CORE GROUP INSIDERS COME FORWARD
No end to the anger
19.05.2009Oh dear, it really is a sad state of affairs.
We have been reporting the iStore/Core Group saga to you since last week. It began with my personal account of a dismal experience in the Waterfront iStore (here), which ended up with me going next door to Incredible Connection.
I then followed up with an article (here) responding to reader’s questions, confirming that South Africa’s Apple distributors, The Core Group, had not yet released a statement nor had they attempted to make contact with regards to what is rapidly turning into a diabolical situation. I went on to say that they must know about the drama, as the story I wrote comes up at the number 1 position in Google for the search phrase “waterfront apple mac” – the story is very much out there.
But then it became clearly as to why the Core Group don’t seem to give a toss.
They never have..
For those of you who haven’t had a chance to peruse the comments section of the original article (92 so far) or the follow-up article, here are some interesting pearls.
# Hectique Prognosis Says:
May 17th, 2009 at 8:19 pm eLet me see if I get this:
Core is the sole importer of Apple products in South Africa, because they have sole rights for distribution. They resell to retailers in South Africa… AND they have their own retail stores? Does that not sound teensy bit wrong? They must really have the other Apple resellers by the balls. Any wonder they behave as if they own the place? Talk about a conflict of interest…
# Anon a miss Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 1:50 pm eThey won’t respond and why should they? This Core flaming will all blow over soon and then it will be business as usual. Besides, what do they care? Those Apple products that you guys bought from Incredible Connection/Digicape etc were IMPORTED BY CORE anyways! And where are those resellers gonna get more stock from? From Core, LOL. Its not like anyone else is even ALLOWED to import Apple products into SA. Monopolies are so lame and there are LOTS on South Africa.
Guess Who Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 2:28 pm eI worked for Core HQ. Most resellers really hate The Core Group. Makro, Hifi and IC, the are forced to do business with Core. Believe me, some people from Core are not welcome anymore at these Head Offices.
They lost TomTom, (google TomTom / Core South Africa,) there are law suits because they ruined the TT Business. Unfortunately they have Nintendo as well, this is going strong as far as I can see. Go to Apple Sandton, they are grey importers as Core will call them, believe me the offer good service and full warranty !
# Can this be? Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 11:46 am eAll this info is most disturbing. If CORE is the only Distributor in South Africa, but are also infiltrating the Retail market, where does their loyalty lie when it comes to stock allocations? Would this explain why at times the iStores have stock, but not the other Resellers? Can this be? Somehow this doesn’t seem right… Talk about a monopoly…
MAC GIRL Says:
May 18th, 2009 at 9:45 am eI worked at the istore for 2 years and working for the core company was horrible. I believe that customer service is comes first! And to them it wasnt, it was the last thing.. they were more worried about what the store looks like than anything else.
I aggree with the earlier post…. the reason for lack of knowledge is staff leaving after 2-6 months cause the core company treat their staff like crap!!
When they are not happy with a staff member they will work that person out of the company in the most horrific ways!!NO MATTER IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEIR STAR EMPLOYEES!! they just dont give a shit! And yes.. they do have the resellers by the balls… as the resellers cant complain cause there is no point to complaining if you can only deal with them and no one else. I also aggree with another post that said they should stick to distrubuting… and stay as far away from the retail stores as possible…. the worst part is… they wont! they are trying to increase their footprint and opening up more stores…. the waterfront was the first store to open.. and it was suppose to be their blue print store…they promised they will perfect that store before opening any others… but they didnt… the waterfront store had so many issues but they continued to open more… (money hungry)…
not realizing they were hurting the brand by doing that…
there are so many wrongs i dont ever think there would be a right!
# budmoto Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 5:17 pm eThe Core Business Group…. little people with big money.
I worked there and realized I couldn’t stay on and keep my sanity so I left. Service is abysmal.
The manager there, Karen, is a great person and good at what she does but she relies on Core and you can only imagine what that is like.
Your best bet is to support DigiCape until they are strong enough to compete with Core for the rights to distribute Apple products in South Africa.
