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is applecare worth the money?
- Thread starter parkm13
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AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac or Apple Display
AppleCare Protection Plan
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AppleCare Protection Plan
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No need to be sorry. Since you're new here, I didn't think you knew about it. That's why I told you about it. It's a great tool! Welcome, and enjoy!
You'll also learn a lot by reading the Forum Rules and the Forum FAQ.
True, you can wait to purchase it later but not later than 1 year after the time of purchase...
But I disagree... in my experience it has been totally worth it in every mac I've owned, and it's much more better to have it and not use it, than not having it and needing it. It's kind of gamble in which - if you hit it - you will be very happy. Also, in my experience, Apple's quality standards are not what they used to be... so if you want to keep your computer in the best possibe conditions, it might be worth it.
cheers!
To the OP: this is exactly what you'll find in all the dozens of repetitive threads on this topic: hundreds of differing opinions. The bottom line should be "is it worth it to YOU". Everyone has different needs, wants, fears and concerns. There IS no "right" answer, only the answer that's right for you.
well, that's the purpose of posting in a discussion forum, isn't it: get other opinions, and then form your own.
One bit of often overlooked information is that most credit cards double your 1 year warranty into a 2 year warranty, so AppleCare might not be as big a benefit as it sounds (basically it's a third year of coverage).
One bit of often overlooked information is that most credit cards double your 1 year warranty into a 2 year warranty, so AppleCare might not be as big a benefit as it sounds (basically it's a third year of coverage).
If you work with your mac it makes sense I think as you cannot take the risk to be without your computer.
Totally agree!
Its basically gambling. You could have an expensive problem, and then you'd be glad you had it, or on the other hand, if nothing goes wrong after the three years, you'd think there was no need.
One thing to remember though is that as it is a warranty and not insurance, things like theft and accidental damage are not covered. A friend of mine cracked his MBP screen after owning it for a month, which wasn't covered. So if you want protection from that kind of thing, you'd need to look elsewhere.
If something goes wrong and Apple covers it, then AppleCare is totally worth it.
If nothing goes wrong, then you feel relief that you were covered but never had to use it.
If something goes wrong and Apple doesn't cover it, then it is a rip off!
If nothing goes wrong, then you feel relief that you were covered but never had to use it.
If something goes wrong and Apple doesn't cover it, then it is a rip off!
You are paying for a level of piece of mind. To some this is worthwhile, to others it is not. So far I like the ability to call Apple to get help with things when I need it. It covers my peripherals and my soon to be purchased Time Capsule...even if I bought the TC up to two years before I bought my computer. That is pretty cool...
hm the answer is YES
get apple care for piece of mind ,just because a repair could become very expensive and apple care is transferable to someone else , so if you decide to sell your Macbook after 2 years (for example to get a iMac instead )the new owner
will be very happy if he has 1 year apple care remaining for his piece of mind and at least i would pay for a macbook with 1 year remaining apple care , but i would not for one without
get apple care for piece of mind ,just because a repair could become very expensive and apple care is transferable to someone else , so if you decide to sell your Macbook after 2 years (for example to get a iMac instead )the new owner
will be very happy if he has 1 year apple care remaining for his piece of mind and at least i would pay for a macbook with 1 year remaining apple care , but i would not for one without
I always buy apple care. I have had 5 macs and 3 out of the 5 I have used the applecare for repairs after 1 year. I have also taken advantage of the phone support on all 5. you can also buy apple care on ebay for a huge savings.right now a 15/17 MBP apple care is going for 130, as a buy it now.
I've always bought AppleCare and for a good reason, almost every single device I've had has needed some repair after the first year.
12" PowerBook: Hard drive failure
MacBook: twice for cracked top case
MacBook: Hard drive failure
iPhone 3G: Dust under screen
Repaired iPhone 3G: Dust & Hair under screen (got replacement which I sold)
iPhone 4, Airport Express and wife's 3G iPhone haven't had issues so far. So for me it's definitely been worth it.
12" PowerBook: Hard drive failure
MacBook: twice for cracked top case
MacBook: Hard drive failure
iPhone 3G: Dust under screen
Repaired iPhone 3G: Dust & Hair under screen (got replacement which I sold)
iPhone 4, Airport Express and wife's 3G iPhone haven't had issues so far. So for me it's definitely been worth it.
Not the first year since all new Macs are covered by Applecare for the first year of ownership.
However I do recommend getting it month 10-11 of ownership, as it will be a safe haven just in case something does and goes wrong with your machine in which you may end up paying more then just a couple hundred.
If Apple is unable to fix your Machine also, they will replace your machine, sometimes if older and still under Applecare they will even replace with a newer model.
So all in all it's not worth it the first year, but I would honestly consider picking it up before your first year of ownership is up, not saying anything will happen, but if anything does its a nice safe haven from paying a pretty penny later on down the road.
However I do recommend getting it month 10-11 of ownership, as it will be a safe haven just in case something does and goes wrong with your machine in which you may end up paying more then just a couple hundred.
If Apple is unable to fix your Machine also, they will replace your machine, sometimes if older and still under Applecare they will even replace with a newer model.
So all in all it's not worth it the first year, but I would honestly consider picking it up before your first year of ownership is up, not saying anything will happen, but if anything does its a nice safe haven from paying a pretty penny later on down the road.
