Ipod Touch - White Screen Lock Out - Apple response poor/process inflexible

Question

Hi
I have 2 Touchs and one has the random white screen issue. Screens goes grey`white and there's nothing you can do, till what seems like it needs to be recharged. i haven't had this happen when at home and near the 'master dock' .
I see thats its a prob that is more and more common, and have also seen on other forums that Apple are acknowledging it and in some cases have been providing freebies as sweeteners as well (allegedly).
So first - does anyone have any 'fixes' - other than what I have seen which is a replacement?
And secondly this is my 'Apple Service experience so far'
I called Apple UK support on Thursday morning, and pressed the options for Ipod and then Touch.
A woman answered and as soon as I told her my issue she advised she was IPHONE SUPPORT ONLY as that was section I had come through to and could not help me. I asked to be put through to relevant help section.
On hold for a few mins then line went dead.
Called back - making sure i pressed Ipod Touch options - in case it was user error first time - (it wasn't BTW) anyway got put through to IPHONE support again. This time the woman agreed to help, although i shall temper that by saying that my perception was that she started that day and had a script of 'if x do y' questions.
I explained the issue and that I had carried out web research. She was very polite but asked me questions I had already answered in my pre amble - i.e. screen is locked out, no response from buttons etc - but I was still asked what happens when you press the power button. Anyway I stuck with it - she then asked what firmware I had, and i advised I just upgraded to 1.2.
Ah thats the problem - you need to upgrade to LEOPARD (I have Tiger). That annoyed me as clearly thats rubbish and was really her ' ad libbing' I explained I had 2 touchs and other was fine.
She consulted a colleague and suggested I either send it in or make an appt at my local Apple store. Thats when it really went down hill...
More disappointed at the process, I called my local store (Regent Street - London) and was advised that the Touch would be replaced under warranty - but that I needed to make an appt to have that done, and no they couldn't make an appt on line (you are warned that up front in the recorded message before you get to speak to anyone). This I find odd - two people from Apple advise I can get a replacement under warranty, yet I have to make an appt - thats not good service.
As i am nearby, I decide to go to the Apple store anyway. I get same story and ask to speak to the manager. He is very well trained. He says all the diplomatic things, he agrees unit will be replaced under warranty, but says I have to see a technician - but I cant until tomorrow at earliest.
What then follows is a discussion about the process - his argument is that it allows the customer to attend at a time that suits them (but it suited me NOW - I was nearby). In reality the converse is true you can only chose a slot that suits apple.
The manager, stated that there are two diff stocks of goods. Items for sales and items for replacement. I suggested that he went to the replacement pile and provided one from that. NBo go - the technical dept could only do that.
I agree that booking for TECH SUPPORT is a great idea, but for a product replacement under warranty - especially when 3 people (and user forums) had advised this would be the case - this is not good service at all. The manager looked at me and uttered platitudes along the lines of ' thats your opinion', ' you are entitled to think that' - all of them verging on patronising. he even went as far to say that customers like being able to book a slot - erm - they have no choice!
He advised he 'would take my views on board' and would 'pass them on to the manager' - he was in fact the deputy manager. I left my details and explicitly asked for her comments - needless to say I am still waiting.
So i feel like I have fallen out with a close friend. I have been an Apple convert for 2 years now and this is our first major falling out. I am annoyed, as a customer, at being treated like this and forced into such a rigid system, and bitterly disappointed that a company that has such a a wonderful end user experience in terms of the products themselves and the sales side should treat loyal customers (in fact any customers) this way when trying to dal with faulty goods!
So, anyone have any thoughts - agree/disagree - who can I voice this to in Apple - the store doesn't seem to care past lip service!
I will also try to repost this on the general area if there is one
Rgds
Michael

Answer 1

Hi,
I used to work at an Apple Store so I have 2 summers of customer service experience under my belt. Let me just say that, yes, I empathize. Some of the store policies are ridiculous, which is partly why I left the company. Well, ok no, I just like to say that that's why I left. I'm actually a student.
Anyways, whoever told you that you can't make an appointment at the Genius Bar was WRONG. Shame on them. Go to this website (it's just apple.com/uk/retail (and Regent Street's site specifically) and on the right hand side there's a column for you to click Genius Bar Reserve.
http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/week/20071118.html
Here's the entire gist of the store policy. The store is obligated to give you a new iPod Touch if there's a manufacturer defect within 2 weeks of your original purchase. You'll still need a Genius Bar appointment, but all they do is take a look at it, confirm that it's a defect, and they'll return it for you (& they'll label it as DOA - Dead on arrival), and give you a new one. Easy.
I'm guessing you are outside of the 14 day period which is causing you all the trouble. So now we're talking about the year warranty. So you got your replacement iPod touch. Should there still be a defect in your replacement, you still have 14 days from the day you received THAT iPod touch to get a new one. There's a chance that if you talk to the manager (a different one and there are several), he'll hook you up with a brand new iPod touch, without having to go through replacement protocol.
The manager you talked with sounds like a jerk to me, and believe me, I hate it when Apple employees try to think theyre "all that." We student employees used to laugh at how seriously some employees took it. But really, those guys are there to help you and give you solutions, at least that's the company line. With that in mind, demand them to do what's right. I wish I could actually help you. I used to take care of people in situations like these all the time.
Good luck.