Top 10 reasons why I would think twice before buying an iPhone

I decided to write this article up because I've heard so many people complain about the phone they love so much. To me, this is comparable to saying "Man, this flesh-bacteria on my are is so painful, but I like the look and feel of how bad-ass it makes me appear"


Don't get me wrong. All mobile phones have their flaws. I'm just amazed that so many people are willing to put up so much grief.

1. You're a target for hackers and malicious behavior.
   Do you ever wonder why you need a virus program on your PC? It's not because Microsoft makes really bad products. It's because over 85% of the world's computers are PCs. If you're a hacker, or someone who wants to control your phone with malicious intent, you're going to want to target the most widely used platform. the iPhone is one of the most widely used phones on the market. What's best, is that if you want to put pirated games on your iPhone, you have to use a piece of software that leaves you more exposed than a flasher in a retirement-home. Just a couple of months ago, iTunes was hacked, and people's personal information was stolen.Again, a feew months ago, AT&T was hacked and people's information was stolen. And again, two months ago, the iTunes app-store was hacked and malicious software was found on their site.
   
2. The call quality and phone reception is really bad
   Sure the iPhone is great for watching movies, listening to music and downloading cool applications, but the phone reception has been widely criticized. Apple has come out with a free fix for all 3G, 3GS, and 4G iPhones that fixes an issue where the antenna icon incorrectly represents full bars when the reception quality is actually one-bar or lower. So, now you'll know for sure when your reception sucks. This is comparable to a doctor prescribing you a box of kleenex instead of giving you antibiotics. the iPhone 4G has an additional feature, where if held in the left-hand, the reception cuts out almost altogether. Now, true, Apple has issued a fix... it's called holding it in the other hand, or buying a case.
   
3. iTunes is horrible
   Apple may have spent tonnes of cash building a user-firriendly multimedia product, but the software insterface is horrible. Music searching is a pain in the butt, and creating playlists is painful. What's-more, iTunes is a very large program. it takes a long time to load and connect to the phone.
   
4. They make you install Software updates almost weekly
   Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to have to update my software once a week. People once complained that Windows XP had too many updates. I'm sure the number of iPhone and iTunes updates per month have surpassed that of XP in the short time the iPhone has existed.
5. They keep asking if I want to install additional software
   Not only am I bombarded with the updates in #4, but I'm also frequently asked if I want to add other apple products to my computer. If I said NO to installing Safari once, why the hell would I want to install it later? Stop asking me every week!!
6. Apple Hates Flash
   If you don't know, Adobe Flash is one of the most widely adopted programming languages on the web. Most of the sites you visit daily, use flash for on-screen animations, games, videos, updates and transaction functions. Apple won't let Flash Live on the iPhone; this is why you have to use a YouTube application. Apple does this so they can better control the applications you run on your phone.
7. They Break Easily
   I have heard countless stories of people who have accidentally dropped their iPhone, only to have the screen shatter. Now, I'd had my phone for 2 years, have dropped it down my steps and I'm sure the screen clarity improved after the incident.
   
8. Steve Jobs (And Apple cor for that matter) Doesn't care about you!
   I know, it's hard to believe. but you're just a consumer. Your well-being is nothing to those you feed by buying their products. Want proof? Jobs was quoted as saying that a resolution to the iPhone 4 antenna problem was to stop holding the phone in your left hand. In other news, Jobs also asked a consumer to "Leave us alone" when she asked Jobs to clarify his stance on the Apple's Media Relation Department Snub. It's a pretty funny story, and her honesty was rebuffed with incredible ignorance. Story Via The Guardian
9. There's no Keyboard
   Yeah, you'd think that being part of text-driven media, the iPhone would have a physical keyboard to better facilitate text messaging, tweeting, blogging, Facebook status updates and e-mailing. I need a keyboard. My fingers are just a little too... manly to be able to type efficiently on any sort of software keyboard.
10. I have a Brain
    I'm not saying that all iPhone users are brainless. What I am saying, is that I would rather make an informed decision on my phone purchase, than an impulsive one, brought on by Media Hype. I believe that a lot of iPhone consumers are peoiple who bought into the hype, rather than acutally weighing the pros and cons of the device that would be their digital lifeline to social media, phone calling and everything web. How do I come to such conclusions? Well, a few weeks ago, I visited Sherway Gardens to grab lunch. at that time, I happened to pass by a Telus Store that displayed a sign reading "iPhone 4 instock now", and then happened to pass a Rogers Wireless Store, with a similar sign in it's store-front. and finally, I walked past a phone Kiosk that too held a sign reading "iPhone 4 in stock for all Major Carriers". I then passed the Apple store. Outside the Apple store, stood a line up 30-40 people who were waiting to purchase an iPhone (I know this because the line also had a sign reading "iPhone 4 purchase line starts here". I thought to myslef. Why the hell would all these people wait in line to buy an Apple iPhone, when they could simply walk into a Telus, Rogers or other company store and purchase one without lining up. The answer is simple. They do not see the iPhone as a Mobile Smartphone. They see it as an Apple Gadget.

