Apple cuts reseller from its ranks
- 09 September, 2009 17:30
- Comments 6
Apple has revoked the reseller license of Victoria-based Cheap Macs, allegedly without notice.
In a letter posted on its Website, cheapmacs.com.au, and subsequently taken down, the reseller’s owner, Marcus McLeod, claimed the license had been revoked with no prior notice.
ARN has sighted the letter.
McLeod said in the letter that he had been an Apple reseller for 10 years, but now had no plans to continue working with Apple products. He was uncertain as to the next steps for his business.
"I am disappointed with what has happened," McLeod told ARN. "I lost my license last Thursday without warning because I had a website and it transgressed the rules."
It is understood, Apple resellers are not permitted to run a website without express permission from the vendor. However, at time of publication Apple had not responded to phone calls for confirmation.
The news of Cheap Macs' problems adds to what has been a tough year for Apple resellers. In March, receivers were appointed to WA-based reseller, Digilife. At the time, Digilife owner, Chris Percival, was unable to elaborate on why receivers had been appointed, but claimed the retailer had been Apple’s fifth largest dealer in Australia at one stage.
Furthermore, Apple's telco partners experienced an iPhone drought in July, a product that its resellers were never given access to, leading to claims that the vendor exerted control over its resellers.
Finally, reseller giant, Next Byte, has also experienced difficulties. Its parent, Vita Group, reported a substantial drop in margin and profit from its Apple business.
Apple, however, has considerably expanded its direct retail presence since the unveiling of its first Sydney Apple store in 2008. More recently, the vendor opened retail outlets in Doncaster, Victoria, and the Gold Coast.
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Comments
Anonymouse
I dont sell mac but from what i,v seen & heard over the years it sounds to me that they want their resellers to keep the sales up untill they are ready to take it over direct.
Why would you support them. In a small market like Australia surely the limited resellers could get togeather and start to make some joint demands on the Vendor.
The way i see it you dont have much to lose in the long term.
Anonymous
Apple strategies
it seems apple are going in wrong direction and we can see the Apple Australia downfall in about 3-4 years time. I heard a rumor regarding 10% off from JB HiFi, Dick Smith and Myer, apple told them not to go with 10% discount, if they do like that Apple will cut their reseller Licence.
GO hackintosh Go
Anonymous
"Resellers could get togeather and start to make some joint demands on the Vendor. "
Been there, tried that!, Buzzle. FAILED!
michael
Why O Why would anyone in their right mind be an Apple reseller ???
Anonymouse
Why O Why woudnt Apple use their main resellers as their partners in opening Apple shops instead of doing it themselves?
Nadia Cameron
A disgrace
I can't believe yet another reseller has been forced to the edge because of Apple's incredibly stringest rules for resellers. To not be allowed to set-up a website, one of the most vital components of a retail operation today, sounds ludicrous.
Given the lack of support shown for resellers over the years, I'm surprised there are any third-party Apple stores left in Australia.
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