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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to just replace DS's Ipod Touch

54 replies

niceguy2 · 06/06/2011 08:52

DS has his 10th birthday this weekend. For his birthday I got him an Ipod Touch but because of the fact we were going on a really long drive for our holiday last week and flying on his actual birthday, I decided to give him his present early so he had something to entertain himself on the long journeys.

He's absolutely been made up with it and has been glued to it. However, last night he went out and had it in his pocket. Whilst he was playing football it came out of his jeans pocket and smashed the glass on the floor.

He's gutted and was quite tearful about it which is unlike him. Usually he'd tough it out and pretend he didn't care, not his fault etc. etc.

The ipod still works but obviously the glass is smashed. Unfortunately being a 4th gen, the glass & LCD are bonded together so replacement parts online are around £40-£50 if I wanted to have a go myself. £90 if I wanted someone to fix it for me.

Obviously a lot of money and I'm mindful that if I simply just "fix it" then he may get complacent. Plus I want to use this to teach him a lesson in responsibility. He also lost his phone last week whilst on holiday but that's only a cheap £10 phone so at the time I wasn't too fussed.

What should I do? So far my idea is to dock him 2 months pocket money and the money I would have spent today getting him a present from his sister/stepbrother could be put towards the repair/replacement. I've checked with his sister and she's ok with that as she understands what I'm trying to do.

I could replace it. Whilst the cash is annoying, it's not like I'd be struggling. But what does this teach him? Nothing. But then it is his birthday this weekend and I feel bad he's smashed it already.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 06/06/2011 11:39

He did tell me that 'someone' found the champagne but his facebook profile has him with a bottle in each hand. I am waiting to mention that when the time feels right.

Danthe4th · 06/06/2011 11:40

I actually think you should partly take the blame for not buying him a decent case for it and also for not making it clear that it shouldn't go in a back pocket or be taken to football.
Get a replacement (hopefully free) but make it clear that it needs looking after and also get him to buy a new phone with any birthday money.

Pagwatch · 06/06/2011 11:40

Sorry op. Hijacked your thread.

But a little glimpse of the future for youGrin

Hullygully · 06/06/2011 11:40

heh heh heh

The terrible downfall that fb pics bring..

Hullygully · 06/06/2011 11:41

Yeah, get him a case you tight git. It's all your fault.

MmeLindor. · 06/06/2011 11:48

I would replace/repair it but ask him to contribute towards it. I would not punish him.

It was an accident.

Did he have a cover on it? I can highly recommend the Otterbox cases. They are slightly more expensive but pretty .

Or - how about you agree to have the Touch repaired and he pays for a Defender case for it?

MmeLindor. · 06/06/2011 11:51

A goldfish so he would not be lonely? You do realise that was him softening you up before he mentioned the computer?

Pagwatch · 06/06/2011 11:53

Yes mme. I know. Yet it still works.
I seem impervious to the consequences of my behaviour.

Grin
silverfrog · 06/06/2011 11:55

oh, mmelindor just beat me to it, I was going ot recommend the otterbox cases.

I think he needs ot be involved somehow - whether by "contributing" his outstanding birthday presents (subject to sibling agreement) or by pocket money etc.

also, I would take my time about getting it repaired, tbh. let him feel a bit lost without it.

I think I'd be able to get over feeling bad for him on his birthday

but then, what do I know? I have a 4 year old who leaves my ipod touch on the floor regularly...

MmeLindor. · 06/06/2011 11:59

Hehe, Pag.

We have Otterbox cases for all our gadgets. DS, DD and I have the Commuter - probably enough for all but the most careless of users. I thought the Defender might be a bit bulky, and I like to be able to put iPhone in pocked.

DH has the Impact, which has survived being left on the roof of the car when DH drove off. Twice.

paddypoopants · 06/06/2011 12:03

Did you tell him he couldn't take it out to play football? He's only 10 so did he realise how easily they could be broken? They look fairly tough but they aren't.
I'd fix it/ buy him a new one and make him pay for one of those hardshell protective covers you get. I have one cos I'm always dropping mine. But then I'm a softy too. It was an accident and it's not like he's demanding a new one -he's upset.

SarkyLady · 06/06/2011 12:09

I agree with MmeLindor

Don't punish him, or deduct pocket money.
But ask him what he wants to do. If he agrees to contribute a certain amount of pocket money or birthday money then perhaps you could match it?

