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Apple 'Error 53' Sting Operation Caught Staff Misleading Customers, Court Documents Allege (theguardian.com)
AmiMoJo writes: "Australia's consumer watchdog carried out a sting operation against Apple which it says caught staff repeatedly misleading iPhone customers about their legal rights to a free repair or replacement after a so-called 'error 53' malfunction, court documents reveal," reports The Guardian. Error 53 refers to an error message that renders iPhones useless if third-party repairs are made. From the report: "The case, set to go to trial in mid-December, accuses Apple of wrongly telling customers they were not entitled to free replacements or repair if they had taken their devices to an unauthorized third-party repairer. That advice was allegedly given even where the repair -- a screen replacement, for example -- was not related to the fault. Apple has so far chosen to remain silent about the case brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). But court documents obtained by Guardian Australia show the company has denied the ACCC's allegations, saying it did not mislead or cause any harm to its Australian customers. The documents also show how the ACCC used undercover methods to investigate Apple. Investigators, posing as iPhone customers, called all 13 Apple retailers across Australia in June last year. They told Apple staff their iPhone speakers had stopped working after screens were replaced by a third party. Apple's response was the same in each of the 13 calls, the ACCC alleges."
Error 53, order 66... in the end, you lose.
#DeleteFacebook
We're handcuffed when it comes to phones. How did that happen. How did things become so sketchy and crooked with that specific segment of the tech industry. Why do we accept that.
Apple is a bunch of fuckers, no doubt about it, but this scam is probably somewhat similar with Android vendors.
lucm, indeed.
and four of them had problems out of the box. Three either had keys that didn't work or keycaps that weren't attached to the scissors (I think that's the right word). The fourth simply wouldn't boot. In every case, the Apple Store at first refused to replace the laptop. They claimed they could only send them back for depot repairs. The first time was a 17" PowerBook that I think was $3,300 in December 2003. I let them send it back for repairs, and it was fourteen weeks before I got it back. After that experience, I argued like hell and threatened chargebacks. It's amazing how Apple typically make such high quality stuff, but their customer service is just garbage.
US companies not following the laws of countries they operate in is the colonialism of the 21st century. At once the illegal profits are ultimately funneled back to the US economy, and US laws and values are imposed through normalisation.
I want to suck a cock.
No questions asked. I only ask that you look good (ie. not fat, etc.) and you take care of yourself. Please. no obese people.
slaysman@ttfs.com
PLEASE NO OBESE
Apple should offr the phones for two prices. Regular price, and at a $25 discount. With the discount you trade back your right to repair. It's a contract so it's legal. And it respects that apple does take on risks when fumble fingered "professionals" damage phones. Yet it's not a burden for people who care about the restriction will not be willing to pay.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Australian consumer law is probably a little different from what Apple is used to, where the law protects the rights of consumers.
Apple Ink products are exclusively owned by Apple Ink.
Any tampering with the product voids the products and user's use license pending recover of money to Apple Ink.
Damage to the product will liable the user for recover in money of all damages and psychological damage and trauma and loss of work by Timmy.
In court Apple Ink will demand the death penalty on the guilty user, especially when the user is a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant, next to Timmy's most hated of hated enemies, the United States of America Legal Citizen.
Timmy Shouts, "Ala Akbar"!
Yet another breathless article about iOS's "Error 53".
Yet another bald-faced LIE about it's meaning.
"Error 53" happens when a STUPID PERSON replaces the Display Assembly in an iPhone/iPad with Touch ID, BUT FAILS TO DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. TRANSFER the ORIGINAL Home Button/Touch ID Sensor from the ORIGINAL Display assembly to the NEW Display Assembly. There are many tutorials available on HOW to do this, as well as the IMPORTANCE of doing so.
2. Take their iOS Device to the Apple Store, where they can determine whether you are likely the ACTUAL OWNER of the iPhone, and will "Pair" the NEW Home Button/Touch ID to the Device.
Either will prevent Error 53 from happening.
