Tesco, a UK store and online service that sells everything from groceries to technology, has cleared out its stock of iMacs, selling 2,000 of the consumer machines in five weeks, according to a Macworld UK report.
Last month Tesco announced plans to sell “limited numbers” of iMacs for £699 (approximately US$1007) in some of its larger stores. However, Apple complained that the Macs had been purchased on the European grey market.
“Customers realize that you can get products, such as DVD players, at Tesco,” Russell Craig, a Tesco spokesman, is quoted as saying. People want to buy Macs and pay less for them. We’re giving them that opportunity, and they have responded. We would like to sell Apple products if Apple wants to supply us. We’d like to hear what they’ve got to say.”
David Millar, Apple UK’s public relations manager, said that Tesco wanted an arrangement to sell iMacs at a specific price. Apple asked for concrete benefits in return — such as an iMac trained staff — which Tesco can’t provide, he added.
“We had concerns when we first heard about Tesco selling iMacs, as they were selling unknown UK specifications,” Millar said. “Tesco tampered with the product before selling them. They changed plugs and modem cables. We can only be in control of the product if what we put in the box comes out the box.”
Craig denies Tesco changed the modem cables. He added that, “the specifications of our iMacs are UK, though they weren’t sourced here.” Though Miller said that Apple would support the iMac customers, “Apple call centers may have difficulty assisting purchasers of Tesco’s iMacs, as we do not have systems designed to handle these products.”