I've seen it mentioned several times here about buying AppleCare on eBay. Is that really the best way to go? Are there a lot of scams out there for them? I've never bought something like that on eBay and it makes me nervous! What kind of prices do they usually go for? I can get it from Apple with the education or military discount, would it still be better on eBay?
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Buying MBP AppleCare on eBay?
- Thread starter MorganK
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If you're concerned about not being ripped off then I'm sure you'll agree after reading the many, many threads on it that it's not the way to go. Buy it from Apple or Amazon.
I have bought it on all my Macs (4) and used it on 3 with no issue at all. Most are legit - check the number they have for sale and feedback. They will send it to you asap and you can register it with Apple and IMMEDIATELY see that it is legit (or not). If not, contest via paypal and you are fine.
Seriously, check out feedback and then don't worry.
Seriously, check out feedback and then don't worry.
Ebay is like a drug dealer. You never really trust the guy, but he has what you want at a price you can afford. You've bought from him before, so what could be different this time?
....This time, he think's your wearing a wire and blasts you in the back of the head without a second thought.
Sorry I couldn't resist. You've read the threads yet you still ask?!!?! I believe there's the "if you have to ask..." saying that applies here.
Skip the gov discount. That's only 10% I believe and AAFES (if you shop there) has it for full retail (whoopee).
The cheapest option would be the EDU discount. Amazon used to be the cheapest on the block but it seems they've raised their prices. Just avoid ebay.
....This time, he think's your wearing a wire and blasts you in the back of the head without a second thought.
Sorry I couldn't resist. You've read the threads yet you still ask?!!?! I believe there's the "if you have to ask..." saying that applies here.
Skip the gov discount. That's only 10% I believe and AAFES (if you shop there) has it for full retail (whoopee).
The cheapest option would be the EDU discount. Amazon used to be the cheapest on the block but it seems they've raised their prices. Just avoid ebay.
Yes. I agree with you. Check out sellers' feedback. I've used on all my Mac computer and everything seems legit right up until now.
Has Apple ever made any official statement on this? I couldn't find anything. I would think if there was a serious problem with these eBay sellers, Apple would be the first to make a statement about it on their website, as it would be them losing money on repairs and support. I'd think they'd want to protect both themselves, and their customers.... IF there was a problem with these eBay sellers in the first place.
For me the risk of being scammed and worrying about being scammed is not worth the $100 or so I might save.
I've never really understood the "saving money" on AppleCare. To me it's like buying a $500,000 Bentley and when it needs tires you shop at discount tires to save money. Just odd.
I've never really understood the "saving money" on AppleCare. To me it's like buying a $500,000 Bentley and when it needs tires you shop at discount tires to save money. Just odd.
This does not definitively indicate a refusal to honor an eBay Applecare warranty.
Nobody has ever provided solid proof. Just internet fear mongering.
I've registered two Applecares that were bought on eBay. If it was not legit, Apple's online registration system would not accept the Applecare ID #. I've since sold the machines (on eBay ironically) so I never had to exercise the warranty.
There was a long thread on this a while ago. If you choose to buy from eBay, ONLY buy AppleCare if the box is included with the code. Do NOT buy just a code from someone.
honestly, for as much as i hate it when all people do is recommend MRoogle,
this is seriously the best example of a question that could easily be looked up on that. There is nothing to make your question, concern, or situation any different than anyone elses. I mean, for people asking which computer to get, that's fine to make a thread to ask. First off, there's always differences in what you want the computer for, and when you're about to spend that much cash, you can ask your own question in your own thread for personal advice.
but for this, you could have just looked it up.
not trying to be a jerk, but i've seen this question asked like 10 times already in the last 2 months, and there's only the same answers to give.
yes, apple care from ebay is legit and a good deal if you are smart about it.
there are scams out there, just make sure not to be caught up in one of them.
this is seriously the best example of a question that could easily be looked up on that. There is nothing to make your question, concern, or situation any different than anyone elses. I mean, for people asking which computer to get, that's fine to make a thread to ask. First off, there's always differences in what you want the computer for, and when you're about to spend that much cash, you can ask your own question in your own thread for personal advice.
but for this, you could have just looked it up.
not trying to be a jerk, but i've seen this question asked like 10 times already in the last 2 months, and there's only the same answers to give.
yes, apple care from ebay is legit and a good deal if you are smart about it.
there are scams out there, just make sure not to be caught up in one of them.
Again, where is the proof an emailed code has been refused by Apple? A fake code perhaps, but Apple's system would catch that upon registration.
Yeah, saw that on the LMGTFW link too. One guy from Germany on the internet.
