Any tips to trade in iPod at CompUSA?

Originally posted by phong
Hello everyone,

Today, I finally went to CompUSA concerning my broken iPod. I purchased the 10Gb iPod in July of 2002 (moving scroll wheel) with the TAP and brought it to the San Jose CompUSA store (The MENU button broke). Everything worked out fine, but I had to leave the iPod there, where they will probably inspect it. Then they told me they will give me a phone call within the next 24-48 hours to come back for the replacement. Now, I called 1-800-CompUSA before and they told me that they will replace my iPod with one of an equal value of when I purchased it. But when I called the San Jose CompUSA store, the man told me that they will replace my iPod with the new 10Gb, and if that is not in stock, then the 15Gb. Now if they don't have either one, he told me that they will give me a gift certificicate and I can pay a difference for the 30Gb. Well okay, I heard way too many stories of people replacing their old iPod for the new one of equal value of when they got it, in my case this is $499. Shouldn't I get the 30Gb!? The San Jose CompUSA store has the new 10Gb iPods in stock and the new 30Gb. So, any tips for me to convince them that I should get the 30Gb iPod or at least a $499 gift certificate or card? Please help!

CompUSA is flakey. It really depends on who you talk to there. If I were you I'd try taking it to a different CompUSA location (if that's possible.) If not then hammer them with the facts: TAP should cover the item up to the original purchase price.

This just in! (5/17/03)

Instead of paying for the difference, the manager told me that I was approved for the 15Gb iPod! I do not know how this approval works, since this is nothing like a credit check, etc. I also paid $60 for a new TAP. Now, what if I had asked and told them I would have paid the difference for a 30Gb? Would I have gotten it for free with no difference like for my 15Gb iPod? Well, I don't want to be greedy and take advantage of CompUSA either. I had a good day. . .

Hey Lore,

The new policy is that you have to leave the iPod in their possession for an approval by their depot (or whatever does their replacements). I spoke with the manager in the customer service/TAP department. They were out of the old-style 10Gb but they had the new 10Gb. They first gave me a 10Gb (comparable to my old one) and I told them, I don't want it but I am willing to pay a difference for a 15Gb. About 2 days later, I called to make sure about my service order. They said they have the 15Gb for me and I don't have to pay the difference because I was "approved." If you send in your iPod with the TAP, they will probably replace it with the new 10Gb iPod. Now, if you wait, for them to run out of the 10Gb, you can possibly even get the 15Gb like me.

Hey Lore,

I believe this policy applies to all the CompUSA stores now. I have heard from someone else about this before so I guess I can stand behind what I say.

Take Care,

Phong

Surf Monkey,

Wow good point. I now cannot conclude what is the true policy but it shouldn't matter if you have to leave your iPod with them for inspection. . .it is as long as you can get it replaced. So, it is good not to abuse your iPod if it is under the TAP. Thanks guys.

I'll bet it is a company-wide change, slowly filtering through, due to rampant abuse by folks who intentionally damage their 'Pods to get a new version. That's bad for CompUSA--you had to expect them to figure it out sooner or later.

I tried to buy a TAP at CompUSA today for my new and sealed MacPod 10 Gig 2nd gen for my peace of mind but they wouldn't do it since they don't carry them anymore...ARGHH!! I might try another CompUSA; any other suggestions?

OMG!!!!!

Got a new 3rd Gen 10 GB iPod!

**LONG STORY TO FOLLOW**
Back story:
Received an original 5 GB for Christmas 2001. In March 2002 I decided to buy the TAP from CompUSA. October 2002 sent iPod to Apple for repair. Received refurb 5 GB.
Last month I went on a trip to Connecticut and took my receipt with me in case something happened to MiPod. When I got back home I forgot to take the receipt out of my pocket and it got washed. I was left with a blank piece of paper.
Last weekend I decided to try to scan it to enhance it digitally. I was able to make out a few letters and numbers but a lot of them were in creases. So I decided to iron the creases out. The iron was too hot and scorched the paper but... brought the ink that was printed on it out in white. So I ended up with a receipt that looked like a negative.

A couple of weeks ago I was inquiring about the new iPods at my local CompUSA store and about replacement under TAP and the guy was saying that people come in all the time to use their one-time replacement to "upgrade". I thought he was full of it.

Last night I went back up there to get some more details (ie how long of a wait to get "authorized" for replacement etc...). The guy looked at me and said, "Approved." I said, "Yeah, how long does it take to get approved if something, god forbid, were to happen to it?" He said, "No, I'm saying you're approved." I said, "But there's nothing wrong with it." He says, "It's broken enough for me."

Any way, I walk in to ask some questions and walk out with a brand-spanking-new 10 GB iPod. Sweet, huh?

Oh, yeah. I bought the TAP on this one as well.