The state’s most well-known Apple store can no longer service Apple products under company warranty, leaving a void in Burlington and the Mad River Valley for customers who use AppleCare.
Small Dog Electronics, Inc., with locations in South Burlington, Waitsfield and Rutland, is still an Apple retail store. But since mid-October the company is no longer an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
“We continue to provide technical support, classes, training and non-warranty repairs at all of our locations,” said Don Mayer, the chief executive officer of Small Dog. “While we were surprised at Apple’s decision to cancel this authorization, we are working with Apple to make the changes necessary to regain service authorization.
“We realize this is an inconvenience to our customers and are working hard to help each and every customer with their Apple products,” Mayer said. “We remain an Apple Specialist and our authorization to sell Apple products has not changed.”
Mayer said he had no information about why Apple is no longer allowing Small Dog to provide AppleCare service.
There are now two companies left in Vermont that can service Mac products under the AppleCare warranty. For many Vermonters with Apple products under warranty, the closest Authorized Service Provider is in New Hampshire.
Brown Computer Solutions can service Apple products under warranty at locations in Brattleboro and Bennington. Amanda Matt, the Brown Computer Solutions manager in Brattleboro, said the service side of the business has picked up since Small Dog lost its designation, but sales have stayed the same because Small Dog can still sell Apple products.
ACT Computers in Rutland is the northernmost location in Vermont, according to the Apple website, where users can search for an Authorized Service Provider. For customers in Burlington and Montpelier, the closest Apple Authorized Service Provider is Systems Plus Computers in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
