Can we get a clarification as to what each side means by "warranty"? I've heard from other posters who actually live in the EU that Apple's warranty + Apple Care is much better than the auto EU warranty.

Originally Posted by AppleInsider 
...the current consumer protection enforcement environment is "simply not good enough," with Apple allegedly failing to properly inform consumers about their warranty rights "in at least 21 EU Member States."

"So this EU you have here. Does everyone have to have a warranty?"
"Mostly."
"Uh huh. And do they all have to tell consumers about the existence thereof?"
"Mostly."
"Okay. And, uh, do you imagine there's anyone unaware of the fact that they have a warranty when they purchase a product? Let's go back even before the formation of the EU for that one."
"No, I don't figure that anyone doesn't know they have a warranty when they purchase a product."

"All right. Then shut up. Obviously we have a warranty. We're not wasting our time or our customers' whining about it to them."

Don't know if this judge's claim is true or not, but if it is, Apple simply needs to get on with it.

The law is the law where you do business. If you don't like it, don't do business there. Or, build it into your pricing. Or something. But stop playing games and attracting negative attention. (I know, I know, others might be doing it too; but I could care less).

..."According to Reding, the case is indicative of a need for the European Commission to occasionally take a more prominent role in monitoring and coordinating consumer protection laws...'

The case is indicative of the EU to pay for Cyprus bailout. And Greece... And Italy... And ....

http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/

The 2 years EU Waranty is for defects already present at delivery and is a last seller waranty.
In most countries the burden of proof that the defect was already there at delivery is on the customer after 6 months. It is often called hidden defects waranty.

Apple limited waranty is for defects arising after delivery and is a manufaturer waranty. This is what is expanded by applecare.
The 2 waranties in fact dont intersect and can exist independantly as the EU law is written.

Problem is 2-fold:

- Some countries have failed to properly define the difference when transcribing the EU law in national law and/or expanded on it. The former is the case of Italia, and it could be argued that Germany is in the latter case.

- Apple try to sell it applecare protection plan too, and most of the italian case was about the failure to properly inform about the 2 years rule for hidden defect working even if you dont take applecare. It seems also a bit flimsy and in fact has gone nowhere in various EU Countries but in Italy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukefrench 

http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/

The 2 years EU Waranty is for defects already present at delivery and is a last seller waranty.
In most countries the burden of proof that the defect was already there at delivery is on the customer after 6 months. It is often called hidden defects warranty.
 

This is exactly the problem.  Only a couple EU countries require a full 2-year manufacturers warranty.  I know the Czech Republic and Hungary require this.  

In all the other countries this EU wide warranty law is in effect but it is unclear and toothless.  Basically it doesn't really offer consumers real protection.  So, Apple is trying to help consumers by offering them a real warranty for the second year if people want to purchase it.  I've been up to the Apple Store in Dresden, Germany (the easternmost European Apple store so far) and talked to Genius Bar employees while waiting for replacement iPhone's to do restores.  They said customers come in all the time wanting service on products in the second year and the employees have to explain that this law only covers defects present at the time of purchase which is nearly impossible to prove and in reality rarely the case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregInPrague 

 

This is exactly the problem.  Only a couple EU countries require a full 2-year manufacturers warranty.  I know the Czech Republic and Hungary require this.  

 

In all the other countries this EU wide warranty law is in effect but it is unclear and toothless.  Basically it doesn't really offer consumers real protection.  So, Apple is trying to help consumers by offering them a real warranty for the second year if people want to purchase it.  I've been up to the Apple Store in Dresden, Germany (the easternmost European Apple store so far) and talked to Genius Bar employees while waiting for replacement iPhone's to do restores.  They said customers come in all the time wanting service on products in the second year and the employees have to explain that this law only covers defects present at the time of purchase which is nearly impossible to prove and in reality rarely the case.

Apple could still offer Applecare as added protection in the second year as long as they explain it properly. Implying or outright stating here's no warranty coverage at all in the second year without purchasing a "maintenance agreement" is where the problem is, correct?