First Engadget iPhone returned

Hot on the heels of the Engadget iPhone headcount (12, if you didn't know), the very first Engadget iReturn has taken place. After ten and a half hours of waiting in line -- but less than 24 hours of actual ownership -- iPhone number one has been taken back to the store, citing "janky keyboard" and "no money for rent" as reasons behind the return. Note the look of utter shock, confusion, and hurt on the face of the Apple employee as she notified us of their 10% restocking fee (after the break).

[greyscale @ Jun 30th 2007 6:02PM]

Oh ffs you have to be kidding me.

[Adam Zeldin @ Jun 30th 2007 6:04PM]

You could have sent it my way ;-)

She does look sooo... sympathetic? empathic?

[Maff @ Jun 30th 2007 6:06PM]

Empathic? She's not Marina Sirtis you know! ;)

[p-diddy @ Jun 30th 2007 9:00PM]

Everyday people can be empathetic. If you've never gone through it and feel bad for the person, you're sympathetic. If you have gone through it, and can actually feel the pain they are dealing with, you're empathetic.

No ST:TNG stuff here.

-p-

[TJ @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:52PM]

p-diddy....you are just as dumb as someone i would expect with the name "p-diddy"....do you know what an empath is? did you notice a word that was spelled close but not quite "EMPATHETIC" maybe...something like...oh idk..."EMPATHIC"??

[A Gupta @ Jun 30th 2007 6:07PM]

Ah, 10% restocking fee? Weaksauce... what happened to ATT's 30 day risk free trial? $60 is quite a bit of risk. What all happened to the contract, etc? Deets plz.

[andres @ Jul 1st 2007 9:44PM]

Apple has always had restocking fee.

[bnet504 @ Jun 30th 2007 6:13PM]

I think all carriers are required by law to allow you to terminate you contract within 15 to 30 days after activation without having to pay an early termination fee. The restocking fee, of course, is up to the company to decide.

[Jon @ Jun 30th 2007 6:43PM]

In London only merchants who love to rip-off people down in Tottenham Court Road charges 'restocking fees'. No other reputable companies would do that, not even Harrods or crappy stores like Dixons/Currys. Maybe Apple down at Regents Street, but I never bothered to shop there.

[SteveM @ Jun 30th 2007 6:53PM]

Actually, most Apple stores waive the restock fee for items in the firs 14 days. In the case of the iPhone they seem to be enforcing it and I can think of one REALLY good reason for this:

Ebay

Every major gadget launch in the last couple of years has been plagued by speculators buying as many units as possible to make a quick buck. From Apple's point of view why should they give someone a risk-free approach to make money re-selling their products?

And I've gotta say, I don't understand why someone would be returning an iPhone for reasons of cash (or lack thereof). The price has been available for months, the monthly tariffs were known in advance, if you don't think you can afford the latest shiny gadget then DON"T BUY IT!

[Backlin @ Jun 30th 2007 8:23PM]

I heard there was a $170 cancellation fee for the phone plan.

[erichazann @ Jul 1st 2007 9:43AM]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the 10% restocking fee only applies to Computers/Monitors and iPods (and by now iPhones)... perhaps "Major Electronics". I bought a power adapter recently and was able to return it with no probs and no restocking fee.

[Mark @ Jul 1st 2007 6:46PM]

Computers, Monitors, iPods and the iPhone... I doubt that much else gets sold.

[laughallway2bank @ Jun 30th 2007 6:12PM]

should have just sold it on ebay

[jdaciuk @ Jun 30th 2007 9:28PM]

Selling it on ebay would have cost the 10% restocking fee anyway (if not more). If you notice, people are getting the 8gb model on ebay for UNDER $600, sans tax. Factor in the cost of posting it on ebay, the cut they take, and the cut paypal takes and it's just easier to get the same amount of money back right away at the store (and no hassle with the phone plan you just activated being canceled or somehow being charged for someone else's new plan).

[deslock @ Jul 1st 2007 11:11AM]

darrell 413-297-6768

>jdaciuk @ Jun 30th 2007 9:28PM
>
>Selling it on ebay would have cost the 10% restocking fee
>anyway (if not more). If you notice, people are getting
>the 8gb model on ebay for UNDER $600, sans tax.

