Renaissance NZ sucks to no end.

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MorphingDragon

19 posts

Geek

#36969 5-Jul-2009 18:54

Guess what?

I went to Australia last week. Went to a REAL Apple store. They freaken rocked. I bought a 16GB nano, it was faulty on getting it. Took it back, they replaced it without even checking it. I asked a "Genius" why we couldn't have a real store in New Zealand, he said because Renaissance still has rights and because of New Zealand law we have to wait a few more years. Guess what its because of some silly company we cant have a decent Apple store. Have you ever been to Magnum Mac? The people there don't even know how to use the damn things. When I had a broken mighty mouse the guy took it out back, fiddled with it and said naw we can't replace it. Even though it was only about 3 weeks old. >:(

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#231264 5-Jul-2009 19:11

Having read all that, here comes the Devil's Advocate question: if this is correct, then Apple gave Renaissance those rights through a contract. Without knowing the terms of the contract I'd say Apple would have to pay a fee to break it and probably they don't think the New Zealand market is worth it.

Or perhaps there's no "break out" clause on the contract, therefore they really would like to, but can't open a store here.

Either way I can't see why "Renaissance sucks"... It's a contract, what can you do? I am sure they didn't have a gun pointed to the Apple representative who signed it.

MorphingDragon

19 posts

Geek

#231307 5-Jul-2009 20:36

How do we Know XD

It still holds though, their service is still what I would expect from a pawn shop. It just kills the experience for the real thing.

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#231342 5-Jul-2009 21:44

I have to say I agree with you. I recently had my Macbook fixed, the bottom casing had hairline cracks in it, a common problem and it was fixed under warranty. The replacement part (which I still have on my Macbook) is bent, if you look at the slot for the disk drive the whole thing has a nice aesthetically pleasing curve to it & when originally replaced there were large gaps where it joined to the palm rest piece (because of the curve). I sent it back and they just replaced the clips to bend the palm rest into shape. I gave up after that.

It would be nice to have a proper apple store...

MorphingDragon

19 posts

Geek

#231405 6-Jul-2009 01:45

Email the guys at Toucan Computers, http://www.toucan.co.nz/pages/contactus.html
and send it down to Wellington. Even after the postage its cheaper and faster. The replaced the Logic Board on my eMac even though they technically didn't have to... or give John Key nightmares again and move to Australia.

tonyhughes

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#231436 6-Jul-2009 09:00

Only had a few minor dealings with Renaissance. Nothing to complain about.

Nil Einne

469 posts

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#231847 7-Jul-2009 01:23

freitasm: Having read all that, here comes the Devil's Advocate question: if this is correct, then Apple gave Renaissance those rights through a contract. Without knowing the terms of the contract I'd say Apple would have to pay a fee to break it and probably they don't think the New Zealand market is worth it.

Or perhaps there's no "break out" clause on the contract, therefore they really would like to, but can't open a store here.

Either way I can't see why "Renaissance sucks"... It's a contract, what can you do? I am sure they didn't have a gun pointed to the Apple representative who signed it.

Agreed entirely. Apple clearly didn't think the NZ market was worth them supporting themselves at the time. Some company felt there was sufficient interest in the NZ market that they were willing to take the risk to sell Apple products in NZ. They signed a contract, in good faith with Apple. As it turns out, they appear to have done well from it. Apple can either, 1) break out of the contract if that's possible 2) learn from this experience and considering more carefully the contracts they sign in the future.

Unless someone can show Renaissance somehow mislead Apple, then it seems to me they are the ones who are suffering here, after taking on the risk, suddenly they become the bad guys because Apple had or has insufficient interest in properly supporting the NZ market and after took the risk (and reaped the rewards), suddenly people are saying they should just stop, give in and let Apple take over their market.

pohutukawa

197 posts

Master Geek

#231978 7-Jul-2009 12:40

freitasm: Having read all that, here comes the Devil's Advocate question: if this is correct, then Apple gave Renaissance those rights through a contract. Without knowing the terms of the contract I'd say Apple would have to pay a fee to break it and probably they don't think the New Zealand market is worth it.

Or perhaps there's no "break out" clause on the contract, therefore they really would like to, but can't open a store here.

