Consumers who buy grey iPads currently being brought into SA, ahead of the official launch of Apple's latest tablet, will pay a premium and cannot ask the company to honour the warranty if anything goes wrong.
Apple launched the new iPad - commonly referred to as the iPad 3 - earlier this month. A launch date for when the popular tablet will arrive in SA has yet to be confirmed.
However, third-party companies that are not supplied by the local distributor, Core Group, are already bringing stock in at higher prices than the anticipated launch cost. In addition, as the devices are parallel imports, Core will not back up any warranties.
On your own
Apple's warranty document states the iPad is guaranteed against defects for a year when used normally, but the cover only applies to the first person who buys the device and is limited to the country of origin.
Core Group executive director RJ van Spaandonk says any new iPads currently sold in SA are not through the official channels and are excluded from the warranty, as they were bought overseas and on-sold.
Van Spaandonk says the warranty only applies to products that have been sourced in SA from the Core Group and its channel. He says Core does not have an issue with grey imports, as long as SA's laws are followed, but that consumers must be aware of the risks. “If there is a problem, you are really on your own.”
The Consumer Protection Act states that grey importers must display a “conspicuous” notice on the goods to show they were imported directly. In addition, the implied six-month warranty allows end-users to take faulty items back to the seller for a refund, repair or replacement.
Limited awareness
MD Christopher Riley says if something goes wrong with the unit, the company tests it for 48 hours. After that, it gets swapped out with another unit “in the same condition”.
Aureus Tech sales director Dreyer Smit says the company's directly imported iPads are covered for a year, a policy that is communicated to consumers. “If the device fails, you send the item back to us and we will either replace or refund the item. Usually, a replacement will be issued.”
Smit says consumers in general are not aware of any warranty terms on purchase of any electronic device. “Most people don't even read the warranty terms or request more information regarding this.”
Van Spaandonk explains that third-party repairs invalidate warranties and the device cannot later be shipped all the way back up the chain for repair.
Premium price
A grey iPad will cost anywhere between R7 950 for the entry-level unit and R9 920 for the 4G 64GB device.
Riley says: “We will endeavour to keep the prices as low as possible, but obviously we are paying a premium to secure stock. End-users who want iPad 3s and who are willing to pay a little bit extra are now in a position to do so.”
Van Spaandonk says Core aims to keep the cost of a new iPad at the same price as the iPad 2's launch price. He adds that it took seven weeks to get the stock into the country after the iPad 2 launched in the US and Core is working hard to bring the product in.
Before Core dropped the price of the iPad 2, it was selling for between R4 999 and about R8 299.
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