Everybody is saying "don't get it the first year" like you're going to get 3 years service from the time you buy AppleCare, but if I understand it correctly you only get coverage 3 years from the date of purchase of the Mac, no matter when you buy AC. It doesn't really matter if you buy it on the last day the standard warranty expires because at that point you're only going to get an extra 2 years of service and if you buy it with your purchase you get the extra 9 months or whatever of phone support. I say if you're going to buy it, get it with computer.
I know it does, and I bought AC from Ebay for 2 ipods that I never had to use, but do a little research and you will see how the scams work.
Imagine spending 1/3 of the price for AC and then you need to use it 1.5 years after laptop purchase date, only to find out that Apple cancelled the warranty (3 months after you thought it went through) because it was fraudulent. Now you are past the 1 year cutoff to buy AC again AND you are stuck with repairs.
Evidently the serial numbers scammers sell fit the 'mold' that Apple uses and it goes thru at first, but after Apple actually gets to your case they determine it's fraudulent and cancel it without notifying you. Now you have left positive feedback b/c yours went thru (you think) and the Ebay 90 days policy is past so you have no recourse. Do the research.
There are several ways that eBay users can get these, only one of which does not cause a scam:
1. Bought from Apple/Dealer in a box. Lowest price possible is ~$150.
2. Code is generated using a keygen (No box, code-only deals)
3. Bought using a stolen credit card.
4. Bought, then returned after the 45-day PayPal complaint deadline.
Basically, 4 things can happen to you when you buy off eBay:
1. You bought a BNIB AppleCare which includes a box. You have the serial number on the outside of the box if Apple questions the validity of your AppleCare, and you can provide it to them to confirm authenticity.
2. You bought a code-only AppleCare, which does not have a box. It was probably acquired fraudulently. Apple doesn't discover it, and you get the full coverage, maybe even a repair or two. Consider yourself lucky.
3. Apple discovers you have a fraudulent, generated AppleCare because someone else with proof tried to register the same code. They ask you for the serial number from the box or original proof of purchase. You can't provide either (eBay/PayPal receipt does not count). Your AppleCare gets invalidated. If you're outside the 1-year warranty, you're SOL. Otherwise, you're out what you paid for the AC, and have to buy another.
4. Your AppleCare is returned by the seller, or the person whose credit card was stolen disputed the charge. Apple removes the AC without notice from the account. Same as #3 in terms of final outcome.
Basically, there's a ton that can go wrong, and very little that can go right. If you want to be safer when buying off of eBay, get it new in a box, and make sure you get the box. The serial number on the outside is proof enough that you bought it.
However, if you buy it off of eBay, do note that you can never transfer the plan to another person. That requires original proof of purchase, which you don't have.
In order of value, you would have:
eBay Code Only > eBay Box > Apple Reseller w/ Educational Discount > Apple Reseller Normal Price.
And in order of safety:
Apple Store > Apple Reseller ~= eBay Box >>>>> eBay Code Only
Buying it from the Apple Store means they can use their internal systems to check the purchase of the item, so they would know you bought it from the Apple Store. Apple Reseller and eBay Box are about the same, with the Reseller having a slight advantage because you also would have a receipt to show. And they're all way above eBay Code Only because you can verify your purchase.
1. Bought from Apple/Dealer in a box. Lowest price possible is ~$150.
2. Code is generated using a keygen (No box, code-only deals)
3. Bought using a stolen credit card.
4. Bought, then returned after the 45-day PayPal complaint deadline.
Basically, 4 things can happen to you when you buy off eBay:
1. You bought a BNIB AppleCare which includes a box. You have the serial number on the outside of the box if Apple questions the validity of your AppleCare, and you can provide it to them to confirm authenticity.
2. You bought a code-only AppleCare, which does not have a box. It was probably acquired fraudulently. Apple doesn't discover it, and you get the full coverage, maybe even a repair or two. Consider yourself lucky.
3. Apple discovers you have a fraudulent, generated AppleCare because someone else with proof tried to register the same code. They ask you for the serial number from the box or original proof of purchase. You can't provide either (eBay/PayPal receipt does not count). Your AppleCare gets invalidated. If you're outside the 1-year warranty, you're SOL. Otherwise, you're out what you paid for the AC, and have to buy another.
4. Your AppleCare is returned by the seller, or the person whose credit card was stolen disputed the charge. Apple removes the AC without notice from the account. Same as #3 in terms of final outcome.
Basically, there's a ton that can go wrong, and very little that can go right. If you want to be safer when buying off of eBay, get it new in a box, and make sure you get the box. The serial number on the outside is proof enough that you bought it.
However, if you buy it off of eBay, do note that you can never transfer the plan to another person. That requires original proof of purchase, which you don't have.
In order of value, you would have:
eBay Code Only > eBay Box > Apple Reseller w/ Educational Discount > Apple Reseller Normal Price.
And in order of safety:
Apple Store > Apple Reseller ~= eBay Box >>>>> eBay Code Only
Buying it from the Apple Store means they can use their internal systems to check the purchase of the item, so they would know you bought it from the Apple Store. Apple Reseller and eBay Box are about the same, with the Reseller having a slight advantage because you also would have a receipt to show. And they're all way above eBay Code Only because you can verify your purchase.
My advice is never buy a Mac unless it is under warranty or with a huge discount allowing for expensive repairs (or if you can repair it yourself with parts).
I have used Applecare alot and found the program excellent in the UK. Sometimes repairs can take a while and it takes a few iterations to solve some problems and items can occassionally come back with a dent/scratch.
I have used Applecare alot and found the program excellent in the UK. Sometimes repairs can take a while and it takes a few iterations to solve some problems and items can occassionally come back with a dent/scratch.