The first Apple product that I own is an iPod Nano 1st generation which I have purchased from a store in Hong Kong back in 2005. I remember vividly about how excited I have been after my purchase though I do have to pay a relatively high price for a nano back then (and for some reason it was cheaper in Hong Kong). My iPod Nano has been my loyal travel companion for a good 3 to 4 year. There has been no problems all these years and the experience of using it has been absolutely wonderful.
In November of last year, I received an email from Apple denoting that there has been a problem with the battery of the iPod Nano 1st generation, and the one that I own may be in the list of impacted units! Apple announced that they will be doing a worldwide recall on all the affected units and a replacement program is set in place. At first, I thought it was a fraud. So I went online and did a google search on this replacement program and realized that it is true!
In Malaysia, in order to get a replaced unit, you would have to go through the official re-seller. In Penang, it would be Switch. I had to bring my unit down to Switch for them to examine if my unit is an impacted unit. At that point, I was still a little reluctant about replacing my iPod, simply because it has been one with me for so long! 6 years! And, I like the rotating scroll piece thing (I don’t know what you call them). I still think it’s cool! But on the other hand, if my unit has battery problems, I don’t wish for the iPod to explode in my face. After confirming that my iPod is one of the impacted units, for safety purposes, I decided to go ahead with the replacement program.
It is said in many forums that Apple would be replacing the units with another 1st generation unit. Some people were complaining about getting a new old model, but to me it’s fine. I was a bit uncomfortable at first about possibly getting a refurbished unit, but I thought to myself, better a good unit than a bad one which could blow up in your face.
Now, at this point, I was amazed with Apple’s after sales service. For a product that has been around for 7 years and has obsolete probably 5 years ago, I am surprised that Apple is still willing to do a 1 to 1 replacement. Although some people said this is a norm and that companies should indeed give a replacement, but I don’t think that necessarily holds true for many companies.
I was told that I have to wait for a good 4 to 6 weeks before the replacement unit arrives. The unit arrived a little late, and on the Friday before the Chinese New Year week, I received a phone call from the Switch service center to inform me that my iPod Nano has arrived. And it came with a pleasant surprise. It was not a 1st generation iPod Nano, but we have all been replaced with a 6th generation iPod Nano. Yes, you hear me. It was the latest model. I’ve known of this news through forums that they were replacing with the latest model, but it wasn’t until I see it that I truly believe that this was happening! Although I still prefer the design on the 1st generation Nano, this new one works just fine for me. I am not going to complain. 
It is interesting how Apple is quick to change something which was going to look bad on them, having to have the problems with the battery, into a pleasant after sales service experience for their users. As I’ve said in my previous blog post about the experience I have had with Apple on my swollen battery, I would dare say that without a doubt, I would continue to purchase products from Apple. Based on the experiences that I have had, I strongly feel that Apple is here to provide all the necessary services to ensure that my experience of using their product is nothing but pleasant and safe.
For now, Apple, I shall be loyal to you. 
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