Apple fixes issues with repair policy
Published: 06 Oct. 2015, 20:56
Apple changed most of the clauses deemed antitrust by the Korean authorities, with many of the recommendations made by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in July reflected.
According to the antitrust watchdog on Tuesday, Apple has been providing iPhone repairs to customers according to the changes since last month.
In cases where a customer needs their display repaired, the service centers will inform the details and cost of the repair to the customer before making any changes.
The same goes for any additional smartphone repairs. Customers can now also receive their phone back if they don’t want to consent to the price, and if they do want their device repaired, customers no longer have to pay in advance.
“Most of the recommendations that we have made have been reflected,” said Min Hae-young, a spokesperson at the customers’ clause review department at the FTC. “We plan to make additional reviews if the new clauses have other problems.”
Apple’s repair services had been controversial because the company would choose the extent of the repairs without the customer’s consent and then force them to pay for the service before receiving their phone back. In some cases, customers would request solely a display change, but Apple would decide that their phone needed to be replaced entirely - saddling the customer with the full 375,000 won ($320) replacement cost.
BY PARK SU-RYON [[email protected]]
According to the antitrust watchdog on Tuesday, Apple has been providing iPhone repairs to customers according to the changes since last month.
In cases where a customer needs their display repaired, the service centers will inform the details and cost of the repair to the customer before making any changes.
The same goes for any additional smartphone repairs. Customers can now also receive their phone back if they don’t want to consent to the price, and if they do want their device repaired, customers no longer have to pay in advance.
“Most of the recommendations that we have made have been reflected,” said Min Hae-young, a spokesperson at the customers’ clause review department at the FTC. “We plan to make additional reviews if the new clauses have other problems.”
Apple’s repair services had been controversial because the company would choose the extent of the repairs without the customer’s consent and then force them to pay for the service before receiving their phone back. In some cases, customers would request solely a display change, but Apple would decide that their phone needed to be replaced entirely - saddling the customer with the full 375,000 won ($320) replacement cost.
BY PARK SU-RYON [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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