So, it has NOTHING to do with "anti-third-party-repair", and EVERYTHING to do with making it more difficult for someone to STEAL your phone (or "confiscate" it), and then gain Access simply by swapping out the Touch ID with one encoded with THEIR fingerprints instead of YOURS...
they were not entitled to free replacements or repair if they had taken their devices to an unauthorized third-party repairer
Well, yeah. "Warranty void if opened" is pretty much standard on any electronics I've ever known except for actual computers. If someone brings their phone to some bozo like me and I screw it up, why should Apple have to clean up after me for free? ( Suppose it's not exactly clear from that sentence if they're unwilling to repair it for free, or unwilling to repair it at all. If they won't even touch it at all it's a different story.)
They told Apple staff their iPhone speakers had stopped working after screens were replaced by a third party.
Similar to above, if I took my own phone somewhere to get fixed and when it came back something else was broken, I would take it back to the dummy who broke it! Again, why should Apple have to pay to fix someone else's screw up?
Telling a customer that the iPhone is faster than Android phones - which is true for some tests for some configurations - is "misleading" them.
Telling them that a repair isn't covered under warranty when it is, is lying. Which in this case makes it fraud.
Nope, no sig
The only LYING is from you and Apple. Apple are claiming that the warranty expired because it was repaired by a third party. Thats clearly false and illegal. Lets hope the real Tim Cook isn't as uninformed as you appear be. Appear, because being paid to post all this crap you must know the actual truth you are trying to cover up.
I want to use my hardware how I want. I am not into leases.
True, hardware is full of NDAs and proprietaries, but a balance needs to be struck. I am not into throwing exorbitant amounts of money exclusively at one company. I don't buy a new phone every year or two like a car lease. Even if I leased a car I do not have to go to the dealer if I break a windshield or even a ECU/PCM.
Unfortunately this philosophy extends into all manner of things. In order to use an iphone how I wanted (I was an early adopter) I had to jailbreak it with every release of ios. I didn't want to install only approved apps, etc.
When open hardware becomes less spendy, these companies will hate it. Technology needs to bridge, not divide. It is for these reasons that I support companies like Plex. They are not trying to invade, conquer, and take the customer prisoner. This is not the Military IT Complex, but keeping the espionage out of hardware requires heavy counter-espionage skill.
Catatonic
All the failed Apple crap from Europe probably gets shipped to the states.
If a product fails to work as advertised(or at all) out of the box,here in the eu, it's replace new with new,no kissing about for weeks,if you bought it in the morning,you should have a replacement by the afternoon..
Crap like refurbished replacement for new device is a no no,they can "lend" you a refurbished machine while they source a new one,or while an older,used machine is being repaired..
Basically,if you pay for a new device and it don't work,you get a new machine,one way or the other..
Charge back is handy as well on top of the law.
If Apple tried this kind of crap on with me,some obnoxious little tit in an Apple store would have an internal device,but then I would not ever buy or use any crapple device or service..
car manufacturers can't do this so why should apple?
Ford can't say you went to jiffy lube for oil change so your warranty on the transmission is voided or you put an 3rd party radio in so your engine warranty is voided
It's probably not true anymore, but there was a period in time when the 'Engine computer' on certain models of car was embedded in the Radio. Swap out the radio?
starts at the top and sinks to the bottom
It's nice that such organisations as the ACCC are taking on the international behemoths. It's a good example of how government regulation needs to be tuned so that markets are open and competition exists, and poor corporate behaviour is brought to light.
"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" Seems to be appropriate here.
.....and 96 of them wouldn't boot. When we took them back to the store to complain they told us to fuck our mothers and then shot our IT Director in the mouth with a crossbow !
True story.
Car manufactures actually do do this. The fingerprint reader replacement that causes this error is equivalent to the key in your car. If you have a smart key like most new cars do, you can't take it to a third party mechanic and have them print all new keys that will work. They have to be programmed at the dealership and you have to prove ownership by having the original key or the title.
So they actually said "my phone broke after I had some dude replace the screen" and expected them to go "ok we'll fix some else's mistake'.
maybe but doing you own oil change does not void the key system or forces you to mess with the lock meck to get to the oil plug.
