Photographic meanderings

It’s been kinda heavy around here lately. Time to erleichda.

First, prolly the most Fuddly video I’ve ever seen on YouTube: A tortoise mating with a Crock shoe. The squeeks got me. Be sure to turn up your speakers for this one.

And now, something that truly is “magical”: Inter-species communication with a dolphin on an iPad.

I was up at gahwdaful early this morning, and called Apple. I spoke with Linette, and very carefully explained what I’d been told, what happened, and what consequences this had for me. She listened and was just as carefully repeated back what I’d told her, and asked what I would like done to resolve the problem.

I told her I needed the money put back into the account before any overdrafts hit. She cancelled the repair order, called my bank, and released the hold. Money was released immediately. She said that when I was ready to continue with the repair, I could call her and they would re-open the case ID. I asked if I could have a discount on the repair cost, and she said she would have to check into that. We have exchanged phone numbers and email addresses. She will be calling me tomorrow morning, at gahwdaful o’clock.

So now the situation stands thus: I have my money back, no overdraft fees, and a spider-webbed iPad.

Stay tuned for further developments.

BTW, I did not mention this blog: I don’t want to be a stupid blogtard, threatening bad PR. That’s rude. If they make this right, it should be only because they are honorable. If I can’t rely on my own negotiating abilities by lining up the valid reasons I should get a discount on repairs, or perhaps an upgrade to either a 32gb wifi or 16gb 3g model, then I don’t deserve it.

Stay tuned for the next installment!

Edited to add: I’ve received several requests and suggestions regarding this situation. I’d like to thank Jim Goldstein for his suggestion to send it to his friend Shakeel to repair it, but at this time I’d like to keep the work in house, so to speak. I’ve held off jailbreaking it so that I would not void the warranty, and if I get a refurbished unit I will want it to still be under the initial warranty. Rest assured that should I opt for a bigger-capacity or 3g model, I will carefully consider my options for who gets my old one. I have three folks in mind–my best friend Christine who’s had a hell of a bad year, my friend Dawn who is developing software for the iPad and doesn’t have one to test her apps on, and Jim because he’s got a baby on the way and money is going to be tight. That’s in no particular order, mind. Also, I’d like to thank the folks who’ve donated money and placed orders. Your kindness is deeply appreciated!

Suryah and Rosco, inseparable. Awwww….

*Cutons; radiated cuteness. AKA The Ky00t. Causes a loss of judgement, inability to make decisions, incapacitating euphoria. Highly addictive. Sources include in regbuns, devilbunnies, kittens, puppies, My Little Pony, Hello Kitty, Baby animals. Counter agents include Moxie, axes, pure vanilla extract, and Elmer Fudd.

A few days ago I dropped my brand new iPad on Sentinel Bridge in Yosemite Valley; Heartbreaking, let me tell you. I called Apple Care, and Heather in Sacramento informed me of my options. Hey, $303 to replace it, I can live with that. I’ll own my responsibility in dropping it–and $300 is way cheaper than another $550 to buy another one. Understand that I’m a room inspector at Curry Village. I make a paltry $10.97 an hour, but I’ve got one hell of a view here in Yosemite. I’ve learned to live close to the bone so that I can live here and be a photographer. The iPad is the perfect way to share my photos, and I scrimped and saved to buy one. So I said yes, but when she offered an express swap (she did explain that a hold would be placed on my card) I knew I couldn’t afford it at that time, and opted for a regular swap. She told my I’d be charged for the replacement when they got my iPad.

Mr. Jobs, I got home tonight, ready to place an order with my print lab (Aspen Creek Photo) for a couple of 20″ x 30″ prints–and went to check just how much I had in my checking account. I’m overdrawn by $22+change. I’m going to miss out on a special they are offering. You see, I was going to wait until next Friday, my payday, to ship back my iPad. I’ve got some overtime, and I would have been able to afford paying for the replacement, no problem. I probably won’t get the shipping box until Thursday because of Memorial Day. Piece of cake, or so I thought. I had about $200 in my account. But now I’m facing at least $30 in overdraft fees–pocket change to a man who now is in control of the second most valuable corporation in America, but it means a tank of gas, or several prints, or heck, a goodly portion of a bottle of Bowmore single malt whisky. It’d buy me a shot of Lagavulin and a snack at the Ahwahnee bar, if I were the sort to frequent that fine establishment here.

I was going to buy some Almond scented Dr. Bronner’s soap at the Yosemite Village Store tonight; Thankfully I have other soap to use when I shower.

I was going to buy some molly bolts to reattach my coat rack to my dorm room wall. I’ll have to continue stuffing my coat in an overcrowded closet, and hanging my bathrobe over the back of my chair. My shower bag (sans the Dr. Bronner’s soap) will have to be a trip hazard on the floor of my room.

