Japan is pretty well-known for its high level of customer service. I am reminded of just how great it is each time I go back to the States and have to deal with salespeople who act like I’m some sort of rude bastard for forcing them to do their job and ring me up at the till.

Anyway, the last time I was back in California the Apple iPod Mini was released and I, unable to resist my magpie-like lust for small shiny objects, caved in and bought one. I had been very happy with it from the start, but then a couple of weeks ago the sound started becoming distorted and the music would skip whenever the click wheel was touched (even with the lock on). 0.32 seconds on Google revealed that what I was experiencing was not an isolated case, and so the next day (a Sunday) I submitted a support request through the Apple Japan website.

Two days later on Tuesday morning a courier arrived at my door, boxed up the iPod and took it away. Fast forward just one week later to the arrival of a second courier bearing a brand new replacement, despite the 4-6 week retail waiting list here in Japan. And, because it was still under warranty, I didn’t have to pay a thing.

Pretty sweet, eh?