Latest news with #AppleIndia
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Consumer panel asks Apple, Croma to refund customer's iPhone cost over microphone defect
Mumbai: A consumer commission here has directed Apple India and Croma to refund an iPhone cost of ₹65,264 to the legal heirs of a customer for failing to resolve a microphone defect in the device, holding the two companies deficient in service. Both the manufacturer and the seller are "jointly and severally liable for the defective product", the commission said in the order passed earlier this month, as the two companies failed to resolve the defect in the device purchased by the customer (now deceased). The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mumbai (Suburban) held that the "manufacturer (Apple) merely mentioning certain unauthorized modification or damage in hardware cannot be the correct resolution" for the customer's grievance. It further ruled that the seller (Croma) too cannot escape liability merely by stating the "defect is attributable to the manufacturer". "Once the product was sold through their outlet, they assumed responsibility for ensuring that the product was free from defects and serviceable," the commission noted. It said the "principle of vicarious liability squarely applies", as the seller stands in a position of trust and derives commercial benefit from the sale. The complainant purchased an iPhone 11 for ₹65,264 from a Croma store in Mumbai on June 4, 2021. Shortly after the purchase, the device developed an issue as the speakerphone function was not working during calls, with specifically "no speech from mic". The complainant approached Apple's authorised service centre, but repairs were denied on the grounds of "unauthorized modifications in the device," rendering it ineligible for warranty service. Despite repeated complaints and emails, the opposite parties failed to address the grievance, following which the complainant approached the commission. During the course of proceeding, the customer passed away, but the complaint was continued by his legal heirs. The Apple India Private Limited, in its response, admitted the purchase and the issue with the microphone. But it reiterated that the device had unauthorised modifications, voiding the warranty. Infiniti Retail Limited (Croma) failed to appear and was proceeded against ex-parte. The commission, after perusal of documents on record, held that Apple failed to specify exactly which term or condition of the warranty was breached by the complainant. "Merely referring clauses of warranty terms and condition cannot be sufficient to attribute the particular defect as certain unauthorized modification or damage to software," it noted. The commission concluded that documents and evidence brought on record are sufficient to ascertain the defect in goods coupled with deficiency in service provided by the opposite parties. It ruled that both the manufacturer and the seller are "jointly and severally liable for the defective product". The commission directed both the opposite parties to refund the iPhone cost of ₹65,264, along with a 6 per cent interest per annum from the date of the complaint (August 6, 2021) until the date of actual payment. The two companies were also directed to pay ₹15,000 as compensation for mental agony and ₹2,000 for legal expenses to customer's family.
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Business Standard
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Apple, Croma asked by consumer panel to refund customer's iPhone cost
A consumer panel in Mumbai asked Apple India and Croma to refund the cost of an iPhone to a customer for not being able to fix a microphone defect. According to a PTI report, earlier this month, the panel said both the manufacturer and seller are jointly liable for the defective product and should refund ₹65,264 to the customer - who is now deceased. 'Both manufacturer and seller jointly liable' Mumbai's District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled that the manufacturer (Apple) mentioning 'unauthorised modifications' is not a resolution to a customer's grievance. It further said that even the seller (Croma) cannot evade responsibility by simply blaming the manufacturer for the defect. The panel reportedly said it was the duty of both the seller and manufacturer to ensure the credibility of the product that was sold through them. It said the "principle of vicarious liability squarely applies", as the seller stands in a position of trust and derives commercial benefit from the sale. Grievance was not addressed On approaching Apple, the complainant was denied repairs as the company said that 'unauthorised modifications' were made on the device. Despite various attempts, neither party addressed the grievance. According to the PTI report, the complainant died while the proceedings were still ongoing. The complaint was continued by his legal heirs. Clearing stance Apple India later admitted to the issue with the microphone but reiterated that the device had unauthorised modifications because of which warranty was denied. Croma, on the other hand, failed to appear for the proceedings. The panel concluded that both the manufacturer and the seller are "jointly and severally liable for the defective product". According to the PTI report, the commission asked both the opposite parties to refund the cost of the iPhone, along with a 6 per cent interest per annum from the date of the complaint until the date of actual payment. The companies also have to pay ₹15,000 as compensation for mental agony and ₹2,000 for legal expenses.
