Stay away from the iPhone

[Bernie S]

Lets get the message right: the iPhone is easily the easiest and most intuitive phone on the market with all the necessary features (unless 10 x optical zoom and video calling is top of your wants). I have enjoyed every minute of using it. Until it went into a coma that is!!

I was using it, put it into standby, and there it stayed!!!! no response to anything. So, under extreme duress and trepidation I went into the nearest Vodadontcare Centre and got the expected treatment. Sour faced personnel with no idea what they are doing. "At the minimum two weeks to repair sir" and "you will PAY if it is water damaged". On querying about the exchange within 48 hours policy I received a blank stare that a zombie would have been proud of!!!!

The best was when they handed me a blank form to sign with pictures on meant to detail any damage on the phone. I filled it in meticulously including indicating that there were no scratches on the face (it would take a diamond to scratch that glass) and signed it. She took it from me, wiped the face with her hand and then scratched out the "none" i had written and filled in "scratched" (amazing how the oils on your palm smears a screen). I am waiting for a problem there and my lawyer will have a field day!!!!

Anyway, the 48 hours turned into 96, and then some. I eventually had the "product specialist" say (via call-centre personnel) that he would exchange the unit within 48 hours, even though this was already 48 hours in on the story.

Apparently I will receive my phone tomorrow (it was dispatched from Jhb to CT on friday). So it takes a phone 96 hours to travel the same distance I do in 2 hours at least once a week!!!

My brother has an iPhone, his did the same, he took it to the nearest Apple retailer and it was replaced there and then!!!!! then again he does live in the US, and they do believe in customer service!!!

So, my advice is: Use and iPhone if you want the best on the market, but hope that it will never break!!!!!

[Wag]

..welcome to africa

[Bernie S]

Maybe it's time us Africans change Africa?

[adamr]

you getting it replaced why u bitching?

[Aqua_lung]

Should have just forced a reboot by holding the home and power button for a few seconds, the standby bug should have been fixed with the latest update, if you posted your issue in the iphone thread we could have sorted you out.

The title is misleading this is more of a vodacare rant.

[Vegeta]

Did you try hard-resetting it. Sounds like it was just hanging

[limnos]

Should have just forced a reboot by holding the home and power button for a few seconds, the standby bug should have been fixed with the latest update, if you posted your issue in the iphone thread we could have sorted you out.

The title is misleading this is more of a vodacare rant.

+1



So, my advice is: Use and iPhone if you want the best on the market, but hope that it will never break!!!!!

Instead of of asking for help in the iPhone thread or Googling your issue, you chose to rant. Leave that for hellopeter.com.

You easily could've sorted it out with a hard-reset and firmware update... And save yourself the 96 hour wait...

[Bernie S]

Should have just forced a reboot by holding the home and power button for a few seconds, the standby bug should have been fixed with the latest update, if you posted your issue in the iphone thread we could have sorted you out.

The title is misleading this is more of a vodacare rant.

I apologise if the title falls outside of your parameters. the fact remains,

1. Only vodacom can provide after sales service for the iphone in South Africa.
2. They are not living up to their promise.

This means that the iPhone is not an option in south africa because you do not receive the after sales service you should be getting.

[fxit_man]

lol you probably could have sorted this by just reading the manual?

http://www.debt-consolidation-credit-repair-service.com/forums/images/smilies/RTFM.gif

[Madman88]

Bad title for sure.

[Bernie S]

OK, a few notes:

1. Point taken about the bad title - let me know haw I can change it and I will look into it!
2. To force a re-boot takes at least 10 seconds of holding down the buttons, a touch more than a "few".
3. It just so happens that this happened a few times before, but sorted itself out. When it happened this time, I was near the centre so I went in.

The fact still remains - the product is marketed without sufficient back-up support!!!!! and those whom we pay to provide it have no clue!

[BrokenLink]

I agree, the iphone is awesome, sure it has bugs. But the problem is vodacom and their lack of service, not the phone. Things break, vodacom should back up their claims with proper service.

[bex.cpt]

Clear cut case of user ignorance coupled with poor service. The title should have read VODACOM SUCKS as if we don't know that anyway :rolleyes:

Next time stay out of Vodacare stores :p. Come to the forum here we solve ALL YOUR PROBLEMS :D

[cybernaire]

Until 2 weeks ago I was the biggest fan of the iphone. I was such a big fan that I purchased a new iphone 3GS even though my 3G was only 6 months old.

I had the phone for two weeks when the phone suddenly started switching off and I couldn't get it out of standby. I charged it and it came out of standby. A day later it did it again. I tried everything (home button and power button etc), but nothing worked.

Took it into Vodacare. It took about 7 working days to get the phone back. This was today. In the shop the guy tried to turn on the phone and it didn't work. He said the battery is just dead. This I could believe because the standby time on the iphone isn't great. Got home, plugged it into the power.

I STILL CAN'T GET THIS R9000 PHONE TO SWITCH ON AFTER I HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOW FOR TWO WEEKS IN THE WORKSHOP.

Clearly there is no aftersales support for the iphone in South Africa. How Apple can be satisfied with this kind of after sales service is unbelievable as I have always just heard good things about Apple.

