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ericwass · Sep 21, 2007, 07:07 PM

Just wanted to give you all a heads up and let you know that a claim I filed with Amex buyer's protection program regarding the iPhone price drop was resolved today. Even though the price protection program was officially ended last November on my card, Amex decided to refund me $95.17 (dunno where that number came from). Combined with the $100 credit from Apple, it only cost me $5 extra dollars to be an early adopter. I wonder if others are having the same experience.

Anyway, what a great experience I had with them. They've earned a longtime customer.

Drakino · Sep 22, 2007, 02:31 AM

Odd amount to get back. I got $106.25, though that doesn't quite mesh with a $100 refund plus tax. I wonder how they are deciding what to give back. I also got two different e-mails from them, both with the same case number, but slightly different wording in the content to say the same thing.

Combined with the $100 in store credit, thats definitely good enough for me. Definitely happy with my Amex card more then before, and this will ensure I use it on pretty much every big electronics purchase in the future.

frdmfghtr · Sep 22, 2007, 06:28 AM

Congratulations, you have successfully abused the system.

Pay attention to #3: Apple - iPhone - Store Credit

Some iPhones will not qualify for a credit. They are: (1) iPhones purchased from Apple from August 22, 2007, through September 4, 2007, as they are subject to price protection (Separate terms and conditions apply. Details are available at Apple - iPhone - Price Protection), (2) iPhones that have been returned to Apple or AT&T, (3) iPhones for which a Gift Card, rebate, or other consideration have already been issued, (4) iPhones that Apple provided to employees, either for personal use or for departmental use, (5) iPhones provided by Apple for product reviews, (6) AppleCare Service iPhones, (7) iPhones registered to customers whose addresses are outside the United States, (8) iPhones for which Apple or AT&T already has extended price protection under applicable sales terms, and (9) iPhones purchased by corporations or education institutions where Apple has provided alternative accommodation.

Say what you like about the rapid price drop ("Apple ripped us off!" "It's not fair, they ruined my experience!" "They abused our trust, so stick it to 'em!" blah blah blah) but the fact is this: Apple owed early adopters NOTHING. Zero. Zilch. Nadda. Nobody here was forced to buy the iPhone when launched. Nobody here was ripped off. If you didn't believe the iPhone was worth the price, why did you buy it? Are you in the habit of impulse buying?

Drakino · Sep 22, 2007, 01:19 PM

Since you seem interested in rehashing this, I'll just point you in the direction of the old thread here:

http://forums.macnn.com/103/ipod-iph...arly-adopters/

As far as "abusing the system", is the world suddenly going to implode now? Will Steve Jobs be wearing a white turtleneck at his next keynote because Apple is so off balance? Quite honestly, I could care less what some random person out there in internet land thinks of me for getting back the full amount of the 33% price drop on the iPhone.

I am curious how many others got their refund today. Looks like Amex probably just batch processed them all out.

Nodnarb · Sep 22, 2007, 05:18 PM

Yeah seriously, don't start that whole argument again.

And I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to get a refund from both Apple and Amex. The ~$100 from each company pretty much makes up the entire difference. Now if they had both given you the $200 refund, that would be abusing the system and IMO wrong to accept them both. In this situation, I would do the same thing (why did I buy my iPhone with VISA!!!!!?)

frdmfghtr · Sep 24, 2007, 09:52 AM

No, I'm not interested in re-hashing the argument. It was early in the morning and I let my trigger get tripped a little too early, so I apologize for the off-topic mini-rant.

ericwass · Sep 24, 2007, 01:47 PM

By the way, I redeemed my Apple $100 credit a couple of days before I received the notice from Amex. So I don't feel like I abused anything. In fact, I'm one of those people who felt people should stop whining about the price drop. It sucks, I felt like a chump, but that's capitalism for you. No one forced me or anyone else to buy an iPhone so early in its life cycle. That having been said, nobody forced Amex or Apple to offer these refunds/credits either. But if they're going to offer them to me, I'd be a fool not to take them up on it. That's also capitalism: making your customers happy so they stay loyal to the brand. And in this case, it's win/win.

Drakino · Sep 24, 2007, 10:52 PM

No worries on the rant, we all have those days and venting is sometimes the best way to help lighten the situation.

I did spend my $100 apple credit, and in essence the AMEX credit too on a new Mac Mini that will turn into a christmas present. For now I'm making use of the system at work, relieving a PowerPC Mini, until the new iMac work is ordering me gets processed by the finance people.