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**The I returned my Iphone 4 Thread***

econoar said:
I just got back from "returning" my iPhone 4. I put it in quotes only because I still have to ship it in since I bought it on apple.com I went into the store and many reps attempted to convince me to keep it multiple times. I told them that thousands of people online were having the same issue and they claimed to have no heard anything. When I told them it was on NYTimes, CNN, Engadget, etc. they rushed to a macbook in the store to look. I was then told that they were told that a software fix would come out to fix the problem which is the bars just showing up wrong on the UI. I told them it was BS and showed them speed tests that proved it is more than just the bars on the screen. I then told them about Jobs response to "just hold it differently" and they were unaware of that as well, and immediately looked on apple's PR site. Now, I truly do believe that they were playing dumb in order to convince me that it was no big deal.

Since I couldn't return in store, I had to go over to AT&T and have them switch my sim activation back to my 3GS. My iPhone 4 is now inactive and AT&T told me that when Apple receives it, my new 2 year contract will be killed with no fee. If it isn't, I just need to show AT&T proof of return.

I have tried the exact same "death grip" on my 3GS that was killing my iPhone 4's signal, in the EXACT same location as my 4, and it does not kill any bars on my 3GS.

There is no fix coming to the hardware itself according to the apple store.
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this is great news. thanks for sharing
 
Jay42 said:
To me it seems clear that this was a problem that was realized late in the iPhone 4 development phase. It was obviously far enough along that fixing the problem would have resulted in very (probably tens of millions of $) expensive changes to the huge-scale production processes involved. It might have also delayed the launch - which could have even been worse PR.

Instead, I'm guessing Apple management agreed to go ahead with the faulty design and come out with a case to mitigate the problems and brace their PR team for impact.

Coming from a potential customer still on the fence about the iPhone 4, it seems like a problem that I will consciously have to invoke (I am a righty) for it to really affect its day to day performance. While I would prefer to carry my hypothetical iPhone without a case and just a film screen protector, I would just go for a bumper or similar case if the reception truly proved to be an issue.

All that being said, I think it was unprofessional of the Apple store employees to do anything other than kindly take the phone back or help you with the return process.
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Agreed, probably after pre orders started, so they just had to let the first batch go.
 
istariphoenix said:
1. I can live with my antenna bars dropping a bit (it does, but not all the way, when I impose the legendary Death Grip)
2. I can live with a little discoloration on my screen (mine doesn't have it)
3. I can live with buying a bumper case - smartphones should be protected (I didn't get the official Apple-sponsored-and-highly-endorsed-you-should-really-buy-this-please-buy-it-we-can't-tell-you-why-just-know-that-it's-important-ok bumper case) and my iFrogz case is pretty cool.

What I canNOT live with is Steve Jobs arrogantly and curtly warding off a valid complaint by someone who trusted Him to unveil an actual working product. As a business owner in Seattle, I would not be able to get away with such a dismissive reply. Mr Jobs, how DARE you tell someone who respectfully asked you for advice, that their issue is a "non-issue"??? You have no business being in business with proud knee-jerk replies like this. When I heard about this, I was ready to bail on Apple right away, period. People don't pledge blind allegiance to you nor do you earn their respect when you flagrantly brush them aside so that more iPhone 4's can be sold. Indeed, "your pride has blinded you to the truth." YOU ARE ARROGANT AND EGOTISTICAL and are in need of a hosedown.

Now with that said, I am a PC brat, but I LOVE the iPhone. It's the single greatest tech device I've ever owned. It's helpful across all fronts: business, entertainment, leisure, navigation, productivity, connectivity, etc.. Better than a LOT of the phones out there, and by a mile. Fast. Responsive. Fluid.