I would like to have put gas in my car for a drive up to Glacier Point tonight to do some night shooting, but that’s going to have to wait until this is resolved. I’m hoping I don’t miss the opening of Tioga Pass–because it would be the first time I haven’t driven over to Mono Lake on opening day in 4 years, something that brings me incredible joy. I’ve only got less than 1/2 a tank of gas, and at over $3.60 a gallon it ain’t gonna happen. Well, ok, I might be able to make it to Mono Lake and back if it opens. If I coast down Lee Vining Canyon…so I’m just out a trip to Glacier Point. BTW, I drive a 1999 Saturn. I’ve owned it since 2001. It’s paid for! It gets good mileage. But mountain driving, well, I’m sure you understand. Maybe 30 MPG.

Instead, I’ve got an iPad that has a spectacular spiderweb on the screen, no box to ship it in, and no money until this is resolved. Yeah, it sucks to be me right now.

On the other hand, one of my neighbors just gave me a Hornsby’s Hard Cider, and that has taken some of the rough edges off the world. My hope is that you’ll look into this matter, and help me out.

Here’s the pertinent information: Serial Number: V5016D4ZZ38
Case ID: 162767761

Finally, I’m really a nobody. Seriously. I don’t have a gazillion readers on my blog–right now I have (checking…) 145 subscribers. Peanuts, I know. But this whole saga is going on my blog. I feel kinda like a roaring mouse. Stop it–I can hear you laughing, Mr. Jobs. A copy of this letter is going up there, with the serno and case ID. Also, a copy of your reply, if any, will be posted. Fair warning is fair warning.

Finally, I’m really glad your health has improved. Rich or poor, being sick sucks big time. And should you need a break from Cupertino, I’d be delighted to show you around Yosemite, and show you some of the better places to photograph. Provided, of course, that this issue is resolved to my satisfaction.
Edie

http://LittleRedTent.net/LRTblog

When I spoke with Heather at Apple Care, she offered an express swap service. She told me that a hold would be placed on my credit card until I sent my ipad to them. I told her I could not afford that, and I opted for a regular exchange. She said that I would be charged once they got my iPad, and before sending the replacement.

Today I got my balance notification–I’m overdrawn by $22. Apple Care charged my account $303, and then again for $1. I haven’t even gotten the box to send in my iPad.

I tried calling Apple, and they are closed due to the holiday weekend. I tried calling my Bank, and they too are closed due to the holiday weekend.

This is not going well.

So far I’ve got 3 drafts processing. They will either bounce ($10) or be paid (prolly more than $10). Apple is going to reimburse me, will be talking to my bank and getting the overdrafts off my record. This is not acceptable, Apple. Steve Jobs, if you’re listening, this is just plain wrong. I’m a peon, I have damn little cash, and due to your “customer service”, I’m facing embarrassment, a black mark on my banking record, and the inconvenience of not having any liquid assets until Tuesday at the earliest.

I don’t have a large readership. Currently I’ve got about 140 subscribers to this blog. Please pass the word to watch this blog to see what Apple does next. Let’s see how Mr. Jobs handles this mess.

Let’s hope it doesn’t get ugly.

Note: This is not a paid endorsement.

I just got off the phone with Heather at Apple Care–I will be getting a replacement iPad for less than $300! I’d like to thank Heather for her great customer service. She was empathic, and made the whole experience a lot better than I thought it would be. She answered my questions, and even told me I wasn’t her first call about a smashed screen. I was her second! Small consolation, but there it is.

FYI, the AppleCare service plan doesn’t cover accidental damage, but it does offer immediate replacement.

Apple will be sending me a return box, and the shipping cost (FedEx) is covered. Once they get my iPad, they will ship me a replacement.

Thanks, AppleCare!

Edited to update: This story has taken a sour turn; Read what happened next: The Bad. And for my email to Steve Jobs, my long-winded vent session.

Ouchouchouchouchouch! I just broke my iPad, and I’d like to replace it. I’m selling 20×30 prints for $75 until Sunday night. Click my donation button on the upper right side of this page, tell me what picture you’d like when you make your payment. I’ll be taking orders Sunday at 10 PM PDST.

My iPad enables me to find out important information critical to good photography; It saves me time and money and is the perfect medium to display my work.

Thanks for your concern!

Have I ever mentioned just how slippery iPads are? I fumbled, and watched in horror as my beloved iPad tumbled end over end and hit the concrete walkway on Sentinel Bridge. Oddly, it still works. But I’ve been wanting the 3G model, and this is the perfect reason to replace mine.

Until Sunday night, I am selling 20×30 prints of any of my images for $75. Help out a struggling photographer, buy a print to help me replace my smashed iPad.

I just thank the gods that it wasn’t my camera! Woot!