Apple blacklisted by consumer watchdog in China

Apple's troubles in China seems to be unending. Close on the heels of the company paying $60 million to settle a trademark dispute with the Chinese company Proview , the tech giant is now under fire in China for not following the country's consumer-protection laws.

According to reports in Chinese media, the consumer advocacy group China Consumer Association (CCA) has included Apple on a "company integrity" blacklist.

The Guangdong-based group alleges that Apple has violated consumer-protection laws by offering insufficient after-sales service.

The "blacklisting" is reportly based on a number of complaints made during the first half of 2012, including the case of a customer who needed his iPhone 4 repaired. Although, the device was within the official warranty period, Apple replaced the parts but refused to renew the warranty.

According to Chinese law, companies are required to replace damaged products with brand new parts. The products warranty period too is updated accordingly.

However, Apple is said to replace damaged parts in its gadgets like iPhones and iPads with other used or remanufactured parts. The consumer watchdog also claims that Apple does not update the warranty accordingly. '

Apple recently revised its maintenance terms for iPhones in China after being criticised by China Consumers' Association and its local associations.

Many users in China have also complained that there are some hidden rules regarding the repair of iPads. One example cited is that Apple may refuse to repair an iPad for free if it has a scratch longer than 4 millimeters.

Source: http://timesofindia.feedsportal.com/fy/8at2Etf0cQj6J2qe/story01.htm

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