Apple fails to support small user communities - so I'm leaving

[jacobj]

iTunes music store has just been launched across Europe, including the UK. I have been waiting a year for this and so, when I got home from work, I eagerly opened iTunes and started the whole event. I had to update my Apple ID so that it could be used with iTunes music store and what so I find?
My UK post code is not accepted.
There are only 90,000 people here, but with the other Channel Islands, of which we form part, the total population is around 180,000. OK this is only 0.30% of the UK's population and we are slightly out of the loop in terms of legislation and government, but we are none the less part of the UK and all copyright laws that apply there apply here.
If the fault lays at the door of the record companies my issue would be less, but I still detest the fact that Apple makes no mention of us on their iTunes site, nor in their online help, nor do their support team know anything of us.
I have had so many issues with Apple recently, but this is the one that has convinced me that my next computer will be a PC. I hope that all their users eventually leave them and that the company fades into the history books, because style and gadgets are not the whole thing: support for a loyal customer base should surely be the other.

 

[Darwin]

Have you made a complaint?

Apple maybe to blame and it might not be, but I would let them know

I don't see them missing out a set of Post Codes for the hell of it

If they don't give an answer then you can walk away knowing that you reported the problem

 

[Krizoitz]

First, there is a difference between not supporting a group they have promised to and not providing a service that they never promised to you.

Apple would LOVE to offer the iTMS to more people. Why? It generates revenue, it generates brand recognition, it promotes iPod sales. I don't understand where people get this idea that Apple is doing things to HURT their sales. And its not like they are doing things like some companies where its screw the customer to increase profits.

Apple isn't some monolithic company like Sony and its not like they just have to ship a generic product to one more market. There is a ton of legal wrangling that goes on. PLUS they have to put in the infrastructure.

You want Apple to bring you the iTMS, well so does Canada, and Japan, and the rest of Europe and Australia, etc. Not to mention that they still have this little computer selling buisness going on the side.

Remember the .com boom? Everyone jumped in feet first and it all collapsed. Apple is taking a nice methodical approach, expanding as they have the opportunity/money/market. Apple will expand when they can as fast as is responsibly able to do so. They have a responsibility to their shareholders not to make stupid mistakes that will cost the company big.

Certainly if you aren't satisfied changing to PC is an option, just be warned, from someone who works in a cross platform environment, being able to buy online music isn't going to outweigh the costs. I guess its your call though, its your money

 

[Balin64]

I'll Buy Your Music...

... And send it to you....

OR:

Why don't you just go to the shop and buy it?

At least give this some time. It may get figured out.

The UK and Europe is somewhat behind in what Apple offers... of course. But it is not always Apple's fault: most likely it is on your end!

And before you fire back: I have lived on Cow's Lane in Dublin and Aldwich and The Strand in London: I know what I'm talking about.


Be patient grasshopper.

Or Move.

Blah.

 

[Coolvirus007]

I've lived in the UK for 3 years and believe me, they (UK companies in general) have A LOT of problems. This small iTunes buisness isn't a big concern. If your having trouble coping with the iTunes music store, try dealing with BT to upgrade your telephone line so you can use broadband.

And by the way, which brand of PC are you going to switch.

 

[Belly-laughs]

Type in a different postcode, NN4 1ZY, say. It worked for me.

 

[winwintoo]

You shouldn't have to use a fake post code to circumvent Apple's apparent oversight in designing their store.

This lack of customer service seems to be rampant in Apple lately and almost made me want to switch and might yet.

I recently had dealings with Apple customer service and got no satisfaction what so ever from them. After going through several layers of intermediaries before I could finally talk to "customer service" I got to speak to a dolt whose lack of voice inflection made me want to climb through the phone line and strangle him. He kept saying "I'm sorry you're having this trouble" but with absolutely no emotion in his voice, in effect conveying to me that he (and therefore Apple) could care less if I was having trouble.

Apple better smarten up - if they treat their loyal customers like this, I shudder to think what new switcher must think.

Take care, M

 

[matthew24]

Huh?

So you are willing to become a Windows sufferer because of ITMS not being available?

*********** Real Weird. *************

I came from the darkside and ain't never going back.

 

[Sayer]

Blame Game

It's funny everyone automatically blames Apple for all problems. Why is no one pointing fingers at the music labels or rights holders?

All of the restrictions come directly from the music labels/rights holders, not Apple.

What Apple does is negotiate the best terms it can given the restrictions put on *them* to sell you music files. Steve Jobs is quoted as saying he wants ALL music on iTMS.

So this puffed up hissy fit is really misplaced. Why is that?

Maybe you just wanted attention for your "brave" decision. Geeze, it's just a computer. Go get a DELL or something and shut up about it already.