So if you clever guys who bashed the original poster have an answer to my problem let me know. Otherwise I have to agree with the OP.

[Aqua_lung]

Until 2 weeks ago I was the biggest fan of the iphone. I was such a big fan that I purchased a new iphone 3GS even though my 3G was only 6 months old.

I had the phone for two weeks when the phone suddenly started switching off and I couldn't get it out of standby. I charged it and it came out of standby. A day later it did it again. I tried everything (home button and power button etc), but nothing worked.

Took it into Vodacare. It took about 7 working days to get the phone back. This was today. In the shop the guy tried to turn on the phone and it didn't work. He said the battery is just dead. This I could believe because the standby time on the iphone isn't great. Got home, plugged it into the power.

I STILL CAN'T GET THIS R9000 PHONE TO SWITCH ON AFTER I HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOW FOR TWO WEEKS IN THE WORKSHOP.

Clearly there is no aftersales support for the iphone in South Africa. How Apple can be satisfied with this kind of after sales service is unbelievable as I have always just heard good things about Apple.

So if you clever guys who bashed the original poster have an answer to my problem let me know. Otherwise I have to agree with the OP.

You should be sure you're on the latest firmware, also a quick way to see if your iphone is really dead is by doing a hard reset (hold power+home for 10 secs) if it does not start then you have a dud.

Personally I have no issues and I have owned the 2G, 3G and in future maybe the 3GS or 4G.

[Nokkie]

you getting it replaced why u bitching?

lol

[cybernaire]

I've tried the home and power button reset. I also tried all the other solutions on the net about rebooting the pc with the iphone connected, holding the home button while plugging it into the pc etc etc. Nothing works.

I got the phone back today and the report from the technician that fixed it said that he upgrade the firmware. I know this wasn't necessary because I was running the latest firmware - but how did he even get the phone to turn on ?!?!

Does anybody know what I should do now? Send it to Vodacare again?

[cybernaire]

Does anybody know what is the official return policy of Vodashop? My iphone started giving this problem after two weeks and they said it is beyond the 7 day return policy.

[Michaelmw]

you getting it replaced why u bitching?

Thank u, enough said, dont hate the phone hate the user

[cybernaire]

Anybody have a way to fix the phone?

Despite the user comments in the thread I still like the iphone, but I have never had this kind of issue with another make of phone. Reading about this problem on the internet it seems to be a well known issue. Support for the iphone seems non-existent in SA. In the US they would exchange the iphone at any Apple store. In SA you have to take the phone to Vodacare and the treat you like you've purchased some cheapy phone.

My brother also bought a 3GS on my recommendation (as well as 2 colleagues). He has had endless problems with getting MMS to work on Vodacom and now he has a huge issue with dropped calls on the phone. He's partly solved it by disabling 3G. This is also a well publisized problem.

[rurapente]

i'll swap your iphone for my Blackberry.

then we'll see who complains :)

[cybernaire]

@rurapente - and how exactly would it be worse as I can't even turn my phone on?

[Synaesthesia]

There's obviously something still wrong with it - go take it back again.

[DJNgoma]

Honestly, I might as well report the status for a title change as it is misleading. Just a bit offtopic now but why don't the Core group deal with the iPhone hehe.

[Dave123]

You need to get itunes to restore the phone, so it needs to be connected in restore mode (I found the following after mine got stuck at the apple logo at start up). Only problem is that it does a complete restore so if you dont have a back up you lose everything.

1) Hold buttons "sleep" + "home" untill iPhone turns off, sometimes this needs to be done twice to force the device to completely switch off.
2) Open iTunes
3) Hold home button and plug the phone to your computer.
4) The phone will turn on and the iTunes + Arrow + cable screen will appear.
5) Message will appear about iphone connected in restore mode.
6) iTunes will recover the phone from unsuccessful recovery process.

[jphegers]

you getting it replaced why u bitching?

i really don't think such a remark was necessary

[adsl3g]

i really don't think such a remark was necessary

So his heading to the thread was not necessary - live with it.

[Maddmatt]

i really don't think such a remark was necessary

He must be one of the Vodacom service staff :p

[Michaelmw]

i really don't think such a remark was necessary

would be nice to say: What remark would u suggest ??? getting a R8000 - R12000 (model dependent) phone replaced for free and bitching about it is bad......so tell us sir, what comment would u suggest ???

[Drunkard #1]

would be nice to say: What remark would u suggest ??? getting a R8000 - R12000 (model dependent) phone replaced for free and bitching about it is bad......so tell us sir, what comment would u suggest ???

What he's trying to suggest is that saying "Apple's hardware is crap from the same hole in China that make everyone's crap", amounts to blasphemy. It's the second commandment of Jobs - "Thou shall not talk of faulty Apple crap." It gives normal folks, like me, something to gloat about. For the record, I use a Nokia with a black and white screen, and it's never given me a days trouble. And when it does break, I've got three spares which together cost less than a good night out. No pose value, so I guess they're no good for your average apple user.