And with THAT said, I am returning my iPhone 4 tomorrow and going back to my 3GS, and here's why:

>>>>> This Over-the-Air B.S. (probably still an issue with the 3GS but oh well)
>>>>> Bluetooth doesn't connect or loses connection suddenly
>>>>> Sluggishness compared to previous models
>>>>> Calendar appointments don't update correctly whereas they did before
>>>>> The massive Facetime privacy concerns
>>>>> The sheer uncomfortableness of this phone (the iPhone 3GS is WAY better in terms of handheld comfort)
>>>>> Battery life is not, in fact, better. I have been using this the same as my old one, to the same extent, with the same drainage. It's not horrible by any stretch, but it's not longer-lasting, for sure.

and finally, coming in at Numero Uno:

>>>>> This "non-issue, hold the phone a different way" crap

You will be the end of your company, Steve Jobs. Every single person who purchased the iPhone 4 deserves a free iPad or MacBook or heck, how about a little respect and a free bumper case, due to your ridiculously brazen reply.
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"You will be the end of your company, Steve Jobs.". That is laughable. Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy and Steve brought it up to it being the second largest US market cap company and you claim he will be the end of the company? I do agree that he shouldn't have made that comment, but everyone says stupid things from time to time. If anyone was that rich and was on a winning streak, I'm sure they would be cocky as well. I know I would be.

Also "sluggishness". Are you high? Yeah, it's little sluggish compared to iPad, but there is no way in hell it's more sluggish than any other previous iPhones. Maybe you have issues after restoring from backup. Why not try soft reset?
 
I might do that...we'll see. And cockiness could get him back to bankruptcy again...the bottom line is I feel for this guy who sent a nice email to the CEO of Apple and got waved off. Ridiculous. Again, I LIKE THE IPHONE, make no mistake...this new release needs lots of help, however, and I highly doubt it's a software or firmware issue.

Additionally, you're "there's no way in hell..." and "are you high?" comments are more than a little presumptuous. I have the same iPhone 4 you have, and mine is more sluggish than what I've become accustomed to with the 3GS. It's not overblown, I can tell right away. So unless you're holding my previous 3GS and my current 4 in each of your hands, you might want to bite your tongue.
 
I can't believe people are so unhappy with this phone out of the box. It sucks that people are having issues but if you went through the trouble of pre-ordering the latest hardware why not just wait at least ONE WEEK to see if there's a software update?

It'd suck to have gone through this return process when an update could very literally be right around the corner that may alleviate your issues.

This phone has performed like a champ for me since day one. I've talked to people I work with and friends in a few other states who have the phone, and none of them have had any problems (except for an overly sensitive proximity sensor).

I'm having a hard time replicating any of these issues, and find it pretty uncomfortable to hold the phone in "that way" anyway. Sorry to hear about the OP's luck. Perhaps the Droid X is the better phone for him, it does look very nice.
 
econoar said:
A bit of both. The antenna thing is a huge deal for me, and the extra features over the 3GS don't offset the annoyance of this issue. You shouldn't have to mask a problem on such an expensive phone. It should come out of the box functioning correctly.
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Right, so don't wait to see what Apple does in resolution. Better to just jump the gun and not lose any sleep.
 
doboy said:
"You will be the end of your company, Steve Jobs.". That is laughable. Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy and Steve brought it up
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reminds me of that old realistic saying.

"What goes up, must come down."

But how? A Big Head and a smart mouth is the #1 reason
 
istariphoenix said:
I might do that...we'll see. And cockiness could get him back to bankruptcy again...the bottom line is I feel for this guy who sent a nice email to the CEO of Apple and got waved off. Ridiculous. Again, I LIKE THE IPHONE, make no mistake...this new release needs lots of help, however, and I highly doubt it's a software or firmware issue.

Additionally, you're "there's no way in hell..." and "are you high?" comments are more than a little presumptuous. I have the same iPhone 4 you have, and mine is more sluggish than what I've become accustomed to with the 3GS. It's not overblown, I can tell right away. So unless you're holding my previous 3GS and my current 4 in each of your hands, you might want to bite your tongue.
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Yes, I'm assuming you have the same iPhone 4 as everyone else and I'm trying to state that unless your phone is defective, there is not way in hell that iPhone 4 is more sluggish than 3GS.

I think Steve should not reply to any more emails from customers. What other CEOs respond to consumers directly? It was fun while it lasted, but he should just think it and not email it.
 
doboy said:
Yes, I'm assuming you have the same iPhone 4 as everyone else and I'm trying to state that unless your phone is defective, there is not way in hell that iPhone 4 is more sluggish than 3GS.

