Apple Products Now Include 7-Day Complimentary AppleCare+ in Australia

[bLackjackj]

I was told by Apple it was a government implementation and they have no control sorry but I don’t like being told what I Can and can’t do by a Government that I have no idea.

You were told by I'm assuming a young retail employee in a rediculous way of blaming the govt for Apple not only wasting your money,..but then pressuring you at point of sale. They should have explained it properly!

It is actually a good thing that was brought in to stop upselling. Many times customers are coerced into buying additional insurance or coverage they don't need by greedy retailers. This puts a halt to techniques that were getting out of hand. Just look at the Goodguys amd their now $300 policy!

 

[otech]

I can’t believe we got this far without anyone mentioning the whole ACL/statutory warranties which go for two years anyway which make extended warranty type products (or insurance like products - the distinction often blurs due to commonality in feature sets) an even worse value proposition.

Exactly this.

After HP, Apple and another large tech companies were all pulled up on failing to comply with Australian statutory warranty law, underwhich products must be covered for the "period reasonably be expected to last after purchase".

This is determined by a number of factors, but in Apples case iPhones were usually sold on 2 year contracts at a very high price and thus the owner would expect the product, given its price and "quality" touted by Apple, to be covered from faults for that time.

This also extends across to laptops and other devices; HP were fined $3M and even made to place advertisements explaining that they now understand consumer law in Australia and that in fact advertising a "1 Year Warranty" on all products is illegal.

HP to pay $3 million for misleading consumers and retailers

The Federal Court today ordered Hewlett-Packard Australia (HP) to pay a $3 million civil pecuniary penalty for making false or misleading representations to customers and retailers regarding consumer guarantee rights. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission instituted proceedings...

www.accc.gov.au

A cheap $300 plastic laptop, sure, you wouldn't expect massive durability there unless advertised as such.

$5000 MacBook Pro? You bet a consumer expects that to last a couple of years - and the ACL protects the consumer being told to pay for repairs by the manufacturer if product fails before a reasonable time. That being at least 2 years on Apple gear, but that is not a limit and in fact is illegal to advertise as such.

With these protections in place, AppleCare+ actually really just offers protections Australian consumers inherit already from the consumer protection laws. Thus, its a bit of a scam to tell customers to buy it to gain those protections under insurance as well.

The only good thing about AppleCare+ is accidental breakage (which would be cheaper to repair by third parties if Apple didn't void warranty anyway) and customer support - which you can get in a Genius Bar anyway.

 

[sir1963nz]

ACCC would have enforced that upon . Australia is the nanny country when it comes to regulation. I'm sure we (consumers) pay for it as Apple will factor this bureaucracy into the sale price - thanks Canberra!

View attachment 1860027

As opposed to factoring in law suits in the USA ?

 

[ACHD]

Exactly this.

After HP, Apple and another large tech companies were all pulled up on failing to comply with Australian statutory warranty law, underwhich products must be covered for the "period reasonably be expected to last after purchase".

This is determined by a number of factors, but in Apples case iPhones were usually sold on 2 year contracts at a very high price and thus the owner would expect the product, given its price and "quality" touted by Apple, to be covered from faults for that time.

This also extends across to laptops and other devices; HP were fined $3M and even made to place advertisements explaining that they now understand consumer law in Australia and that in fact advertising a "1 Year Warranty" on all products is illegal.

HP to pay $3 million for misleading consumers and retailers

The Federal Court today ordered Hewlett-Packard Australia (HP) to pay a $3 million civil pecuniary penalty for making false or misleading representations to customers and retailers regarding consumer guarantee rights. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission instituted proceedings...

www.accc.gov.au

A cheap $300 plastic laptop, sure, you wouldn't expect massive durability there unless advertised as such.

$5000 MacBook Pro? You bet a consumer expects that to last a couple of years - and the ACL protects the consumer being told to pay for repairs by the manufacturer if product fails before a reasonable time. That being at least 2 years on Apple gear, but that is not a limit and in fact is illegal to advertise as such.