[DJNgoma]

What he's trying to suggest is that saying "Apple's hardware is crap from the same hole in China that make everyone's crap", amounts to blasphemy. It's the second commandment of Jobs - "Thou shall not talk of faulty Apple crap." It gives normal folks, like me, something to gloat about. For the record, I use a Nokia with a black and white screen, and it's never given me a days trouble. And when it does break, I've got three spares which together cost less than a good night out. No pose value, so I guess they're no good for your average apple user.

:rolleyes:, black & white vs iPhone... Come on now. The main issue is the after sale service being dished out by Vodacom and not the quality of the Apple's hardware lol.

[thedoc!]

What he's trying to suggest is that saying "Apple's hardware is crap from the same hole in China that make everyone's crap", amounts to blasphemy. It's the second commandment of Jobs - "Thou shall not talk of faulty Apple crap." It gives normal folks, like me, something to gloat about. For the record, I use a Nokia with a black and white screen, and it's never given me a days trouble. And when it does break, I've got three spares which together cost less than a good night out. No pose value, so I guess they're no good for your average apple user.

Hater!! :D

[Drunkard #1]

:rolleyes:, black & white vs iPhone... Come on now. The main issue is the after sale service being dished out by Vodacom and not the quality of the Apple's hardware lol.

Ok, so my Nokia isn't half an iPhone, but I charge it less than once a week, and I can make a call whenever I need to, unlike the proud owner of a broken iPhone. You should thank Vodacom; sometimes it's good to get away from the emails.:whistle: Then again, I live at quite a sedate pace.


Hater!! :D

I try.:D

[Basilrsa]

Next time stay out of Vodacare stores :p. Come to the forum here we solve ALL YOUR PROBLEMS :D[/QUOTE]

Ok, see my post:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=209091&highlight=problems
I have MMS problems and not even Vodacare Centers can offer a solution.

So lets see what the wiz kids come up with.

Thanks in anticipation.

[PeterCH]

What he's trying to suggest is that saying "Apple's hardware is crap from the same hole in China that make everyone's crap", amounts to blasphemy. It's the second commandment of Jobs - "Thou shall not talk of faulty Apple crap." It gives normal folks, like me, something to gloat about. For the record, I use a Nokia with a black and white screen, and it's never given me a days trouble. And when it does break, I've got three spares which together cost less than a good night out. No pose value, so I guess they're no good for your average apple user.

Some people are jealous that the iPhone is such a big hit INTERNATIONALLY. Personally I don't need a smartphone so I don't use one, but if I had to use a smartphone, I'd probably use the iPhone. Although, gimme a better display like Sharp's ASV 1024 x 480, and the ability to run visual novels on it (already done) and I may buy the thing myself.

After-sales service in SA sucks. I returned a video projector to HP 3 months ago and it's still being repaired. LOL. If anything this man's issues are Vodacom's and Core's fault.

[cybernaire]

Thanks for the people who tried to post solutions to my problem. None of them worked.

I'm back in Johannesburg after my holiday. I took the phone to Vodaworld this time and now I have to wait again.

I think my biggest frustration was the support I got from Vodacom. In all the threads I read about this it is clear that this is a known problem with some of the iphones. In the US the guys just take it to an apple store and they replace it the moment they figure out that holding the power and reset button or any of the other suggestions on this forum doesn't work. In SA it is sent to Vodacom head office and then you have a 7 day turn around time. And never mind the fact that this is now the second time that the phone is at Vodacom.

I was very angry and frustrated at the after sales service. I'm sure all of you can identify with this being people that like gadgets and eletronics.

I'll keep the forum updated on how the second time around goes with Vodacare.

[Captain Slog]

Although I must agree with you all about Vodacare's service being k@k, I feel thet the main problem with the iPhone in SA (and the UAE) lies at Apple's door - there are Apple retailers in both countries who steadfastly refuse to have anything to do with one of Apple's core products. Apple's presence in the UAE and South Africa should cover their entire product range with the same standard of service that users enjoy in the States. By having the product and a reciept as proof of purchase their support should be international.

I bought an iPhone 3g in Doha in Qatar, after a couple of months the WiFi packed up while I was home in SA. I went to the iStore (or whatever it is called) in Clearwater. The guys there tried to help with the usual carp - "upgrade and restore" which I, obviously, had already tried, beyond that they refused to have anything more to do with the device. I looked on the web and Apple have no central repair facility where I could send my phone, they are only supported in the country of purchase? I bought the phone in a Mobile shop in a Doha Souk, not from the service provider and since I will not be going back to Doha (I hope) I have no redress.

The Apple store guys recommended a company called iFix iPods - that is another story. They (iFix iPods) were un-able to fix the WiFi and for some reason the phone is now unable to recieve a GSM signal either.

So, back to the crux of this thread - do not blame Vodacare for the carp service (although it is) the fault lies squarely with Apple.

[cybernaire]

Just to let everybody know that Vodacare replaced the iphone this round.

The good thing was that they actually did this after only having the phone 3 days this time. I guess it is still not as good as just taking the phone to the shop and getting it replaced immediately, but I'm happy to have my phone replaced and working again.

[bmxdude]

Stupid title for a thread, very misleading. Its a Vodacare/Vodacom issue.