Apple might find themselves having difficulty selling as many Applecare extended warranty policies in Australia with this change:
http://www.watoday.com.au/technology...318-2gahc.html
Quote:
Apple's Australian stores will now fix faulty iPhones, iPads and Macs under warranty if they were purchased in the past two years - but don't expect the company's staff to tell you about it.
For some time Apple's standard 12-month warranty has appeared to conflict with Australian consumer law, which provides statutory warranties for a “reasonable” period of time, undermining Apple's ability to charge hundreds of dollars for AppleCare support plans that include extended warranties, as well as other services like telephone support.
On Friday, Apple's Australian retail store staff and authorised Apple resellers were notified about a change to Apple's internal policy on how it handled standard warranty claims.
Until now, many Apple consumers have reported on forums that store staff have only ever discussed with them a standard 12-month manufacturer warranty when selling, fixing or replacing Apple goods.
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Apple has now changed this from 12 months to 24, which appears to bring it in line with Australian Consumer Law. [...]
Since January 1, 2011, when a new national Australian Consumer Law came into force, a statutory warranty for a “reasonable” period of time has existed for goods sold in Australia, even if the manufacturer's voluntary warranty (usually set at 12 months) has expired.
What equates to a “reasonable” period of time is undefined in the legislation, but an example given by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in its warranties and refunds guide suggests that, for a product such as an expensive television, it can be up to 24 months.
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I wonder if this will extend to e-ink e-readers, as well as tablets, in Australia? Know your consumer rights!