 

[Macdantheman07]

just because iTunes isn't available in your area (for odd some reason), doesn't mean you have to give up ever buying a mac. I mean, thats just stupid. First of all, you don't even know if this postal code issue is their fault, second of all they will still sell you a computer, third of all most of the world still doesnt have iTunes, and finally, Windows sucks. I believe one user said before that Apple isn't in the business to shut people out, it is in the business to make money and get brand and mind share. They will try their hardest to bring their service to you.

If you are never going to buy a mac, you have to ask yourself: "Can I stand this utter Windows crap? Can i stand talking to Dell tech support people in bloody India?(many more questions...)" Lack of iTunes is a bad reason to stay PC.

DONT EVER SAY THAT APPLE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SMALL COMMUNITIES, because they were once the major suppliers to schools THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SCHOOLS ARE SMALL COMMUNITIES! Children are the future and Apple helps build the future.

 

[russed]

I have had so many issues with Apple recently, but this is the one that has convinced me that my next computer will be a PC. I hope that all their users eventually leave them and that the company fades into the history books, because style and gadgets are not the whole thing: support for a loyal customer base should surely be the other.

so what are these many issues that you have been having?

 

[jemeinc]

I'm curious why your location says Jersey- yet you are complaining about Apple UK... PS... What are some of the other "many issues" you've been having with Apple ?...

 

[NusuniAdmin]

Id say I have more of a chance of leaving than you,

#1, that whole tech service problem. I sent my dual in for repairs got the wrong one back, sent that back and got my dual back with no video or ram cards or hd's, and finally the 3'rd time got it back but it did not boot. Finally the 4'th time i got it back perfectly fine and apple gave me a gift certificate and did not charge for the repairs

#2, panther in my opinion is an absolute pos os. If tiger is not any better there is a good chance i will use YDL for my home stuff (right now i have ydl running as my fileserver) and use tiger for my programming. I really definitly hope tiger will implement the supposed disability junk cause if it supports speach recognition throughout the whole os, no matter what i will switch to it. This whole kill your hands from typing and moving mouse is geting terrible. If that came true id probly lose my gut cause id probly walk around while talking instead of sitting.

those 2 reasons are major ones for me. I could have avoided #1 if i had more time to repair it myself, but i didnt.

And another kinda reason, #2.5 (lol), Apple needs to majorly improve its virtual memory and make the system use less memory. I have 352 megs of memory. When i boot my beige in ydl 3.01 it has 300 left (thats with all the all the eye candy on). On os x no matter what it always uses at least 100 megs of memory. When i do get to virtual memory on ydl is runs literaly 99% of the regular speed because it was written so well. OS x...well it runs like 85% of the speed if im lucky. I think the VM was just thrown together by apple or the developers. Why make people buy 500 dollars worth the ram when they can just add or remove some code?

 

[flyfish29]

detest[/B] the fact that Apple makes no mention of us on their iTunes site, nor in their online help, nor do their support team know anything of us.
I have had so many issues with Apple recently, but this is the one that has convinced me that my next computer will be a PC. I hope that all their users eventually leave them and that the company fades into the history books, because style and gadgets are not the whole thing: support for a loyal customer base should surely be the other.

Damn those apple people, they don't mention my name either in their support.

nO seriously, I respect your decision to change (don't agree, but respect that it is your decision) However, you don't think you will have issues with customer service on the PC side...come on be real. There are millions if not billions of PC users out there and you actually think you will be more than a number in a sea of users? You have a better chance of Steve J calling your home than getting recognized by the PC world.

Look into why you are not supported before jumping to conclusions...mistake, legal issues you don't know about, etc. could be the reason...find out before blaming apple.

If you don't look into it then Bon Voyage and we will see you in a few years when you realize the PC world is not going to be any better, but in fact much worse.

Respectfully,

 

[bousozoku]

I'm curious why your location says Jersey- yet you are complaining about Apple UK... PS... What are some of the other "many issues" you've been having with Apple ?...

He's on the island of Jersey, not in New Jersey in the U.S.A.

jacobj:

It could be a clerical error--that someone didn't enter all of the postcodes. If you don't let Apple know, they'll never correct it. Things do happen and rolling out a project for 3 different countries at the same time is a lot of work. It may just be that someone missed them--the sheet with those postcodes could have fallen on the floor and no one saw.

Let them know.

