Apple acknowledges AppleCare dispute on Italian web store
updated 10:50 am EST, Fri January 27, 2012
Web link details two-year minimum warranty
Apple has posted a link on its Italian web store, acknowledging its legal dispute with the local government over AppleCare warranties. The link -- simply titled "Communication to protect consumers" -- takes visitors to a PDF file, detailing the government's decision, which resulted in a €900,000 fine. Apple normally only provides a one-year AppleCare warranty for free, but Italian law grants shoppers a minimum of two years of coverage, which Apple is being asked to guarantee by March.
In late December an Apple spokesperson promised that the company would appeal the fine, but no news has been heard on the matter since. Such a statement is unusual, since Apple almost never comments publicly on legal matters, likely because of possible ramifications in court. The spokesperson may have made the statement prematurely.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
two years' warranty?
is that just on cell phones or electronic products? Because I know firsthand how difficult it is to get any product returned or exchanged under warranty in Italy, unless you're persistent, fluent in Italian and know the local laws and that in extreme cases you can actually summon the police or carabinieri to intervene (something you would never do in the US unless violence or outright theft was involved).
It's practically impossible to return a defective item in Italy. For one, you're required to retain the original box and packaging. Secondly, the store clerks and manager are often as unfriendly and uncooperative as they can possibly be.
Rule of thumb when in Italy: once you bought it, it's yours, period.