Chinese consumer associations fight over Apple's overbearing clauses
Summary: Several consumer associations in different parts of China are jointly criticizing Apple's maintenance terms, including the use of spare parts, the ownership of old spare parts, and compensation for repairs, as these clauses are deemed unfair to consumers in the territory.
According to local newspaper the Beijing News, the China Consumers Association -- a government funded consumer watchdog group -- last week called on its arms in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Jiangsu and Shandong to look into the issues regarding Apple’s maintenance raised by many Chinese consumers, among which they found at least five “unfairness” terms.
One of the repair clauses requires customers to allow Apple to use refurbished parts to fix products, and deem the old spare parts to be owned by Apple. The Association said the terms are in violation of the “Three Guarantees to Consumers” stipulated in China, which requires Apple to always use brand-new parts for repair when products are returned with the warranty period. It added that if consumers have paid for services after the conclusion of the warranty period, they are entitled to decide who should keep the replaced parts.
Another Apple clause indicated that the company is only responsible for the cost of repairs if damage is caused while the product is being repaired, and it will assume responsibility for damage or loss of data, procedures, or removable storage media. The consumer watchdog group said Apple has limited the scope and amount of the repair compensation and even exempts the responsibility of operators, which “should be invalid provisions”.
The group added that Apple should be held accountable for data losses in cases where it occurs as a result of botched repairs. Current policies have freed its authorized maintenance centers from accountability.
The Association also criticized other maintenance clauses, including damages due to transport reasons will not enjoy free repair, and failure to take products deemed as a waiver of ownership. The latter was even suspected as illegal seizure of property of the consumers, commented the group.
Apple didn’t comment on these accusations so far today.
According to local reports on Thursday, some local Chinese Industrial and Commercial Bureaus have initiated investigations on the matter.
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Talkback
Of course they want Apple to use brand new parts
I'm not a Chinese and I still want Apple to use new parts.
Then in a few months the switch on/off button broke and I learned that it was a problem many people were experiencing.
Because my 3-month basic warranty had already expired I was proposed to exchange my broken unit for a new one (refurbished) for the price of $ 75 which is almost 50% of the price I paid for the original product. All of that because of a switch button and I'm not even sure that refurbished parts are as good as new ones. Also they took away my old iPod. I felt a little speechless and powerless.
At this margin of profit, and operation mode, no wonder their cash safes are bursting with money.
Not a surprise
So no, not a surprise.
That's hardly an experience unique to Apple
Standard warranty terms...
Nothing surprising in the attitude of the Chinese Consumer Association ;
Henri
Oh yes
Warranty replacement.
Today, by the time a unit quits, a new one has so many improvements that it's not worth repair! They know, and plan on this attitude - so why use new parts?
Apple, Shmapple!
Remember when Packard-Bell was kicked out of the American Market for using used parts in their PC's.
Same thing should be done to A**hole, whoops, I mean Apple!
Computer Schputer
While you are at it, please post a list of all OEMs that only fix broken units with new parts.
Double standard much?!?
<nt>
"Government funded" is the key