NDTV
20-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Apple, Croma Asked To Refund Customer's i-Phone Cost Over Microphone Defect
Mumbai: A consumer commission here has directed Apple India and Croma to refund an i-Phone cost of Rs 65,264 to the legal heirs of a customer for failing to resolve a microphone defect in the device, holding the two companies deficient in service. Both the manufacturer and the seller are "jointly and severally liable for the defective product", the commission said in the order passed earlier this month, as the two companies failed to resolve the defect in the device purchased by the customer (now dead). The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mumbai (Suburban) held that the "manufacturer (Apple) merely mentioning certain unauthorized modification or damage in hardware cannot be the correct resolution" for the customer's grievance. It further ruled that the seller (Croma) too cannot escape liability merely by stating the "defect is attributable to the manufacturer". "Once the product was sold through their outlet, they assumed responsibility for ensuring that the product was free from defects and serviceable," the commission noted. It said the "principle of vicarious liability squarely applies", as the seller stands in a position of trust and derives commercial benefit from the sale. The complainant purchased an iPhone 11 for Rs 65,264 from a Croma store in Mumbai on June 4, 2021. Shortly after the purchase, the device developed an issue as the speakerphone function was not working during calls, with specifically "no speech from mic". The complainant approached Apple's authorised service centre, but repairs were denied on the grounds of "unauthorized modifications in the device," rendering it ineligible for warranty service. Despite repeated complaints and emails, the opposite parties failed to address the grievance, following which the complainant approached the commission. During the course of proceeding, the customer passed away, but the complaint was continued by his legal heirs. The Apple India Private Limited, in its response, admitted the purchase and the issue with the microphone. But it reiterated that the device had unauthorised modifications, voiding the warranty. Infiniti Retail Limited (Croma) failed to appear and was proceeded against ex-parte. The commission, after perusal of documents on record, held that Apple failed to specify exactly which term or condition of the warranty was breached by the complainant. "Merely referring clauses of warranty terms and condition cannot be sufficient to attribute the particular defect as certain unauthorized modification or damage to software," it noted. The commission concluded that documents and evidence brought on record are sufficient to ascertain the defect in goods coupled with deficiency in service provided by the opposite parties. It ruled that both the manufacturer and the seller are "jointly and severally liable for the defective product". The commission directed both the opposite parties to refund the iPhone cost of Rs 65,264, along with a 6 per cent interest per annum from the date of the complaint (August 6, 2021) until the date of actual payment. The two companies were also directed to pay Rs 15,000 as compensation for mental agony and Rs 2,000 for legal expenses to customer's family.
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Business Standard
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Foxconn's Chinese engineer recall: Govt confident in Apple's India plans
Foxconn has drawn up an alternative plan to rescue its India iPhone 17 production by bringing in experts mainly from Taiwan and the US Aashish Aryan New Delhi Listen to This Article The government is not much concerned about the possible disruption to Apple India's iPhone production plans, including that of the latest variant, the iPhone 17, on account of China's decision to recall Foxconn's Chinese engineers, senior government officials said. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is, however, monitoring the situation and is confident that 'Apple's contingency plans' will kick in and the company will be able to manage the situation, said a senior government official asking not to be named. 'They (Apple) are tapping other countries for engineering and training talent. While we track production targets, it is
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai Apple India deal: 5 key facts about the brand's upcoming 12,616 sq ft store in Borivali
