Martha Stewart Takes on Apple on Twitter
By Katrina Bishop
A series of tweets by business magnate Martha Stewart about her broken iPad -- which she said was given to her by Apple's founder Steve Jobs -- has gone viral.
Stewart's complaints about Apple's customer service appeared to anger the U.S. tech giant, with Stewart accusing its PR team of going "mad" at her about the tweets.
But Twitter users appeared divided in their sympathies, with some supporting Stewart -- "you have every right to voice your opinions" -- and others telling the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO) to buy a new iPad.
It began on Thursday, when Stewart -- who according to Forbes is worth some $638 million -- tweeted that she had dropped her iPad and smashed it. She asked her followers on the social media website whether Apple (AAPL) would take the broken tablet away for repair.
I just dropped my iPad on the ground and shattered two glass corners. What to do?does one call Apple to come and pick it up or do I take it?
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 25, 2013
Stewart appeared to think that Apple would pick the iPad up -- but no one arrived.
I am still waiting for an apple rep to come pick up my IPad. No action yey
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 26, 2013
But Stewart's frustration with the U.S. tech giant inspired an innovative idea: perhaps Apple could launch a same-day fixing service?
Maybe I have had a good entrepreneurial idea? Apple Now? Like same day delivery from Amazon? I think I am on to something. Same day fixit!!!
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 26, 2013
She appeared to back away from the increasing controversy in her following tweet -- which included language that shocked some of Stewart's followers on the social media website.
So is it time to put out the fires and admit I was just pissed off at the fact my precious ipad shattered and I wanted to make light of it??
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 26, 2013
This, allegedly, was when Apple's PR team weighed in, according to Stewart. Her tweet, which stated that Apple's former CEO Jobs had given her the tablet in question, had been retweeted over 1,400 times by Friday morning.
i cannot believe that Apple Public Relations is mad at me for tweeting about my Ipad and how to get it fixed! steve jobs gave it to me!
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 27, 2013
At this point, however, some people on Twitter appeared less than impressed by the fuss.
Dear @MarthaStewart, please check your bank balance. You might be surprised to discover that you have enough money to buy a new iPad.
- Mark Leggett (@markleggett) September 27, 2013
@MarthaStewart I think Apple PR is mad at you because you keep spelling it 'Ipad'
- Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) September 27, 2013
The string of tweets ended on Thursday evening, with Stewart expressing her frustration that should could not explain the situation on Twitter, which limits the length of messages to 140 characters.
i wish i could explain everything here on twitter about the broken IPad, the stolen IPhone, the silly joke about repairs and my frustration!
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 27, 2013
but it is impossible so i will deal with it all silently and hope that apple will fix everything so i can function again with proper tools
- Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 27, 2013
Apple wasn't immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.