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http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1630
War: Dealers Strike Back at Apple
By Remy Davison, Insanely Great Mac
February 3rd 2003
Cupertino killing independent dealers?
Mac dealers have launched lawsuits against Apple, claiming that Apple, via its Retail
Stores, is engaging in unfair competition, breach of contract and fraud, among other
allegations, reports Henry Norr in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Norr cites one multimillion dollar case by Tom Santos, a major San Francisco dealer.
Jack Kohler, proprietor of Mac Tech in Bend, Oregon, also filed a case some months
ago. Even the well-known Elite Computers, a stone's throw away from Apple's Cupertino
HQ, is reportedly considering similar action.
"They've just been cheating us for years, making us look bad and screwing our
customers. "I've got six big binders full of horror stories, all carefully
documented," said Santos to the Chronicle.
Apple's billing systems are also under fire: Santos claims that Apple owes him around
$12 million. However, Santos will also claim punitive damages and legal costs. No
court date has been set, due to legal wrangling over where to hold the hearing.
Alleging 'unfair competition', Santos argues that Apple's Retail Stores receive
privileged treatment; for example, he says that Retail gets shipments of the most
popular models first, as well as receiving discounts and promotions which are not
available to third-party dealers.
Jack Kohler, who is leaving the Mac business, alleges that Apple sales representatives
frequently put down independent dealers when dealing with customers, and encourage
them to do business with Apple, rather than independent Mac dealers. Warranty claims,
quality control and accounting systems are also major problems, Santos says.
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