Actually, I hadn't noticed that. So I went to Ebay and looked it up. In the last few minutes, here are what the iPhone sold for:

8GB $720+ $20 shipping
8GB $725 shipped
8GB $670+ $35 shipping
8GB $700 shipped
8GB $700 shipped
4GB $710 shipped (with charger and case)

Here are a couple of the links:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-iPhone-i-Phone-8-GB-BRAND-NEW-IN-BOX-IN-HAND-NJ_W0QQitemZ290134468639QQihZ019QQcategoryZ64355QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Apple-iPhone-8-GB-AT-T-100-SOLD-OUT_W0QQitemZ170126860230QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64355QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Apple-4GB-iPhone-with-Accessories-In-Hand-6-29_W0QQitemZ190127807408QQihZ009QQcategoryZ64355QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Depending on how much tax one paid (or if they paid any tax), these still seem not only reasonably profitable and far better than the $540 one would get back after the restocking fee.

[Brad @ Jul 1st 2007 11:43AM]

on launch day someone on ebay pay $100,000.00 for a single iphone.
i feel bad for the guy cuz all he had to do was go to apple.com,and order one. the shipping time is about 2 weeks, but its better than paying 100+ times the retail price

[A Gupta @ Jun 30th 2007 6:12PM]

Haha then it should have been returned to an ATT store or resold or something. I know I'd probably have bought it from an ATT store so that I could have taken advantage of whatever risk-free thing they have.

[Will @ Jun 30th 2007 7:47PM]

there is no risk free deal with the iPhone, if the plastic seal is broken you get charged 10% no matter what the reason is

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 30th 2007 6:13PM]

So, lemme get this right; An Engadget employee stood in line for 10 hours to buy a phone he knew he couldn't afford (no rent money)? Or was this just Engadgets way of generating another "news" story for the neverending stream of iPhone non-news?

[Blackstar @ Jun 30th 2007 6:27PM]

Yeah, this just sounds idiotic. There are so many iPhones at retailers there was never a risk of running out. A friend walked into an Apple store this morning and got one. No line, no waiting. And yet people were waiting in lines outside of stores all week long since Monday. Pathetic. As for him not being able to afford it that just means Engadget must not pay their employees very well.

[fritz @ Jun 30th 2007 6:44PM]

It's called "buyer's remorse" and I wouldn't be surprised to hear more stories like this because after all the hype,sexy graphics and cool apps it's just a phone.

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 30th 2007 6:47PM]

@fritz: Buyers remorse doesn't apply when you buy something you can't afford. That is called buyers stupidity.

[bw @ Jul 1st 2007 1:53PM]

thanks for making me feel even stupider for what im going to be buying in the next month ScOObyDoo, i can barely buy a sandwich (hmmm subway) but im getting a new car. Buyers stupidity lol

[Mike @ Jun 30th 2007 10:27PM]

Engadget doesn't report news...you should know that.

[Jt Hollister @ Jun 30th 2007 6:16PM]

I bought a graphics card from the Apple store, had it installed and everything, and they told me there was a 10% restocking fee even before I bought it.

Then I returned it, and they didn't charge the restocking fee, in fact they even refunded the installation cost!

Although, I don't blame them for the restocking fee. They sell you new product, you give them back used product.

[Will @ Jun 30th 2007 6:57PM]

Wait wait wait. You're an Engadget reader, and you:

1) Bought a graphics card from the Apple Store?
2) Had somebody else install it?

Seriously, you're joking right? You don't have to hang out with us to be "cool", you can go back to the Apple Store and drink lattes and wear mock-turtlenecks to do that.

[Jt Hollister @ Jun 30th 2007 7:15PM]

Will: They wouldn't let me buy it without having them install it, and I couldn't find any halfway decent documentation on putting the PC version of the card in.

I bought my RAM elsewhere and installed it myself :)

[Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 6:17PM]

lmfao@no money for rent

hey hey ... give another angle, she looks like she might be hot.

[Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 6:27PM]

The fact that said wow twice, dictates that you're blowing my statement out of proportion and assuming (concocting your own stories in your own mind) ... isn't that ironically hypocritic?

Lightweight ... I observed, you assumed.

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Jun 30th 2007 6:32PM]

um...read too much into it?

[Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 6:41PM]

No, only observation and knowledge of the term is required to see and understand "wow" twice. What you did was factual.

I wonder if you're putting tone to my words (now I'm reading into it).

[Aaron @ Jul 1st 2007 3:32AM]

Ha, this is a good conversation. FWIW, I side with Mr. Prasand.

