iPod recycling

[Johnny_L.A]

Apple have annouced that iPods can be returned for recycling.

Bring any used iPod, iPod mini or iPod photo to any of the more than 100 Apple Stores in the US for free environmentally friendly recycling and get a 10% discount on the purchase of a new iPod that same-day.

Are iPods prone to breakage, which would make this an attractive offer?

[Si_Amigo]

Not that I have seen. I think it’s just a sales gimmick to appear like a green company. A 10 percent discount on a service that will rarely be used is cheap. Espicailly when you consider how over priced the product is to begin with. I’ve has two so far and no problems. Although I am sure that there are broken ones out there.

Heck, Apple even stated yesterday that they weren’t concerned about the $50 settlement offer that they were forced to give to customers of older models with battery complaints because they figure most people will just throw the letter from Apple away with the rest of the junk mail.

[La_Llorona]

Prone to breakage? Probably not more so than your average fragile piece of electronic equipment (don’t drop them, be careless with them, etc). The real issue seems to be some combination of the following:

1. The batteries are nonreplaceable (although you can buy bootleg batteries and install them yourself, but this isn’t recommended). So when they wear out, the iPod is done with, sometimes in less than two years (although this has improved in newer models).

2. They’re very prone to scratching if you’re not careful–some folks with aesthetic sensibilities don’t want to stare at banged-up iPods.

3. In general, I think people who buy iPods are really into Trendy Electronic Doohickeys, and Apple comes out with new models fairly frequently, so the Trendy Electronica crowd is going to want to replace their old iPods with shiny new models. And why not offer a reward for customer loyalty?

[Balthisar]

@La Llorona

3. In general, I think people who buy iPods are really into Trendy Electronic Doohickeys, and Apple comes out with new models fairly frequently, so the Trendy Electronica crowd is going to want to replace their old iPods with shiny new models. And why not offer a reward for customer loyalty?

Okay, I’ll acknowledge your “in general” disclaimer, but there are a lot of us who resisted based on this notion, but then have one or more just for thier convenience and utility. Considering my Shuffle stays hidden under my shirt, it can hardly be said to be for trendy purposes!

@Amigo

Not that I have seen. I think it’s just a sales gimmick to appear like a green company.

That may be just a little cynical, but as I work for an auto manufacturer, don’t worry. I get it all the time. FWIW, here’s a good site on Apple’s environmental policies. Yeah, it’s from Apple themselves, but they do go beyond appearances.

[Johnny_L.A]

@La Llorona

1. The batteries are nonreplaceable (although you can buy bootleg batteries and install them yourself, but this isn’t recommended). So when they wear out, the iPod is done with, sometimes in less than two years (although this has improved in newer models).

I was not aware of this. I thought I read somewhere that batteries could be replaced at an Apple store.

[La_Llorona]

I’m being halfwitted today:

Q: Is the iPod’s battery replaceable?

A: Yes. Apple has an official battery replacement program for $99. The program requires that you send in your iPod (any model), and Apple will replace the battery and return it to you for $99 plus shipping and handling (technically, Apple actually replaces your whole iPod with an equivalent new or refurbished model). AppleCare programs for iPod are also available in some markets outside the US, and are expected soon in other markets.

from here and

iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service.

from here.

So yes, but you have to shell out a hundred bucks, and you don’t get the same unit back.

[Johnny_L.A]

@La Llorona

So yes, but you have to shell out a hundred bucks, and you don’t get the same unit back.

:dubious: Hm. Mine (which should arrive Wednesday) is personalised with my sig. I wonder if they replace that too?

[wheelie]

@Johnny L.A.

:dubious: Hm. Mine (which should arrive Wednesday) is personalised with my sig. I wonder if they replace that too?

I read on Apple’s site some time ago that replacing batteries on personalized units takes longer than plain ones. If your iPod was engraved by Apple, then you get the same back on the replacement, or you get your original iPod. iPodResq will change the battery for less than Apple, and you get the same iPod back.