More proof would be nice.
hmm...this information is helpful. I'm considering an AppleCare warranty for my MBP and, of course, would like to save some money if possible, but not left high and dry if it turns out its not legit.
For what it's worth...
This past Wednesday, I called Apple. I told them that I had bought Applecare for my MBP on the internet, and not from Apple. I asked them to confirm that my number was legit, they looked it up and said, "yes, you're covered, no problem, it's legit". I then said I didn't receive a box from the seller only a code that was emailed to me, and asked if that was ok. They said "that's fine, that's not a problem at all, you're all set."
Now, I feel, that if there was an Ebay Applecare issue, and with the tons and tons of Applecare being sold on Ebay, you'd think Apple would be aware of this (if it were not legit in some way), and their tech support folks would be aware of such a thing. So if a customer called them to ask about his Applecare number/reg, and if it was legit, they'd have some sort of response about what to look out for. I mean, the person I spoke with kind of sounded like I was just being a worry-wort about it, and that I really was "all set". Just my experience, but my thinking is, there's a lot of fear mongering going on about this, and I don't understand why.
I suppose time will be the only true teller of whether there is any truth to this phantom Applecare Keygen out there. I did do a search on all/most/(all that I know of) crack/p2p/filesharing sites, and could not find a single hit for Applecare, or Applecare Keygen.
This past Wednesday, I called Apple. I told them that I had bought Applecare for my MBP on the internet, and not from Apple. I asked them to confirm that my number was legit, they looked it up and said, "yes, you're covered, no problem, it's legit". I then said I didn't receive a box from the seller only a code that was emailed to me, and asked if that was ok. They said "that's fine, that's not a problem at all, you're all set."
Now, I feel, that if there was an Ebay Applecare issue, and with the tons and tons of Applecare being sold on Ebay, you'd think Apple would be aware of this (if it were not legit in some way), and their tech support folks would be aware of such a thing. So if a customer called them to ask about his Applecare number/reg, and if it was legit, they'd have some sort of response about what to look out for. I mean, the person I spoke with kind of sounded like I was just being a worry-wort about it, and that I really was "all set". Just my experience, but my thinking is, there's a lot of fear mongering going on about this, and I don't understand why.
I suppose time will be the only true teller of whether there is any truth to this phantom Applecare Keygen out there. I did do a search on all/most/(all that I know of) crack/p2p/filesharing sites, and could not find a single hit for Applecare, or Applecare Keygen.
Actually if you buy AppleCare from an Apple Retail Store at the time you buy a new computer, you won't get a box either. When I got my 15" i7, the sales asked me if I want to buy AC. I said yes, and she just keyed it into her PDA, and the warranty was registered immediately.
That's interesting. I've heard other people say this as well. So I guess this makes the whole "you need the box" or " you need the serial on the box" thing a complete myth. Unless of course the serial# that's on the outside of the box gets printed on your receipt. Did your receipt have both the Applecare number and box serial number?
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you did call Apple and tech support did say that. Let me tell you the other likely reality. A few months later, check your "warranty status" and you'll likely find that there is no extended Applecare because once Apple finds out it's not legitimate, the extended warranty will be removed and no one will tell you; you have to check it yourself. And the best part - there's nothing you can do about it. You can't complain to eBay. You can't complain to Paypal. And the buyer will ignore you or give you the run-around. Call me a fear-mongerer, but when this happens, you'll only hear "I told you so."
I don't really have a dog in this hunt but the 100% feedback (by the MANY thousands) to at least a couple Top-Rated Sellers doesn't seam to support your fear-mongering.
I would think that if there were problems with these Apple-care certs you wouldn't see 100% positive feedback. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
Edit: Is there any web site that posts ebay seller reviews other than the standard ebay feedback system?
JohnG
My main remaining question is...
I've read almost verbatim what you wrote countless times from people on forums. And I concede that the suspicion is not unwarranted when it comes to this stuff.
So if your scenario above is the reality of the situation, why would Apple not say the same thing? Why would they not say something to the affect of... "It appears that your Applecare is legit, and all is in order, but there have been cases where illegally generated numbers have been sold to customers. If you did not buy your Applecare from Apple or one of our official dealers, we can't guarantee that your Applecare isn't one of these cases." Also, the Apple rep could have at least asked me what dealer/seller/source I got it from. But the answers I got were very clear, that everything was fine and I had nothing to worry about. Just the fact that I called to inquire about it wasn't even enough to make them question it.
My point is, if this is a real deal thing, and these Ebay Applecares are just tons and tons of generated numbers, surely Apple would mention it when someone called to inquire specifically if they just bought a legit Applecare.
I'm not arguing to prove this thing one way or another, just adding to the conversation/discussion. Thanks!