2 years warranty standard in EU - not with Apple

Here, here.

I use Macs for the operating system (the stability of linux, with no compatability issues).

However, if you want to sell products oversees (EU), you must comply with the local rules and regulations.

Fanbois need to get their heads out of their

Simple if you are not happy with Apple's policy on the 1 year warranty don't buy Apple products.

If they are forced to grant the EU 2 year warranty the price will go up to reflect this.

Then of course you will complain about that.

Fanbois need to get their heads out of their

If you expect people outside the EU to be enthusiastic about the EU using their typical bully tactics to impose their own laws on other countries, you need to get your head out of your...

Has nothing to do with being a "fanboi."

Well it is high enough for you as the consumer but maybe not high enough to cover what Apple thinks is the increase in warranty claims for the additional year of warranty.

Why do you think they charge an extra 249-349 per Applecare extended warranty? What you think they are just going to give that away for nothing. They have never given anything away, as reflected in there pricing.

I'm glad you are happy with your Apple products. I am happy with my Apple products also along with my Dell and home built Windows PCs.

Have you read these forums and or even looked at all the posts about problems with all Apple products.

They are not immune to problems and they, Apple, know that.

What does the 1 year warranty really say, as you pointed out.

Cars that can run on all types of road, good and bad, have 5 year 50+ thousand mile warranties.

And Apple products a 1 year warranty. Then it is Oh well that's to bad. What does that say about their faith in their own product.

You put your money down and you take your chances,. Caveat Emptor.

vertrider wrote:

worth to note

Why?

their premium prices do not reflect a premium warranty

Don't like it? Like Shootist007 says, send a message to Apple they'll understand -- don't buy it.

alexizzzz wrote:

Here, here.

You mean, "Hear, hear".

Fanbois need to get their heads out of their

Translation, please.

vertrider wrote:

I don't belive the price would go up to reflect this, it is already high enough

Your belief is touching. But surely this is not the place for a debate on political economy, is it?

Thomas A Reed wrote:

to impose their own laws on other countries

No such thing. The fine imposed by the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (which Apple is appealing, btw) is for Apple's practices in Italy, and nowhere else. EU law (to the extent that is applicable in this case) is valid in the EU. No-one is fining Apple for its practices in this respect elsewhere. As to "bully tactics", with all due respect, I seem to remember something about the beam and the mote (or was it about the pot and the kettle?)

In the UK if you buy from John Lewis (department store) guarantee for computers, including Apple, is two years. That's included in the basic price. A third year is optional and extra, fairly cheap for desktops, much more for laptops. I bought my iMac from them in 2008 and paid for a third year because the iMac counted as a desktop, rather surprisingly, because it must be at least as difficult to service as a laptop. Towards the end of the third year I was offered a fourth year, and I paid for that, up to end of March this year. Have not needed to claim so far. Probably something will go wrong just out of guarantee. Perhaps I will be offered a fifth year? John Lewis has a very good reputation and a good computer department, I often snoop around there.

It doesn't matter what anyone says, at all. THE LAW IS THE LAW and just like every other company in the whole of the European Union, Apple needs to comply with it. Prices will go up? So what? The law is still the law. Old law? Doesn't make a difference. There is nothing that anyone can say to me that can prove me wrong or to say that I hate Apple. The European Union under EU Directive 1999/44/EC has decided that a 2 year warranty be of standard for ALL products. The warranty being with the seller, and not the manufacturer, the burden of proof, if a problem should occur, falling with the seller and not the consumer.

Basically, without boring yourself by reading the whole directive, this is how it works:

In the EU, Apple (along with everyone else) has an obligation to fix the problem, by law, if you can check off these 4 points:

-The goods were purchased no longer than two years ago;

-The store will not provide a refund or repair because you are returning the item after their return period has ended, usually one year;

-You are reporting the fault within two months of discovering it;

-And the goods show no signs of damage through your actions or misuse.

Recently my iPhone 4's sleep button broke on me through normal use, and not misuse. It falls under these 4 checkpoints. I am thinking about going up to my local Apple store, citing this EU Directive to see how far I get.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1677034/Two-year-warranty-EU-la w.html

A man used this very directive in Tesco's in the UK to get his TV replaced:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/23/tesco-consumer-guarantee

I'm quite surprised to read people here defending Apple on that one. So when an individual doesn't respect the law he goes to jail, but when a company does it's fine? And then you seemed surprised that the economy is going mental??

This european directive has been made to help reducing the programmed obsolence made by manufacturers, and to reduce waste. If Europe says the warranty should be 2 years, Apple needs to conform. If not, they need to be sued and pay, big time.

Also, if you're looking for "apple EU 1999/44/EC" you won't find any information, because Apple is obviously controlling the medias. And on top of that, you fanboys are working for Apple for free. All of that for nothing, as their products are increasly more expensive. Also, if you have Apple's shares, you won't get any dividends despite the fact that this company has nearly 100 billions in cash.

To say that A. is "controlling the media" is a bit out of reach, really (just try with a better search) 😉

The matter is not "pro" or "against" Apple, is just about the EU Directive 1999/44/EC and relative evidences.

"you won't get any dividends despite the fact that this company has nearly 100 billions in cash."

Apple announced a dividend, and I'm guessing you did not read the news. Some of us don't need the dividends. I left Apple with 1,000 shares worth $40/share. Later, there was a two-for-one split. Today, those 2,000 shares are worth $600/each. Cheers!

We are not talking about A. product prices (which Europeans pay generally even higher than in the US), or their (great) quality. It is about the case in object, the Directive 1999/44/EC, and the EU consumer rights.

As it was commented earlier, "consumers should not be misled and confused" and the case is said to be "even more important" as it concerns a market leader whose practices have a "wide impact".

Short version: a two-year guarantee applies for the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the European Union, then everyone must conform - plain and simple.