Warning: Ordered iPod direct from Apple - got empty box

[DaftUnion]

I have already called Apple and reported today's problem but until they fix whatever is going wrong I strongly suggest you

DO NOT ORDER AN IPOD FROM THE APPLE STORE ONLINE!

$300 is way too much to pay for an empy box!

give me a break...Apple is probably one of the best if not the best place to order Apple products...I've ordered a ton of stuff from them and never had a problem.

Unfor. you just got unlucky on this one.

 

[emptybox]

No BS

just to say, when i ordered my ipod, it didn't come in a box.. it came in a padded shipping envelope with the ipod box inside.

i call BS on this story.

Both times I ordered iPods I ordered accessories; iHome clock radio, nano Tubes, AC Adapter, Camera Connector, etc. That's why I got the shpment in a box.

I received ALL the items (iHome clock radio, nano Tubes, AC Adapter, Camera Connector) EXCEPT the iPods. I got two boxes today. How would they know which one had the iPod??? The other box had not been tampered with.

 

[GilGrissom]

No. That's what's weird. The label says "ACI" and the address is on MicroDrive, that's what threw me this morning. If it had said "Apple" I would have made the UPS guy stand and wait while I opened the box.

I'm pretty sure other stuff I ordered from Apple used to say "Apple" and had the logo on the label. This is another reason I think this problem is widespread since I believe Apple used the "ACI" label so as not to draw attention to the box - but it didn't work this time.

Strange...anyone know what ACI stands for?

just to say, when i ordered my ipod, it didn't come in a box.. it came in a padded shipping envelope with the ipod box inside.

i call BS on this story.

To be fair all iPods of mine, and my friends (5G etc) have all been shipped in boxes. I guess it's just a prefered delivery type for various people/areas, or maybe what they have the most of at that time! I dunno.. So could change easily.

 

[Halsey12]

I signed for a box that was tampered with, and now I'm pissed and it's all Apple's fault cause Apple is in California and the iPods ship from China and I live in San Diego and UPS rocks and I didn't want you to respond with suggestions or comments, I just wanted to warn you not to buy from Apple cause they steal iPods.

 

[dejo]

...but until they fix whatever is going wrong I strongly suggest you...

And how will we know when Apple has fixed this problem? Are they going to issue a press release? Will Steve hold a special "No More Empty Boxes" event?

 

[devilot]

just to say, when i ordered my ipod, it didn't come in a box.. it came in a padded shipping envelope with the ipod box inside.

i call BS on this story.

I disagree. When my sister got an iPod mini for the 'school union' promotion, it came shipped from UPS in a plain brown box, no mention of Apple, I believe it did say "ACI" (but I think smaller text said something about Apple).

To the OP, I could understand why you're so upset. But I think you should just go with what another poster suggested; go into a physical Apple store next time you want to purchase something.

In the meantime, file a complaint against UPS?

 

[TheDulcimer]

To the OP, I could understand why you're so upset. But I think you should just go with what another poster suggested; go into a physical Apple store next time you want to purchase something.

That would be me .

Also, both my ipods (4th gen, and 5th gen) came in boxes, probably said ATARI or something, i wouldn't have cared less i got a freakin ipod!!! If that joy was taken from me i would probably make and post evil pictures of steve jobs or something online

Hey this is one hot thread is it not? i remember when it was like 15 posts total (the was 20 minutes ago)

-The Dulcimer-

 

[emptybox]

This is why..

I signed for a box that was tampered with, and now I'm pissed and it's all Apple's fault cause Apple is in California and the iPods ship from China and I live in San Diego and UPS rocks and I didn't want you to respond with suggestions or comments, I just wanted to warn you not to buy from Apple cause they steal iPods.

This is why you haven't heard from the other 10,000 people this happened to.

 

[TheDulcimer]

This is why you haven't heard from the other 10,000 people this happened to.

Since when were YOU 10,000 proven cases?

-The Dulcimer-

 

[Flowbee]

This is why you haven't heard from the other 10,000 people this happened to.

I would love for you to point us to even 10 seperate reports (anywhere on the internet) of this happening to other people.

 

[wileypen]

No. That's what's weird. The label says "ACI" and the address is on MicroDrive, that's what threw me this morning. If it had said "Apple" I would have made the UPS guy stand and wait while I opened the box.

I'm pretty sure other stuff I ordered from Apple used to say "Apple" and had the logo on the label. This is another reason I think this problem is widespread since I believe Apple used the "ACI" label so as not to draw attention to the box - but it didn't work this time.

ACI has been the return address from Apple for at least two years. It's to help prevent - wait for it - theft.

Seriously, get your story straight.

My favorite part is where the first box - which you had no reason to think was empty - was not tampered with. So before you knew there was a problem, you carefully examined the box and labels before opening, just in case their wasn't an ipod inside.

Okay...

 

[weg]

I mean they didn't even ask for the box back (which could be checked for fingerprints).

Come on.. I understand that you are mad because you didn't receive your iPod, but now you're being ridiculous. What do you expect from Apple? Involving the FBI?

 

[emptybox]

ACI has been the return address from Apple for at least two years. It's to help prevent - wait for it - theft.

Seriously, get your story straight.

My favorite part is where the first box - which you had no reason to think was empty - was not tampered with. So before you knew there was a problem, you carefully examined the box and labels before opening, just in case their wasn't an ipod inside.

Okay...

