AppleCare in Europe: After Italy, Portuguese Consumer Groups Will Sue Apple, 19/07/2012 - Your reactions

[linathael]

A portuguese consumer association, named DECO, has decided to follow the path opened in Italy by the governmental authorities, to push Apple to align its warranty policies with the European Laws active in the European Community. It is clearly stated that in the EC, all products are covered with a 2 years warranty (including computer), but Apple refuses to translate it in its EULA, expect in some countries from north Europe, where governments did not give Apple any choice. 


It is today quite clear that if more countries successfully push Apple to follow the law, the company will have to move, and maybe it would be smart to more pro-actively before the European Commission decide to launch an investigation on the matter, as it could cost Apple a record fine... If Apple releases products with the highest quality standard moving the warranty from 1 to 2 years should not cost much to the company when compared to potential fines and salaries of lawyers.
By linathael, original by Lionel

[TRRosen]

There is no automatic two year warranty. The laws only require two year coverage for defects present at the time of purchase. This is very limited. Items fail or wear out prematurely without any defects that's just the way things are. Such failures are not covered by the law.

AppleCare extends Apples one year coverage of ALL issues and includes support and service. It is not a warranty.

[flyermac]

Apple folks want us to be very honest with them, one word means one word to them, but their words vary to their own benefit. This is so Microsoft to my ears.

[MacTasia]

Apple should do the decent thing…

Show a lead on this, and announce it as part of a "value for money" thing…

– They could put a positive spin on his AND benefit their customers…

[myke]

Under English law (Sale of Goods Act) consumers have 6 years protection for defects in manufacture. It is fairly easy to prove this and I have used the law on several occasions and claimed money back. However, your contract is with the supplier not the manufacturer. So, I had an iMac repair covered by the retailer recently even though it was 30 months old. Of course if your retailer was the Applestore your claim would be against them. I haven't ever tried this with Apple and I suspect I know what their response would be. However, the law is the law and a judgemnent in the small claims court costs very little to obtain. Incidentally the same law exists in Scotland but the protection there is only five years.

Not enough UK consumers know about the Sale of Goods Act, as evidenced by the misselling of product protection insurance, like Applecare.