So, last Saturday I found myself in the Apple Store purchasing a brand new 32GB iPad and iPad case.  Hadn't really planned on it, was just planning on taking a look at it...but I'm a Mac addict, and that's what happens to addicts.

Anyways, I took it home, started playing and something weird happened.  I wasn't blown away.  It was cool and all, but I just couldn't figure out how it fit into my life.  It seemed to be an "if" device.

If I didn't already have an iPhone.

If I didn't have a laptop.

If I had time to actually read books or watch movies.

If I really needed it.

But I didn't need it.  If anything it was going to complicate my life.  One more device to sync, keep charged and clear email from.  That's when I recalled something I overheard at the store when I was waiting to buy the iPad.  A lady next to me asked what she could do if she didn't like the iPad after she bought it.

"Oh, you can return it if you want", the Mac Specialist told her.

Hmmmm, that was something I had never considered before....returning an Apple product?  You could do that?  Someone would actually want to do that?  Well, yes.......it turns out I was actually a someone who would want to do that.  So i got online and checked the return policy. Return within 14 days, must have original packaging, 10% restocking fee.

So it was going to cost me $60 to return the iPad after days of playing with it.  I could live with that.  It beat being out $600 for a product I didn't love, and $60 actually seemed like a fair price for being able to have it on the day it came out and keep it for a nice trial period.

After 4 days I shuffled back into the Apple Store and told 'em I wanted to return my iPad.  No, nothing was wrong with it, it just wasn't doing it for me.  The store manager, Paul, popped open the box and checked out the iPad and the case and scanned them in.  Then he said something really cool, "You're a really good customer, I'm going to waive your restocking fee."

Wow, thanks Paul..that's badass.  Got an ipad on the first day they were out, tested it out for 4 days and it cost me nothing.  They know I'm an addict....I'll be back in a couple months when the new iPhone comes out.  That's what i call customer service.  Thanks Apple, I knew there was a reason I loved you so much.

BONUS:  When I purchased the iPad I also renewed my MobileMe subscription because it was $30 off when bought with the iPad.  When I returned it, he didn't reapply the $30 fee....so i actually saved $30 by test driving the iPad...sweet.