Advice From A Genius: Should You Buy AppleCare?

[Papanate]

I agree with the assessment. We add Apple Care to all our iMacs and MacBook Pros - for a number of reasons. As a smaller company we use a shared services IT department - and costs being what they are we try to minimize our usage.

In that way Apple Care more than pays for itself in our scenario.

 

[sclawis300]

remember guys, the iPhone applecare covers the earbuds. forever. and the dock cords 2. Since the original iPhone, I've replaced 2 fraying dock cords, and 19 pairs of earbuds. they cost $29 each. thats $551 total. def worth the apple care.

On my macs, I've never had it NOT pay for itself.

So the original warranty of 1 year does not cover that but if you pay for an extra year of warranty suddenly those things are covered forever? That sounds fishy.

EDIT: Terms and Conditions don't say that at all. Covered Equipment is everything in the box and when the Coverage period is over it is over for everything.

 

[Infrared]

remember guys, the iPhone applecare covers the earbuds. forever. and the dock cords 2. Since the original iPhone, I've replaced 2 fraying dock cords, and 19 pairs of earbuds. they cost $29 each. thats $551 total. def worth the apple care.

On my macs, I've never had it NOT pay for itself.

Every mac you've ever had has developed a fault?

That would appear to be the implication of your last
remark, if you had apple care for all of them.

 

[acies909]

i've got 4 years of best buy's warranty on my MBP mid 2010 do you guys think i should've got Apple Care's? I only chose best buy's because they said they would replace my battery after the 1000 full charges as I would still need it for school for at least 4 years and 5 hours a day at minimum on one charge. According to them, Apple doesn't cover that and it was about 150$ more than Apple Care's which is a bit less than how much it costs to get a new battery

Well if it was $150 more a new battery costs $129 so what was the thinking? and I have had 2 or 3 batteries changed out under Apple Care and with educational pricing its $183 for 13 in MBP or 11 or 13in MBA or $239 on the 15 and 17in MBP

 

[martincreative]

Former Geni as well...

I also worked as a technician in the Apple store and worked in training as well. I can say that one "hidden" benefit of Applecare is that is gives the Genius working with you more leverage to choose in your favor. Apple is first and foremost in the "people" business, making products for people, enriching lives of people and genuinely wanting to help - people. If you have a straight-up, warranty voided broken Apple device - and are still within your Applecare - it essentially goes to act like a "good faith" gesture that I've seen honored by LOTS of technicians to replace a device otherwise not covered. I would recommend it for a phone, ipod touch (classics and below will generally not break in the two year time frame anyways), or ipad - Apple TV can probably be skipped.

Also, their phone support is also beneficial for those with advanced abilities as well. I have called several times about advanced issues like enabling PHP to a custom document folder on my mac. Not that I'm trying to tech-wash, but if you have an advanced question, it's just a matter of escalation - someone CAN answer the question.

But remember, sometimes Techs and Applecare staff are NEW to their job, be wary, ask questions and recognize it is a PERSON talking to you as well, capable of mistakes, lack of learning or other.

 

[PatrickCocoa]

Oh Yeah?

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Warranties are pure profit for companies. I completely agree with the comment around NOT buying AppleCare for iPhones and iPods. Think about it for the iPhone. You get subsidized upgrade pricing every 18 months. The initial warranty lasts for the first 12. Therefore you're adding 90 dollars of cost by purchasing AppleCare to cover 6 Extra months? Not to [sic] smart.

This "pure profit" assertion can be very easily checked. Simply stand outside an Apple Store and as people come out, give them your name and address and tell them you'll fix any problems they have after they own the device for 12 months. Charge them $1.

That $1 is your pure profit. Let's say you hit up 50 people a day for a week before the mall kicks you out. That's $350 pure profit, more than enough for you to take out four or five MacRumors readers for a very nice dinner.

Now, assuming by "pure profit" you didn't mean pure profit, what do you think you should charge those people as the come out of the store? Remember, you're giving them fixes or replacements to various consumer devices starting a year from now.

 

[Kid A]

I'm on my 3rd iPhone 3GS (white, 16 GB) and 3rd or 4th set of earbuds, thanks to AppleCare. I can't imagine not buying it on an iPhone. I will buy it on my next iPhone without hesitation. And thanks to having a (nearly) brand-spanking new one, i can hopefully hold off til iPhone 5 or 6 is released!

