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Apple Gives Man 'Lifetime Ban' on Purchasing iPads
I'm starting to realize that I have a weakness for stories where a corporation rolls out its ultimate "death penalty" punishment on a customer: "You can never come here [buy here] [eat here] again!!"
First there was the "You have complained about our coffee once too often, you will never eat at Tim Horton's again" story in February. And now I'm amused to see the story of Los Angeles man who, just two weeks after the product was rolled out, has already managed to find himself the subject of a "lifetime ban" on buying iPads.
A blogger who goes by the name of "Protocol Snow" says in this post (via Consumerist) that his local Apple store had a large supply of iPads, and he began purchasing and shipping iPads internationally for members of the "NeoGAF gaming forum." He says he charged very little over the list price, "just enough to cover all the tax, international express shipping, and Paypal fees with a little left over for unexpected costs." Protocol Snow also limited his purchases to no more than two per day because he had heard there was a limit per person.
This went on for less than a week, until a fateful visit to the Apple store on April 17 brought Protocol Snow's iPad purchases to an end (for the rest of his life). PS reports that while picking up an iPad at the store that day, he noticed some consternation and serious discussion amongst the employees. PS says that a very unexpected conversation (highlights below) ensued between him and two Apple employees ("Guy #1" and "Guy #2") at the store:
Me (nonchalantly) — “Is there an issue?”
Guy #2 — “There is a limit to the number of iPads that customers can buy.”
Me (playing dumb) — “Oh, is that right? What’s the limit?”
Guy #2 — “Only 2 per customer.”
Guy #1 — “I’m sorry sir, but you have reached your lifetime limit of iPad purchases and will not be allowed to buy any more.”
Me (anticipating that statement) — “Is the iPad limit per person? Per credit card? Per household?”
Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”
Me — “What does that mean? Can I use a different credit card to buy it? I’m buying this for a friend.”
Guy #1 — “You are not allowed to buy this iPad.”
Me — “Uhh… is it ok if I have a family member or friend come to buy it for me? My reservation doesn’t expire until 6:00 PM.”
Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”
Me (suddenly realizing what he’s saying) — “Wait, what? Lifetime? What does that mean?”
Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit of iPads and will not be allowed to buy any more.”
Me — “I’m banned from buying iPads? I know there’s a shortage right now, but I can’t buy any more once there’s plenty of stock?”
Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”
Me — “Ok buddy, I’m not going to make a scene so I’m leaving. How many iPads is the limit by the way?”
Guy #1 — “That information is not available.”
Me (looking at Guy #2, who has been silent this whole time) — “He tells me that the limit is two.”
Guy #1 — “I wish I could say but I do not have that information.”
Me — “I’ve already purchased more than 2 iPads. Why didn’t anybody else stop me in the past?”
Guy #1 — “I wish I could say but I do not have that information.”
Me — “Alright, I’ve had enough. Have a good day.”
Posted by Bruce Carton on April 23, 2010 at 01:52 PM | Permalink
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