Apple tech support is awesome.

[hazliya]

So, elenuial was getting a "no sim card installed" message on his iPhone. We went on a rampage to find his 2-year warranty last night, and after I found it, we realized that the 800 number was no longer staffed after that time. So we waited until today, when I called the line for him from my phone and went through the automated menu and was connected to someone in like, two minutes. And at 1:15 in the afternoon, no less. He introduced himself as Tom, asked my name, and support went as follows:

T: So, what seems to be the problem?
H: We're getting a "no sim card installed" message and it won't connect to anything.
T: Have you tried ejecting the sim card and popping it back in?
H: I have no idea how to do that.
T: (laughing) All right, go find a paper clip.
H: ...Seriously?
T: Seriously. There should be a pinhole on the end of the phone.
H: Got it. And the drive it's connected to will pop out?
T: It should.
H: Holy crap, it worked!
T: (laughing) Now just put it back in.
H: Okay. (it reloads) Hey, sweetie, is this what it's supposed to look like?
E: Yep!
H: Great! Looks like it's fixed!
T: Don't you love easy fixes?
H: I can't believe I fixed an iPhone with a paperclip.
T: Miracle of technology.
H: Do I need to do anything else, like give you the warranty number or anything?
T: Nope, just have a great rest of your day.
H: Aw, thanks! You too. You're awesome!
T: You're awesome, too!

I asked if there was a supervisor or anything I could compliment him to, and he thanked me but said there wasn't really anyone. iPhone fixed in less than five minutes via very friendly and efficient tech support: Win!

Comments

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, fixing Apple hardware with a paperclip goes WAY back.

[laurion]

Yup. Used to be the way to manually eject a floppy disk, and on some models, the way to access the hardware reboot button. In some cases I used one to reach an awkwardly placed CUDA reset button too.

I still keep a half unbent paperclip in my desk drawer. You never know when you'll need one. I used to keep one taped to the side of my Mac for purposes like the above.

I think I once saw someone selling an 'iClip' type brandingesque tool for $5 or $10. Fools.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

Fools... or GENIUSES? Or did you mean people who spent ten bucks on a glorified paperclip, 'cause they're fools for sure.