In the End, I'm not saying I would never buy an iPhone. I'm just saying that right now, there are plenty of things to think about before I put my money on a SmartPhone. It's amazing to think that with all these negative attributes, people still flock to the iPhone.

If you were to go buy a car, and the dealer told you that the Gas-Gage doesn't work, the Radio shuts off when you hold the steering wheel, you will get horrible customer service after you purchase, the car will be destroyed in an accident, no matter how insignificant the impact, you will need to maintain the car weekly with updates and service, and your car would be an easy target for carjacking; would you buy the car? I sure wouldn't.

Mr. Lube.... You up before they throw sand in your ass

This weekend ushered in the first oil change of 2009. Hooray for Marcy Darcy (That's my car's name).

I pulled in to Meineke (home of the $20 oil change) half an hour after they opened on Saturday, only to find they were booked up for the entire day. I found this odd, as every time I've ever tried to book an oil change with them, they stated that this location's policy was to never take appointments. it's first come, first serve. Since I was at the store early on Saturday, I thought I'd challenge the clerk to see if he'd take me in right away or allow me to make an appointment for earlier in the day. Here's how the conversation ran:

Stephen - Hi, I'm here to get an oil change.
Clerk - Sorry, we're booked for the day
S - You guys just opened. How can you be booked? I was told that you can't book an appointment here
C - Yes
S - Ok, so can I get my car serviced today?
C - Sorry, we're booked up for the day. Come back later.
S - Can I make an appointment for some time?
C - No, sorry, we don't take appointments.
S - So, how can you be booked for the day, if you don't take appointments?
C - Maybe come back later
S - When should I come back? you guys don't take appointments.
C - Do you want something for the weekend or the week?
S - Are we making an appointment?
C - No, we don't make appointments
S - So, why does it matter if I tell you when I'm coming in next?
C - Maybe make an appointment for sometime in the week

I decided that talking to this guy was like the snake that ate its tail- We're just going to go in circles. I left and decided to head to Mr. Lube. Sure, it's a little more, but the quality of service would be better.

I arrived at Mr. Lube to get the business done on my car. I was quickly ushered in Just in time too, as as soon as I pulled in a line of 3 cars formed behind me and the next bay. While the Lubers were disposing of the old oil and replenishing the car, I was approached by "The Hard Sell Man. Clearly, this guys job wasn't to put oil in the car as his hands were clean. He approached me with my old cabin air filter in hand, and asked me if I'd like it replaced. Normally, I replace my own cabin air filter, as it costs $20 from the store, and takes 5 minutes to complete; recently however, I haven't been able to find my model air filter in stock at any automotive store. I Asked Mr. Hard sell how much a replacement filter would be. He responded by saying, it was really cheap, so I said it would be fine for him to replace the filter, but to let me know the price before proceeding. He then said that my transmission fluid was dirty, and needed to be flushed. I told him I wasn't interested, as I could get my mechanic to do this for me. He continued to tell me that my car is in danger of failing due to the amount of shavings in my automatic transmission, and that the fluid needs to be changed regularly. Right then, I knew this guy was just full of crap. My car is a manual transmission. I told him I wasn't interested in anymore of his services. After an additional 2 minute lecture on transmission care, he finally left, only to return with the price of my cabin air filter. Hard Sell presented me with my old cabin filter and the new filter, and stated that the replacement and installation would be $100. Now, unless the mechanics are going to take the lady in the van next to me and perform a sex act on my hood while replacing the filter, there's no way I'm paying $100 to replace a $20 part. I stopped he guy and told him I wasn't interested as I normally change this part myself. Again, after a 2 minute lecture on the dangers of pollen creeping into my car through the vent, he sadly walked away, not making a single sale to me that day.