There is a difference between punishing someone for an accident and expecting them to deal with the consequences.

MackerelOfFact · 06/06/2011 12:18

Definitely take it to the Apple Genius bar. I did a similar thing with my iPod classic a couple of years ago - they gave me a new one for free, and it's still going strong.

Accidents happen, he's learnt a lesson. I smashed my first laptop (about £1200 worth) when I was 18. It had been bought with savings and birthday money. I know what it takes to break a screen now and haven't done the same thing since. (Well, except for standing on DPs netbook which he leaves in stupid places, but that was another thread).

Original poster
niceguy2 · 06/06/2011 13:15

I have a house rule. I don't shout at them for accidents. And this was a clear accident. So I wasn't mad at him for it. Disappointed yes.

The Ipod did have a rubber case on it but it landed face first.

This is not about being punished, it's about learning responsibility. For example, it's not my fault his ipod is broken but the buck stops with me so I have to pay up (if Apple don't take pity on him later). So I'm trying to teach him that responsibility sometimes is hard and often feels unfair.

OP posts:
MmeLindor. · 06/06/2011 13:47

Yes, I understand that is about learning responsibility but at the same time it was an accident and he is really upset about it.

With punishment, I meant the cancelling the party.

I think that asking him to pay for part of the replacement is ok, but 2 months is a long time and feels more like a punishment than teaching.

Imagine if you dropped your work laptop and your boss docked your pay for 2 months.

silverfrog · 06/06/2011 13:50

that would be one expensive laptop, mmelindor Grin

maybe compromise on the length of time for docked pocket money, but add in extra chances to earn back the amount?

so, eg set out that money to be docked for 2 months, but he has the chance (by I don't know, taking the bins out for the month) to halve that? but his choice - he can stick to the original 2 months if he wants, or "pay off" the debt faster where possible if he chooses?

Original poster
niceguy2 · 06/06/2011 14:46

Yep, I like that idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
niceguy2 · 06/06/2011 22:06

Update

We went in and explained the situation to the Genius. She told me that a replacement would cost £75 which personally I thought was very reasonable given quotes of £90 online before then saying to my DS that in this case she'd replace it for free "given it's your birthday present". Whilst I doubt it's a birthday only policy, I am genuinely grateful to Apple for their customer service and goodwill gesture.

The only downside is the fact they'd run out of stock so I have to drive back again (60 miles round trip) but hey, wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth!

Perhaps Apple should send some of their customer service staff to Vodafone who sadly seem to have zero service.

OP posts:
bellavita · 06/06/2011 22:09

Am glad it was a good outcome Smile

mumeeee · 06/06/2011 23:32

DD2 is 21 ans her ipod fell out of her pocket when she was running for the bus. She's only had it since Christmas, Anyway she took it into the apple shop and they told her they would replace the ipod for £70, Yes that's a lot of money but cheaper than just buying a new one. Of course at 21 she has paid for it herself,

mumeeee · 06/06/2011 23:34

I've just seen the update, That was bery good customer service, Glad you got it sortedb

heleninahandcart · 06/06/2011 23:55

It was an accident. He is 10 and I think he is not alone in this. He probably had no choice but to keep it in his pocket, to see the danger at that age does take experience. He also probably doesn't want to be separated from it and wants to take it everywhere.

Its a a very expensive item but its the price we pay (twice over Shock) for kids having ridiculouslyexpensive items that are often not even repairable these days. I understand the complacency thing, but it sounds like he's had a big lesson already.

I had a similar issue with DS and brand new phone pre holiday at 12. Walked into the sea with it in his pocket on first day, and yes I replaced it at vast expense in resort.

MmeLindor. · 07/06/2011 12:55

Oh, how lovely of Apple to do that.

A lot of people complain about Apple, but I have to say that their customer service is fab.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 07/06/2011 13:48

Niceguy - can you get some sort of 'whatever happens' insurance policy? When ds3 (who can be a careless little sod) got an ipod touch for his birthday, we took out an insurance policy at the same time, just in case of accidents - or incase he left it outside in the rain, like he did with his phone, around that time.

lowmaintenancelady · 07/06/2011 14:25

Definitely get the Otterbox Defender (on amazon) as others have suggested. Exactly the same thing happened to my daughter's ipod touch. It cost somewhere in the region of £85 to get a replacement at the Apple Store, but since we've had the case on, it bounces when dropped! It also has a protective screen which will help stop the glass cracking again.