 

[iJon]

well please do let us know how your loyal support with dell or compaq go.

iJon

 

[g4cubed]

Id say I have more of a chance of leaving than you,

#1, that whole tech service problem. I sent my dual in for repairs got the wrong one back, sent that back and got my dual back with no video or ram cards or hd's, and finally the 3'rd time got it back but it did not boot. Finally the 4'th time i got it back perfectly fine and apple gave me a gift certificate and did not charge for the repairs QUOTE]

How much was the gift cert. for?
I started out on a mac AppleII thru my PPC 6300, I switched to winblows, then back for the Cube. I had a Compaq that was sent in 5 times before getting it right and I got nada, not even "we're sorry".
So, not that what happened was a good thing, at least they gave you something for the trouble.

 

[Bakey]

I'm curious why your location says Jersey- yet you are complaining about Apple UK...

Please, please, please, please tell me you're joking!!!

 

[NusuniAdmin]

How much was the gift cert. for?
I started out on a mac AppleII thru my PPC 6300, I switched to winblows, then back for the Cube. I had a Compaq that was sent in 5 times before getting it right and I got nada, not even "we're sorry".
So, not that what happened was a good thing, at least they gave you something for the trouble.

it was only for 20 dollars. I think it was an attempt to avoid a lawsuit over their tech support (the people on the phone were @$$e$ too). They already have enough lawsuits going on. But at least they did not charge me for the service.

 

[Flowbee]

I have had so many issues with Apple recently, but this is the one that has convinced me that my next computer will be a PC. I hope that all their users eventually leave them and that the company fades into the history books, because style and gadgets are not the whole thing: support for a loyal customer base should surely be the other.

You're absolutely right. Apple treats its customers like crap. Switching to Microsoft is like finding a new best friend. If you ever have any problems with their software or services, you just call them up and they make everything better for you. Their motto truly is: "The customer is always right." Microsoft even sent me a birthday card this year, and a realy nice fruit basket after I spent 45 minutes on the phone with their technical support trying to get my computer to recognize my camera. They were really sorry I was having problems and promised to fix their OS as soon as they could.

Oh yeah, and Microsoft's Jersey Music Store really rocks!!

 

[bousozoku]

Please, please, please, please tell me you're joking!!!

He's not likely to be joking. Geography doesn't matter. You know that people on the east coast of the U.S.A. around New Jersey tend to simply call it Jersey, right? I still do, when I'm talking with people in the states.

 

[mainstreetmark]

I'm sure all you guys will find plenty of support, nestled comfortably in the bosom of Microsoft.

"My postal code doesn't work in a service that's less than 24 hours old. Apple sucks". Get lost, then, we don't want you.

"Panther is a crappy OS because it doesn't have total speech recognition. Apple sucks.". You can get lost as well. Go use XP which has zero speech support, and I wasn't aware Yellow Dog had any speech support either.

Honestly, you people must all have pretty great lives to have these problems be so serious.

 

[vga4life]

Please, please, please, please tell me you're joking!!!

Why would he be? The States of Jersey isn't part of the UK! It's a self-governing island with a "special relationship" with the UK. Sure, the Queen (God Shave Her!) is the Sovereign (represented by the lieutenant Governor), and the Dean, Bailiff, and Attorney General are all Crown-appointed. Nonetheless, it's not part of the UK, or a colony of same. Acts of the UK parliament do not apply to Jersey except by consent.

See http://www.gov.je/island/about.asp for the full, boring details.

 

[Thirteenva]

well please do let us know how your loyal support with dell or compaq go.

iJon

LOL! AMEN!


BYE BYE!

 

[aloofman]

iTunes music store has just been launched across Europe, including the UK. I have been waiting a year for this and so, when I got home from work, I eagerly opened iTunes and started the whole event. I had to update my Apple ID so that it could be used with iTunes music store and what so I find?
My UK post code is not accepted.
There are only 90,000 people here, but with the other Channel Islands, of which we form part, the total population is around 180,000. OK this is only 0.30% of the UK's population and we are slightly out of the loop in terms of legislation and government, but we are none the less part of the UK and all copyright laws that apply there apply here.
If the fault lays at the door of the record companies my issue would be less, but I still detest the fact that Apple makes no mention of us on their iTunes site, nor in their online help, nor do their support team know anything of us.
I have had so many issues with Apple recently, but this is the one that has convinced me that my next computer will be a PC. I hope that all their users eventually leave them and that the company fades into the history books, because style and gadgets are not the whole thing: support for a loyal customer base should surely be the other.

Get off your high horse. Jersey is used as a tax shelter for numerous international financial operations and its legal system is only partly related to the UK's. In addition to the fact that the number of potential iTunes users in the Channel Islands is very small, Apple would probably have to negotiate legal rights directly with the local government. If they considered it at all, they probably figured it was not worth it. You've chosen to isolate yourself on a tiny island that gets to pick and choose which parts of British law apply to it, so I'd say the lack of an iTunes music store there is not a major issue for the people of Jersey or Apple.