Revenge from the Lube people was swift. The oil change price jumped form $35 to $45 plus disposal and extra oil fees. My oil change came to $52. Almost double what I normally get charged at Meineke, and only $5 less than Ford's oil change.

The Lube Gods had defeated me that day. They were upset at the exchange I had with the Meineke people and felt that a Barrage of Mr. Lube Services and charges would weaken my will. in another 5,000 Kms, I will make my return to Meineke and hope to be in the good graces of the Lube gods.

The Tips Just don't cut it, I'm going to hock used coats

So, I had the pleasure of heading out to Dragonfly Night Club yesterday. If you haven't been, you should go. it's not all that bad. Crazy drunk tourists and lots of short people. I felt like a giant. They weren't as short at the people in the Maltese clubs, but still short none the less. Pace Ville Represent! In addition to a good time at the Club, my good friend and fishing buddy Kenny was there.

At the end of the night, we said our goodbyes, finished our bevies and headed to the coat check. As we handed in our tickets, I noticed something wasn't right. I didn't receive my jacket. Now, you might have though I'd be worried that the Coat check girls were obviously drunk, or the fact that the coat check girl had made three trips to the back with a confused look on her face. I really wasn't. What worried me was that the drunk coat check supervisor started saying telling me that I should have memorized my coat check ticket number. Who the hell does she think I am? The Amazing Kreskin? Rain Man? What person in the world memorizes their coat check ticket? She then said that it was possible that they put my coat on the counter and someone took it accidentally. I assured her this wasn't the case. I gave a description of my Clark Grizwold parka, and within seconds the drunkie coat check girl brought out my coat.

In the end I got my coat, but what bugged me was that the coat check supervisor assumed it was my fault that I didn't have my coat. She blamed me for not giving a ticket, then said it was taken by another patron, then told me it was my responsibility to have memorized the number on the coat check ticket. She placed all the blame on me without once going to the back and looking to see if my coat was there. Now, maybe I'm expecting too much from a coat check clerk, although really, their only role there is to make sure the coat gets checked in and then gets checked out.

Bank Case 2: Penniless and pondering

Saturday afternoon, and I’ve been working all day. It was the second day of my new job, and I needed to pay for my film development, get changed and showered, and run back to training for dinner and evening festivities. Being that Wal Mart (the 7th circle of hell) was the closest place I could develop film, I was forced to use their skill-less photo lab technicians to develop my film. After waiting an hour and a half to have my film developed, it was finally ready. I went to pay and found that my debit card was displaying insufficient funds. I found this odd, as the preceding Friday was a pay day. I was sure to have money in my account. I was also sure my card was functional, as I had used it earlier in the morning to pay for the film, currently being developed. I was forced to pay by Credit card.