With these protections in place, AppleCare+ actually really just offers protections Australian consumers inherit already from the consumer protection laws. Thus, its a bit of a scam to tell customers to buy it to gain those protections under insurance as well.

The only good thing about AppleCare+ is accidental breakage (which would be cheaper to repair by third parties if Apple didn't void warranty anyway) and customer support - which you can get in a Genius Bar anyway.

That last bit is exactly where AC+ no longer becomes "actually really just offers protections Australian consumers inhert"

The main point of AC+ has always been physical damage coverage.
They gain 2 things that AUS consumer protections do not grant.
A warranty longer than 1 year OUT OF THE COUNTRY (international Service) (Consumer law for AUS only applies when seeking service INSIDE AUS) the ability to also get service internationally basically after 1 year with warranty coverage.
And physical damage coverage with a deductible.
In countries where monthly coverage applies they also get the 2 above as long as they pay monthly and apple lets you renew the plan.

While advertising only 2 years would on the surface appear to be "illegal" Apple can and is NOT prevented by AUS law for stating that limit if it actually does apply in some way. And it does... for international Service, and for the limit of the Physical damage claim.

Apple IS required to state how long your coverage is for in regards to physical damage.

Obviously they can always slap on the box next to the 2 year limit stating Physical damage + international service. length.


Without AC+ when out of your country " 0 " of a countries consumer law applies. Where the device is purchased and where they seek service must be the same to get the consumer protections for that device.

 

[Adithya007]

Thus confirmed that everything happens in reverse in Australia! XD

 

[Denzo]

I don’t believe it’s apple being nice. It’s our laws preventing companies selling insurance without giving the customer time to review the product and see if it meets their needs.

 

[jace88]

Without AC+ when out of your country " 0 " of a countries consumer law applies. Where the device is purchased and where they seek service must be the same to get the consumer protections for that device.

I've had surprisingly good results without Applecare+ when outside of my home country (eg Apple Watch repairs by third party authorised repairers in Singapore) but that was after many calls/emails/etc, but at least I was able to get things fixed when I was overseas at no charge.

But hey it's good to know we can get it formally agreed through AC+ without having to go through that headache... once borders reopen.

 

[Smigit]

7 days complimentary Apple Care+ would have helped this kid a few years ago in Perth, Australia

 

[Unregistered 4U]

That last bit is exactly where AC+ no longer becomes "actually really just offers protections Australian consumers inhert"

Yeah, I caught that too.
“If you exclude the things that aren’t covered by Australian consumer protections, then it’s really just what Australian consumers inherit”

And, for those folks that WANT it specifically for accidental breakage, that have ALWAYS bought it for accidental breakage, if it weren’t for Apple offering this “carryover”, the government would be saying “just don’t break your stuff, but if you do, well… we meant well, mate!”

 

[Unregistered 4U]

7 days complimentary Apple Care+ would have helped this kid a few years ago in Perth, Australia

I think it’s funny how the most well known video, where this law would have put the consumer in a bad place IF Apple wasn’t offering 7 days of coverage, is from Australia

 

[richinaus]

Australian consumer laws are really great and have helped me on multiple occasions. Can’t complain at all about this offer, as I never buy Apple Care anyway, so is a little bonus.

 

[ACHD]

I've had surprisingly good results without Applecare+ when outside of my home country (eg Apple Watch repairs by third party authorised repairers in Singapore) but that was after many calls/emails/etc, but at least I was able to get things fixed when I was overseas at no charge.

But hey it's good to know we can get it formally agreed through AC+ without having to go through that headache... once borders reopen.

You can get international service. It’s just after 1 the year mfg agreement is over then only ac+ can extend international service.
While inside the one year. You can go to most locations to get service. Not all devices qualify for international service btw at all. But most can be serviced in another country within 1 year with no issues.

 

[visualseed]

You were told by I'm assuming a young retail employee in a rediculous way of blaming the govt for Apple not only wasting your money,..but then pressuring you at point of sale. They should have explained it properly!

