Did You End up Returning AC?
Thanks everyone for the responses! Here's an update:
I bought applecare for the student discount which I thought was a great deal. I actually did purchase my iMac with AMEX so I'm kinda bummed I'm only actually paying for 1 year of extra warranty and the unnecessary (in my case) phone service.
If the Applecare is being shipped to me is it still possible to return it when I receive it? I am heavily considering it.. I've always thought warranties are a waste of money too, but aren't iMac parts potentially much more expensive than the student discounted Applecare?
Did you end up returning AC? I too, also got AC for a student discounted price (at a local retailer - paid AUD $190 10% JB deal), though after reading my Statutory warranties in Australia, we should have free hardware repair for 24 months and beyond as stated here. (
http://apple.com/au/legal/statutory-warranty/).
I never wanted AC, it was just thrown in to the deal, I thought it was a good deal, since Apple sells it for $229 (student discount
http://store.apple.com/au-hed/produ...-air-13-macbook-pro-applecare-protection-plan) and $270 for non-students (
http://store.apple.com/au/product/M...-air-13-macbook-pro-applecare-protection-plan). Ended up saving $40, but for something I was never going to buy, I just lit $190 on fire for something I would potentially never need. I would rather save the money myself, or put it towards a RAM or SSD (next model up) upgrade.
~$1600 was my mark for buying a new rMBP Haswell laptop. Ended up paying $1663 for a 10% discounted Haswell rMBP (2.4/8/256) + $190 for AC, so $1853 all up, which was starting to push my price point. Note, Apple sells this model for $1729 w/ student pricing (
http://store.apple.com/au-hed/buy-mac/macbook-pro).
For Australians, the way the ACCC handles this is extremely sketchy. Some people are saying a 'reasonable time' is equal to 36 months, some are saying 24 months. :/ (
http://lifehacker.com.au/2011/05/ask-lh-do-warranty-laws-mean-applecare-is-irrelevant/)
Seems like Apple are just hoping that their consumers will just fall towards their AppleCare plan because it makes things 'much easier' (3 yr Phone support, terms and conds. are easily marketed in Apples favour - [
http://apple.com/au/legal/statutory-warranty/]) and more widespread (Globally) to seek repairs, rather than go by what local Governments' Statutory warranties/guarantees state.
tl;dr: Apple has to repair faulty hardware (for free) within 24 months or beyond; only on Australian soil (provided the defect is caused by wear and tear, and not purposely/accidentally (a fall) damaged(?), i.e. a manufacturing defect). If you're a person who wants extended phone support or just another 3rd year of warranty, then get AppleCare.
I feel like returning AC, I wasn't even planning to initially get it.
Also, I love the wording Apple has used. 'The AppleCare Protection Plan provides up to three years of additional hardware service options'. Sneaky. > 'up to'. I'm guessing they can avoid a lot of legal disputes with that wording; for potential customers who bought AC and find out that they actually had 24-months+ warranty enforced by the ACCC and want to complain about it.
Here's a good article for Australian residents.
http://nicholasleach.com/2013/04/29/applecare-protection-plans-why-you-shouldnt-buy-them/