A little anecdote: A few years ago, I was a virgin, you see. I was nice and respectful, and I was the type to, like our friend Core 2 Duo, perhaps say someone should get off the computer if they think a small image of a lady on Engadget is hot.

Then I found a nice girlfriend, and we... did that thing that boys and girls do. And we did it a lot. And now I tend to think like Prasand does. The moral of the story is this: making comments like that doesn't make you a loser who spends too much time on the computer. In fact, it might mean just the opposite.

Yeah, I know it's quite likely that no one gives a crap about anything I just said, but damn, I need something to talk about other than iPhones here...

[Prasand J. @ Jul 1st 2007 7:37AM]

lol@the opposite. Ironic.

If he just googled my name and initial he would've seen that I handle models for a living (btw, I personally think the cat in the pic is stylish ... so kudos to whomever that is). Therefore, paying attention to women, style, etc is one of my occupations ... and is habitual.

Btw, someone does give a crap ... =P ... and thanks, it was much appreciated.

Geeks give those who are truly intelligent a bad name. If one cannot understand, grasp, and accept social rituals ... or cannot justify why they 'both' should and should not ... they are blinded by their knowledge and aren't as intelligent as they may delude.

[Jeffrey Robison @ Jun 30th 2007 6:18PM]

The past 3 things on engadget are all iPhone related.. Its a bit much for saying nothing at all... Come on guys.... Your killing us all here.

[Tobsterius @ Jun 30th 2007 6:34PM]

You're.

You got two choices:

1) get used to it, because the iPhone will probably be the topic of discussion for the next few days..

...or...

2) http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/tired-of-iphone-and-or-apple-news-on-engadget/

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Jun 30th 2007 6:22PM]

Assuming you keep 2 out of the 12, you just lost about 550.00 dollars. Wait, youre giving away one, so thats 1000.00 ( if not more ).



Way to spend money?? Someone on Engadget got too excited and bought 12...

DId you not know there was a 10% restocking fee? I dont understand. Why would you waist 550.00? Thats the price of an iphone.

[wellingj @ Jun 30th 2007 9:02PM]

Come on... I bet the profits from ad traffic (which came because of the iphone coverage) have already covered the $550

[Tom @ Jun 30th 2007 6:23PM]

Anyone with average dexterity can type quickly with two thumbs on this keyboard. Just don't try to correct your mistakes -- trust the software 'cause it works. I love typing on this thing.

[booyaka @ Jun 30th 2007 6:29PM]

Because it has an Apple logo right?

[Tom @ Jun 30th 2007 6:36PM]

Right. No, actually. Because I can type fast on it and the keyboard goes away when I don't need so I have a huge, vivid screen to watch videos on and surf the web.

Keep hating, dude. Meanwhile, I'm going to go out and pick up chicks with my phone.

[adam @ Jun 30th 2007 6:44PM]

haha this guys going to pick up chicks. go for it captain awesome, and don't let the $600 bill make you feel dirty.

[Danny @ Jun 30th 2007 6:54PM]

"I'm going to go out and pick up chicks with my phone."

Is that the first time that sentence has been uttered sincerely, and for that matter, the first time it makes sense?

[Jon @ Jun 30th 2007 8:44PM]

@ Tom

Errr... so can I on my 1 1/2 year old PDA phone. With 640x480 pixels too.

[Tom @ Jun 30th 2007 8:56PM]

@Jon

That's awesome. I should've bought one of those instead.

[thegrey @ Jun 30th 2007 6:26PM]

I believe Steve said that if an iPhone get returned, the person would lose their free one.....

[adam @ Jun 30th 2007 6:40PM]

Right on Jim. I am starting to seriously wonder myself...

[peshue @ Jun 30th 2007 6:40PM]

There aren't currently, but very recently there has been quite a few apple ads on the page, I guess they just have articles instead now.

[Chris Flynn @ Jun 30th 2007 6:41PM]

It's like ditching the best hottest babelicious girlfriend you ever had because the jealous dicks in the office jeered you into beliving she was blowing your best friend...when really all she ever wanted to do was to make you the happiest guy alive...aah it's almost Shakespeare...

Poor Schmuck. I really feel for him. He's going to be gutted - his life empty - void of all purpose, reason and meaning. His friends better keep an eye on him for a few days whilst he attempts to substitute the void with some cheap prada he picked up on the street corner..

[Sketh @ Jun 30th 2007 6:50PM]

iPhone = Girlfriend? Someone needs to get out more...