New York not down with Apple's iPhone repair costs
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 31st 2007 8:57AM
posted Jul 31st 2007 8:57AM
If you felt a bit snubbed after reading up on just how much loot you'd be paying out if and / or when your dear iPhone does break, you're not alone by a long shot. Reportedly, New York's Consumer Protection Board "issued a letter to Apple's CEO Monday asking for the iPhone to be a little more consumer-friendly," noting that the $79 charged to replace the battery, $29 "loaner fee" for using a temporary handset, and the ten-percent restocking fee were all asking too much. Moreover, the CPB suggested that "consumers should be able to replace the battery themselves," which admittedly seems to be a (somewhat) common belief. Granted, not all of these requests are exactly rational, but more importantly, we highly doubt his Steveness is gonna go change up price schemes to appease a few disgruntled board members, amiright?
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Im as big of an Apple Fan as the next guy. But they really shouldnt charge you for a loaner.. If you need a loaner its probaly Apples fault this early on. I understand maybe a year or two when the battery is bad and you need a loaner but not now.
I was in my local Apple store last week and there was a girl with an iPhone at the support ( genious bar ) area. My girlfriend asked the girl how do you like your phone.
She said. I HATE IT. 4 trips here now it doesnt unlock $30 in loaner fees everytime etc.
So I hope Apple steps up to the plate. There should definatly be user replaceable batterys.
lame.
im not paying a "loaner" fee in addition to an 80 buck battery replacement cost.
thats why im not getting an iphone.
i love apple prob more than most, but COME ON!
Thats why i got a free Sony W810i when i signed up for ATT.
good phone, and you know what, i bet you can change your battery yourself.
It's a free market (sort of)...
If you don't like all these costs of the iPhone, buy another phone...
Its not like they are hidden, they are clearly printed (and on 60% of engadget posts, lol)...
the battery is covered under warranty. you would only have to pay that $79 after your one year standard warranty is up, or 2 years if you buy AppleCare. $79 is pretty average for a cell phone battery...
It would be smart of colorware to add battery replacement to their services.. I would give them 200 bucks for a new case and battery when the time comes...
Seriously? $79 is NOT "pretty average" for a cell phone battery these days. And to throw a loaner charge on top of that is ludicrous. I will agree that it's free market economy at it's best but I'll stick to my BlackBerry with messaging options aplenty and keep my iPod in my bag for when I need it.
Anyone ever see the Samsung phone from Sprint that has a screen on both sides? No user replaceable battery there, and no one seems to have any beef with that. And does Samsung even offer a replacement program? Not that I've seen. So, you now need to get a whole phone, whereas Apple will replace your battery.
That's true. The problem is that Samsung phone is a hunk of junk, and the iPhone is supposed to be a huge evolution in phones. It's not that Apple does things worse than anyone, it's just that the way they market their products people expect more from Apple.
I personally think adding free loaners into the Applecare cost clears most of this up, but I don't get to make decisions.
Don't you people complain!
You know batteries are dangerous! Just fork over your money, so that Steve Jobs can change that battery for you.
If you are worried that the battery will go bad before the 2 year mark, give Steve-O $80 more and he will worry for you!
And don't you worry about loading any software!
Let Steve-O do the thinking for you! If you need it, Steve-o will take care of you.
All that loot I gotta pat and I dont even get a reacharound?
How's that iPhone keyboard working for you...lol