A bitter war is brewing between Apple IMC and its former distributor, technology accessory company Cool Apple Buddy (CAB).
March 28, 2008
By Thabiso Mochiko
Johannesburg – A bitter war is brewing between Apple IMC and its former distributor, technology accessory company Cool Apple Buddy (CAB).
Apple IMC is investigating legal options to stop CAB from selling its products, such as Apple laptops and iPods, after it cancelled its reselling licence late last year.
CAB confirmed yesterday that it was continuing to sell Apple products, which it has been doing since 2001, despite not having permission from Apple IMC.
Yesterday CAB’s director, Jayson Ramsammy, denied that it was selling grey products – items that are brought into the country by independent distributors, rather than the official and recognised distributor.
He said CAB bought its products from an independent Apple distributor.
CAB had been hamstrung by Apple IMC’s poor service, which was managed by Core.
He said the problem arose when Core proposed to buy out CAB in Nelson Mandela Square for a paltry amount because the distributor, in its personal capacity, was looking to open its own stores. CAB refused the offer and Core made trading conditions unbearable, for example by taking cash-on-delivery payments from CAB but not supplying stock.
Ramsammy said: “Generally we have received good feedback from consumers, saying that stock is now available at our store and is matched by service excellence and Apple’s international warranty. It is Core who are not fulfilling obligations and hence some complaints from customers when products take too long to fix.”
Asked if he was considering legal action, Ramsammy said: “For me, the brand is really important. My focus is to keep building on the experience and make people happy. My last option would be a legal path.”
Apple IMC executive director RJ van Spaandonk said yesterday that CAB’s status as a reseller of Apple products had been withdrawn because it did not meet the reseller standards and conditions.
Some of the conditions referred to the type of furniture, products and training that the company should provide.
Apple IMC would look into what it could do to protect its customers, said Van Spaandonk. “It’s about protecting customers, as they are cheated because grey products can impede the right to international warranty, making it difficult for companies like Apple IMC to fix them if there is any fault.” Van Spaandonk denied that Apple IMC had tried to buy CAB. “We have our own stores. Why would we want to buy CAB?”
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Well there you have it.. Why do Core/Apple IMC (as the distributors) have their own stores… is not the role of a distributor to sell to resellers?
Comment by Bob Geldof May 26, 2008 @ 2:00 pm[...] stumbled upon this article the other day about how Core (the distributors of Apple products in South Africa) were [...]
Pingback by Battle for the Core | The Outlet May 28, 2008 @ 3:11 pm[...] a website for them, but rather a string of complaints. Besides, Cool Apple Buddy and Core are fighting with each other now that CAB has gone independent. I bought my Macbook Pro from Wayne’s World in Cresta, a [...]
Pingback by (apple)mac geek » Repairing a Macbook in South Africa July 19, 2008 @ 3:11 pmCAB are selling grey stock, anyone here had any warranty issues? I’m not backing Core at all they are ridiculous, but CAB are way way worse. check out http://www.cabsandton.co.za
Comment by Matt June 24, 2009 @ 11:55 amHi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
Comment by sandrar September 10, 2009 @ 1:01 pmThere is so many so called grey importers in south africa it is not even funny. I’ve worked for both these companies, non of them know what they are doing or what a grey Apple in S.A. looks like!! Core fixes “grey” computers cause they are obligated to. By the way I went to an Apple shop in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania (very 3rd world) where the R1 = 320tsh but still got my Mac at R2500.00 cheaper than S.A.
Comment by M!M September 18, 2009 @ 12:30 pm