Apple Service Provider Program cancelled?

[James_S]

I was looking at the Apple Service Provider Program a few weeks ago and saw that they were no longer taking applications: http://www.apple.com/support/programs/aasp/. Didn't think too much of it, just thought that like the reseller program, they quit taking new members.

However, I heard today that Apple has dropped pretty much the entire Service Provider Program and even existing members can no longer do warranty repair. Anyone have more info on this?

 

[Benchtech]

I was looking at the Apple Service Provider Program a few weeks ago and saw that they were no longer taking applications: http://www.apple.com/support/programs/aasp/. Didn't think too much of it, just thought that like the reseller program, they quit taking new members.

However, I heard today that Apple has dropped pretty much the entire Service Provider Program and even existing members can no longer do warranty repair. Anyone have more info on this?

Also interested in whats going on +1

 

[14049752]

Where did you read this? I very much doubt that it's true....it'd be all over the place if it were true.

 

[James_S]

Where did you read this? I very much doubt that it's true....it'd be all over the place if it were true.

Heard it from a friend, so just second-hand info. That's why I was asking if anyone else heard about it.

I could totally see Apple doing something like that though, as touchy about their image as they are. I imagine there are shady techs out there doing shoddy work and with more retail Apple stores opening, authorized service providers are less necessary now.

 

[stro]

On more than one occasion I have heard salespeople in apple stores rip on service shops as part of their pitch to sell apple care warranties.

 

[Bizybone]

Apple is apart of our company's clientele and a colleague states that his shop/depot is still an AASP and DDSP.

 

[James_S]

Ok, not sure how I missed this on when I first looked but check this out: http://www.thevarguy.com/2011/02/14/apple-preparing-channel-partner-program-changes/

Three different commenters say they got an email from Apple stating that their AASP contract wouldn't be renewed.

Several months ago, an Apple store opened up about a hour away, so maybe they are dropping AASPs in areas near retail Apple stores?

 

[altrenda]

Ok, not sure how I missed this on when I first looked but check this out: http://www.thevarguy.com/2011/02/14/apple-preparing-channel-partner-program-changes/

Three different commenters say they got an email from Apple stating that their AASP contract wouldn't be renewed.

Several months ago, an Apple store opened up about a hour away, so maybe they are dropping AASPs in areas near retail Apple stores?

That link is over a year old, with 2 responses from last year and 1 from April of this year. Not exactly a trend.

But Apple does things their own way and for their own benefit, so its not surprising that they would be dropping service centers, especially near Apple Stores. They hate competition of any kind.