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iPhone 4 Class Action Suit

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big fan of Apple products. They always exceed my expectations and for the most part have always put out quality products. I couldn’t wait to trade in my iPhone 3G for a new iPhone 4 so I pre-ordered it as early as I could. I was one of the lucky ones that punched through.

I noticed the antenna issue right away and the day that most people were lining up to get theirs I was on day #2 of ownership of my new iPhone 4. I made a video and posted it on youtube showing my issue with the antenna before they really came out with a “solution”.

When I got wind of the fact that I needed a case to avoid these reception issues, I was irate. I got wind that the law firm Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff out in Sacramento, CA was filing a class action lawsuit against Apple for the antenna issues. I sent this letter off to Jennifer Wilkinson at the firm, describing my issues.

Hello, I’ve been a fan of Apple products for years and I have owned an iPhone 3G before I pre-ordered the iPhone 4. I was surprised, frustrated, and angry at what I went through when I received my new Apple product. I pre-ordered and got my phone a day ahead and immediately noticed the reception issue when I would hold my iPhone 4 normally.

I’ve tweeted a lot about my issues here: http://twitter.com/ky

At one point to show some of my friends I created a Youtube video showing the issue.

Please keep me update on the status of this lawsuit. I am aggravated by this whole issue. To spend the amount of money I did, get the pre-ordered phone then have to go back into the store (on launch day no less) just to prevent calls from being dropped made me irate. The fact that I had to spend $30 on the Apple Bumper case just to get dependable behavior from my cellphone was the icing on the cake.

In my opinion, Apple has gone beyond what is reasonable for a company selling a consumer product. In their effort to make “pretty” and “beautiful” products I believe they have created a defective one. The mere fact that they created their own case for this current model shows that they knew of the issues and were positioned to capitalize on the very consumer problems they were creating. The phone does not work as advertised and I feel that they’ve taken advantage of me and my wallet. They’ve definitely lost my trust with this latest episode.

Sincerely,
Kyle Bradshaw

Of course after the fact there were all of these articles coming out saying “it’s not that bad”, “every cellphone does it”, etc etc. At the end of the day, in my opinion, they would not have created their own cases unless they knew this would have been an issue. I felt like I was taken advantage of, and that’s not cool.

Hopefully being a part of this class action lawsuit will in the least pay for my $30 Bumper, which probably should have been free in the first place. Btw, have you seen the Bumper? It probably cost $3 to make. Between the required Bumper and vents about iPhone docks – What the dock?, it looks like Apple is all about driving up costs on accessories to pour on the profits.

For the first time in my Apple love-affair, I feel like an iChump.

UPDATE Obviously as you well know now from the public outcry and backlash, Apple has offered FREE Bumpers and cases to all iPhone 4 owners. I have to say, this is what I wanted the whole time (and previously wrote about). Now why they just didn’t do that to begin with we’ll never know. I wonder if their brand will take a hit. I certainly lost confidence in their ability to handle “imperfection”.

Until next time.

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Sprinting Away From Sprint, Hands-Down The Worst Cellphone Company Ever

I’ve been with Sprint since 2005, before that I had Nextel (which was later bought by Sprint). We got the phones for a now extinct development company I ran with my buddy Dan.

On 7/11/08 during the iPhone craziness I logged onto my Sprint account and saw you could check your end date. I’ve been lusting for an iPhone for quite some time and the 3G release broke the metaphorical camel’s back. Here’s a transcript of my session with Sprint on 7/11 for your entertainment.

If you read that transcript you would think that the issue was resolved and they rolled back my service so I wasn’t required to keep my contract until 12/23/2008 right? You’d be mistaken.

Today I had a followup conversation, just to validate my success getting my plan rolled back. What I learned was this: THEY CANCELED MY ACCOUNT effective 8/1/2008. Hole in one Sprint.

I’m very frustrated I lost the text conversation from today because I tried to view the frame source and Sprint knocked me out. I was speaking to a friendly fellow named "Oliver". Note: a text based online support allows for easy outsourcing. There were some good quotes like:

Oliver:

you line is cancelled. did you pay the $200 cancellation fee?

Me:

I NEVER SAID TO CANCEL MY ACCOUNT

And when I said "hell no" I got this prompt reply:

To ensure that we have a productive chat session, I ask that you please refrain from using profane/vulgar language during our chat. Thank you in advance.

You’d think I said something like "Suck My Ass Sprint" which upon reflection, might not have been such a bad idea.

Needless to say my tenure as a Sprint Customer is coming to a close. Unfortunately Sprint-Really-Sucks.com was already taken. I might’ve been able to capitalize on Sprints cesspool service for profit, maybe I still will!

Maybe I should look into this lawsuit.

I’ll change my strategy and try again, this time following this great advice.

UPDATE 7/20

I was so livid with Sprint on Friday (7/18) that I got an iPhone that very day, it’s badass. I used this service to check availability. The whole process of buying the phone (16GB Black), transferring my number, and taking calls took a total of 15 minutes. A far cry of the trials and frustrations I heard from people who waited in line and got it on 7/11. This phone kicks ass. I’m still figuring out my way around it, but as of right now I’m very happy I jumped ship.

IN OTHER NEWS

My old phone is up on eBay the sale of which should put a good dent in my cancellation fee from Sprint. Send the link to someone you hate that has Sprint. :)

UPDATE 7/28

My HTC Mogul sold on eBay Saturday. The final price was $183.90 + $15.95 shipping = $199.85. Total shipping costs were $12.10 to ship via USPS which leaves me with $187.75 total for resale of my HTC Mogul phone.

The Sprint cancellation fee is $200. So it essentially cost me $12.25 to up and leave Sprint. For all the headaches and stress they caused they should be paying me to leave **them** in my opinion.

Another thing that made it so much easier on the wallet was that my company is paying for my new iPhone. I love my job. All is well that ends well.

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