Well, to answer the last bit first. I said ‘lovely company’ not ‘I’ll never buy from a company that minimises tax’ — lots of companies do it as you know, but when they do it and they also treat you like crap, that’s enough for me to want to avoid them. I do try to avoid such companies as much as possible when there is an alternative though, as we all should.

Yes, Google do it too, but on the Chromebook I believe they give ChromeOS away for free to manufacturers (at least they used to, if they charge now it must be minimal) and mine is an Asus. But yes, I pay Google for some services too.

But on the main point, yes, Joint Venture would be needed for a loaner — for which they don’t even put a price online (at least that I can find). I remember them quoting me once though and it was nonsense.

And yes, if I had been treated properly in the first place (I can’t agree with ‘good customer experience’ as if expecting that is a bonus, it should be standard for the cost of Macbooks), then I wouldn’t have written these two articles. And I wouldn’t have over a year of terrible treatment, been called a liar, had Apple lie about the law, and spent all the time and money I did getting what I was rightfully due under the law.

But those things DID happen. Which is why I wrote about it.

If your’re frustrated about it, imagine how I feel?

I’m genuinely pleased you have a good relationship with your local shop, and so far have had a good experience and I hope that never changes for you, but I’ve spent a small fortune with Apple over the years and always been polite when going for support (that I am legally entitled to) — but it made no difference to how I was treated. I had a problem they wanted to cover up, so I was just a casualty of that. It could happen to anyone.

But if you think paying for JV and AppleCare should be required for that, then you are clearly still in the denial stage of Apple Fanboy-ism. Don’t worry, it’ll pass eventually ;)