How to Order Free iPhone 4 Bumper Case (or Get Refund)

Apple has decided to giveaway a free Bumper case or a free third-party case for iPhone 4 for each and every iPhone 4 customers in order to alleviate and fix the antenna issue, where a single finger touch and tight grip will cause reception signal drop or loss issue, aka antennagate. And the details on how to order the free iPhone 4 Bumper or case, or the way to get refund for already purchased Bumper case has been revealed.

The free iPhone 4 Bumper case or other third-party case offer from Apple is called iPhone 4 Case Program. Officially, only iPhone 4 customers who are experiencing iPhone 4 reception problems should apply for a free iPhone 4 Bumper or other case. Just ignore the “false” statement, as the iPhone 4 reception problems are due to exterior antenna design – a hardware issue – so technically all iPhone 4 will have the same reception issues.

The iPhone 4 Case Program will give away free Bumper case at no charge to Apple customers who purchase iPhone 4 before September 30, 2010, after which Apple will evaluate its option, or probably a new redesigned perfect iPhone 4 may emerge.

Here’s the Apple’s guided instructions on how to select, order and get the free iPhone 4 Bumper or case:

1. Download the iPhone 4 Case Program app from the App Store.
2. Launch the iPhone 4 Case Program app on the iPhone 4.
3. Sign in using iTunes Store account or Apple ID.
4. Select one of the offered Apple iPhone 4 Bumper or third-party case.

   Some of the third-party iPhone 4 cases available are Griffin Motif, Griffin Reveal Etch, Speck Fitted Case, Speck PixelSkin HD, Incase Snap Case, Belkin Shield Micra and etc.

Do note that to qualify for the free iPhone 4 case, customers who purchased iPhone 4 before July 23, 2010 must apply before or on August 22, 2010. Those who purchase iPhone 4 after July 23, 2010 must apply for free case within 30 days of the iPhone 4 purchase. And again, the iPhone 4 must be purchased by September 30, 2010.

For people who had already bought the iPhone 4 Bumper will be getting a refund too, which already been started to process by Apple. Customers who have bought the iPhone 4 Bumper via credit card, the purchase amount, together with all VAT (value added tax) and shipping charges will be refunded automatically, and the credit should appear in the statement within 3 to 5 business days. If you’re using a gift card to purchase on Apple Online Store, a new gift card equivalent to the refund amount will be automatically mailed to you.

Customers who purchased the iPhone 4 Bumper with cash, check or gift card from Apple retail store can return to the store with the receipt to get the refund. Those who bought from AT&T store will be reimbursed for the purchase price of iPhone 4 Bumper by filling out and mailing the rebate coupon to Apple for processing. Unfortunately, those who purchase third-party cases for iPhone 4 will not be entitled to reimbursement from Apple, but they can always apply and order a new free case.

Still unsatisfied? Or want to wait for redesigned iPhone 4? Return the undamaged iPhone 4 to any Apple Retail Store, Apple Online Store or AT&T store within 30 days of purchase for full refund, without restocking fee.