We decided to replace Steffie’s purloined Ipod, so we headed to the Apple store at a mall near college. Once again, my VISA purchase was denied. This is not the first time I’m writing about my frustration with this First USA account. I got it off my chest before in August 2003 and December 2004.
Here’s part of the letter going to the VISA bank involved, First USA.
I’m not a deadbeat, but I’m being treated like one by First USA.
Today, for the fourth or fifth time since I’ve been using this VISA, I presented it for a purchase and was turned down. I was later told it was because I was out-of-state and this was a purchase at an Apple Computer Store
Hats Off To Apple
Steffie’s music player of choice is an Apple Ipod Mini. I give her credit, the Ipod is kept in a little leather case and she really treats it with kid gloves. Oh, and she really loves it.
So, it was a huge blow when the Ipod stopped working. On the LCD screen, where you’d expect to see song and menu info was an icon showing a folder and exclamation point. Not a good sign.
Apple’s website has detailed instructions on recusitating a recalcitrant Ipod. First Steffie tried and then I tried.
The computer asked if we wanted the Ipod restored to its factory fresh condition (losing all of Steffie’s songs). Our yes answer was met by the computer complaining the Ipod couldn’t be mounted. It was a vicious, endless cycle leading nowhere.
My boss, an Apple user through and through, suggested we take it to the Apple Store at West Farms Mall in West Hartford. That sounded like a good idea, but just in case things didn’t work out I also went to the Apple website and had them send me the shipping materials so we could send the Ipod in for repair.
This afternoon Steffie and Helaine drove to West Hartford. They were directed to the back of the store where the employees who usually aren’t afforded personal contact with non-geeky humans are kept.
He looked at the Ipod. “Sometimes the hard drive just goes,” he offered up. Then he disappeared to a back room.
When he returned, he had a box and Helaine realized the Ipod would have to be shipped out for service. But amazingly, he pulled a brand new Ipod from the box and handed it to Steffie. The old one would be repaired, but that wouldn’t be our problem.
Steffie’s task is to load all her music onto this new Ipod. It’s not as daunting as it sounds since they’re all on my spare PC.
Today in the Fox household, Apple is king.