Oh dear: The iPod is given a Shonky Award by CHOICE magazine
October 19, 2006
I need to first explain that "shonky" in Aussie slang means "dubious, failure, bomb, dud, underhand". So, when the Australian CHOICE magazine have issued their Shonky Awards for 2006, and the iPod is on the list, it is not a good thing! And what’s more, they have given the iPod the "CHOICE iSHONK for Dual-level Shonkyness", for the hardware failures, and for the difficulty in getting repairs under warranty. Oh dear.
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I don’t dispute this for a moment !
I purchased an iPod shuffle from a Kmart store and the product repeatedly “refused to communicate “with the included software.
After six days of troubleshooting and numerous re-installations, I returned the product and waited one solid hour on the phone with the retail staff - only to be told by Apple that my concerns “were not a valid reason for exchange or refund.”
After a heated discussion -during which I made it quite clear that I was prepared to go to the media if this was not resolved) Apple agreed to issue Kmart with a serial number for refund.
The problem is this - under Australian law Apple are required to exchange or refund, but as an American Corporation they reserve the right to refuse to honour this with the retailer - thus rendering them liable for the cost of the item.
Blackmail ? Ransom ? I don’t know what you call this - but it is very Un Australian.
You will find problems with a percentage of electronic goods from any manufacturer these days. I purchased an LG DVD recorder and its had intermitant faults from the day I purchased it. My business partner purchased a similar model ,he had problems with the unit as well…LG are a nightmare to get to replace goods. We had to threaten to throw it thru the plate glass window at head office before they took action.
I also think CHOICE are SHONKY after I purcahsed a set of magnetic laundry system and found them to work great. Choice expected dirt removal alone to bring your clothes up bleached white and pack synthetic optical brightener into the fabric. Use your brain SHONKYCHOICE and stop using your plawed testing methods to down grade good products to get yourself free publicity.
Rule number one, when purchasing any products by Apple, buy it from an Apple store. That way if you do have problems, they can solve it for you on the spot and have better service and understanding of recurring problems.
lets face it, its not an electronic stereo..its specialist computer hardware and computer software. There will be bugs..always with apple gear, Ive been using apple hardware and software for over 10 years and its just normal to suffer problems..just take it in your stride…even Sony Walkmen MP3s had a huge callback last year!!