Apple sending battery recall emails to registered users

They probably wanted to to stagger how many people were applying for new batteries so that they didn't get too many applications at first to also minimise the time that people have to wait.

Affected iBook - no email :/

I got the email - diligently checked the site and found out my battery was affected - and subsequently had an absolutely appalling customer service experience with apple staff, trying to work through the process!

The site gave me a number to call at an apple service provider in Singapore (where I live btw). I got a recorded voice telling me that for battery replacement, I should call a different number.

So I hung up, and called the different number. I got another recorded voice, telling me that if I had a battery replacement issue then I should call an apple service provider ... where I started. But I stayed on the line, and eventually got connected to an apple person in Australia named Amy.

She asked me for my name, and phone number, and if I had called before - I gave her all the info, and then told her I was calling for a battery replacment, at which point she said "Oh! I need to transfer you to another number." I then found myself listening to the recording telling me that if I had a battery replacement issue then I should call an apple service provider ... again I hung on the line, and this time got connected to a person in India, who identified himself as Jason.

i told Jason that I was calling about the battery replacement, and he said "Ok, we just need to check if you are qualified, can I have your computer serial number." I told him that I had begun the whole process by checking if I qualified online, and I did qualify, and I wasn't about to waste more time while he checked again.

To his credit, he agreed and told me that I then needed to call an apple service provider in Singapore ... where I started! I told him that I had done that, and that I would call again, but wanted to check the process first.

At which point he told me that for Singapore, the process was that I would go into the Apple store, give them my battery, and then in six weeks (as that was how long it would take to order a new one) I could go and collect the new one. So I asked the obvious question - what was I meant to use in the intervening six weeks - and he told me that I would just have to get by using my power cable, because that was the process for Singapore.

So I asked if I could register my name, and keep my current battery for six weeks while the next one came in - after all, I bought a laptop for a reason - and he said no, that wasn't the process for Singapore. However, if I lived in the UK, I could register my name and use my battery, and they would delivery a new one to my door! But in Singapore I had to hand it in and use my cable ..

Unbelievable. This won't work for me because I work with clients - and could someone call me back with another solution - and he said no, they don't offer a call back service.

So I checked my understanding - I spent thousands of bucks on a laptop - the battery is dangerous, so it needs replacing - they want me to operate without a battery for six weeks while they get an order into Singapore (SIX WEEKS???) - this is a huge problem for me, and Apple can't even give me the decency of calling me back with another solution!

Dell must be handling it better than this ...!

maybe its a good oportunit to ask a ac adapter recall too?

http://blog.domramsey.com/tech/flaming-macs/

I was putting it off because I thought I'd have to send in my battery before I got a new one. Probably a bad idea considering the 668 charge cycles I have on it (aren’t they only supposed to last about 500?). It's held up pretty good though: it's been hovering around 76% of the original capacity for a few months now.

From the email (there's a table in it, which hasn't come out quite right in plain text)

Dear Apple Customer:

Apple has determined that certain lithium-ion rechargeable batteries containing cells manufactured by Sony Corporation of Japan pose a safety risk that may result in overheating. The affected batteries were sold worldwide, in systems and separately, from October 2003 to August 2006 inclusive for use with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, 15-inch PowerBook G4.

Apple is voluntarily recalling the affected batteries and has initiated a worldwide exchange programme and will provide you with a new replacement battery, free of charge. This programme is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities.

Issue: The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple received nine confirmed reports in the United States of these batteries overheating. Apple urges you to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. After removing the recalled battery from the iBook or PowerBook, you should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.

Product: Please use the chart below to match your computer with the affected battery model number and serial number range. To view the model and serial numbers labelled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark-grey lettering beneath a bar code.

No other Apple notebook computers are affected by this recall.

Computer model

Battery model

Battery serial number range

12-inch iBook G4

A1061

ZZ338–ZZ427
3K429–3K611
6C519–6C552 ending with S9WA, S9WC or S9WD

12-inch PowerBook G4

A1079

ZZ411–ZZ427
3K428–3K611

15-inch PowerBook G4

A1078 and A1148

3K425–3K601
6N530–6N551 ending with THTA, THTB, or THTC
6N601 ending with THTC



Note: If your battery's serial number does not match any of the ranges listed below, you do not have to exchange your battery.

What to do: To begin the battery exchange process, go to the Apple website at http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram/ . You will be asked for the serial number of your computer, the serial number of your battery, and a ship-to address. After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you free of charge. You may exchange up to three batteries through the website. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping packaging and the included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple. If you do not have access to the website listed above, you can call Apple at 0870 876 0753 between 8am -7.45 pm (Mon to Fri), 10 am - 5.45 pm (Sat), for further assistance.

Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program.

Apple

Spil - Cheers. But the fact remains: no-johnson-burning-laptops-for-me.

I actually disagree with you, Cloggin. I think Dell is handling this very well. On Dell's main page, there is a link to a page that has the requirements for an exploding battery. Over the summer I was workign at an IT office, and a few people came in and wanted to see if there Dell would explode. No one with an Apple or Sony came in. Dell is getting a lot of publicity for this, and that is partially a good thing because it spreads awareness of the dangers of owning a Dell (not including the fact that its not a mac).

To get back on topic, I think this is a good thing Apple is doing, except I don't know any one who has ever registered anything they owned. Maybe people do, and it is a good idea now that I see the purpose of this, I guess.

A week ago I entered the info on the Battery-exchange-site and my battery qualified. Today UPS already stopped by to hand me the new battery! I mean, that's quick, ain't it? ;-)

http://geektechnique.org/blog/682/thats-quick-a-new-battery-from-apple

Hmm... my PowerBook qualified but it was stolen yesterday by airport employees (yes, employees). I'm kind of hoping it catches fire or explodes now, but I'd had it for over a year with no mishaps so it's unlikely :(