[magpie maniac]

The coner store is taking more than 13 cents in this case dude

Uh, no. And even if it were $1,300, it's still not any business of Washington's. The Senator's letter was simply a veiled threat. "If something isn't done, we'll pass legislation prohibiting external antennae on mobile devices." Or someother such nonsense.

Thanks for your help, Chuck. We'll take it from here.

 

[bluenoise]

I should have known better before starting this thread lol

Anger at overreaching federal government does not equal fanboyism. I'd be just as pist, no matter what the product or company, as long as no laws have been broken by said company. The federal government has no grounds to get involved here. No one needs more protection than they already have available.

 

[Peanut207]

How is this any of his business in his position as a senator? It's a private business selling products to private individuals, it's not a safety issue, people aren't being ripped off, if they don't like it they can return it. I think he is just trying to get some free publicity and appear to be on the side of the people. I'm glad I don't live in NY with idiots like this.

Ok jerky...stay outta NY then. Like LeBron James, you probably couldn't handle the bright lights of NY anyway.

 

[Jkazmeyer]

Wow.... Some of you are really getting heated up over this. If you don't agree with his letter, don't vote for him. If you don't like your phone, return it. Maybe I've missed something, but the way I see it, whatever his motives, schumer has done something no other politician has. Express his dissatisfaction in apples response the way many of you have here. The difference being he can express it in a way that many people, including steve jobs, can hear. He has just as much right to be unhappy with the response as all of you do.
I'm from ny, lived there over 30 years, & the 1 thing you need to know, is that a real new yorker has a big f'n mouth, & isn't afraid to use it. Schumer is trying to win peoples hearts for sure, but I'm glad he opened his big mouth. Whatever his motives.
Some people are never happy. Folks get mad when people like me, who have the phone & have no problems say it's a non issue for us. He is agreeing with all of you, & asking for a solution that will make it right. Why is that so wrong? It doesn't seem like abuse of power. He isn't making threats of congressional hearings, or lawsuits. Just asking for the truth.
Sorry..... Just my two cents..... For what it's worth.

 

[zizo79]

This could be about a droid for all I care and I would still feel the same way, people don't need protection from their own ignorance.

There is no ignorance about this issue. It is more about loyal customers who deserve to be treated with respect by Apple.
I love my iPhone 4 and I really don't want to return it but I have to because it is not working as Mr. Jobs promised during WWDC. I also think that AT&T is to blame in this as well. Maybe Schumer should have written an open letter to them as well because that is to who we pay the most for a bad service.

 

[brentsg]

I'm not into name calling. This is about more than refunds. At least to/for me it is. I was the one (one of the few) who Jobs' emailed back when I asked him what was going on with the Antenna issue. He, quite frankly insulted my intelligence with his quick retort "non issue - just try holding it different" Then Apple released a letter which was a giant smokescreen to the actual issue.

And now, if we are to believe the latest "reports" - Apple is indeed fixing the phone because there IS a design issue.

So yes - I hold Apple ACCOUNTABLE for their actions. Criticize me all you want. I'm glad they are doing right by the customer if these reports are true. What I don't appreciate is being told by forum members and by Apple (originally) that I have no issue.

I fail to see any argument here that justifies our government getting involved.

Seems to me they need to take a step back lately, rather than get their hooks into private business.

 

[samcraig]

What?


You claim to be holding Apple accountable, but you are not doing anything of the sort. You're hoping some opportunistic politician will do it for you. You bought a product and you are not satisfied with it. That happens, especially when the product is flawed. You should just return it and get your money back. That is ALL that is owed to you, regardless of what Mr. Schumer and his ilk say. You can do that today.

How is that making them accountable? Making them accountable is registering my complaint and speaking up along with everyone else that is speaking up. I'm making my voice heard. And in case you didn't notice - it's making a difference.

I sent Jobs an email on Day 1. He wrote back that I should hold my phone different. He also told me in was a non issue. I questioned that and his response and he tried to explain about all phones having the issue. I then gave Arn the emails in disbelief because I wanted others to know what was going on.

THAT'S holding them accountable. Whether or not I own the product is irrelevant.