FAQ for recent iPod Mechanic Issues

Why are you not able to return my iPod right now?

Unfortunately your iPod is currently in possession of the Government.

Why is my iPod currently in possession of the government?

Several iPods were taken at the same time. Efforts are being undertaken to identify these iPods so they may ultimately be returned to their rightful owners.

Will I ever get my iPod back?

Yes, you should, however it is the government's decision. We have identified these units as your property.

When can I expect it back?

It may take some time, we cannot give an exact timeframe.

Is there anything I can do to have my iPod returned sooner?

You may write a letter expressing your feelings which will be forwarded to the government. Please send this to gov@ipodmechanic.com.

Is iPod Mechanic a real company engaged in the business of iPod repair?

Most certainly, yes.

Will my credit card be charged for the repairs?
Absolutely not.
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I guess it was only a matter of time before the Government shut this operation down! On a side note I'm surprised that iResq would even want to have their name mentioned on ipodmech's site!

RapidRepair

Their customer service is the worst. It is impossible to contact them by phone. When they do reply to email, it is non informative, non committal boiler plate jargon. Otherwise, one gets an automated reply with various excuses for not replying, but promises to that they are working hard.

They replaced the logic board in my Ipod ($150.00). It functioned for roughly 4 hours and exhibited the same symptoms for which I sent it to them originally.

I contacted them immediately. I was told that these things happen. A CSR named Halli suggested that I go to the Apple website and follow their trouble shooting suggestions.

I emailed the owner. He told me to ship it back, they would repair and return it to me.

I requested a status report this week and received automated responses. When I finally received a live response, it was from a guy named Adam. The misspelled words, attitude, and excuses about having other customer, etc.,

I want to be done with these people as soon as possible. How they remain in business is beyond me.

asbach

Check out my back-and-forth with then through the BBB:
[206.114.60.222]

Whatever you do, don't give them your iPod. You might as well just junk it. I wish to God I had. After months of attempting to communicate, they continue to insist that I owe them $85 plus shipping for REPAIRS even though they ADMIT that they never received my Ipod and UPS has already issued them a reimbursement for the loss in the form of a check for more than $100. I mean, just how are they going to "repair" my "broken logic board" when they never recieved the iPod?

Rainey

I sent my ipod in for a "free, no obligations quote" on repair. The repair quote was $99. But the website had no option to request return of the unit. So I emailed a request to return the unit, and was told that there is a termination fee of $15, in addition to the agreed upon return shipping fee (the former disclosed in fine print on their site which they pointed out for me).

That doesn't sound like a "free no obligations" repair quote to me.

Unfortunately, I didn't find Trojr's posting (above) prior to my shipping the unit to them.

mbw

searched

Michael

Michael

goob007

tr6jr

My nano has been in their clutches for a month and the communication has been equally non-satisfactory.

Avoid

tr6jr

drscott46

"I also have been ram-rodded by Ipod Mechanic. I sent in my daughter's ipod, and never received the repair. They still have my ipod, but thankfully, Paypal has refunded me my money. Of course, I want the ipod back. Please let me know if anyone has any success with this company."

Ben Popken

"Add my name to the number of commenters on the consumerist site that are struggling with ipod mechanic.

After purchasing their 24 hour turnaround screen repair, I've been waiting for two weeks with only automated email responses and not answer to any of the phone numbers others have posted.

I'm awaiting others to post their resolution and am hoping to hear SOMETHING back from to help me believe that I haven't had my ipod stolen. I will call my card company Monday to alert them of the problem and to dispute the charge."

Ben Popken

"I seem to have been duped by the same guy as Scott and Ben. I have reported iPod Mechanic to the Michigan Better Business Burea, gone to Planet Feedback and intend to send him a letter (return receipt requested) outlining my complaint and requesting the return of my son's iPod.

I called the phone number listed on "Nicholas Woodham's" eresume and get a gentleman who says he got this phone a couple of months ago and keeps getting calls for iPod Mechanic.

Are there any other suggestions? "

Ben Popken

"I read your column regarding iPod Mechanic too late. I too have been bamboozled, by this company. I am wondering if Scott S did in fact get his repaired iPod back. I used PayPal as my payment and have opened up a case with them, short of that I don't know what to do. If just waiting it out will get me the device, so be it, but I do want to know what the end result was for Scott S."

Ben Popken

Ben Popken

Registrant:
iPod Mechanic
PO Box 164
Oshtemo, MI 49077
US

Domain name: IPODMECHANIC.COM

Administrative Contact:
Woodhams, Nicholas myebay@gmail.com
PO Box 164
Oshtemo, MI 49077
US
(269)217-4245 Fax: 000-000-0000

Technical Contact:
Manager, Domain hostmaster@startlogic.com
919 E Jefferson St.
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
US
+1.8007258064

Registration Service Provider:
StartLogic, Inc., hostmaster@startlogic.com
1-800-725-8064
http://www.startlogic.com

Registrar of Record: TUCOWS, INC.
Record last updated on 07-Apr-2006.
Record expires on 15-Oct-2007.
Record created on 15-Oct-2004.

Domain servers in listed order:
NS.IPODMECHANIC.COM 216.69.172.96

I'd start by calling the administrative contact. If that doesn't work, talk to the technical contact, who appears to be the one who registered (and probably hosts) the site- telling him his sustomer is doing something illegal may help.

Morgan

The BBB lists the owner of the company as Nicholas Woodhams, the company also apparently has a bad record with the BBB.

Also going to bet this is him:

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~n4woodha/resume.htm

Which has his phone number listed. And Oshtemo is only 5.4 miles from Kalamazoo.

Ran Kailie

Administrative Contact:
Woodhams, Nicholas myebay@gmail.com
PO Box 164
Oshtemo, MI 49077
US
(269)217-4245 Fax: 000-000-0000

Amazon listing of website with one star rating and reviewer calling it a scam:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000EXC37Q/1...

Nicholas' resume in Apple Repair:

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~n4woodha/resume.htm

Nicholas' college email adddress:

Nicholas.A.Woodhams@wmich.edu

And if you search on whitepages for the addrses you can find him in Kalamazoo.

Word of note: I don't think that this is a scam. Given how closely tied Nicholas appears to be to the domain I would suggest that he was an entrepeneurial person who got in a little bit too much over his head. Sounds like he's running a one man shop.

something_amazing