So if the 3rd party repair screws it up badly Apple is on the hook for free replacement?
"Australian consumer law clearly protects the right of a customer to a replacement or free repair if the product is faulty or of unacceptable quality."
Ok that makes sense if the fault lies with Apple. Which explains why people go to 3rd party to replace the screen.
However, once 3rd party do repair on it how can anyone ascertain that the fault is with Apple?
Essentially if I crack my screen I have 3rd party break it more so Error 53 shows up then I can get a free replacement?
... finding a worm in an Apple.
Finding half a worm.
The only people who were wrong were the LYING Apple support staff that despite https://support.apple.com/en-u... knowing about the problem have been 100% caught LYING to customers at every Apple store in Australia.
They knew there was a simple fix for their incompetent error, but LIED to all customers who contacted them about this problem.
When the IRS misleads people about taxes that is SUPER COOL in addition to be completely protected from all liability (at least in the US).
I hope the Australians don't interfere with our beloved friends in the IRS.
I cringed when Trump became president because, what if the government has to start doing what they say? They can't be burdened with that !
Btw, when you ask someone you are going into a business transaction with what your legal rights are, that is ALSO super cool.
Tell that to John Deere
Bleh !
http://www.cultofmac.com/17788/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-your-apple-turns-out-to-be-a-lemon/
"Apple’s products are generally well built and very dependable. When things do go wrong, Apple normally backs its products with excellent technical support and warranty service. Normally, if your Mac or iPhone develops a problem, Apple’s return policies or warranty service will make it right.
In spite of Apple’s best efforts, some Apple products manifest chronic problems — they’re “lemons.” What follows is a guide, which details some of your options should you get stuck with a lemon.
Because lemons are an unavoidable reality, there are certain things that every Apple customer should know. Namely, that the law is on your side. Those who take the time to understand – and assert – their rights will be glad they did. For example, if you find yourself on a second, third, or fourth repair attempt, you are entitled to demand a new replacement or full refund of your product’s original purchase price. (More on this below).
The problem can be any manufacturing or design defect, provided the problem was not caused by user neglect or intentional misconduct. Therefore, if you – or some other outside force – did not damage your product, then it has a problem and you should seek to get it repaired or replaced.
Replace It If A Problem Develops Within Fourteen Days Of Purchase
Apple has a fourteen-calendar day return policy. You can return any Apple product for any reason whatsoever within the fourteen-day period unless:
You had your product personalized (i.e. custom engraving)
You had your product custom built
You caused the problem
If your product falls into either the first or second category you can still return it, but only if it exhibits a legitimate problem (i.e. it is dead on arrival, defective, or an incorrect item). You cannot return it simply because you decided you did not like it. If you damaged your product, then be more careful next time.
Beware: Apple’s return policy states that Apple will assess a ten percent restocking fee. However, this fee is routinely waived if you request it. Be prepared to argue a little if they do not waive it immediately. Also, Apple’s fourteen-day return policy only applies when you buy your product directly from Apple. If you shop at a vendor other than Apple, you are stuck with whatever their return policy is.
sad_imac
Try To Replace Your Apple Product If A Problem Develops Within Thirty Days Of Purchase
Although Apple’s fourteen-day limit is the official policy, there are circumstances where Apple might informally extend the return period – usually up to a maximum of thirty days. If it has been between fourteen and thirty days since you purchased your product, you should still try to demand brand new replacement in lieu of repair. You will get a brand new product and you will save time because you will not have to wait for the repair.
Your Apple Product Develops Problems After Fourteen Days Since Purchase
Generally, if it has been more than fourteen days since purchase you may no longer simply return your product. You must seek to have it repaired under Apple’s one-year warranty or AppleCare. It does not matter whether you take your product to an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, have on-site service, or have it serviced by mail. All you need to know is that Apple must fix your product’s problem. Do not try to do it yourself because you may void your warranty or AppleCare coverage. In dealing with Apple, remember the following tips:
Contact Apple and demand warranty satisfaction"