iPad rebate burns Beijing consumers

iPad rebate burns Beijing consumers

• Source: Global Times
• [16:13 March 09 2011]
• Comments

A boy uses an iPad at Sanlitun Apple Store Tuesday. Photo: Guo Yingguang

By Xuyang Jingjing

Consumers who bought first generation iPads from Apple dealers are complaining that they couldn't get a rebate as the company slashed the price upon the debut of iPad 2.

Apple announced the launch of the new iPad on March 3 in the US, while dropping the price of the first-gen iPad by 1,100 yuan ($167.44).

Consumers who purchased iPad's debut version from Apple retailers in Sanlitun, Xi-dan and the Apple Store online within two weeks of the iPad 2's release will be compensated for the price difference, according to staff at Sanlitun Apple store.

However, those who bought the tablet from authorized deal-ers in Beijing find themselves excluded from the policy.

"I think this is discrimina-tion," a buyer surnamed Wang told the Beijing Morning Post Tuesday. Wang bought an iPad at an authorized dealer in Wan-da Plaza on February 26, but was told she was ineligible for the rebate.

Out of the 95 authorized dealers in Beijing listed on Ap-ple China's website, only major chain outlets offer the rebate.

"We are also the victim here, and many dealers like us have talked to Apple but nothing has been resolved so far," said Zhang Shigui, sales manager at authorized dealer Macfar in Soho Shangdu.

He said since Apple has not compensated them for the price reduction, they couldn't offer rebates.

"Consumers come to us, and we complain to Apple, but there's nothing we can do," said Zhang. "The company is too powerful and dealers are at their mercy."

Management at Apple Chi-na's Beijing office could not be reached Tuesday.

Those who purchase from dealers are ineligible for the re-fund because dealers set their own price, according to staff at Sanlitun Apple Store.

"We also bought real Apple products from authorized deal-ers," an iPad 1 user surnamed Jin said to the Beijing Morning Post. "Why should consumers be treated differently?"

A 16GB iPad, originally priced at 3,988 yuan, is now 2,888 yuan. The 16GB iPad2 will hit the US market on March 11 with an MSRP of $499, and it is not yet available in China.

Guo Yingguang contributed to this story