Current situation is that Renaissance's position is ONLY because of a contractual issue. Read into that what you will.

Either way I can't see why "Renaissance sucks"... It's a contract, what can you do? I am sure they didn't have a gun pointed to the Apple representative who signed it.

Well yes, Apple signed a contract that forms the basis of the current arrangements but that doesn't mean that Renaissance doesn't suck on a number of levels. As MorphingDragon noted, it does.

Service to the end-user, compared to Apple's level of service, integration of delivery and service, access to information and equipment and ability to make service decisions, Renaissance (via Magnum Mac) sucks.

Service to the general business world: Renaissance does business in an old-world ethos, dictating to its resellers, squeezing them for every last cent. It's hard to do business with a brontosaurus. Renaissance are out there in the marketplace selling direct to corporate and running a channel at the same time. The way Apple does it is above-board - there is an online Applestore that has retail pricing but Renaissance can roll any sort of deal they like direct to market, and they do. So to resellers and potential resellers, Renaissance sucks.

To Apple Service partners, Renaissance has screwed these businesses as hard and as long as possible, holding onto their claim payments (claims for warranty repair work on behalf of Apple, for example) as long as possible having received them from Apple on behalf of Service partners. Disintegration of systems for ordering spare parts and the like added complexity to the whole area of being a service agent, and there has been no (zero) pressure for Renaissance to lift their game on this front. Because they are SO old-world, they don't even have the self-respect to lift their game for their own sake. But recently there has been a movement in this area, as Apple now supplies parts and makes payments directly. So Renaissance used to suck big-time for service partners, but now sucks less (but not because of Renaissance, because of Apple).

This last point really sets the stage for the future. Renaissance have been frantically trying to find some areas of business where they can add value and justify their participation in the 21st century world of IT business and so far the only way they have been able to do this is to acquire other businesses (not having a creative or entrepreneurial atom in their collective beings). A couple of years ago they had their hand forced by Apple and relinquished apple.co.nz and that's just the start of the process that eventually will see them taken out of the picture by Apple or at best (for Renaissance) reduced to just a competitive alternative distributor (if they can hack it, which is by no means clear). They are frantic to be bought out by Apple, hence the acquisition of Magnum Mac, and their AppleStore wannabe look.

Ever since their early days in different guises, Renaissance have been all about Renaissance and screw everybody else. Exclusive arrangements with manufacturers and then screw as much as possible out of the market through this un-competitive position.

The above is just my opinion, and I make no claim of fact at all in this matter. If you want to be assured of fact, do some research.

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pland

65 posts

Master Geek

#232194 7-Jul-2009 20:30

Don't get me started on USR ???

Ashka

139 posts

Master Geek

#234208 11-Jul-2009 20:32

To be honest, I have had very good service from some NZ Mac retailers:
The Service from the Technology Centre in Tauranga was great as was the service from SouthTec in Nelson.

The Hamilton Apple store was very good 2004/6 but was then privately owned for a while by a guy who didn't have a clue. It is now owned by Magnum Mac. The Dunedin Magnum Mac store was very poor and even tried to sell me iWork'08 after iWork'09 was available for download from Apple.

OK, I move around a lot :~)

There is always Apple NZ online if you are not happy with the locals:
http://store.apple.com/nz

pohutukawa

197 posts

Master Geek

#234210 11-Jul-2009 20:40

As of Monday (if my memory serves me correctly, which isn't necessarily the case) NZ-based resellers (most of them) have the option of an account with Apple Australia with Renaissance doing the fulfilment.

If that isn't writing on the wall then I don't know what is. If you can short Renaissance, consider it as it may be very lucrative.

Note that I am not a financial advisor. If you want to be assured of good investment advice, do some research.

pohutukawa

197 posts

Master Geek

#234334 12-Jul-2009 13:57

Now Apple is selling iPhones direct to the NZ public via the Applestore. Renaissance were dying to have been part of this from the beginning. They weren't, and have had their tail between their legs ever since.

Tohe

130 posts

Master Geek

#234364 12-Jul-2009 16:05

Service to the end-user, compared to Apple's level of service, integration of delivery and service, access to information and equipment and ability to make service decisions, Renaissance (via Magnum Mac) sucks.

