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07.26.06 - iPods make crappy gifts - We love the iPod… wait, we hate Apple. Lemme just start off by saying I've never owned an Apple computer, but I've owned their company stock and have bought a couple of iPods. They're a great product, however, THEY MAKE HORRIBLE GIFTS!!

Case in point. Alice got a 30GB iPod Video from her family for her birthday. Pretty sweet huh? However she felt as if the iPod nano was more suited towards her use. I go to the local Best Buy, because they have a pretty relaxed policy, to see if I can do an exchange, and the customer service rep says that Apple has a specific inventory tracking system and they can't take iPods back that weren't purchased at the store. The CSR then suggest that I head to the Apple store at South Cost Plaza.

15 miles later, I'm at the Apple store explaining the situation. The "Genius" explains that they're not allowed to take back inventory that wasn't purchased from the store because it affects sales at the store. And that I have to go back to Costco, where the iPod was originally purchased, to return it. At this point I'm thinking to myself, "Dude, aren't you guys the manufacturer? I'm pretty sure that exchanging inventory has no effect on your bottom line."

4 miles later, I'm at the nearby Costco explaining the situation. The lady there was really helpful and said that I could exchange the item…. if I was a Costco member. I'm not. She then offers up the option of crediting back the original Credit Card that purchased the iPod, which would be useful in most situations, just not this one.

4 miles later, I'm back at the Apple store explaining the situation again, this time to a manager. The manager reluctantly agrees to do the exchange. I go grab some accessories that I believe amount to the difference in the value of the two iPods ($50) and take it to a CSR. The transaction gets processed and it turns out they owe me $1.00 plus tax. The manager comes by and tells me that he won't give me a dollar and that I have to spend something in order for him to authorize the transaction. "FINE!" I repick some other accessories and the CSR rings up my credit card for four dollars. But as he started packing everything up, he packs the nano, the accessories, and accidentally includes the iPod video that I was trying to return.

"Dude guys, get with the program!" -terry