Replies

RCA did a good thing when they responded to you.
As another poster has already noted, with changes in the Law, Apple would be doing a foolish thing to respond in a similar fashion in 2006.

You also said:

discouraging kids from putting their opinions into words is not a good idea.

This gets back to the mis-understanding of Free Speech that so many people have.:

No one is discouraging kids from putting their opinions into words.
I am pointing out that CEOs at Apple have no obligation to listen or care about what a child says. The child should understand that while they can talk, no one is required to listen.

Cindy Sheehan, for one, never learned that lesson. If I don't pay attention to Cindy, she thinks I am trampling on her Right to Free Speech.

I am pointing out that CEOs at Apple have no obligation to listen or care about what a child says. The child should understand that while they can talk, no one is required to listen.

While this is true, the negative impact of this episode has already been felt by Apple, which is changing the way it responds to unsolicited suggestions.

If nothing else, this nine year old got a major corporation to be aware that negative customer experiences tend to find their way into the public consciousness and have the potential to be ruinous.

No one is discouraging kids from putting their opinions into words. I am pointing out that CEOs at Apple have no obligation to listen or care about what a child says. The child should understand that while they can talk, no one is required to listen.

Well yea that's true but from a consumer standpoint consumers do not have to buy from companies who do not take into consideration consumer feed back. The best selling tool on the market is customer satisfaction and having what the consumer wants and needs. Many times this is easily learned via feedback & suggestions from customers. Many companies encourage such input. If a company detaches itself from that input the company can find itself being detached from future sales.

If I write my phone service provider and suggest DSL service in my area I understand I will not get a cut in the percentage even though it was my idea. This is the first I've have heard on any company rejecting the receiving of customer suggestions or comments on a legal basis. Now if the child had send Apple the schematic drawing and software coding etc for the device then yes I could very well see their point. If Apple is closed to suggestions on their product IMO they can keep their products.

Now then any bets that this response was Out Sourced from somewhere not so familiar with our customer service traditions? I'd bet on it.