iStore SA don't repair Apple watches, replace at own cost!!!

I've just come back from holiday and while on the plane, switched my Apple Watch Series 6 to Airplane Mode. Once we landed I tried to switch Airplane Mode off, however the watch screen was black and non responsive and I just assumed the battery was dead. Once home I put the watch on charge and it never switched on again. I tried to hard reset it and it wouldn’t restart or turn on after numerous attempts.

I purchased my Apple Watch Series 6 from iStore Online on 23/10/2021. It is currently 1 year and 4 months old. I came in to the Canal Walk iStore today(10/03/2022) to try and get it repaired after a previous visit to the same store, where I had been told that the technicians weren't available and should come in during the week. I was shocked by the responses received and questions asked.

I was asked if I had swam with the watch, which I didn't(I had just returned from a holiday in the bush, so no pools or watering holes safe to swim in). And if I did swim, the product is able to withstand 50m water depths, else remove the swimming lap functions from the watch. They then kept on asking if the product is insured(It isn't, but that's not the point), saying that they will write a fault report. I don't believe that this should be the solution, as the device is clearly faulty and insurance should not be an option for this.

The gentleman who assisted me at the service desk told me they would take it in so a technician could take a look at it. I then got an email with a quotation for a completely new device literally 20 minutes later, saying on the invoice that "no repairs are done on Apple Watch devices". This completely contradicts what the telephonic Apple(international) agent advised me after I questioned this with them. The same invoice also states "We have determined that your unit has been affected due to component failure." So then this is Apples fault, surely??

I cannot believe, that a device that cost me R 10 000.00 originally, has a lifespan of 1 year and 4 months. I have always used a protective cover on it and the device is practically mint condition still. The device is out of the 1 year warranty period, but I still think that there is surely a realistic life expectancy of a device that is so expensive. It’s completely unfair to expect a consumer to replace a device that does not meet these realistic standards which is clearly defined in the Consumer Protection Act.

More so, in a world with strained mineral resources under environmental strain, I think the model Apple has of replace over repair is deeply damaging and puts profits over ethics.

I believe my rights as a consumer have been violated and I am deeply disappointed in your company. I will not be paying for the replacement and I am considering taking further action.