# NOT!!! Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pm eThe sad thing is that Core have forgotten that their main business should be DISTRIBUTION (as the only authorized distributors of Apple in SA), but they are so busy trying to push the resellers out of the market, that they’re stuffing up the entire brand in this country. No stock, no service, no nothing…. Mac products are so over priced in SA – I guess all the profit goes into Core’s pockets, ’cause apparently the resellers ain’t making much on it…
# Minnaar Says:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:03 pm eThat store is a joke. With the recent rand instability I was once again surprised at the wonder that is Apple in SA.
I went in to buy a dock for my iPhone, and it had a printed price on its package of R399. When I reached the till they told me sorry, the price has increased to R470.
Now this I dont understand. If you have it in stock, how can the price change the moment I buy it?
Is there not some law against this?
Apple in South Africa is a joke – the computers are overpriced compared to overseas as well. Lets see how long they take to decrease the prices now that the rand is stronger.
# PaulMark Says:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:47 pm eI am a Apple convert through and through. Great products and (internationally) great service.
Since returning from the UK I have been shocked by the Apple retail experience in SA. There is no official Apple retail presence in SA. The iStores (owned by Core) are the closest thing to it. Unfortunately they are poor imitations of the genuine article. To start with the products are completely overpriced. This is blamed on exchange rates but of course the prices never go down when the rate improves. The staff know next to nothing about the computers they are trying to sell and seem to have the attitude that they are actually doing you a favour!
Wish Apple would realise the damage that Core is doing to their reputation for good service and open their own official Apple retail store in SA.
Havent said all that I have had good experiences at Digicape. Prices still arent great (Core sets the prices) but at least their service seems pretty decent.
# Anonymous Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 5:41 pm eI am a current iStore employee (I cannot say which store), and I just have to say that I fully agree with Seth.
While I consider myself and a select few of my colleagues to be great salespeople and very knowledgeable with Apple’s products and accessories, as well as the tech industry in general, the majority of employees are not.
The reason for this is that the turnover of staff is very high (the average period of employment is usually only a couple of months before they decide to leave) and as a result they don’t have time to be trained properly or gain experience.
In my opinion, the reason the staff turnover is so high is because Core treats their employees, to put it simply, like complete shit. They do not keep their promises, their demands are unrealistic and they are very stingy.
I really hope Apple enter the market in South Africa and open up one of their official retail stores. Employees like myself and a few of my colleagues will happily abandon Core to work for Apple, officially.
Regards,
Anonymous iStore employee.
And so it goes on..
For those of you who haven’t had a chance to peruse the comments sections – check the original article and the follow-up article.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Seth
I would really appreciate it if you can contact Apple headquarters in Cupertino
You have a big web presence is South Africa, and I think if you can just let Apple US know how Core is stuffing up their business here they might step in. As someone who has spent a lot of money on Apple products I have to say I am finding it hard to believe what they charge for their computers here.
Baseline unibody Macbook in SA: R15999
Baseline unibody Macbook in US: R11041 ($1299)
Price difference: 30%
Baseline New iMac 20 inch in SA: R14999
Baseline New iMac 20 inch in US: R10191 ($1199)
Price difference: 33%
iPod Touch 32GB in SA: R5800
iPod Touch 32GB in US: R3400 ($399)
Price difference: 42% !!!!!
Now I know VAT is 14%, which I accept. But as long as there is a sole importer of Apple in SA, we will never ever get decent prices of Apple gear in SA. How can a iPod cost almost double in SA? Shocking!
– just look around for the official email addresses, I have tried stevejobs@gmail.com and the next day I PR executive phoned me from the US.
Maybe your web presence gets the message through.
(PS: My next Macbook or iPod I will buy in the US.)
May 19th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I mean stevejobs@apple.com.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:55 am
type into google “apple cape town” and you get http://www.digicape.co.za/ there service is awsome!
May 19th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Minnaar – Completely agree with the e-mail idea. Steve Jobs has also been known to reply personally to e-mails sent to sjobs@apple.com or stevejobs@apple.com
If enough of us e-mail maybe we can make a difference?