It is actually a good thing that was brought in to stop upselling. Many times customers are coerced into buying additional insurance or coverage they don't need by greedy retailers. This puts a halt to techniques that were getting out of hand. Just look at the Goodguys amd their now $300 policy!

While it may be an inconvenience for people that do want AC+ and see value in it, it will really put an end to the predatory practice of pressuring customers into buying over-priced and useless service plans on their electronics. This will stop department stores from asking you to buy an $8 product replacement plan on a $20 toaster that most likely won’t cover anything more than the manufacture’s warranty or applicable consumer protections laws already cover. A lot of credit cards cover much of the same things on purchases made with them and most people are not even aware of it.

 

[lk400]

It's about as useful as a fart in your face.

7 days? Whoo hoo!

Consumer laws need to catch up in many parts of the world (including the US).

This is an article about Australia, not the US. Australia has very strong consumer protection.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

While it may be an inconvenience for people that do want AC+ and see value in it, it will really put an end to the predatory practice of pressuring customers into buying over-priced and useless service plans on their electronics. This will stop department stores from asking you to buy an $8 product replacement plan on a $20 toaster that most likely won’t cover anything more than the manufacture’s warranty or applicable consumer protections laws already cover. A lot of credit cards cover much of the same things on purchases made with them and most people are not even aware of it.

Australians, it seems, have difficulty saying “No, I don’t want the replacement plan, thank you.”

 

[jdoyle]

Nice to have in case you smash your iPhone in first week. Also yes we have good consumer protection here. In fact Apple advertise a 1 year warranty with their products here but we are entitled to 2 years. They just don’t Advertise it. And here’s something I didn’t know. Near the end of my two year warranty on my iPHone 8 pluses I had it replaced for free. I presumed my warranty would just last until the end of the initial two years. The Apple Genius Bar guy told me I get another two years with my replacement phone, but said “I didn’t tell you this” because he’s not allowed to make it know.

 

[Biglethal69]

You were told by I'm assuming a young retail employee in a rediculous way of blaming the govt for Apple not only wasting your money,..but then pressuring you at point of sale. They should have explained it properly!

It is actually a good thing that was brought in to stop upselling. Many times customers are coerced into buying additional insurance or coverage they don't need by greedy retailers. This puts a halt to techniques that were getting out of hand. Just look at the Goodguys amd their now $300 policy!

No I was told by Apple care itself that I could not buy it no employee. I always take Apple care anyway. I always cover myself from day 1 as the products are never perfect. Plus I always take the extended warranties on tv’s, fridges and washing machines saved me a bucket load over the years as products never last and and using the consumer guarantee is a total waste of time because it takes so long and you have to pay for it upfront first. So you can take back what you say as you have no idea what I was on about.

 

[Sydnxt]

What is "+"? Is it actually an enhanced level of Apple Care, or do they just want to be cool by adding the plus moniker to the product name? Everyone's doing it, let's do it too! The whole plus trend is really annoying. In most cases, there's nothing plus about it, it's just the name.

Yes.. of course, it is.
It offers discounted pricing on physical damage.

 

[Sydnxt]

Nice to have in case you smash your iPhone in first week. Also yes we have good consumer protection here. In fact Apple advertise a 1 year warranty with their products here but we are entitled to 2 years. They just don’t Advertise it. And here’s something I didn’t know. Near the end of my two year warranty on my iPHone 8 pluses I had it replaced for free. I presumed my warranty would just last until the end of the initial two years. The Apple Genius Bar guy told me I get another two years with my replacement phone, but said “I didn’t tell you this” because he’s not allowed to make it know.

Three years on Macs! I love Australia.

 

[Denzo]

Australians, it seems, have difficulty saying “No, I don’t want the replacement plan, thank you.”

More like our sales people are actually really good.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

No I was told by Apple care itself that I could not buy it no employee. I always take Apple care anyway. I always cover myself from day 1 as the products are never perfect. Plus I always take the extended warranties on tv’s, fridges and washing machines saved me a bucket load over the years as products never last and and using the consumer guarantee is a total waste of time because it takes so long and you have to pay for it upfront first. So you can take back what you say as you have no idea what I was on about.

