[sebimeyer]

I just came back from the Apple Store in Tampa where I showed them my iPod. It has some vertical lines on the display which are big enough to block out entire characters. The Genius? on deck told me he would switch it out right then and there but since the Apple Database? in its infinite power did not say that this defect was a known issue I had to ask them for a box. He supplied me with a webpage address where I filled out a form. A box with a new iPod should make its way to my front door sometime next week.
Now here is the question: I had to give them my credit card number. At first I thought that this was just in case I did not return the iPod that I claimed is defective, which would be quite alright and fair. Then I was told that this was a "shipping and handling fee, plus applicable tax." Is this another interpatation of the word "free" that Steve Jobs dreamed up? Remember when we were promised a "free" update and had to pay 19.99?
I was just wondering if this is normal, as I have not heard of this before.

[grey_lightning]

Is your iPod still under warranty? Mine was replaced under warranty once, and I was not charged anything. They sent me an empty box, I sent them my Pod, they sent me back a new one. I also once had the cord for my iBook power adapter replaced under warranty. That time they sent me the new cord, and I sent them back the damaged one in the same reusable envelope. Wasn't charged anything that time either.
Although it may be within their legal right (I guess you'd have to read the warranty card to find out) I really don't think they should be charging you anything if it's still under warranty...that would be pretty slimy. If it's not under warranty, I guess they can charge whatever they like, and I'm inclined to think $20 isn't so bad.

[icerabbit]

No Apple experience here in that regard.
With some pc manufacturers I've had to pay shipping to them while the product was under warranty. Not the nicest thing :/ but at least they ship back at their cost and don't come up with handling fees.
Also had free replacement under warranty on 2 occasions. They keep credit card info at hand while sending a new unit at their cost & I return it in same enclosure with provided prepaid return label. No charge incurred. They would charge S&H + MSRP item if I wasn't returning the defective unit or plainly trying to fraud them.
Depends on policy. But if user A doesn't have to pay shipping, I think user B shouldn't have to either. Maybe it's a warranty thing? If you were out of warranty, then shipping isn't bad to get a replacement unit.
icerabbit

[swsteckly]

Well, my iPod 20GB went dead a few months ago. I had to pay $30 from the website even to get a box, which was never refunded. It seems to be some sort of 'shipping and handling' fee. They sent a box, I sent in the iPod, and a few weeks later (the 20GB was backordered), a box arrived with a new one.

[sebimeyer]

It is a 20 GB iPod that was bought at the end of August and is still well in the warranty time.
I am mildly annoyed that they charge me $30 for this out of a sudden. I mean why couldn't they just give me a new one at the store? That would not involve any shipping costs.
What anooys me even more though is that they might ship me and EMPTY box. I might be without my iPod for DAYS! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif How will I cope? MaybeI should sue for psychologically inflicted pain. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'll just have to wait and see I guess.

[Yossi]

Apple UK replaced my iPod case for times free of charge - of course they took my credit card. the same was with my Airport BS They sent me a box , and never I was charged somthing!

[sebimeyer]

I got the box today... sans iPod. This means I will be without iPod while I wait for them to ship me a new one. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I'll probably wait till Monday to ship it out though. They won't do anything with it on the weekend anyway.

[gunb0y]

they shipped me a new ipod free of charge last summer. maybe this is a new policy.....