May 19th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I am not familiar with the industry and from the sound of it, Core is doing a pretty bad job as a distributor. I am familiar with Brand distribution though and it does make sense to only have one distributor as you want to be able to monitor the products going into a market and by doing that preserve the brand.
I do believe that Apple is also to blame as they should be more involved with their distributor. The major cosmetics brands being distributed by South African Companies for example would never allow consultants that’s not trained properly to operate on the flour.
To be a distributor of a world famous brand like Apple should be a honor. Many world famous brands are being handled by South African Distributors and they are doing an excellent job of it.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I did a small price comparison of Apple products in South Africa over at my blog. Interesting tidbit: we are indeed one of the most expensive countries world wide for Apple products:
http://www.mpieters.com/2009/05/just-how-expensive-is-apple-in-sa.html
May 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Minnaar
I do hear what you are saying. It seems that Aplle are more expensive in SA but so is Golfclubs, Cars and just about everything that is imported.
Yes, there is VAT on these imports but also custom duties which can be as much as 20%. Often big brands also requir their South African Distributor to spend a certain amout of money on advertising. all these costs need to be recovered.
I am not saying these prices are justified, but it is more likely than not that Aplle had imput on what these products should retail at in SA.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:16 am
The situation used to be even worse a few years ago.
Although a well-written mail may help, the SA market
is simply too small for Apple to seriously consider
opening an official channel. More noise and activism
could help bring pricing in line with the rest of
the world — how a about a Facebook group? I agree
about Core having their distributor cake and eating
retail as well. If you’ve seen their dealer pricing
you’ll know they typically leave 1-2% for the retailer.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I’m so happy more people have realized how Core Group have SA by the balls with Nintendo and Apple products. iPods are almost double the price compared to the rest of the world and the same goes for a Nintendo DS and the Wii. It’s always blamed on “the exchange rate” but it seems that it’s just an excuse for “we want more money and you can’t buy it from anywhere else”. You never see the price come down when the exchange rate comes down. It also takes ages for them to get new stock of anything.
A 120GB iPod classic is $249 = R2,104.87 from the US store. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_classic?intcmp=AIC-WWW-NAUS-BUYNOW-FOOT-IPODCLASSIC-080910
A 120GB iPod classic is R3,599.00 from Core’s own online store. http://www.zastore.co.za/ipod08.php
I’m sure you can expect it to be a little more expensive considering shipping and import duties but a R1494.13 price difference is a little too steep.
May 19th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I see a lot of positively glowing recommendations for Digicape, would the Digicape staff please quit posting that kind of thing here? I have had numerous dealings with the Digicapes and their staff display the same arrogance and lack of knowledge as any other Apple store. There are other Apple agents in Cape Town who are very, VERY good. look around.
This doesn’t address the real issue, we need more distributors, and official Apple Stores. More Apple, less Core.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Core has had a monopoly for years. They act with impunity and believe it will always blow over and back to business as usual. I am really impressed with how the 2oceansvibe blog has mobilized and highlighted a serious service problem and corporate culture decay within the Core group. This is true democracy, looking after consumers ! Viva !
May 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I can see you’re trying to up the rank of this article in Google by linking to Core’s site multiple times, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you were also penalised by Google for duplicate content.
Anyway. If Core was in charge of Nintendo, then they did an appalling job. There were huge problems bringing the Wii into SA (you could easily dig up information on this online). SA only got Wii years after it was released… fairly sure there were problems with the local distributors, if it was Core, then that’s more ammo in your arsenal.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Nintendo fan boys are pretty pissed at Core too.
Here you go:
http://www.wiiza.co.za/smf/index.php?topic=2340.0
May 19th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Hey Mark,
Whilst your unsolicited attempt to get inside my actual brain and deliver results as to what my motives were for doing something, I’m afraid you got it wrong that time.
The REAL reason I linked to them so many times, was to increase the chances of my readers clicking through to their site, and hopefully, when they check their stats, they will notice this and realise the concern.
