Chicago (IL) – So you spent hours waiting in line to get your hands on an iPhone 3G or you put up with AT&T’s direct fulfillment deal and have been using this elegant phone with its reflective white plastic back that is topped off with a chrome outline and aluminum buttons. Greasy fingerprints are bad enough for the look-at-me factor of your iPhone, but imagine what cracks in the gadget's plastic back will do.

That is exactly what apparently happened to some iPhone 3G owners.  A growing number of users are reporting the issue in Apple's support forum and other Mac-related sites, such as MacRumors, across the Internet. At this time, the problem seems to affect just only $299 16 GB white iPhone model, but some voices suspect that dirt simply makes cracks more visible on white plastic and that similar cracks are appearing on black models as well, but have not been spotted so far.

Finding cracks on the back of a relatively expensive iPhone may be enough to completely ruin the joy of owning an iPhone, especially if we consider the fact that this is a very emotional product. You always could ask for a replacement product, right? However, that may be easier said than done.

Some users who looked for help at an Apple store have reported that the company is refusing to repair or replace the phone. "I have taken my iPhone 3G into the Apple store and was turned down," claims a user on Apple Discussion forum. Another one suggests "which doesn't mean that's what will happen to the OP. Nor does it mean that's what will happen if you try again. Different day, different genius, different outcome, perhaps."

Others who posted questions on Apple's forums were disappointed to find out that Apple still isn't providing information about this problem. Even worse, several users report that Apple deleted their posts about the issue from the Apple Discussion web site. "Apple is deleting posts by the dozens not to mention entire threads on this topic," wrote an angry customer on Apple's forum. We were able to find several dead posts on Apple's support site referred to by other posters, such as this one.

While we know that such quality issues happen from time to time, it is clear that Apple is not responding to these issues in a timely and appropriate manner. The fact that Apple is silent on the matter and doesn't even reply to numerous complaints in its forum suggest that it may still be researching the issue. However, we believe that a brief answer or a statement to its customers would be the right thing for Apple to do.

Apple = Enigma

Aug 04, 2008 11:49     

They always act like this.
Hax Or report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

The new Apple is here...

Aug 04, 2008 12:10     

Apple has a silence is golden policy, as of late, it seems and an arrogance that is shameful.Great products and a cool image are nothing without service to back it up.This secretive policy has to go.
Ex Apple Fan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

Of course

Aug 04, 2008 12:15     

Of course they always act like this, because 90% of these people are going to continue to purchase Apple products reguardless.
Jorge report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +15

ipone

Aug 04, 2008 12:26     

I have the new iPhone 3G and have accidentaly dropped it several times. Including from 5ft high with it one on all occasions and it landed on concrete. Not a single crack or any defects. I have it with me every time I go to work in construction and even had keys in the same pocket.
mark wiebe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -16

Nothing new in Apple's response

Aug 04, 2008 12:34     

Don't make it sound like this is the first time it's happened and woe is me the old Apple is gone and it's all downhill from here. Apple always deletes forum threads for certain issues -- and usually addresses those same issues in the next few days/weeks/months. At a certain point you're not really helping the matter by becoming poster #93 to gripe about it. The real fault is more that Apple never explains why it deletes these messages; it just does it.

Jonathan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

I think it is great that some one finally brings th...

Aug 04, 2008 13:28     

I think it is great that some one finally brings this info to the world. Apple doesn't care about there users. they just make a new product and a lot of people are blinded by that. When the first iPhone came out there was a lot of lack in information re. different things, people was posting thousands of posts regarding fx. copy/paste. Copy/paste is still not here and there is no info about it. You are not allowed to suggest anything on there site. I got banned for doing so, but you are allowed to post happy stories there even though that also is against there policy. I hope and wish that we all start spreading this news so that perhaps soon we will get Apple to actually listening to there end users

Jesper report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

Not defending Apple at all

Aug 04, 2008 14:44     

..but regarding site posts; most forums try to keep complaints/concerns centralized - having 100 posts about the same issue makes trying at address and respond to the issue very difficult. Same with feature requests. As for the "new Apple" comment - this is nothing new - Apple has always been very careful with when and how it makes statements around support issues like this.
hank report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

Remember 2-3 years ago?

Aug 04, 2008 14:54     

First-gen iMac G5 PSUs blowing, dead iPod batteries, easily-scratching iPod nano screens, and probably a few others... Apple always ignored the customers at first, wanting lots of $$$ for parts, taking 2 months for repairs. After a few months, they issued recalls, but only for a limited amount of time. I know someone with one of the iMacs with PSU problems. The limit recall date has passed, but since it still worked, he couldn't get it fixed. The computer is having some PSU problem symptoms now, it'll probably die soon...

Meeeee report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

imac therefore I pay too much for crap!

Aug 04, 2008 15:53     

Come on already people... Apple is overpriced garbage and you the consumer is treated like turd by jobby boy and company. If you want a decent OS get Linux! You aren't that lame that you can't figure out how to use - but apparently judging by the number of people dumb enough to sign up for AT&T's ridiculous contract maybe I am wrong **shrug** Just saying...
r0k3t report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Apple...tisk tisk

Aug 04, 2008 17:43     

Apple quality...can't beat it...stay away from the half eaten fruit and you should be good to go.
LogicStick report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

drugs

Aug 04, 2008 21:01     

I think that crapple is waiting for you all to take your Mac Drugs or iDrug like mark wiebe above. These durgs cloud the mind and make all well. Ben
Ben report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Overpriced Flogware

Aug 05, 2008 00:20     

Apple bank on stupidity and laziness. "It just works [and I don't care how]". It makes sense to me that these are the people training them to understand that they can crap on a paper plate and still expect hysterical amounts of money in return. They really don't need to earn it. That said, Apple has already figured out the game and are absolved of the responsibility of having to actually serve or satisfy anyone in order to earn their business.

The Dread Pirate Sausage! report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Take it or leave it...

Aug 05, 2008 03:19     

Apple seem to have an attitude of 'we don't care, take it or leave it' to their over-priced, over-hyped products. Fine - I'll leave it, then.
JohnE report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0