iPod Water Damage

NaderAlfie

posted: 9/1/2009 at 11:58 AM
modified: 9/1/2009 at 12:03 PM

Today looks like a technology gripe day.

My ipod nano has been acting up lately: shutting off randomly, sometimes staying off until I hook it up to comp or car charger.

On Saturday, I went to the Genius Bar and waited an hour for a guy to pick up one of those tools physicians use to check your inner ear and tell me that there is water damage. Thus, the warranty was deemed void.

Days later, it is occuring to me: I never dropped it in water. When I run I sweat. The arm band that they sold me for the device accumulates moisture and I guess that is the water that ruined the device.

Honestly, Apple "geniuses" sometimes act like they are above the frey. I like Best Buy employees. They will mouth off to you, but at least there's a back and forth.

I am going to go back to the Apple store. Anyone have advice on how to handle these guys?

If we don’t try we’ll never know. At least I can find out how good I can be. I can have an answer at the end of the days, and have a hell of a good time with the process. -Desi Davila

Trent

We've Got Big Hills

posted: 9/1/2009 at 12:03 PM

Simple. If you get attitude, ask for the manager.

In my experience, the genius guys are all super-nice. You got a, er, bad apple last time.

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.

Poor baby

NaderAlfie

posted: 9/1/2009 at 12:07 PM
modified: 9/1/2009 at 12:14 PM

You know, Trent, the guy actually was polite (though not super nice). It was his dismissive politeness that ended the discussion.

He even added some canned language about "most people not even realizing when they got it wet." But does know when they got it wet? Now I'm getting mad.

He also added that the device for detecting water damage is not sensitive.

MTA: I agree, by the way, that they are, by and large, nice people to deal with.

If we don’t try we’ll never know. At least I can find out how good I can be. I can have an answer at the end of the days, and have a hell of a good time with the process. -Desi Davila

another one

The King of Beasts

posted: 9/1/2009 at 12:07 PM
modified: 9/2/2009 at 9:30 AM

Quote from NaderAlfie on 9/1/2009 at 11:58 AM:

Anyone have advice on how to handle these guys?

punch him in the throat, it wont hurt your hand like if you hit him in the face, and with any luck it will kill him.

1 less D-bag in the world.

"As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man / I have chalked up many a mile. / Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks, / And I've learned much from both of their styles." ~ Jimmy Buffett

“"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit.
"No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."”

Chris T

posted: 9/1/2009 at 12:07 PM

Tell them that the 'moisture' is from using it when you run. One of the biggest selling points for the micro ipods is that they are perfect for this use. The product should be designed to handle it.

I had a shuffle die back in May. My discussion with the genius went along this same line. He swapped it out for a new one. Just to be safe, I now put the ipod in a plastic sandwich baggie and clip it to my shorts when I run. I haven't had a problem since.

JK219

posted: 9/1/2009 at 12:22 PM

I had the same problem with my Nano. The damage was from the sweat getting into it. The genius guy and I went back and forth for awhile and he did finally replace it with a warning that they would not replace it the next time. Since I knew I would continue to sweat, I no longer use the arm band. Instead I put it in a baggie and carry it in my pocket.

If anyone has an armband that prevents sweat from getting into the ipod I would love to hear about it.

marktman

posted: 9/1/2009 at 12:24 PM

Quote from Chris T on 9/1/2009 at 12:07 PM:

Tell them that the 'moisture' is from using it when you run. One of the biggest selling points for the micro ipods is that they are perfect for this use. The product should be designed to handle it.

I had a shuffle die back in May. My discussion with the genius went along this same line. He swapped it out for a new one. Just to be safe, I now put the ipod in a plastic sandwich baggie and clip it to my shorts when I run. I haven't had a problem since.

+1 to the sandwich bag idea. I even do that for my iPhone. I'd be pissed if I ruined my iPod or iPhone because I sweat like a hog.

Onionbag1

posted: 9/1/2009 at 1:16 PM

I had an iPod shuffle conk out on me due to moisture damage, admittedly from my sweating on it during runs. Still, the genius barista gave me a new shuffle and dock as free replacements. Point being, as others have said, it may be the luck of the draw as to which 'genius' you run into there.

On the other hand, my last name is Apple, so maybe the kid thought I owned the store.

“I used to be a runner. Uh-huh. Not a marathoner. A runner. Marathons are bullshit. They’re all hype. Some official picks a random day, and rain or cold, you’re out there pounding the pavement alongside 50,000 other dumbfucks. No. There’s some things it’s better to do all by yourself.” Augustus Hill, Oz

kenxc5

posted: 9/1/2009 at 1:40 PM

I had a touch and a shuffle break from sweat but when I sent them in they didn't void by warranty

NaderAlfie

posted: 9/1/2009 at 1:41 PM

Thanks to each of you.

I'm going to go in polite but firm that the nano and the armband were sold to me for exercise purposes.

If I get a bad apple, I'll ask for the manager.

If that fails, there's always John's advice.

If we don’t try we’ll never know. At least I can find out how good I can be. I can have an answer at the end of the days, and have a hell of a good time with the process. -Desi Davila

wanderlost

Get Lost :)

posted: 9/1/2009 at 1:42 PM
modified: 9/1/2009 at 1:44 PM

Many computers (probably iPods too?) have moisture sensitive indicators on the insides. These are what the techs are looking for when they decide on damage under warranty, in some cases. They are not perfect indicators of abuse, however, in the instance of high humidity conditions that can also make them indicate water damage. My iPod shuffle has put up with my perspiration and rain abuse for 2 years, but perhaps I won't be so fortunate in the future.

One thing that always seems to help me is to appeal to the "long time customer" angle. If you present a reasonable case reasonably, they'll generally fall in your favor instead of against it.

Craig S

Menace to Sobriety

posted: 9/1/2009 at 1:44 PM

Quote from NaderAlfie on 9/1/2009 at 11:58 AM:

I am going to go back to the Apple store. Anyone have advice on how to handle these guys?

Janie, today I quit my job. And then I told my boss to go f*** himself, and then I blackmailed him for almost sixty thousand dollars. Pass the asparagus.

NaderAlfie

posted: 9/1/2009 at 2:07 PM

Quote from Craig S on 9/1/2009 at 1:44 PM:

Ah. Breaking down; a classic.

If we don’t try we’ll never know. At least I can find out how good I can be. I can have an answer at the end of the days, and have a hell of a good time with the process. -Desi Davila

NaderAlfie

posted: 9/1/2009 at 2:09 PM

Quote from wanderlost on 9/1/2009 at 1:42 PM:

One thing that always seems to help me is to appeal to the "long time customer" angle. If you present a reasonable case reasonably, they'll generally fall in your favor instead of against it.

Ooo. That's a good one. Thanks.

If we don’t try we’ll never know. At least I can find out how good I can be. I can have an answer at the end of the days, and have a hell of a good time with the process. -Desi Davila

Craig S

Menace to Sobriety

posted: 9/1/2009 at 2:25 PM

Quote from NaderAlfie on 9/1/2009 at 2:07 PM:

Ah. Breaking down; a classic.

Falling Down

Janie, today I quit my job. And then I told my boss to go f*** himself, and then I blackmailed him for almost sixty thousand dollars. Pass the asparagus.

iPod "Water Damage" (Read 1894 times)