I don’t have anything to prove with regards to google rankings. And I think any SEO guru would agree that to attempt to nail down a generic high rank in Google for the keyword “core” is next to impossible.
Other than that, thanks for the comment and support!
my very best,
Seth
May 19th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I find it very difficult to believe that Apple will allow Core to charge any price. The chances are that Apple was involved with the pricing of the products in the South African markets.
The lack of services delivery on the other hand is a problem. This is also Apples problem and the fact that they did not monitor (I assume they did not) the service can only mean that they deem the Sa market to be to small to spend to much of their resources on.
May 19th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Hi there – Quick and Short – I bought an Apple MacBook at the iStore 2and a half years ago. I went back 12 times in the first two months to sort out the faulty machine they sold me. Now 2 and a half years later after being there 20 times odd, after my warrantee has expired they have done nothing to sort out any of my problems! – I was that asshole who lost his temper at the iStore that one time (if you ever saw a guy screaming viciously at their staff). Arrogant, useless, incompetent and a true embarrassment to the Apple brand. Further more all the Apple stores in SA are Re-sellers of re-sellers of re-sellers, all inflating their prices. Thanks for nothing Apple, Core and that no-useful iStore in the waterfront.
May 19th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
CC Leo Laporte @ leo@leoville.com he does one of the biggest Mac podcasts in the world.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/apple/topic4212.html
Gives you an idea as to what VAR’s buy for. Core is a VAD, maybe they get even more of a discount.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Can someone just send this to Apple US. I heard rumours a while back that Core was up for suspension by Apple. Maybe this campaign is all South African Mac lovers need to push Apple to can Core…or just bring in SOME competition!!!!! END THE MONOPOLY!!!
May 20th, 2009 at 8:19 am
A faster, simpler, better rip-off? It seems your bank is
competing with Mom and Pop’s computer shop:
http://standardbank.zastore.co.za/standardbanksplashx.php?link=/
It seems Core has some rich bedfellows…
May 20th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Ello ppl
As for the monopoly, I know a guy that is importing apple not through core. It is a legitiment business. But unfortunately it has just started so trying to get clients to switch from core to them is rather difficult. If you would like get more info or would like to change suppliers (incredible connection HINTS!) please email import.apple.dealer@gmail.com
June 1st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Just so you know, when I worked for Core (and the then Apple Centre Waterfront), they got their stock from Apple in Europe. I am not sure if this is still the case.
Someone said that Digicape needs to get the distribution rights for Apple in South Africa… I agree!
June 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am
@TimOut: I’m almost 100% sure that Core get their stock via Apple in Europe.
Seth, I posted an open letter to core last week and surprise, no response. I’m trying to get hold of one of the Core executives to get a response…don’t hold your breath.
Perhaps the solution is, as others have suggested, to get hold of Apple in the US and ask for help.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
The only reason why Digicape prevails in Johannesburg, or anywhere for that matter, is because they are getting better prices from Core than ANY other Reseller. HOW do we know this?
Because one of their former employees was DISMISSED for attempting to work out by reverse calculate the cost price of Apple product (Digicape staff are not allowed to know the original costs of products they sell) as it was purchased from Core and was warned for doing so, hmmm I wonder?!
WHY do they get this better pricing? Because the Core group have dis-ingratiated themselves with most of the major shopping center management / property owners and the only way they can GET a tenant agreements for their iStore’s these days is because they use Digicape as the front . . .
June 12th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I heard on 5FM on that blonde chaps show that the iStore in Sandton is having a massive party with Prime Circle and 5FM DJ’s, and its all for free.
Sounds like a bit of damage control.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Interesting debate regarding CAB Platinum Store and Cores strong arm tactics on 702 Consumer Watch show on Monday the 15th of June 2009 at 11h00.
702 Studio Phone +27 011 883 0702
Main Switchboard +27 011 506 3702
Comment line (sms) 31702
June 15th, 2009 at 10:04 am
If you are passionate about you Apple prodcuts why not deal with an Apple reseller that has been around for many years an dis justr as passionate. Gary Gurnell, John Watson, Julian , Kevin Shoulder etc ..
