Apple is bound by Australian consumer law to provide guarantees that cannot be excluded under the law and last beyond Apple’s limited one year warranty.
Apple was fined $9 million for making false or misleading representations to customers with faulty iPhones and iPads about their consumer rights earlier this year.
This is one of the largest penalties imposed for violating Australian Consumer Law but seems paltry compared to Apple’s revenues.
Apple has committed to improving the staff training, has implemented new policies and now displays information on it’s website related to your rights under consumer law.
When you buy products from Apple (or any other seller) they must guarantee:
- goods will be of acceptable quality
- goods will be fit for a particular purpose
- goods will match their description
- goods will match the sample or demonstration model
- they will honour any express warranties
- you have title to the goods
- you have undisturbed possession of the goods
- there are no undisclosed securities on the goods
Apple as the manufacturer must guarantee that:
- goods will be of acceptable quality
- goods will match their description
- they will honour any express warranties
- they will provide repairs or spare parts for a reasonable time.
As a result of the Australian Consumer Law Apple will provide repairs/replacements beyond their standard 1 year warranty for most products.
You can read more about consumer protections in the Australian Consumer & Competition Commission Consumer Guarantees Guide.
Apple states on their website that the claim period in relation to Australian Consumer Law is as follows:
A reasonable period from date of delivery until the failure becomes apparent.
Without limiting consumers’ rights, Apple will provide its own remedies equivalent to those remedies in the consumer guarantee provisions of the Australian Consumer Law at any time within 24 months of the date of purchase. For the avoidance of doubt, Apple acknowledges that the Australian Consumer Law may provide for remedies beyond 24 months for a number of its products.
Source: Apple Products and Australian Consumer Law
The below table compares the various options based on our experience. Apple’s current policy is to consider some items that are included with your purchase like USB cables with your iPhone or iPad as “consumables” which they consider not covered.
Keep in mind that you are entitled to both Australian Consumer Law & the Apple Limited Warranty when you purchase an Apple product.
Source: Apple & ACCC