Service to the general business world: Renaissance does business in an old-world ethos, dictating to its resellers, squeezing them for every last cent. It's hard to do business with a brontosaurus. Renaissance are out there in the marketplace selling direct to corporate and running a channel at the same time. The way Apple does it is above-board - there is an online Applestore that has retail pricing but Renaissance can roll any sort of deal they like direct to market, and they do. So to resellers and potential resellers, Renaissance sucks.

<snip>

A couple of years ago they had their hand forced by Apple and relinquished apple.co.nz and that's just the start of the process that eventually will see them taken out of the picture by Apple or at best (for Renaissance) reduced to just a competitive alternative distributor (if they can hack it, which is by no means clear). They are frantic to be bought out by Apple, hence the acquisition of Magnum Mac, and their AppleStore wannabe look.

Ever since their early days in different guises, Renaissance have been all about Renaissance and screw everybody else. Exclusive arrangements with manufacturers and then screw as much as possible out of the market through this un-competitive position.

The above is just my opinion, and I make no claim of fact at all in this matter. If you want to be assured of fact, do some research.

Someone care to give me a bit of history into all this?

I'm assuming Renaissance is contracted as the authorised distributor and they bought out Magnum Mac?

This has sparked my curiosity as I'm about to go Mac myself.

Cheers

pohutukawa

197 posts

Master Geek

#234367 12-Jul-2009 16:22

What sort of history are you interested in? Supply and service at the distributor level in NZ has been a closed shop that has exhibited all the negative aspects of monopoly situations i.e. bad for the market and ultimately bad for the monopolist. Three years ago the Renaissance share price was $1.60. Now it's $0.25.

Fortunately, Apple technology is pretty good and support/knowledge is now internet-based as opposed to previously where it was at best in books and bulletin boards. This means an end to geographic hegemonies (thankfully).

If you're transitioning PC to Mac then there will be very few situations where you will either regret the move. Most likely you will wonder why you didn't make the jump earlier.

What do you need from your tech? i.e. what do you do?

Tohe

130 posts

Master Geek

#234430 12-Jul-2009 20:28

The last time I used mac was in 2000 when I worked for Optus in Australia. We were using G3's and they were just horrific. I've been an arrogant @ss and been anti mac ever since, including thier iPod/iPhone products, always saying I would never get one because it was a mere fashion statement. I did have the use of the original 1st gen iPod shuffle and I hated it... having to specifically create playlists and then sync it all over to the iPod through iTunes. I believe it is a lot simpler these days with drag n drop.

I was wrong to be so arrogant.

Having always been a windows user, I migrated to Ubuntu a while back when looking for an alternative and have been enjoying that so much more. However. I am now getting really sick and tired of computer systems that don't work properly (Windows), are stupidly over fancy (Windows Vista), Constant errors and spyware and viruses (Windows) and having to constantly tweak things to make get peripherals to integrate effectively (Ubuntu). I just want something that "Works".

I work as a support engineer for a popular open source software brand and many of our engineers have migrated to Mac and constantly rave about it. I would say approx 50% of our engineers are now using Mac. I'm been looking at the tutorials on apple.com and I'm getting really excited. My macbook pro should be here early next week and it's so nice to think that everything will just integrate like a computer should!

Surely the renaissance contract isn't a lifetime situation. Luckily I have a plethora of people though work I can call on if I need help, but it would sure be nice to have some apple stores here in NZ if anything goes wrong.

pohutukawa

197 posts

Master Geek

#234433 12-Jul-2009 20:49

You would benefit from the low-friction environment of a mac. OS X is basically FreeBSD with some Apple stuff thrown in. Customise away with your shells and configuration. As much as an OS can " just work", OS X does. Not as much pain as Ubuntu and a much more polished product that is integrated with the hardware. As with all computers you will find not everything is perfect but it will tick most of your boxes.

Renaissance will have to do some pretty hard work (something they are not used to) in order to survive in anything like their current state. This is my opinion. If you need a perspective to rely on, as always, do some research.

As far as help with Mac stuff, Google is your friend.

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