Forget the wholesalers and the importers, they are not in business to give you a good price, and this is teh Southern tip of Africa NOT New York!!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:46 am
My name is Robin Olivier and I am the marketing director at Digicape. We have been following the various comments being posted on the numerous blogs about the state of Apple in SA and this is our very first response. We are proud of the fact that many of the posts have been positive about Digicape and the service we offer. While we understand that it is impossible to please everybody, we would like to assure everyone that we are constantly striving to improve our service offering. A big thank you to all of you that have recognised this effort.
What we have also seen is that there are a number of people who don’t understand the nature of this channel in SA. Digicape is a 100% independent dealer and not a front for the Core as some have suggested. In fact, Rotten to the Core is laughable as there is not a single correct fact in his/her comment. We are as challenged (we feel more so for being the top reseller) than any Apple Authorised Reseller in SA. We make exactly the same margins, even though most of the AARs out there do not have a retail presence or carry the Premium Reseller status. The difference between ourselves and the rest of the channel is that we have identified the parameters and challenges and have found ways in which to build a successful business within these. Digicape is built on service and relationships and not through some devious partnership agendas as suggested. We are passionate about the Apple brand and a lot of resource is put into correcting the wrongs done to the brand by our competitors as many of you have highlighted in these blogs.
Lastly, pricing is a big issue for many of you out there. We cannot comment on this because we are not privy to the Core’s structures and formulas but you only have to take a drive with one of the owners of Digicape to know that for us, it is more about the passion than the money.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Stuff Core – Build a Mac on a PC its a third of the price and just as good ! http://www.imakeart.net/blog/2008/02/12/how-to-build-your-own-mac/
June 19th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I started a Twitition for everyone who wants to Stop Core http://twitition.com/phm3t/
June 20th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I’d like to echo DigiCape’s response. I’ve been a long-time customer of their Cape Town branch, and have been blown away by their incredible service and dedication. In fact, I don’t recall ever getting such great service from any business in SA.
The blog posts about Core’s 50% mark-up on some models infuriated me as much as any Mac enthusiast.
About the V&A Waterfront iStore in Cape Town – I was at there one evening a year ago when I walked in to window-shop. After enquiring with a sales employee about their Wacom tablet – on display next to one of their only 3 Macs on the display shelf – I got a blank look. he had to go ’round the back to check with the manager what that thing was.
To those who don’t know, Wacom tablets are popular with illustrators and graphic designers – part of the traditional Mac user-base. Not only could he not tell me what the price was, but after I enquired about a particular Wacom model not on display – the Wacom Graphire (one of only 2 models at the time), he returned from the back to tell me they couldn’t import the Wacom “Great Fire”.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Hi, want to discuss this on my show on Cape Talk/702 just after midnight tonight?
July 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
RJ van Spaandonk.. thinks that EVERYBODY else is being unreasonable, and can’t understand why Core Group is not universally praised for being ‘only’ 12.5% more expensive after taxes, forward cover, shoe-shines, company fishing trips and who knows what else. RJ, we’re not interested in the details of how you hedge/speculate against currency. We want to know why Apple marketshare in this country trails the rest of the world, why Apple products are so much more expensive here, and why you are behaving like a monopolist by attacking parallel (aka grey) imports. Surely a larger base of Apple users in South Africa is good for your business?
July 6th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
For those of you who HAVE struggled, and for all you who WILL still go through the struggle these should be useful . . .
CEO
0825536540
Rodney Ichicowitz
Operations Manager
0823256530
Nico van der Westhuizen
GM
0823226392
Greg Hill
Service Centre
0860227753
Service Center Manager
0823313620
Madelein Moolman
Apple Warranty Officer
0836073047
Paul Damhuis
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:20 am
dexim brand iPhone/iPod accessories
August 9th, 2009 at 12:46 am
As an avid Microsoft hater. I have been waiting to buy the right mac for over a year.
