Apple Ends No Cash Policy After Turning Away Woman on Fixed Income

Apple has ended their no cash policy after a woman on fixed income was prevented from buying an iPad. The woman had saved up for the device for weeks but when she went to the Apple Store she was turned away.

"It took quite a long time for me to just save up this small amount of money to go down and purchase one," she said. "I had my cash in the backpack and I went up proudly to the counter and told them, 'I would like to purchase an iPad.'"

"They said, 'Sorry, we don't take cash.'


After initially standing by its policy, Apple Senior Vice President for Retail, Ron Johnson, has announced that customers will be allowed to pay cash as long as they setup an Apple account at the time of purchase.

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 brought two per individual," said Johnson. "And then it came to our attention that Diane [Campbell], through your story, was very interested in buying an iPad with cash, and we made a decision today to change that."

Johnson said our 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.
As a gesture of goodwill toward Diane Campbell, the woman whose experience brought the issue considerable publicity, two employees visited her home today to offer her an iPad free of charge.

"I am just so excited," said Campbell. "Words can't explain right now."