It was 3:30, and I promptly called the Bank’s 1-800 number. After waiting on hold for 20 minutes, I was forced to hang up, as I had arrived at my destination. I thought it wise to use a land line and save myself some airtime. I re-called the bank, and waited another 20 minutes. I finally heard a voice. As usual, I was asked a series of security questions, used to thwart would be thieves. The CSR informed me that my card had been used at a location, known to compromise debit cards. I thanked her for canceling my card, and informed her that I needed money for the evening. The CSR was unable to help me. Since my card was cancelled by the fraud squad, I would have to get my money directly from a bank. Unfortunately, at 4:20, there are no banks open on Saturday (one of the many gripes I have with banks is their unaccommodating business hours). Essentially, I was stranded. The CSR then told me I could use my VISA to withdraw cash. The VISA withdrawal would have been a good idea had I remembered the pin that was given to me 8 years ago. I told the CSR that I didn’t know my VISA pin and could not withdraw any money. I then asked her if I could transfer my money to my account with an affiliated bank. The CSR informed me that since my card was frozen; all my bank accounts were frozen. I was left without cash. I asked to speak with a supervisor or member of the fraud squad. The CSR then promptly hung up on me. I am sure it was an accident. No… really…. I am. I called back once again, and once again, waited on hold for 20 minutes. Again, I answered my security questions, and spoke with yet another CSR. I explained my story to the CSR and he passed me on to a supervisor. The supervisor echoed her subordinate’s statements verbatim. My accounts were all locked and there’s nothing I can do about it until Monday (I later found out that although my card was frozen, they could have processed a transfer… but that’s a whole other story). I was puzzled. What is the point of the security questions to validate my identity over the phone if they really can’t do anything with my account? The supervisor repeated to me that she could not validate my identity and therefore could not unfreeze my account, or transfer any money for me. I guess this location that compromises debit cards is also housed with special Psychic Cashiers, who can predict my mom’s maiden name, guess my birth city, envision my first kiss and knows the name of my third grade teacher. Note to the readers: Never underestimate the psychic abilities of crooks!

It was now after 6:00. I had been on the phone with the banks for a couple of hours, and am penniless. The Bus is about to leave for our dinner destination, and I don’t have any money to do anything. This really sucks. I explained my situation to my new manager, and he loaned me $60 for the evening. On the bright side, we ended up going to a club in the evening, where the Bartender recognized me from Humber College. She gave me free beers and shots all night long.

Monday rolls around and I meet with my personal banking advisor. I explain the situation and she’s appalled. She tells me that I should have received a call as soon as my card was cancelled and she would call the Head office to investigate further. She gets me a replacement card and destroys the tainted card. She was surprised that it’s Monday and the bank still hasn’t called me to notify me my card was cancelled. Standard protocol is to call within 24 hours of an incident, but usually call immediately after canceling a card to avoid the situation I went though. Later that day a Fraud Squad member called me and notified me that my accounts are in order and no funds were siphoned from my account. He also notified me that even though my card was cancelled, my accounts were still active and should have been able to transfer money to my affiliated bank card. You really have to admire those clueless CSRs.

Friday evening, I’m at home and receive a call on my phone. I am asked a series of skill testing and personal questions. My bank has decided to call me and notify me that my card was compromised last week, and if I have used my card since. I was extremely pissed at this point. It took my bank a week to call me to notify me that my card was compromised?? This poor CSR got the brunt of my anger. I asked her if this was a joke, and if it was normal to call someone a WEEK after their card was cancelled. She told me that her supervisor had asked her to call me. And there it was. It was a pity call. I guess someone got in trouble for not calling me a week ago and tried to make amends by calling me a week later. I don’t hold the CSR here at fault at all. The problem lies with the way banks treat their customers. In the end, I would have been better off keeping my money in a jar beside my bed.


The above was yet another reason why I hate banks

Bank Case 1: Waiting at a bank

I figured I’d start off my case files with the quickest and most recent bank case.

I decided I’d start saving for my future and invest in some RRSPs. I currently invest money for retirement, but was looking for something a bit more stable. I opted for a Bank RRSP. It was 3:00pm on a Thursday (extended hours day) and I was the only customer in the bank. I walked up to the customer service desk and informed the CSR that I’d like to open and RRSP account. I was asked to take a seat. After waiting 15 minutes, the CSR approached me with some news. Unfortunately, all of the personal bankers were occupied and could not assist me. I’d have to come back another day. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m appreciative of this CSR’s advice, however, I would have liked to have known 15 minutes earlier that the bankers were all busy. Isn’t it her job to know how long each banker should take and when a banker should be free? So I left the bank with 15 minutes of my live given to the bank.

