Aust Apple resellers watching US Class Action

Macworld.com has today reported that Australian Apple resellers are watching the
USA Class Action Suit with some interest.

Filed in February at the California Superior Court in San Francisco, the suit claims Apple has "failed to completely honor service contracts and warranties and failing to properly license service centers. The suit also alleges that Apple stole trade secrets from its own resellers and sold used computer equipment as new." - Macworld Feb 18th 2005

Total Recall Managing Director Adam Conner was quoted as saying ""It is difficult for some resellers because Apple makes tough decisions from time to time."

Whilst AppleCentre Taylor Square director Ben Morgan has indicated that there is currently a level of distrust between Apple and Resellers. He told Macworld "... But it has not happened here yet, so this is a good time for Apple Australia to review its approach to the channel. It is also a good opportunity for the resellers to do the same." Although he admited the outcome of the Class Action in the US could have an impact over Australia.

Concerns about stock allocations and Resellers having to compete with Apple were express by David Vanderkley. He said in the interview with Macworld ""There are a few occasions where mass merchants have been given stock priority over resellers," he said. "However, in the case of iShuffles, I think Apple Centres were given preference over the mass merchants."

Macworld approached Apple Australia for an interview but they declined the offer.

Read the full story at Macworld

That doesn't suprise me...

Resellers and Service agents get screwed over, so if you can purchase say a firewire hard drive or something from a reseller when you purchase a computer, or something that would be helping them out

Thanks for the heads up iluvmymac. This fits better on the front page than anywhere else.

"iShuffles, I think Apple Centres were given preference over the mass merchants."

Interesting ... Nextbyte didn't have any iPod shuffles ... so I went off to JB Hi-fi and bought 2 from there.

I agree. I buy as much of my computer stuff from the local AASP as possible, they're a good shop and i don't know what i'd do if they were to suddenly dissappear.

Apple had a big lunch for the shuffle and preference did go to the big Apple Centres but most got screwed, as an ASR i can't get stock and from talking to the manager at the local Apple Centre they had people rock up to the launch only to be told they had no stock either, and still don't.

Today i had a look at the backorders and there are close to 49,000 512mb on backorder and something like 30,000 1gb versions on backorder.

So i won't hold my breath about seeing any anytime soon.

Well I approached Apple Australia for a comment on this article but they declinded Apparently they prefer MacWorld as their media source (to which they wouldn't comment either).

Let's hope we can glean improved service from the Resellers. The way I see it, if Apple Australia cannot provide adequate service then I will spend my money elsewhere :P