Earlier this week we learned that Apple store weren’t accepting cash payments for some purchases, specifically for the iPad. This restriction has been overturned though, thanks to the efforts of Diane Campbell, and ABC local news team, and some good, old fashioned public outcry.

The iPad currently has a purchase limit on it (two per customer) and it was said that tracking would not be possible without a credit or debit card number. This issue became big news when (as we reported earlier):

Diane Campbell, a disabled customer on a fixed income who saved up $600 in cash for an iPad, only to be turned down in a Palo Alto Apple Store because the clerk warned her that a credit or debit card is the only way to go. Although Apple refused to comment on the specifics of the ABC piece, the company said a no-cash approach exists in order to enforce its two-per-customer sales policy regarding iPads and iPhones. Apple won’t redeem Gift cards against iPad purchases neither, but they’re accepted against an iPhone purchase.

Long story short, Campbell contacted 7 on Your Side (a program where the new outlet exposes practices like this one) and they raised a stink. Apple, defenseless against the sheer ridiculousness of not letting this innocent iPad lover pay cash for the tablet, rolled over.

Apple’s Senior VP Ron Johnson was interviewed for the story and explained the situation from the company’s perspective. He also confirmed that people can now pay cash for an iPad so long as they set up an Apple account while making the transaction. Later on the in the story a rep noted that the credit card restriction was in place to ensure fair distribution of iPads, not to prevent grey market sales.

Even after the policy shift Campbell didn’t get to pay out her cash though–Apple gave her the iPad as thanks for raising the issue.

You can see the video story here:

via ABC Local