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IHome Audio Products SDI Technologies Inc. IHOME Audio Product not reliable. It's broken after first year of use and company charging to replace Avenel, New Jersey
I bought an IHome audio dock device to use with my Iphone model IP1 on March 2011. After a couple of months I observed its A/C adapter was heating from time to time. On September 2012, after 18 months the device stop working. Yes, the warranty is only 90 days, however any product like this is suppose to last more than 18 months. I contacted the company through their website. After 10 days, the company answered back with the following:
From ihtechsupport
"Dear customer
We apologize for your inconvenience experienced with the iHome product.
Unfortunately, we were affected by hurricane sandy and we just re-established service.
The out of warranty charge is $100. However, I will go ahead and do a one time accommodation and reduce the charge to $60. Please include a check or money order with the unit to expedite the process.
SDI Technologies Inc.
135 Essex Avenue East
Avenel, NJ 07001
Please include your return name and address, brief description of the problem you are experiencing, and a copy of this email.
Thank you"
The company has its policy. It's understandable, however as I mentioned, the product was not supposed to last only 18 months. Even considering the brand "IHome", their reputation and the quality they advertise and sell. A relevant fact is I don't use these entertainment devices during the week. It means that I used it only weekends and for 1 or2 hours maximum. Really I haven't used the product for more than 200/300 hours.
Another important point to consider is cost. The initial cost of the product was 169 $. The company is asking me 60$ + I need to ship it to them which would be another 50$. So, I'll spend right away 110$ to have, at the end of the day, the product fixed or replaced. I am currently paying again for it. Then, the product may last another 18 months only. It doesn't sound fair. There is no option to repair it nearby.
It would be reasonable for the company get it back, check what's going on with their product, at no cost, and after if they have their own conclusion: replace or charge for repair. In a long term, beyond that been fair with consumers, they may find out issues in their product and space for improvement.
Unfortunately, the company response is not positive and not flexible. Pay or lose the product.
I've made my decision of not fixing it and next time go for a more reliable brand. It's very unfortunate, because I try to give preference to North America companies but at the end this is the feed-back I receive.
Definitely they don't care. I observe the attitude / respect to the consumers IHome demonstrated to me and I don't recommend them and their products to anybody.
Thanks for the opportunity to express my experience.