Do Comet offer the same service as Apple?

By now all of my regular readers know that I did not queue up at an Apple Store for the iPad 2 launch. Instead I went to a nearby Comet Store where I had heard that there was a short queue and some stock. Even during the short time it took me to drive there, I was in two minds whether to give my business (and cash) to them or to wait for Apple to deliver an online order. My desire for the new device got the better of me and I splashed down £559 of cash.

Over the next few days I went through my normal testing routine, only to find some light bleeding around the edges of the screen (see image - click for zoom). This was very distracting, but I thought that the device was so fantastic, so fast, so smooth that I could live with it.

I guess I made that decision too soon, as on Friday and thru Saturday I experienced the following;

• Screen flashing on exiting apps
• Safari & Mail crashing every ten or so minutes
• Third party apps crashing
• No sound through HDMI

All this on top of the light bleeding sent me over the edge. Not one to run straight to the phone, I tried a complete restore both from backup and a completely fresh start (twice). This restored the sound over HDMI for around an hour, but then even that fault came back. So the phone was in my hand to Apple Tech Support.

I still love Apple, they confirmed it was indeed faulty, but for a straight swap over it meant a three hour drive. To clarify this, Apple were just trying to help, if I did take that drive, they would give me a free case to cover my petrol costs which was really decent of them. The other option was to purchase AppleCare for £61, this would mean they could offer an advanced replacement via courier. However, it would also mean them placing a £559 hold on my credit card which I was not prepared to do. On this news I came to the conlusion that it was surely the retailers problem, so I would try them first and when I got my refund would simply order another iPad online in a few weeks time. So, off I went back to Comet with a list of the issues and a case number from Apple confirming the item as faulty.

Do Comet offer the same service as Apple?
Well, that is easy to answer with a big fat NO! They told me that Apple's policy is to insist that all faulty iPads are not refunded. That they should be sent in for inspection by an engineer. When I said that this had already been done, they refused to help. When I showed them the photo (on my iPhone 4) of the faulty screen, they said that this did not prove it was faulty and that it would need to be sent away.

Manager Time !
The manager was called over and basically said exactly the same, that they were governed by Apple's policy. "It is more than my jobs worth to do it Sir," I was told. Then the sales assistant suggested ringing Apple, which she duly did and Tech Support Nathan supposedly confirmed it would need to be sent in to be inspected. I said a few harsh words and left the store, iPad in hand.

On returning home I rang Apple again. The support notes stated that Nathan had only confirmed to Comet that the case number was valid and the faults did exist. At no stage did he say to Comet that the unit needed to be inspected. So Comet had blatantly lied to me about this. The Senior Tech Support person I was speaking to kindly phoned Comet and then rang me back. They had changed their story yet again, this time admitting it was their head office policy not to refund, but to inspect the item which would take 5-7 working days.

This is most unacceptable. We all know that under the Sales of Good Act 1979, goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, which this iPad 2 clearly is not. It also states that the buyer should 'reject it, give it back and get their money back' - so long as this is done in a reasonable time (with a 3-4 week guideline.
Well, I count seven days, so as a matter of principle I will be pursuing a full refund. If Comet won't offer this, then I will take it to Trading Standards.
In addition, MacUser Magazine has expressed an interest in the outcome to this case, so I will be keeping them updated. I have also tried to get in touch with someone at Comet via @cometdeals on Twitter, also copying @forstal and @appleinc in on the tweets.

If you would like to voice your opinion, then please do so. You can leave comments under this article, on my Twitter @geekanoids or via email. If you have concerns with any purchases or you would like to follow Comet on twitter, then please follow @cometdeals - I was also interested to see that they have their own YouTube Channel, so I will also be trying to contact them via YouTube too.

I would like to close this article with an invitation to Comet to respond to my comments above and asking, why as a retail company you have taken this stance and made a decision that breaks consumer law? 

iPad 2 Arrives in UK & 25 other countries this Friday

CUPERTINO, California — 22 March 2011 — Apple today announced that iPad 2, the second-generation of its third post-PC device, will go on sale in 25 additional countries this Friday, 25 March. iPad 2 will be available at Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers at 5 p.m. local time, and online through the Apple Store (www.apple.com/uk/) beginning at 1 a.m. GMT. Apple today also announced that all models of iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April.

“While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2”, said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can't wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone”.

iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 per cent thinner and up to 15 per cent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect.

Pricing & Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on 25 March for a suggested retail price of £399.00 inc VAT (£332.50 ex VAT) for the 16GB model, £479.00 inc VAT (£399.17 ex VAT) for the 32GB model, £559.00 inc VAT (£465.83 ex VAT) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of £499.00 inc VAT (£415.83 ex VAT) for the 16GB model, £579.00 inc VAT (£482.50 ex VAT) for the 32GB model and £659.00 inc VAT (£549.17 ex VAT) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.

iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps are available for £2.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. The Smart Cover is available in a range of colours in vibrant polyurethane for £35.00 inc VAT or rich leather for £59.00 inc VAT.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Geekanoids Interview with Jon Rettinger of Technobuffalo

A couple of weeks ago Jon Rettinger, President of Technobuffalo joined me to bring us up-to-date with what has been happening with Technobuffalo.com and to talk about the latest in technology.


Useful Links 
You can find Jon's videos at http://www.youtube.com/jon4lakers
The latest in tech at http://www.technobuffalo.com
Sponsor: http://www.eazydraw.com/
My YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/davomrmac

Steve Jobs takes medical leave of absence

A sad day for Apple and for anyone who loves and follows the happenings at the company. Breaking news just a few moments ago, Apple released an email sent by Steve Jobs to all Apple employees (see screenshot, click to enlarge). It details that he is taking a medical leave of absence and has left Tim Cook in charge of the day to day business at Apple HQ.

It reads…

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today sent the following email to all Apple employees:

Team,

At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

--end--

I am sure all my readers will join me in wishing Steve all the best and hope to see his speedy return.

Mac App Store Opens January 6th 2011

Wowza, this is good news. Apple's previously announced Mac App Store opens for business on 6th January 2011. Developers are being asked to submit their apps by the end of 2010 for inclusion in the grand opening. Interesting times are ahead, to see if this becomes the primary way to purchase, download and install applications on our Mac desktops and laptops. Be sure to visit the Geekanoids website for a review of the Mac App Store when it goes live.