Thanks for this additional information, much appreciated!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

More like our sales people are actually really good.

There’s no sales people more skilled than the word “no”. I don’t care if there’s a person that has warranty sales last quarter 80% over the average in that region. A customer, that doesn’t want an extended warranty, and knows how to say no is going to end up blissfully bereft of an extended warranty.

I’m guessing there has to be something more cultural going on, like “Never say no to the hardworking retail bloke” or something. Which, years ago might have been the right way to do things, maybe even helped keep some money in their borders… But in this multinational world, multinational organizations will just take advantage of that sentiment? I mean, just considering how, from the helpful details provided in this thread, anyone reading it MAY know more about Aus protections than your average Australian, this could potentially be because the companies were able to prevent the government from communicating the full extent of the Australian Consumer Protections, but the government was able to build in this delay. WHICH… now that I think about it, likely just shifts the hard sell to their phones, post boxes, email accounts when they get home. Since no one’s communicating to “SAY NO”, those folks are STILL going to buy the warranty, it’ll just be some out of country telemarketer (not the employee in the shop) getting the commission… if there even IS a commission provided to them. Which, actually, SAVES the multinational org some money in the end and is why they didn’t lobby hard against it.

All baseless speculation for a US Sunday morning, but I’m at least able to follow the money on why pass this law rather than have a huge consumer education program. OR… or… pass a law stating that companies can’t use language in their advertising that misinterprets the Australian Consumer Protections.

 

[pauloregan]

It is a good law by the Aussies. Being hounded for insurance while physically being in store is a nightmare. The amount of bonus related pay attached to retail insurance sales shows it for what it is.

Apple aren't offering it for free to be nice. They are offering it so you get a notification it has run out in seven days so you start to panic and buy it. No salesman needed to at least induce and bit of thought about it.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It is a good law by the Aussies. Being hounded for insurance while physically being in store is a nightmare. The amount of bonus related pay attached to retail insurance sales shows it for what it is.

Apple aren't offering it for free to be nice. They are offering it so you get a notification it has run out in seven days so you start to panic and buy it. No salesman needed to at least induce and bit of thought about it.

A… nightmare? Surely that’s an exaggeration.

Shopkeeper: “Would you like the ex..”
Customer: “NO”

or, if you’re in a better mood, you could wait until they get the entire sentence out before you say NO. Are machetes a part of being hounded for insurance? THAT would be a nightmare. Are they physically strapping folks to chairs, forcing them to watch Crocodile Dundee II and not allowing them to leave? That would also be a nightmare.

Apple are likely offering it because the one video out there that shows why you should NOT leave a shop with an expensive portable gadget without having accident insurance (which Australian Consumer Protections don’t offer) was shot on Australian news. Kidding of course, they’re actually offering it so that the hundreds of thousands that would never THINK to leave a shop with an expensive gadget without accident insurance (which Australian Consumer Protections don’t offer) are still covered while the government is forcing them to NOT buy the insurance they want.

Apple COULD have actually saved millions by NOT covering those first 4 day phones. Then, if someone were to come back to the Apple Store on day 5 with a shattered screen, Apple could just say,

“Sorry, you’ll need to pay full price for the repair because you didn’t have Apple Care for the accidental coverage.”
“But you guys wouldn’t SELL me the accident insurance, so surely it’s not my fault.”
“Also not our fault, full price for the repair, please”

As it is, with this policy, Apple is putting themselves on the hook for the millions of Aussies that have NEVER purchased AppleCare in the past and just so happen to accidentally break their phones in the first 7 days. If anyone wants to do a “How sturdy is the iPhone: Drop Test” series of videos, head to Australia, YOU’RE COVERED!

They are offering it so you get a notification it has run out in seven days so you start to panic and buy it. No salesman needed to at least induce and bit of thought about it.

And, this is ALSO assuming that Australians, in general, are the type to just “panic and buy it”… which I really don’t think is the case.

 

[danny842003]

Interesting I wonder if this is why I couldn’t buy AppleCare on launch day for my iPhone 13.