Hi Yannis,
Welcome to the forum and - Γειά σού βρέ πατρίδα
Actual Apple Stores do exist around Europe; unfortunately not, currently, in Greece.
I'm assuming that when you say you visited Apple's Greek web shop that you actually went here - http://www.rainbow.gr/
Rainbow are an independant business who have applied for and awarded Apple Authorised Reseller (AAR) status. They may also be Apple Authorised Service Providers (AASP) although not quite sure on that.
I do agree with you that Apple should have a [direct] presence in Greece, perhaps a couple of Apple Stores like the ones that exist here in the UK. It would surprise me if this does not become a reality in the future, however, until then, the only option would be the on-line store or from an authorised reseller.
Having a Greek backround myself (although born in the UK, my parents are from Cyprus) I have often played with the idea of creating a business in Cyprus, apply for AAR and AASP accreditations and be able to provide Mac based solutions and hardware; an extension to what I am currently doing in the UK infact. Whether this becomes a reality or not depends on a lot of factors - family, children's school, market research etc etc etc.
As I stated previously, until there is a direct Apple presence in Greece, or other independant businesses open up as an AAR/AASP, your buying/service options are, unfortunately, limited.
There is another fellow L4 user in these forum who has had direct experience With Apple (Greece). I'll get in touch with him and ask if he could reply here. He may be able to advise who else to approach.
Red Dwarf
The conversation you shared revolves around Apple's presence in Greece, particularly the absence of official Apple Stores and the reliance on authorized resellers like Rainbow, potentially Apple Authorized Resellers (AAR) and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASP). The discussion also touches on personal aspirations of creating a business in Cyprus akin to the current operations in the UK, catering to Mac-based solutions and hardware.
Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
Apple's Presence in Greece:
- Actual Apple Stores in Europe: Acknowledgement that there are Apple Stores in some European countries but not yet in Greece.
- Rainbow.gr: An independent business serving as an Apple Authorized Reseller (AAR), potentially also an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), providing Apple products and services in Greece.
- Limited Options: Due to the absence of direct Apple stores, the options for purchasing or servicing Apple products in Greece are constrained to online stores or authorized resellers like Rainbow.
Personal Aspirations and Business Ideation:
- Potential Business Expansion: Consideration of establishing a business in Cyprus that mirrors the operations in the UK, potentially obtaining AAR and AASP accreditations to offer Mac-based solutions and hardware.
- Contingent Factors: The decision hinges on various factors like family, children's schooling, market research, among others.
Collaboration and Seeking Advice:
- Community Interaction: Mention of reaching out to another forum user who has direct experience with Apple in Greece for advice and recommendations on approaching the right entities for Apple-related services.
The conversation reflects the gap in Apple's direct presence in Greece, the reliance on authorized resellers, and the potential for entrepreneurial ventures in the region related to Apple products and services.
