After calling the (800) corporate Apple customer service number, holding 5 minutes to speak to someone, inquiring if the "dead battery no longer holding a charge" on my 60G 6 year old Ipod could be replaced, I was given 2 options proffered by the Apple rep: 1- mail in the iPod, or 2- go to the closest Apple store to have the battery "replaced on the spot while waiting." I was provided the closest retail Apple store location (20 miles from me), given the address & phone number, and advised it s/b approximately $50-60.00 and no more than 15-20 minutes of service time. An appointment was strongly recommended. I was fortunate to obtain an appointment for 5:10 pm that same day.

Upon arrival at the store, one has to register with a floor attending "receptionist." I was 15 minutes early, the store busy, but taken on time. The service rep entered the model/serial #'s into Apple's database, and was promptly informed on their system that Apple no longer supports that model (their most popular model for music, videos, etc).

I was offered a 10% discount if I would trade-in my 60G model and purchase the newer 150G model retailing @ $249.00. No transferring of content could or would be performed. I explained I no longer kept the "library" on "the computer associated with that IPod" as the library took up too much room in storage.

It was suggested that third parties could replace the battery and/or transfer the tunes w/a third party program that "was out there somewhere." A friend suggested (later) that I go to Batteries Plus as they have "batteries for everything!" After calling to confirm that statement, I was on my way to Batteries Plus, only 10 miles from my residence. They were most courteous, understanding, and accommodating. While their battery inventory system appeared to only support a 30G and 80G IPod, the service associate said he would try either (@ $28.95) and install it for merely an $19.95 additional fee. If neither battery eiuld work, there wiuld be no obligation to pay anything, either opened packages or labor for installation of s battery. In 10 minutes the Ipod not only worked, I was happily on my way.

I find it interesting that Apple does not support its initial products of faithful, longstanding customers, but is more focused on and primarily interested in their own marketing of/upgrading sales; whereas a third party can be and do much more accommodating!! Kudos to Batteries Plus!!!

Sent from my iPhone

ez12get2@aol.com