Manufacturer Warranties and Protection Plans

[Homer419]

3 years ago I bought what I thought was a brand new 30gb Ipod from best buy with a 3 year service plan.  Thursday I came home and found my ipod in its docking station with the screen pushed out from behind and blacken.  The next day I took it to an apple store thinking they would be able to tell me what happened.  To my surprise they told me that one of the battery cells exploded but also that it was not an apple battery but a thrid party battery that is blue in color.  So today I went to the best buy I bought it from and was wasn't able to get any help becuase my service plan lapsed 13!!! days ago.  Not only that but they really didn't have an answer to why my ipod was used/refurb.

What should I do?

[Adamtech Emerging Expert]

Had the ipod been replaced or exchanged since purchase?

[Homer419]

I took it in once to the best buy i bought it from to have it looked at becuase I couldn't turn off the ipod.  I was in for about 5 minutes and all they did was reset it.  Other then that no it has never left my possession.

[Adamtech Emerging Expert]

Then the battery inside the unit was originally from Apple. Not sure if Apple would sell a used or refurbished unit as new.

[Homer419]

So im S.O.L, well that stinks.

[Adamtech Emerging Expert]

I honestly cannot say that a battery cell exploding would be a common problem.

[Homer419]

It looks pretty cool, but at it also sucks that my 300$ mp3 player is a pile of garbage.  Hay but good news apple will give me 10% off if i recycle it through them.

sigh.....

[Adamtech Emerging Expert]

Yea, its no good to have a paperweight but atleast they can help you out for being green!

[Dorothy-BBY Community Supervisor]

Hello Homer419 -

John, from our Community Connector team, will be reaching out to you in the next few days.  Thank you for your continued patience!

[John-BBY Community Connector]

Hello Homer419,

I’m disappointed to read about your iPod!  I depend on mine every day so I certainly understand your frustration over this unexpected problem!
To my knowledge, Best Buy® has not offered refurbished (manufacturer reconditioned) iPods for sale in our stores or online.  Occasionally a store may have an open box item from a customer return available for sale, but those items are clearly marked – you’d have been aware of what you were purchasing. 

Given that your iPod never left your possession, the response you received at the Apple Store is somewhat mystifying.  Even so, repair may still be an option for you (either through Geek Squad® or Apple), but given the damage that a ruptured battery can cause, I don’t know that the expense of repairs would be more economical than the purchase of a new iPod.  Please remember that, with the expiration of your protection plan, any repairs would be at your expnse.

I’m grateful that you took the time to bring your concern to the forum.

Sincerely,