Saturday, January 17, 2009
Dear Apple (pt. 2)
Sent: May 1, 2008 [editor's note: Apple Pen on eBay.]Lawrence
Apple Customer Care
c/o Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
Dear Lawrence,
I would like to thank you for the speed of your reply, but I am left wondering if you read my letter, since you didn't address my question at all!
When I wrote on April 11, 2008 and asked for some free stuff, anything actually, I wasn't picky, and I'm still not, but now I know not to expect anything. Maybe I will write Microsoft and see what they send me. Think it will be something cooler than standard marketing?
I can understand if a company like Apple can't afford to send out free things just because someone asks, but you could have just written such. Instead you chose to send me marketing information I already knew.
Do you really think any Apple fan is unaware "the iPod is the world's most popular family of digital music players" or that "you can make amazing stuff with a Mac."?
Yes I knew this. I spend around 12 hours a day in front of a Mac between work and pleasure. It wouldn't have been so bad that my request went unanswered if you'd actually included some knowledge your average fan lacks, but I am thinking anyone taking the time to sit down and write a letter would know this stuff! I would have been cool with you sending me a mac ad if you'd included something fun like a poster, a pencil, a t-shirt, or iPod Touch in with the letter.
Maybe Apple doesn't give you anything to send to people, so you do what you can with what you have. I'm including some Apple stickers so this doesn't have to happen again. Let me know if you need more.
Thanks,
Christopher L. Jorgensen
Reply Dated: May 14, 2008
Dear Mr. Jorgensen,
Thank you for your recent correspondence to Apple. We regret that you feel your question was not addressed in our previous response.
Apple strives for customer satisfaction. It is our sincere hope that this experience will not diminish your enjoyment of the products and services that we provide.
Please be assured that Apple values the time and consideration that you invested in your letter.
Apple receives many requests for complimentary items. We regret that we are unable to accommodate all of these requests; however, we feel you have provided a compelling case for us to make an exception.
We are providing you with an Apple Steel Pen. You can expect to receive this item within the next three to seven days.
Sincerely,
Kristy
Apple Customer Care
Apple
12545 Riata Vista Circle
Austin, TX 78727
www.apple.com
My reaction:
First off, Apple unknowingly scored by sending a letter writer a pen. I don’t use pens much, and tend to lose them pretty quickly, but it’s the symbolism that counts! Second, my best wishes to Steve Jobs, hope you get well soon, and thanks for the pen. If you’d sent me that million or two dollars I asked for I wouldn’t have to sell it.
I’ve had the scans of this letter up in my gallery for some time, but never got around to making this post. Maybe because I felt bad for tweaking a company I like. Maybe because I wasn’t sure of putting out the information that if you’re persistent with Apple they will send you free stuff. Maybe because I’m just lazy.
It all started with this letter to Apple. When I found Apple’s response to be lacking I decided to give Microsoft a chance. MS didn’t disappoint me. I got exactly what I was expecting from them. Nothing. So I fired back at Apple to see if they would then just choose to ignore me (what I thought they’d do). I did not think an APPEASEMENT STEEL PEN-CR would arrive in the mail. Who would?
Funny story here (or at least I found it funny). The pen arrived, out of the blue, with an invoice and no further explanation. Appeasement? It served it’s purpose! I am insufferable whenever a company sends me anything exciting. A stupid ALPO lid had me walking around all smiles for days. To get an Apple pen totally appeased me. Three days after I got the pen, Kristy’s letter arrived explaining the pen and letting me know I should have it sometime in the next 3-7 days. Maybe she should have just thrown the pen in with the letter..
I will be selling this pen on eBay. All proceeds will go toward keeping this site online. Think of it like a charity but without the tax deduction. Apple Pen on eBay.
Some last quick notes:
- This letter came from Kristy when the original letter came from Lawrence. Neither seem to have last names.
- I didn’t send my letter to the address the pen and invoice came from, but the Pope did that to me as well.
- Why do I think Apple would like to rename “Riata Vista Circle?”
Website:
Posted by cjorgensen on 01/17 at 12:01 PM
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