Apple Changes Tune, Will Accept Cash for iPad
She gets to keep her cash, though, as Apple hooked her up with a free one.
Earlier this week we brought to you the story of Diane Campbell, a disabled woman who saved up $600 in cash to buy an iPad. Sadly, she was turned away from the Palo Alto Apple Store when store staff told her that her cash was no good there. At the time, there was a policy in place that required those who wish to purchase an iPad or iPhone to do so with credit or debit cards.
Now that has all changed, after Diane Campbell had her story told by a local ABC TV station. Her story was told by other media and eventually reached Apple. Be it from the genuine story of Ms. Campbell or the bad press from the refusal of cash, Apple has changed it corporate policy in response.
"About a month ago, we said we'd like you to use a credit card when you buy your iPad, and that was the best way we could think of to make sure that people only bought two per individual," said Apple Sr. Vice President Ron Johnson to ABC's 7 On Your Side. "And then it came to our attention that Diane [Campbell], through your story, was very interested in buying an iPad with cash, and we made a decision today to change that."
For Ms. Campbell's troubles, Apple gave her a free iPad.
"We heard about this, you know... we all would love people like Diane [Campbell] to get an iPad, so I called her up and she was very excited and we're actually on our way to deliver an iPad to her house," said Johnson.
Check out the full story with a video clip at ABC KGO TV.
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joytech22 Wow a lucky woman! She deserved that free Ipad after going through all that!Reply
I would have been so bummed out if i saved for that long, just to be told "Sorry we don't accept cash" -
Onus Apple made a mess, but they cleaned up after themselves very properly on this one. Whale on them for the initial no-cash BS all you like, but this move will have them smelling like a rose and will probably get turned into a case study on customer service. This was damage control done right: "we f'ed up, now let's fix it."Reply
No, I'm not an Apple fan and would not buy a proprietary iPad, iPud, or anything else from them myself; this is kudos from a management perspective. -
< looks at money > "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private."Reply
I guess the Federal Reserve didn't get the memo from Apple. -
Hilarion And this is supposed to make us all feel "warm and fuzzy" about this wipe-out the bad press gambit.Reply
What a lovely company! (NOT!) -
Tomtompiper Damage limitation by Apple. A bit of common sense by their staff would have avoided the damage in the first place.Reply -
cscott_it Well, I'm glad she got a free iPad from this whole stink.Reply
I feel sorry for her, because you know it must have been very dissapointing. Saving and scraping each week, and then when she could finally go and buy one, she got shot down hard.
Apple is a PR machine, as such it made the best move. It makes me wonder if they ever did anything for the little girl they sent a C&D order to over fanmail saying it would be cool if her iPod showed lyrics. -
That's great news for Diane. I guess it is supposedly a nice gesture from apple but somehow when I was reading I wanted to punch this apple sr VP in the face, just has a sleazy feel and I dont know why..Reply