Apple reverses no-cash payment policy for iPads

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Apple stepped up to the plate Wednesday, responding to a report about a woman who tried to buy an iPad using her carefully saved up money, only to be told she could not pay with cash. The story caused outcry all across the country and Wednesday Apple not only changed its policy, it provided a happy ending to the story.

Remember Diane Campbell? She saved up her money to buy an iPad only to be turned away. The Apple Store said she could not use cash, only a debit or credit card. She said a clerk told her it was to prevent iPads from reaching the black market.

“Mr. Jobs, give a sister a break,” said Campbell. “I’m not going to go sell my iPad.”

“We want to make sure it’s as fair as possible for people to get iPads,” said Apple Sr. Vice President Ron Johnson.

Now all of that has changed.

“About a month ago, we said we’d like you to use a credit card when you buy your iPad, and that was the best way we could think of to make sure that people only bought two per individual,” said Johnson. “And then it came to our attention that Diane, through your story, was very interested in buying an iPad with cash, and we made a decision today to change that.”

Johnson said the story triggered a company-wide policy change. As of today, anyone can pay for an iPad with cash as long as they set up their Apple account at the store. Apple accounts are needed for the iPad anyway, so that is not putting anyone out.

“We heard about this, you know… we all would love people like Diane [Campbell] to get an iPad, so I called her up and she was very excited and we’re actually on our way to deliver an iPad to her house,” said Johnson.

That’s right. The folks at Apple wanted to thank Campbell for bringing this issue to their attention, so two employees from Apple visited her home Wednesday and brought her a brand new iPad for free.