Rick Ford

I am at my wits end. After having the refurbished iPhone for 3 days, there is again dust under the screen. Let me clarify that I take excellent care of my electronics. I keep my phone in a case, never drop it, and it doesn’t spend much time in my pocket (it usually sits on my desk, night stand or coffee table).

This is unacceptable.

That’s right, guys. This is my 6th one. No, it’s not new. It’s another refurb.

How did this happen? This time, it was actually not a functionality defect, but rather just dust under the screen. Granted, it was excessive dust, that severely affected my user experience. For a 2-month old phone, it was definitely unacceptable. And considering that I’ve not seen an iPhone with dust under the screen before, I considered it a manufacturing defect.

So, the Apple Store again refused to replace my NEW phone with another new phone. I got a refurbished phone as replacement. I still maintain my opinion that that policy is complete and utter bullshit, and sends a very bad message to the customer.

I’m hoping for Apple’s sake that this one doesn’t sprout some weird issue in the coming weeks, because that will be the straw that breaks this camel’s back.

I will, at that point, take on the daunting task of switching BACK to T-Mobile, BACK to Windows Mobile 6, and getting my money back from Apple. Of course, this would involve returning the iPhone as well (and good riddance as far as I’m concerned). However, it will also involve Apple paying for my T-Mobile cutoff fees, my AT&T deposit, my AT&T cutoff fees, and if necessary, my new T-Mobile deposit (since the only reason I switched to AT&T was to get the iPhone, leaving T-Mobile and their better coverage, fewer dropped calls, lower prices and better customer service). I may just throw in the amount of money I have spent in the App Store as well, since all of those apps are decidedly useless without an iPhone. And, if I’m feeling adventurous, I may also ask for the money back for the 3 cases I’ve had to purchase for my iPhone, since Apple makes the ONLY mobile phone on the market that requires a case/skin, yet Apple doesn’t make a case/skin for it (Blackberry, for the record, gives you a free case with every phone. And it’s not required, either.).

If Apple is resistant in this case, I will have to move on to more offensive measures, starting with the local newspaper, and moving my way up.

Apple, You had better cross your fingers that this refurbished iPhone 3G doesn’t have any issues. Else I will make your fruity rainbow-flavored apple-with-a-bite-missing (coincidence?) ass pay for this debacle with as much of a stink as one person is able to manufacture with empirical evidence and total dissatisfaction.

yeah… my 4th iPhone is defective as well. Backlight issues.

This would have all been avoided the first time I had issues if Apple had replaced my defective phone with a new one instead of a refurbished one.

Way to go, Apple. You’ve successfully scared me away from buying a ~$3,000 laptop from you!

Alright…

I’ve just gotten my 3rd replacement iPhone. That makes this my 4th iPhone 3G since September…

I am left with no choice but to recommend that you steer clear of this ever-so-coveted device, and for the sake of whatever god you worship, don’t switch to AT&T for it.

Alright, so I’m at the Apple Store again. They are going to replace my phone. Again.

Check back to this post for updates…