South Africa’s sole Apple Mac distributor, The Core Group, are YET to utter a word of sympathy or explanation in response to what is now fast becoming a mad frenzy of frustration and anger for many South Africans consumers.

Our first article entitled “WATERFRONT APPLE MAC ISTORE DOES NOT NEED YOUR BUSINESS” was wildly received and has, thus far, received more than 100 comments – only one of which was positive. Most of the comments are to do with The Core Group and their holier-than-thou attitude and arrogance, which has been clearly displayed by their subsequent lack of response and disregard for the continued anguish suffered by the South African consumer.

This of course has nothing to do with complaints on other websites (like MPieters) to do with the exorbitant prices charged for Apple goods on our shores, compared to the rest of the world. One common complaint is how labeled prices in the iStore can often change by the time you reach the counter, due to “the weakening of the Rand.” But, when the Rand strengthens, there is no reduction in price. Double standards, some might say..

Calls for Apple US to get involved (regarding Core’s abuse of their SA distribution license) as well as consumers being urged to buy grey Apple Mac products, rather than deal with The Core Group or the iStore continue. This led to more concerned articles including “APPLE CORE?S DEAFENING SILENCE CONTINUES” and “CORE GROUP INSIDERS COME FORWARD” which include such calls, as well as comments made by past and present disgruntled Core and iStore employees.

And then, on Saturday, we received this comment from yet another flabbergasted iStore customer.

# Simon Sandler Says:
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 am e

Disgrace!

I am writing to inform you of the poor service I have received at your iStore in waterfront Cape Town.

I have been a fan of apple products since before Apple became commercial in SA.

I bought a new iPod shuffle less than a month ago from your iStore. However, the right ear phone speaker began to distort and I believe that the speaker has blown.

I took my product into the iStore to get the ear phone repaired.

The one service consultant informed me that he needed the ipod as well as the speakers, the charger and the original box. The other consultant said that I just need to leave the ear phones. I asked if he was sure and then he said to me that he didn?t know. They took me to the counter to enter my details into their mac. After 10 mins and a reboot of the system, I was informed that the network was down. The consultant then informed me if he could take my number so that he could call me when I must come in again to give my information. I told him that he must take my details manually on a piece of paper. He then told me that he couldn?t do this. He had to go and ask another consultant about where the manual order form was.

Finally, we filled out the form. When I say we, I filled out the form for him. Ticking boxes that he had forgotten and filling in boxes correctly that he had half filled in.

I asked about the R150 penalty fee? He couldn?t explain this to me correctly.

My product is less than a month old. The service from your store is archaic. This consultant was uninformed, disinterested and unhelpful.

This whole process took me half an hour. The store was not busy. Come on! Half an hour to get an ear phone replaced/repaired.

This service is not good enough and as sole distributor in our country, you are single handedly ruining the reputation of a brilliant brand.

Regards and hoping my iPod will come back to me soon and the problem will be sorted out.

S

One wonders how much longer they will let this continue? ESPECIALLY since the common thread throughout the BARRAGE of complaints has to do with their “not giving a stuff” attitude – a notion they seem adamant on reinforcing.

What an INCREDIBLE display of how NOT to handle these types of situations!