Beginning July 31, users must show invoices certified by Apple, proving that they bought genuine devices in order to receive warranty service, even if the devices have Apple Care.

Analysts commented that the new policy aims to ‘kill’ unofficially distributed products.

As for Apple’s products with VN/A code, distributed officially by authorized resellers, invoices will not be required, according to a representative of Thakral One, Apple’s authorized service provider in Vietnam.

Previously, except iPhones, other products of Apple, including iPad and MacBook, could enjoy the policy on global warranty.

Therefore, people often bought products imported through unofficial channels to enjoy better prices.

As for Apple’s products with VN/A code, distributed officially by authorized resellers, invoices will not be required, according to a representative of Thakral One, Apple’s authorized service provider in Vietnam.

However, analysts said, this may cool down because of the new policy.

“My MacBook Pro 2018 has problems with the keyboard. It’s a pity that I did not have it repaired sooner. Now I will have to spend bigger money to have the problems fixed,” said Le Tuan Anh, an office worker in Hanoi.

Anh bought the MacBook from another user and there is no document to prove the origin of the product.

Private shops confirmed that they have suffered from Apple’s new policy.

“We have received so many calls from clients who asked about Apple’s new warranty policy. We will be responsible for the products we sell,” an officer of a MacBook retail chain in Hanoi said.

“At present, Apple’s maintenance centers don’t accept products with no invoices. We will repair products for customers if there are problems, or we will support clients by taking products abroad to get a warranty at foreign centers,” he said.

“This is the method iPhone uses to deal with unofficially distributed iPads and MacBook. Private shops will meet with big difficulties in the time to come,” said Mai Trieu Nguyen, director of a large technology product distribution chain.

The new policy can bring prosperity to other people who carry products to Singapore and get warranty service there on behalf of users. The devices, after having problems fixed, will be returned to users with the fee of VND3-4.5 million.

“It wont take users too much time to get warranty service, anf they can save money and time to travel between Vietnam and Singapore,” said Nhat Hoang, the owner of a MacBook shop in Cau Giay district in Hanoi.

The service fees vary for different devices and errors, VND1.5-3 million for iPads and VND500,000 for AirPods.

Linh Ha

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