I then went to visit the bank on Saturday at 2:45. When I spoke to the CSR at this bank, I was informed that there wasn’t enough time to process my RRSP as the bank was to close at 3:00pm. I then glanced at the hours of operation, and noticed that the bank was open from 9:30 – 3:00. There was nobody in the bank, yet I was once again turned away.
The following Monday, I visited a different bank branch at 3:00 pm, and notified the CSR of my intentions to open an RRSP account. After waiting 25 minutes, the CSR asked me if I wouldn’t mind waiting two more minutes before meeting with a personal banker. Hooray for me!!! I’m going to finally meet the illusive personal banker. I imagine this is how the tin man felt when he finally got to meet the Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, what the CSR meant to say was “Excuse me sir, would you mind if I let all these people behind you, ahead of you?”. Shortly after asking me to wait a couple more minutes, the CSR proceeded to usher the two clients who followed me into the bank, to their personal bankers. I waited an additional 15 minutes before the CSR asked me if I wouldn’t mind coming back another day as all the personal bankers were now occupied. So, I’ve been sitting in the waiting room for 40 minutes with nothing to do but play gold on my cell phone, and now the CSR has the nerve to ask me if I could come back another day. In total, this bank branch, which I shall remain nameless, has robbed me of over an hour of my time (I’m including drive and park time). I politely told the CSR that after waiting 40 minutes at her location, I wasn’t leaving the bank without setting up my RRSP. I waited an additional 10 minutes and met with my personal banker. He didn’t look anything like the Great Wizard of Oz. He was bumbling and tried to sell me a third RRSP solution.

All in all, this was a horrible experience, and hope that I’ll never have to deal with this bank until my 65th birthday. They’ll take my money, invest it without my intervention.

Please stop being so hard on Banks! – A real inconvenient truth

I am a true friend of the bank. I get upset when people slag banks for being inconvenient, costly, inattentive, and self serving.

Why should banks be open before you leave for work, or after you finish work? I think we’re being a bit selfish in thinking that banks should offer hours of operation longer than 6.5 hours a day. Listen up bank customers, bank employees have families too. I’m sure they’d like to maximize the time they spend at home as much as you. Don’t you think it would be indecent to ask them to spend an entire 9 hour shift at work, simply to accommodate the customers? It’s true that banks close for every holiday, celebratory day and soon enough, mothers/Father’s Day; but let the employees have their days off! Really, these holidays aren’t coming as a surprise to us customers. They fall on the same days every year. Who cares if Veterans Day falls on a pay day? You’ll have to visit a money mart to get your cash pensioners! You should make it a priority to visit a bank on your lunch hour, the one day a week the bank is opened late, or on a Saturday. Brave those 30 minute line ups and understand that the banks really are here to serve you.

The banks have made numerous attempts to accommodate us customers. The banks have listened to our requests for later service hours, and have appeased us by introducing ABM machines and Online Banking. Where would I be without those 24 hour ABM machines? These two marvels of modern technology are godsends, albeit convenience does come with a price. Every ABM and internet transaction carries a minimum $1.25 per transaction price. I trust that my $1.25 transaction fee feeds the needed research used to prevent internet banking fraud, and ABM card scams. Just 5 months ago, my bank card was defrauded, duplicated and used. I am confident that without each of my accumulated $1.25 bank fees, they wouldn’t have had the manpower to cancel my card, and then notify me about it a week later. That one week notification could have easily been two months or longer. It’s this personal attention I don’t mind paying for.

When requesting personal branch banking, I don’t mind waiting 30 minutes for service, before being asked to go home as the bankers are all busy. Really, how could they know that the customer who preceded me would take over an hour to finalize a mortgage and house signing papers? I know that my time and patience is valued; it was written on a placard, hung on the wall.

I really do live banks and the services they offer. I leave these thoughts with you: Why do banks need to operate under business hours, and work unofficial holidays that accommodate the customer? What’s the big deal about them collecting a measly $1.25 each transaction they process for us? Doesn’t the service they provide reflect the cost of business? Aren’t banks always looking out for our best interests, and not only interested in milking us of every penny we own?


If you’d like to learn more about my experiences with banks, please read come of the Case files I will pos shortly.