Apple Warranty Under the Spotlight

plu

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-19/apple-warranty-practices-criticized-by-european-consumer-groups.html

Sad Professor

This has been discussed before. Like most of the American coverage of this issue, that's a sloppy article that doesn't know the difference between a manufacturer's warranty and a seller's legal obligation to guarantee a product under EU law. They are two different things. The issue in this particular case is that Apple was selling AppleCare without making people aware of their consumer rights. Afaik there is a specific Italian law regarding this which is what the court case is about. It doesn't apply to us.

whiterebel

Good. Hopefully they will bring every white good manufacturer and electrical product manufacturer to court as well that gives you a written waranty for 1 year.........

Eire Go Brach

So In Ireland do I only have 1 year on my €800 phone?

aidan_walsh

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

So In Ireland do I only have 1 year on my €800 phone?

Manufacturer's warranty, but not consumer right.

Sad Professor

Yeah, under Irish consumer law the seller may be obliged to repair/replace a faulty product for quite some time after you purchase it. Three years would be considered reasonable in the case of a phone or computer. However, the law is somewhat vague and most people don't understand it, which resellers take full advantage of.

The important thing is to distinguish between the the seller and the manufacturer. Your contract is always with the seller. Manufacturer warranties are separate and voluntary. In fact, if you ever read a warranty, it will always say that it is in addition to and does not affect your consumer rights.

Eire Go Brach

So If My €800 phone broke after say 20 month. The seller being Apple. I could ask for it to be fixed for free?

whiterebel

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

So If My €800 phone broke after say 20 month. The seller being Apple. I could ask for it to be fixed for free?

You could ask, but no prizes for guessing what they'll tell you.....

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

whiterebel

Captain Morgan wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I would have thought you would win due to the cost of the phones, it would be reasonable to expect them to last 3 years anyway. Guys on the PS3 forum were getting brand new PS3s back after more than 3 years. Retailer didn't even bother turning up in most cases, and when they did they got hammered.

Eire Go Brach

Well this is why I brought it up:) because of the ps3 forum.