I have compared pricing from many countries, and here is the following.
A macbook pro 17? with a 3.05Ghz, 500gig @7200rpm harddrive costs $2850.00 from the US website. When the US$ was 10 to 1 to the Rand a few months ago, I saw a macpro 2.66Ghz without the hectic upgrades(which are not available in SA), for GET THIS, 45000 rand. You do the math.
(28500rand for a 3ghz 17″ or a 2.66Ghz for 40 something) check it out for yourself.
The only reason I haven’t bought yet is that I can’t handle paying a rip off price and without the top of the line spec upgrades available in the US.
Unfortunately, Apple store US wont sell to anyone outside the US. So here is my solution.
1) A friend of mine will buy my mac in the US. 2)She will then courier it to Jordan where they do not charge duties on computers.
3) I will then collect it in Jordan when I go there in two weeks and then fly back to SA with it.
Admittedly, it is a long way to go about buying something. But you have to look at it this way, for the price of a mac in SA, I get to fly on a nice holiday, get a top spec mac, swim at the Dead Sea and still have money in my pocket and CORE gets nothing out of it.
As for backup, lets face it, we live in Africa. The only backup we get from anything is purely theoretical.(well I live in Zim so were used to it)
In fairness, I think Core is obligated to buy from Europe due to territorial sales agreements made before it came into business. Its Africa Europe and middle east is all one zone. Canada & US is a completely different zone with much better options and services available.
Take matters into your own hand and make a plan to get your own from the US. You’ll all wait a long time before you see any changes.
A final point: does anyone know what duties are charged to the importer. There is a chance the SA government is eating a nice chunk out of the margin.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Macwannabee
I have tried to find the import duties, it appears there are no additional duties on computer equipment (apart from the 14% VAT).
Everybody
We can whinge on this forum all we like, I think we’re better of talking to Apple themselves. Nobody else can fix the situation. I’m pretty sure that Apple will kick RJ’s butt as soon as somebody senior at Apple becomes aware of the damage he’s doing to their brand here. So lt’s start spamming Apple ASAP with all our bad experiences.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
I support the “gray”-import thing.
For example: An entry level MacBook Pro 2.26 GHz at bhphotovideo.com: $1194. Add shipping: $119. Total = $1313. Now, there is no VAT on shipping, so, $1194 x 8 = R9552 x 14% VAT = R10889 + R300-400 (Duties) = R11189. Shipping = $119 x 8 = R952. This comes to R12141-12241.
Core price: R13999 – Import price: R12241 = R1758
That is a 14% saving.
Yes, that also means you don’t have local support, but again, even sending the computer back to the US under warranty will be much less of a pain than dealing with Core for service.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@paulus – from what I remember all Apple products carry a global warranty provided you have your proof of purchase (POP) so even though they might make you wait (and they do…) they have to honour the warranty locally
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:24 am
I worked for Core for a few months. It was the worst working experience of my life. It’s a family owned business and they only care about themselves and regard their customers as rubes to be milked out of their money. Forget about getting any service out these folks. They also believe that the law doesn’t apply to them. Next time you approach Apple in the states please mention that Core doesn’t comply to employment equity laws and cannot obtain a RSA tax clearance certificate. They are disgraceful corporate citizens in addition to being horrible people.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:06 am
To understand how morally depraved Core is you just have to google “ivor ichikowitz” he is the brother of Core’s CEO Rodney and part owner of Core. He’s a weapon’s dealer, running a company called Paramount; with a likely corrupt relationship with the ANC…no wonder they think they can get away with murdering the South African computer market.
October 5th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
@ Guess Who, If you are talking about the Apple iStore on Sandton Drive then you are talking about the official Core flagship reseller. So if you are complementing their service then you are complementing CORE and so they can’t be all bad. Give credit where credit is due.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I can not possible until the apple company ipad is otherwise engaged in britain, i’ve seen some reviews online from All of us consumers also it appears awesome. I’ve come across some incredible components ^ nearby also! apple company ipad PWNS!