iPod Nano Complaints Pour In

Smarthouse reports on the rising number of customer complaints burning up the Web concerning the iPod nano. The article states the chief complaints claim the nano gets scratched too easily and the screens are cracking.

Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg said, "The nano will take normal use, but it's difficult to keep the player in pristine condition. It is susceptible to nicks and scratches from everyday use. But that is the nature of an ultra-portable product."

Gartenberg did note that the nano's problems showed "the power of the Web as a forum for customer complaints." He remarked that "Stories like this one demonstrate the importance of every company monitoring what is being said on these discussion boards so they can react. Even if there is nothing inherently wrong with the product, even if every single one of these instances were user negligence, which may or may not be the case, it doesn't really matter. You need to respond one way or another."

On the subject of whether this situation will harm Apple's rep and business, Gartenberg opined "The average consumer isn't going to come in contact with most of these stories. Their purchase is based on what they see on TV and in print ads. All the other positive associations of the nano will ultimately impact their buying decisions."