Apple and Vodafone in breach of Fair Trading Act?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Apple and Vodafone in breach of Fair Trading Act?

lidistick

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#65930 9-Aug-2010 18:17

Hi guys,

First time poster here.

I've been utterly hacked off by Apple/Vodafone NZ and their lack of communication as to where stock are and when the Iphone 4 will be available. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this way.

http://www.comcom.govt.nz/bait-advertising/

According to the Commerce Commission, the current advertising is in breach of the Fair Trading Act. Reasonable timeframes and reasonable quantities. 20 units at Chartwell Hamilton is definitely inadequate.

I urge all disgruntled customers to submit a complaint online so that this doesn't ever happen again.

Cheers.
Marcus.

heavenlywild

5060 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#365538 9-Aug-2010 18:22

The problem is, there is a lack of stock worldwide. Also, Vodafone and Apple have ever - from what I have read / seen - said that they had plenty of stock available in all stores, or in any particular store.

I don't see how Apple or Vodafone would breach any laws.

lidistick

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#365546 9-Aug-2010 18:29

So why advertise that is available when availability is so patchy.

If stock is so limited, they need to stipulate that clearly. 3 weeks is pathetic.

Buttonmash

361 posts

Ultimate Geek

#365549 9-Aug-2010 18:32

I'm not sure how this is a breach? You can still buy one, they're not preventing you from getting in on a sale by being misleading. They're not bait and switching and selling you a Galaxy instead. You have to wait 3 weeks.

That sucks... But it's not misleading.

lidistick

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#365554 9-Aug-2010 18:39

Aha. But it is, I was offered a Nexus one as an alternative instead. Is that not baiting and switching?

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#365562 9-Aug-2010 18:49

lidistick: Aha. But it is, I was offered a Nexus one as an alternative instead. Is that not baiting and switching?

Nah, that's called "offering an alternative"
Bait and switch is purchasing something, then them giving you a different model :) since you haven't purchased anything yet, it's not bait and switch.

Also they can advertise, as their advertisements probably have "limited stock" or another written clause with them

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Buttonmash

361 posts

Ultimate Geek

#365565 9-Aug-2010 18:52

Again though. They're advertising but not preventing you from getting one at that price. There's just limited numbers for now.

They're not asking you to come back in three weeks when the special is over and the price is higher.

tardtasticx

3075 posts

Uber Geek

#365566 9-Aug-2010 18:53

I can see how they would be in breach with the Antenna issues, but I don't know if that is a problem with NZ iPhones and maybe just in the US batch? I could see that being a breach of the CGA for misleading advertising and being a design flaw but technically Vodafone have done nothing legally wrong.

Equinox IT

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cws82us

788 posts

Ultimate Geek

#365586 9-Aug-2010 19:26

How about other store like JBhi they say they going to have iPhone and they did not

join Quic and get free sign up when you click my link https://account.quic.nz/refer/250676

hao221

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#365593 9-Aug-2010 19:39

dont think limited stock would breach the fair trading act, but wondering if VF choose not to sell them outright breaches the act in anyway? ie. on account customer only.

merve0o0

492 posts

Ultimate Geek

#365594 9-Aug-2010 19:39

I looked on the USA apple store a day before launch here and they also had a 3 week delivery date.

Agreed they should of delayed the launch a month so they had enough stock and all models for sale.