Starting in 2015, Apple must pay $25 for every Quebecer who says yes to AppleCare. But the Ontario claims administrator is pulling so hard that he needs to be replaced immediately by a local company, the file's leader said.
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Joey Zucran, the attorney at the center of the $6 million settlement negotiated with Apple regarding RicePoint, asserts that “they were negligent.”
The London, Ontario firm has the mandate to distribute the California giant's money to 76,000 affected Quebecers. The claim period is open from May 24.
Only 345 complaints were resolved in 20 days. On file with Ticketmaster, 44,000 Quebecers have already claimed through the site, which was put online June 4 by Montreal-based administrator Consilia.
“We don't have to look for our old bills,” laments Patrick, who prefers to remain anonymous. The Quebecer has seven devices — an iPhone, an iPad, a computer and a watch — all purchased during the period stipulated in the contract with AppleCare.
In May, the Gatineau resident learned he was part of a class action in an email he received from RicePoint. When he wanted to know how many of his AppleCare benefits he was eligible for, he was asked for a PIN that was not provided to him.
“It's ridiculous. They wrote to me, Apple gave them my information,” observes the Apple brand fan.
This is where Joey Zucran calls it neglect. The agreement signed with Apple and approved by the court does not require consumers to provide proof of purchase.
“With Consilia, it only takes one click! We receive an email, we click on a link and then bam, the claim is made, the technology used identifies us,” he explained.
RicePoint undermines the credibility of all class actions, thinking it was the lawyer who made the ticketmaster spit.
“They don't have offices in Montreal. It's time for a local company,” he pleaded.
76,000 Quebecers are eligible for $25
The case against Apple dates back to 2023, filed by Joey Zukran and Michael Vatilakis. The tech giant allegedly failed to inform its Quebec customers of the existence of a legal guarantee in our laws.
A judge authorized the class action six months later, prompting Apple to negotiate. It took twelve months to reach an agreement that was ratified in March 2024.
Affected Quebecers can finally go to RicePoint's online site to claim their dues starting May 24, 2024.
That's a minimum of $25 for each of the 76,000 people who provided an Apple ID to the court. Patrick Fortin who paid for seven AppleCare from December 20, 2015 to January 26, 2023 is eligible for $175 or more.
The 76,000 affected Quebecers may also submit a second claim. If approved, they'll receive an additional 50% of what they paid for their AppleCare warranty(s) – before taxes.
If it's up to the two lawyers who negotiated with Apple, they should first fire Ontario-based RicePoint and hire Montreal-based Consilia.
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