Borivali, a locality in Mumbai's western suburbs, has welcomed a high-profile new tenant, the Apple Store at Sky City Mall, developed by listed real estate firm Oberoi Realty. Over the past decade, Borivali has transformed into a premium retail hub, say real estate experts. In addition to the newly opened Sky City Mall (launched in March 2025), the area boasts at least three prominent retail high streets that attract leading global and domestic brands. With this growing commercial presence, 'Brand Borivali' is fast emerging as a strong contender to established retail destinations like Andheri, Bandra, and even South Mumbai. Apple India has leased 12,616 sq ft retail space in Mumbai's Borivali suburb for ₹17.35 lakh monthly rent as it prepares to launch its second store in Maharashtra and fourth in the country, according to documents accessed by real estate data analytics firm Propstack. The lease transaction registered on May 28, 2025, is for a total period of 130 months (nearly 11 years), with a rent escalation of 15% every three years. Apple has also paid a security deposit of ₹1.04 crore as part of the deal. The document showed that the lease has a lock-in period of 10 years and 10 months, effective from the commencement date. Also Read: Apple India leases 8000 sq ft of retail space in Bengaluru for ₹2 crore annual rent as Foxconn facility nears completion The lease agreement signed between Apple India and Oberoi Realty shows that the per sq ft rental for the Apple Store is over ₹137 per sq ft. However, experts opine that the rentals in Sky City Mall are up to ₹1,000 per sq ft. The lower rental in this case is due to revenue sharing between Apple India and Oberoi Realty. The agreement shows that above the per-month rental amount, Apple India will share revenue of 2% with Oberoi Realty for up to 42 months and 2.5% thereafter, starting from the 43rd month. Vikas Oberoi, CMD of Oberoi Realty, said during the company's Q4FY25 meeting in April 2025 that the per-square-foot rental in Sky City Mall is between ₹400 and ₹1,000. The per sq ft rental is different in Sky City Mall for different sizes, depending on the floor. "We have rentals up to ₹1,000 a sq ft on carpet area. So, between ₹400 and ₹1,000, it's something like that. So, it all depends on who is coming in. We have got a very nice gold souk, a special area where we have got all the jewellers there. We have very high-end watches in one segment, so they are very interesting. This is literally one of the best malls I would say in the country, the way it is designed, and the feedback that we get, it's really, really nice. And these are the deals signed at Rs.1,000 carpet," Oberoi had said. The mall is part of the Oberoi Sky City project, developed by Oberoi Realty along the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Borivali East, Mumbai. Spanning a gross leasable area (GLA) of approximately 12.07 lakh sq. ft. (with a leasable carpet area of around 7.24 lakh sq. ft.), the mall is a key component of the 25-acre mixed-use development 'Sky City,' undertaken by Incline Realty Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. According to a March 2023 research report by Motilal Oswal, around 3,200 families are expected to live in the vicinity, offering easy access to the mall. Its strategic location, with connectivity to both exit points of the Metro line, is expected to boost footfall. INOX has already signed on as an anchor tenant with a 10-screen multiplex, while leasing for the remaining space is underway. The report adds that the mall is expected to stabilise by FY25 and has the potential to generate annual rentals of ₹2.5 billion. Also Read: Mumbai real estate: Apple India leases space in Borivali mall for ₹2 cr annual rent to open fourth store in the country According to real estate experts, Borivali has become a magnet for premium retail, boasting at least three prominent high streets featuring luxury jewellery stores, high-end fashion, watches, footwear, and branded department stores. 'Sky City Mall in Borivali East is already commanding rentals of up to ₹1,000 per sq ft, highlighting the growing demand for quality retail space in the suburb,' said Chintan Vasani, partner at Wisebiz Developers, a real estate firm active in the Borivali-Dahisar belt. 'The mall is poised to compete directly with Borivali's established high streets. We're seeing a ripple effect; brands in Borivali West are already renegotiating rental rates. While this may be a short-term correction, the long-term trend is clear: retail brands will continue to expand in Borivali.' The surge in interest is also driven by rising aspirations and disposable incomes of the area's middle and upper-middle class. 'Local consumers show strong, consistent demand, with luxury watch showrooms offering pieces priced between ₹1 lakh and ₹1 crore,' Vasani added. The redevelopment of ageing buildings is also paving the way for new high streets across the city, not just in Borivali. Mira Road, which is around 30% more affordable than Borivali, currently has a larger number of retail high streets and malls, reflecting shifting demand-supply dynamics. With its expanding retail footprint, 'Brand Borivali' is fast emerging as a strong challenger to traditional retail hotspots like Andheri, Bandra, and even South Mumbai, he said. Also Read: Top real estate deal in Mumbai's suburbs: 4 BHK apartment in Borivali sells for ₹14 crore at ₹56,000 per sq ft According to data from CRE Matrix, 122 leave and license agreements have been registered at Sky City Mall, with around 83 of them recorded in 2025 alone. Notable brands in the mall include Titan, Puma, Skechers, Adidas, Safari, Starbucks, and INOX.
