Apple Stores sued in China, allegedly selling refurb iPhones as new

The Global Times, a news site in China, reports that two lawsuits have been filed charging that Apple is knowingly selling refurbished iPhones as new products in their stores.

"Six consumers who recently bought iPhones in Apple stores at Xicheng district's Xidan Joy City and Chaoyang district's Sanlitun, and some other authorized dealers, found their phones have a shorter warranty than the normal one year."

According to the report, two of these customers that purchased their iPhones at the Joy City store contacted noted consumer rights activist Wang Hai, whose fight against counterfeit goods in China even has a hotline for consumers to call.

Said Wang, "They went to the store before calling me, but the store only offered to give them a new one without other compensation."

That prompted the lawsuit, filed by Wang on behalf of the two consumers, at the Xicheng District People's Court, against Apple. Employees are denying that a refurbished product could have been sold, though they replaced another iPhone that allegedly had the same shortened warranty issue.

"According to Wang's indictment, the consumers are asking for compensation at twice the price of the cellphone and that Apple should pay their legal fees and also apologize to them. A consumer can seek compensation at twice the price originally paid if he finds the seller is cheating, according to the Law on the Protection of Consumers' Rights and Interests."

Does anyone have a "short warranty" experience from an Apple Store purchase? Let me know in the comments!