I think Steve should not reply to any more emails from customers. What other CEOs respond to consumers directly? It was fun while it lasted, but he should just think it and not email it.
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Well isn't that the point? He seems to think and act like his email responses.
Sorry but the giant brain excuse for being an ******* is old (like Steve)
 
sectime said:
Well isn't that the point? He seems to think and act like his email responses.
Sorry but the giant brain excuse for being an ******* is old (like Steve)
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Well if that bothers you then vote with your wallet and don't buy from Apple. There are some common tendencies among smart/rich people to think less of other "common" folks. Hell if I was that smart and rich I may have some tendencies to care less about not so fortunate people. We can argue that it's wrong to be that way, but it seems to come with the territory. I'm sure lots of celebrities give crap about their fans. (not!). The problem is that people idolize him and they want him to be certain way. Just get over it and either enjoy Apple products for its design and features or don't buy it. Simple as that. There are plenty of other companies out there.
 
So do you think Apple will respond to all the complaints in a press statement or will they only do it on a 1 to 1 basis if you complain in store or by phone?

I'm holding off complaining waiting to see some press release or apples response but in reality might they do it quiety and am I better off calling them up?
 
I think the phone is great....but...if my reception issues aren't fixed by day 20 it's going back to AT&T :(
 
I have the reception issue really bad even with a case, but I do not have the sim issue and all other functions of my i4 work perfect, battery speed no spots on the screen. I am just worried that a software fix is not the only thing wrong, also I am concerned about the broken glass everyone is starting to see with a small drop of the phone.

I have mine in a case but my signal still gets degraded if I touch anywhere near the three antenna points.

We will see tonight when I see an Apple Genius what they will do.

If they do not replace it I will be returning it.
 
I am returned mine. First, I had the reception problem. Most likely because I live in a fairly low signal area. But, then it got the NO SIM error that I couldn't get it out of with a power cycle or sim reseat. Nothing could recover it. I will wait and see how apple deals with it. I had sold my 3gs and had to go out and buy a 3gs off craigslist until the problems are worked out. I liked the phone but I needed it to work as a phone. The apple response to the signal issue is disappointing. I hope they can remedy it soon. I also really preferred the white.
 
econoar said:
Not sure on restoking fee yet since I have to return it through mail.

ATT does reset your eligability once they have proof that the phone is returned. That is right from them.
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ATT premier just told me they are going to charge 10% of the retail price! I tried to convince the service person that I am returning the phone because it is defective, but he wouldn't budge. Once I get my bill and see what statement Apple makes, I will either write a letter or talk to someone with a little bit more authority then level 1 support.

It's illegal in California to only list the restocking fee on the receipt and not make it explicit prior to purchase. I went through the ordering process again and clicked on the terms and conditions links and could not find anything about restocking fees in the order process steps.


I believe this is either a hardware or manufacturing process issue. We have seen the videos of 2 iphone4's sitting next to each other, one has the issue, one does not. I think apple/foxconn rushed in order to get this product out before the end of the quarter and before the Droid X.

I am going to give Apple some time and see if the problem gets resolved. If it does, I will order a new phone directly from Apple.
 
**The I returned my Iphone 4 Thread***

Okay this is getting ridiculous. I see like 12 threads with "okay, guys i'm returning my iphone today"

Just post it here:

The thread to end of all "i'm going to return my iphone" threads.

state the following:

1) When you returned it.
2) Why you returned it. (keep it under 3 paragraphs and 17 chapters)
3) Your next plan of action
4) Sign a contract to NEVER MAKE ANOTHER THREAD OF ABOUT RETURNING YOUR IPHONE***
5) Use the search tool located in the upper right hand corner of your screen.
6) state what you will be eating for lunch and possibly dinner. (optional)
7) mention your feelings while you are at it. (optional)

*** ETF for cancelling your policy is a EPIC FAIL logo on your sig. Warning, **** happens to your phone. Apple Iphone will not help the ****** network that is ATT. Antenna short is science. Not all iphone users are seeing this issue if under ideal signal conditions. Warning your iphone does not make ice cream. It is not an ice cream bar.
 
Hahaha.


I never got the "Im doing X"

I mean what is this? Some sort of validation. Everyone needs to do what works from them. Why come to a forum to discuss what you've decided? Just do it. Most of us could care less if you returned your phone, cried to a supervisor, or ate your wheaties for breakfast.
 
Why did you guys buy it in the first place then? Should've stuck with the less battery life, lower picture/video quality even though the camera is a 8mpx one Android phones. Returning over a reception problem? Get a case then dammit. I laugh.

I have no issues whatsoever. I'm keeping my 4. ;)
 
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