[WinMac] FTC SLAPS APPLE


Dan Schwartz(expresso[at]snip.net)
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 08:06:13 -0500


        From Ziff-Davis Anchordesk:
 <http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_3030.html>

FTC SLAPS APPLE:

The computer maker agreed to reinstate the promise of its "Apple Assurance"
program that offered customers live, free tech support as long as they own
their Apple product. In its deceptive advertising complaint against Apple,
the Federal Trade Commission said the company offered the free service it
promised from '92 to '96, but started charging a $35 fee for tech support
in '97. Under the settlement with the FTC, Apple will resume the free
support and reimburse customers who paid the $35 fee. Click for more.

        From Reuters, via ZDNN:
 <http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2194090,00.html>

January 26, 1999 11:03 AM PT

  
  
Apple settles with FTC on tech support
  
FTC: Apple must give free tech support that it promised, then charged for.

By Reuters
  
WASHINGTON -- Apple Computer Inc. Tuesday settled charges with the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission of deceptive advertising, and has agreed to
provide customers free access to technical support.

The Cupertino, Calif. maker of personal computers agreed to reinstate a
promise it made in an advertising campaign that it would give live, free
technical support to customers under the so-called "Apple Assurance"
program for as long as they own their Apple product.

The Federal Trade Commission, in its complaint, said the company offered
the free service from September 1992 to April 1996, but in October 1997
began charging consumers a $35 fee for access to technical support.

"For prospective purchasers of computer products, free access to live
technical support is especially enticing," said Jodie Bernstein, Director
of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Companies that make such
offers have to live up to their promises."

Apple, under the FTC agreement, has also agreed to reimburse each consumer
who paid a fee for such technical support.

Company officials were not immediately available for comment.

 ----------------

        October 1997... Gee, wasn't that about the time "Interim CEO" "Steve" took
on more responsibilities?

        Yours truly,
        Daniel L. Schwartz,
        Electrical Engineer.

        Dan's Macintosh Consulting
        Suite 1306
        1840 Frontage Road
        Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-2205

        609-795-8965

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