The Continuing Adventures of Me and My iPod

Originally posted on August 8, 2006.

It’s just that I know the smaller-sized iPods would only frustrate me, as 512 megabytes is simply not enough to cover a fraction of the music in my collection. And who wants to constantly be deleting and adding in songs? The larger 40 gig pods are more to my liking, but I just can’t talk the wife into letting me spend the hundreds of dollars it takes to purchase one.

For my birthday I finally talked her into letting me buy an iPod on eBay. After looking for weeks I finally found an older model 40 gigabyte pod for the low price of $118. I researched the company (it was one of those companies that only sells things on eBay). They had hundreds of positive reviews with a nearly impeccable rating. I laid down my cash and received it in the mail shortly thereafter.

Upon unwrapping my self-bought gift, I realized that my oldish laptop did not have a firewire connection, and the iPod did not come with any USB cables. A quick trip to Best Buy and $30 later, I had a new USB cable and immediately hooked my iPod up, nearly salivating at the thought of uploading all my choice tunes.

Headed to the local bookstore I had my laptop set to transfer hundreds of songs over to the iPod. Upon our return, I noticed a slight problem – the iPod was off. After fiddling with the nobs and controls I realized the batter was dead. Hmmmm, I thought the USB cable connected to the computer also charged the battery.

Another quick trip to Best Buy and another $30 bought me a direct iPod battery charger. I plugged it in and went to bed frustrated over a day with the iPod and not a single song listened to.

Waking the next morning I rushed over the my charging batter only to find that there was still no juice. Frustration had turned to anger and I ruminated my troubles over with a coworker. We decided that the battery must be completely dead, so I ordered a new one online. Another $30 was spent on an increasingly expensive device.

Many days later the batter came and I nearly broke the dang thing trying to get it open. New battery, dead iPod. Curse, don’t they charge these things before they send them? Another night of charging my battery. Another morning awaking to find a dead iPod.

Not knowing anything else to do I complained to the company that sold me the iPod. No response. A week later I sent another letter to the company this time demanding they refund my money or send me a new iPod. Days later they responded that it had been 30 days since they sold me the device which eliminates their responsibility in the matter.

I have now spent nearly as much money as I would have for a new one, and I still have not heard a single song. A friend of mine thinks he might be able to fix it. Having nothing to lose I’ll let him try. While I wait I think I’ll curse Apple, Ebay, and sob into my morning cereal.