Apple SA debate heats up

[StbA]

That letter is nothing more than a threat, why has Apple US not taken them to court if they are to adamant about it.

Core knows very well that their dirty laundry (trying to take over the CAB store in Sandton) will be washed in public if they go to court.

 

[BobJones]

BS & FUD from Dick at Core

1 - If Dick from Core was interested in protecting consumers from the bad old "grey importers" selling end of life computers without telling customers it - why is the latest ZAStore and iStore "R9000 off" campaign doing exactly that? (Note the "new" tag on last generation MBP)

2 - If Dick from Core was interested in protecting consumers from the bad old "grey importers" not servicing warranty claims - then how come Core and iStores don't honour Apples service notes? I ought a MBP from CAB when they were still an "official" official reseller, but haven't got dick from Core (or CAB) in terms of warranty service with my battery problems - even though Apple US has extended the warranty on those MBP batteries.

The best Apple service comes from WW and DigiCape (JHB & CPT). All Core is interested in is screwing us on price and denying proper warranty service.
SCREW YOU - DICK!

 

[gregmcc]

Van Spaandonk said that Core Group is definitely not a monopoly as suggested by Stop Core, and added that the company has just over 1 % of the computer market in South Africa.

1% of the computer market, but 100% of the Apple market!

 

[percy_west]

The worldwide success of the Wii console (also distributed by core) has been partially attributed to the fact that is cheaper than it's 7th generation rivals.

Why then, has the Wii consistently been priced BETWEEN the Xbox 360 and PS3 in this country???

 

[Rocket-Boy]

What smacktards. If they have bad business practices then why should everyone else suffer from it?

I hear the whole blab about the us prices being ex vat but vat here doesnt == 25%

How is it that the rest of the world has more or less equal pricing on apple stuff but core is so far off line? smacktards, thats why.

 

[RoganDawes]

Van Spaandonk said that Core Group is definitely not a monopoly as suggested by Stop Core

and

Core Group explained that it is the only authorized distributor of Apple products in South Africa

Sounds like a monopoly of Apple products in South Africa to me!

 

[bwana]

Its the same situation we "enjoy" with telecommunications - one company supplied the country's bandwidth (SAIX) and resold it to themselves (Telkom) as well as to other resellers. This obviously gave Telkom an unfair advantage which, like Core/ZAStore they continue abuse.

I import as much of my Apple gear as I can for myself and Core are bound to honour the warranty.

 

[<moLe>]

screw apple and pass a pear!

 

[entrepr]

Well, with the prices I have been quoted this year, I know somebody is ripping me off!!!:

R2000 for a replacement 120 Gig drive (a stand-alone 1 terabyte drive costs less!).
R1600 for a replacement power supply (a generic Incredible Conn supply costs R700)
R2000 for MS Office Student (versus R800 for 3 licences with Windows)

I hope somebody gets exposed for these ridiculously high prices!

 

[Rewind]

Hey guys

At Stopcore our aim is not only to show that the prices are high but also that the service from Core is really bad. You basically end up having to wait weeks for repairs (as they are understaffed with technicians) and then should be grateful that they actually make that repair.

The arrogance and indifference is the most annoying thing. Despite all our attempts to have a dialogue with Core the best we had was RJ being condescending on his Twitter page.

 

[TBFK]

Apple also to blame

The fact that Apple has allowed Core to become the sole distributor of Apple products in SA (there used to be more than one official distributor) illustrates their complete disregard for South Africans wanting to purchase their products. All Apple cares about in SA is how many Apple units Core is selling. Only when those figures start declining will they sit up and take notice of what is happening. My recommendation - buy grey products from reputable dealers and only then will Apple begin to take notice. Hit them where it hurts - in their pockets.

 

[DblD]

Money talks bull**** walks...

In global internet economy official distributor IMHO needs to become extinct specie. Rather form Official Customer support that makes a living of giving superb after sale service and makes money of that ..

 

[TBFK]

Apple brand under threat

I'm also amazed (following the 702 interview, Core's comments on Twitter etc), by the fact that Core has so little respect for Apple's brand reputation. Their adverserial approach to any criticism is certainly not in line with distributing a brand that has such a great reputation. If I were Apple, Core is not a company I would want to represent my brand.

 

[bekdik]

The solution is simple. Don't buy Apple if you are unhappy with the support, then inform Apple UK & USA that you would have bought Apple if you had gotten the same support options as is offered in their respective domains.

Of course, I don't for a moment believe that Apple are interested in what happens in RSA. If they were, they would have an office here. Even a one person office keeping an eye on what's going on with their brand/product would be to Apple's advantage.

 

[BobJones]

I'm not sure that Apple has much to do with this...

If they had, Dick would be able to get a letter from Apple proving his distributor claims, not some vague and contradictory reference on a website - or a letter from a lawyer here.

How difficult can it be to show the reams of communication directly from Apple? Methinks Core is just another reseller.

 

[rbarryza]

How is having an exclusive import license not anti-competitive behaviour? It gives the importer no incentive to give the best prices or service, and it drives the grey import market. Grey imports are bad for consumers, because the after sales service is usually non-existent, but the way to solve it is not to give a monopoly to someone, the way to stop it is to allow competition and more than one white import channel. Grey imports only exist for the same reason piracy exists.

 

[bwana]

I'm not sure that Apple has much to do with this...

If they had, Dick would be able to get a letter from Apple proving his distributor claims, not some vague and contradictory reference on a website - or a letter from a lawyer here.

How difficult can it be to show the reams of communication directly from Apple? Methinks Core is just another reseller.

Yeah - you'd think it would be a simple enough task to procure such a letter.

 

[entrepr]

I agree - and stock availablity was another problem for me

If prices could come down, more people who are closet Apple lovers would buy products (especially the PCs and notebooks) and we would all benefit from a bigger industry and ecosystem of sales, distribution and service

The comment about 1% market share says it all - I am sure the share is much larger in other countries for this exact reason

 

[dudewotevr]

Anyone who would pay the EXORBITANT prices for the MEASLY specs that you get with "pretty" looking Macs deserved to get ripped off!
Ok that's a bit mean, but seriously, how could anyone hand over that amount of money for those pitiful machines.. *shakes head*

Anyhoo, DOWN WITH CORE!!!!!

 

[moosag]

Every dog gets his day. I am not a fan of apple gear purely because the pricing is so high! All my apple products were bought grey overseas. No hassle's no fuss, and much much cheaper!!

If they intent on going this route WRT their service and high pricing, its only a matter of time before it all catches up with them. Some people are just to thick to understand that good business practices and good customer service goes a long way in company longevity! Has the credit crunch not taught them anything??? You get too greedy and arrogant and you will inevitably end up paying the price.

PS: That piece on Twitter was shocking!! I absolutely cannot believe that group executive for such a large company actually behaved in the manner in which he did. One thing is for sure. Whoever is behind the whole anti-Core bandwagon, you really are getting under his skin. He pretty much exposed his weakness by throwing his toys out of the cott. If I were the anti-core group I would strike while the iron is hot. You for sure as hell got him!