No. no. You misunderstood me. The first TIME I got an iPod shipped a few weeks ago I did not examine the box until after I opened it and found no iPod. That box included some accessories in it so it felt light but didn't feel empty. The box did not look to be tampered with.

Today I got two boxes from Apple, one with the accessories and one that SHOULD have contained an iPod but didn't. That box today did look to be tampered with.

 

[emptybox]

I just got off the phone with UPS. They were very helpfull and sounded sincerely concered. They promised someone would contact me and would come to inspect the box I received today. They also said they would investigate this and keep me informed about anything they find.

It's interesting to note that the UPS gal told me specifically that not that many people handle these boxes in transit.

 

[TheDulcimer]

...That box today did look to be tampered with.

That still brings us back to the question: "Why would apple tamper with an ipod box?"

The question we all would ask would be "Who would get the most out of this and easiest?"

-The Dulcimer- (<-- that means ipod btw)

It's interesting to note that the UPS gal told me specifically that not that many people handle these boxes in transit.

"We'll sir, i can tell you my company lets as many people touch your box as they want."

Doesn't have a very nice ring to it?

-The Dulcimer-

 

[GilGrissom]

I just got off the phone with UPS. They were very helpfull and sounded sincerely concered. They promised someone would contact me and would come to inspect the box I received today. They also said they would investigate this and keep me informed about anything they find.

Good. Goes some way I hope to eleviate your problem and anger.

It's interesting to note that the UPS gal told me specifically that not that many people handle these boxes in transit.

How many people does it take to steal an iPod??!!

...(wait...I know this one... ...no, that's Popes in a Volkswagen! )

 

[weg]

Yes they do. It comes free with every Apple purchase.

Wow.. I never realized this. But now that you mention it, I'm really glad that the Macrumors account doesn't cost $99/year after the first month, like other things that come for free with every Apple purchase ;-)

 

[emptybox]

"We'll sir, i can tell you my company lets as many people touch your box as they want."

Doesn't have a very nice ring to it?

-The Dulcimer-

Well, the point is that UPS sounded concerned (and they should be) and Apple seemed to just shrug it off as just another iPod theft.

 

[Oryan]

I think it's more likely someone(s) at Apple and not UPS. That's why I'm warning people.

You aren't making a connection. You say that you've sent stuff worth >$1000 through UPS and never had a problem but that you've had problems twice with iPods. To the local UPS guy, a package going from your address to some other random address isn't going to look very interesting. But they know a package coming from Apple will have something desirable in it. Thus, they are more likely to rip off the Apple package worth $300 than a random package worth $1000 (which they might not even know).

edit- or the UPS guy has done his research and knows the alternative addresses Apple uses, like ACI.

 

[TheDulcimer]

Well, the point is that UPS sounded concerned (and they should be) and Apple seemed to just shrug it off as just another iPod theft.

"Oh my God! Charlie come here, this guy on the phone says his $300 ipod got stolen!" (voice in the background) "Dear God what to do???"

again, i think i'm missing something.

-The Dulcimer-

 

[emptybox]

Good. Goes some way I hope to eleviate your problem and anger.

How many people does it take to steal an iPod??!!

The UPS gal says they have the ability to trace it all the way back to the shipper and they will do that if necessary. She at least sounded as if they mean to get to the bottom of this.

I am still angry and will probably remain so until the dirty rat that took my iPod is brought before me to be hanged.

 

[emptybox]

(Buzzer sound) Wrong.

You aren't making a connection. You say that you've sent stuff worth >$1000 through UPS and never had a problem but that you've had problems twice with iPods. To the local UPS guy, a package going from your address to some other random address isn't going to look very interesting. But they know a package coming from Apple will have something desirable in it. Thus, they are more likely to rip off the Apple package worth $300 than a random package worth $1000 (which they might not even know).

edit- or the UPS guy has done his research and knows the alternative address Apple uses, like ACI.

Several of the packages my UPS guy picked up last month were in the manufacturer's box and he could clearly see that it was audio equipment. He also knew the exact value because it was written as the declared value on the shipping form! It was more than $300.

 

[GilGrissom]

Well, the point is that UPS sounded concerned (and they should be) and Apple seemed to just shrug it off as just another iPod theft.

To be honest in a business sense it would make sense for UPS to sound more concerned. To Apple they can probably write it off...sell that many anyway.
But UPS?...if news gets out that this is happening they lose the massive contract they have with Apple...truth is they may sound concerned and supportive, but not for your personal reasons. A missing iPod probably costs Apple next to nothing, they ship you another one, no problem...don't make a fuss about it, they have a system in place to deal with it (quickly and efficiently I hope!), while UPS, a missing iPod would cost a lot more.

 

[Oryan]

Several of the packages my UPS guy picked up last month were in the manufacturer's box and he could clearly see that it was audio equipment. He also knew the exact value because it was written as the declared value on the shipping form! It was more than $300.

Then perhaps they just prefer ipods?

 

[GilGrissom]

Several of the packages my UPS guy picked up last month were in the manufacturer's box and he could clearly see that it was audio equipment. He also knew the exact value because it was written as the declared value on the shipping form! It was more than $300.

Theres more iPods shipping around than $1000 equipment...which do you think would go un-noticed more, or could perhaps slip under the radar and get easily compensated for??? (Granted it hasn't exactly slipped under the radar, but you get my point? Common 1 of several million $300 small device that gets shipped every week compared to the much rarer occasional $1000 device shipment from a lesser source.)