A day after refusing to take cash from a customer who wanted to purchase an iPad, Apple has reversed course and is now willing to accept Federal Reserve Notes backed by the U.S. government. “We want to make sure it’s as fair as possible for people to get iPads,” said Apple Sr. Vice President Ron Johnson.

Johnson told KGO-TV in Palo Alto that its coverage brought about a change in company policy:

“About a month ago, we said we’d like you to use a credit card when you buy your iPad, and that was the best way we could think of to make sure that people only bought two per individual,” said Johnson. “And then it came to our attention that Diane [Campbell], through your story, was very interested in buying an iPad with cash, and we made a decision today to change that.”

Johnson said our story triggered a company-wide policy change. As of today, anyone can pay for an iPad with cash as long as they set up their Apple account at the store. Apple accounts are needed for the iPad anyway, so that is not putting anyone out.

“We heard about this, you know… we all would love people like Diane [Campbell] to get an iPad, so I called her up and she was very excited and we’re actually on our way to deliver an iPad to her house,” said Johnson.

While other customers will now be able to pay in cash, Apple still won’t accept Campbell’s greenbacks: they’re giving her the iPad for free.

Johnson told KGO that the earlier policy about not accepting cash “was instituted to make sure the tablets were fairly distributed during a time of high demand.”

Apple reverses its no-cash payment policy for iPads, following 7 On Your Side report [abc7news.com]

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