I seem to be having so much trouble with the Apple Store at the moment. The latest is the iSub I ordered, it arrived yesterday.
First the packaging looked like it had been opened and resealed, not a good sign.
Then the outside of the box had a sticker on it showing where it was made, serial number, etc. On this label it quite clearly said "110V 60Hhz", this was quite a surprise as I ordered it from the French Apple Store site, those of you who know Europe will know we have 230V 50Hz. I still decided to open the box, as maybe it had been preopened to exchange the power supply to a European unit.
On examining the Power Supply, it was indeed a 240volt model, better than that they also included to Mains Leads to the PS, one for France and one for the UK (great for when I take it home).
So next job "Set-up" -
Plug mains lead into PS, plug PS into iSub, plug mains lead into power socket.
The problem starts........
The iSub now starts to emit a clicking sound, about once every second, and does this continuously, the green LED also flashes in time with the click (not a good sign).
I then connect the USB cable to the iMac DVSE 400Mhz, with OS 9.0.4 installed. The iSub is still clicking. Open the sound control panel, no control for the iSub (which is still clicking)
I do a reboot, and it's STILL CLICKING, in fact as long as it has power it STILL CLICKS but does not work as an iSub.
I call the Apple Store, explain the problem, I am told they will get an engineer to call me to see if he can help (I doubt it), and promises to call back herself to see what the outcome is.
I wait and wait and wait....... 2 hours later an engineer calls (he's from the professional division and just happens to see my call on a screen as he is passing)
We discuss the iSub, agree it is DOA and logs this with the Apple Support system, I must now wait for Apple Store to call me back. They don't call, not a surprise.
PS. I had the iSub delivered to my work address so I would be there when it arrived, this means I now have to carry it back to work on the Paris Metro to be at the same place for collection.
So next day at work I call the Apple Store, they say yes they will take it back as it is faulty and will ship a new one. I am told it will take 2 weeks to get a new one out to me as they can't reship until this one is returned (for 2 weeks with Apple read 6 weeks), so I decide on a refund and will "survive" without the iSub (I doubt the quality was up to much anyway, Made in China)
Apple will be collecting the iSub sometime in the future. This is not the first problem with the Apple Store. When I ordered my ProMouse, it said 5 days delivery, actual delivery 35 days.
So this will be the last time I use the Apple Store, poor customer service being the main reason. BUT this could become a real problem, as Apple are making more and more products "Apple Store Exclusives" (Key Lime, iBooks, 500Mhz Cube, ProMouse, Keyboard), maybe they want to close the channel down, and keep all the margin for themselves.
If they do this more and more they need to be aware that people are not happy, Steve got BOOS at the Apple Expo in Paris when he said the Key Lime iBook was was a store exclusive, he did not seem pleased and then ranted on aboiut the Apple Store being the best On line store. I think he should try using the Internet a little, as service from other stores are much better.
Lets hope Apple are listening, well they don't read their Apple Store emails I send !!!
Ian
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