First 3GS was replaced due to a near-dead battery. 2nd due to a malfunctioning proximity sensor (could not use touchscreen at all during calls; just completely black, as if up to my ear; could not even switch to speakerphone).

That $79 was waaay cheaper than replacing my phone and all those earbuds.

Guess it depends on the user though. AppleCare recently ran out on my iMac, having gone completely unused. Then again, I use my phone probably 5 times as much as my iMac. Debating whether or not to get it on my iPad 2.

 

[Hellhammer]

That is not valid when your HDD fails two weeks after your 1 year warranty expired or when your wifi fails or any other normal hardware failure.

No hardware failure is normal if it happen within short period of time (as I said, it's two years for computers according to our consumer protection bureau). In fact, hard drives are actually rated three years by them. Apple is an OEM, they are responsible for the whole package. Our law obligates the manufacturer to guarantee a reasonable lifespan for the product and if the product does not meet that reasonable lifespan, the manufacturer must repair the product for free. It doesn't matter is it the HD, WiFi, GPU or whatever - failure is a failure and the manufacturer is responsible for it for certain amount of time.

 

[Nermal]

AppleCare is pointless for European customers since our consumer rights cover manufacturing flaws for reasonable amount of time (minimum of two years for computers here in Finland). Find out your rights before buying AppleCare, you might be abe to get the same coverage without it.

It's the same here. However, I've seen many stories where Apple will refuse to fix computers outside the 1-year Apple warranty without AppleCare. That is, refuse until threatened; the moment you lodge it with the Disputes Tribunal, Apple is suddenly really happy to fix your machine!

 

[rmatthewware]

After getting a $770 logic board replaced on my iMac for free, YES!

 

[zin]

AppleCare is pointless for European customers since our consumer rights cover manufacturing flaws for reasonable amount of time (minimum of two years for computers here in Finland). Find out your rights before buying AppleCare, you might be abe to get the same coverage without it.

Do you know which EU Directive this was? I can't find it and would like to know the specifics of it in the UK, since on the briefing it says member states can implement longer minimum durations of warranty.

 

[TimothyJarman]

never ever

I dont understand the point in applecare, i really don't. When i brought my macbook pro, if it broke after one year and apple refused to fix it i would never buy from them again, extremely simple.

i expect this machine to last a very long time, and so far (3 years in) it has been absolutely fine.....well except for the warped battery which i just replaced.

All insurances are cons. I worked at currys (uk store) retail stores and was pushed and pushed into selling blasted insurance left right and centre, because its the only way they make money, its an absolute joke.

Only thing i would have insurance is for holidays, house and car.

If i were to add up the amount of money i have saved over the last 10 years by not buying insurance after insurance, i could buy multiple mac pros.

CONNNNNNNN

 

[baryon]

Do you know which EU Directive this was? I can't find it and would like to know the specifics of it in the UK, since on the briefing it says member states can implement longer minimum durations of warranty.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't care about that.

I didn't get Apple Care with my MacBook Pro, because in the EU it's made redundant by a law that says that all computers should be under warranty for 3 years.

My Superdrive failed, my GPU failed, my battery failed, and my left fan failed, all within 3 years of purchase. Only my battery got replaced free of charge.

I was stupid as I thought Apple cares about the law. They don't! What can I do? Sue them? How? Tricky Apple, very tricky!

You'd think such an expensive computer should keep working for at least a few years!

 

[TheIntruder]

I learned that there are 3 ways warranty eligibility is calculated:

* If sold by Apple directly, the exact date of purchase is recorded. If Applecare is added, it's entered as well.
* If sold by a third party reseller (authorized or not), and Applecare is bought and the customer registers it, Apple trusts what the user enters for the purchase date as valid. This will only work for current generation models.
* If sold by a third party and the user does not buy/register Applecare, they assume the machine will be sold within 3 months of manufacture, and uses that date as the "purchase" date.

This is a good point, and something to be aware of.

When buying from a 3rd party reseller, especially of a previous generation closeout, the purchase date in Apple's records may not be accurate. I had the same experience buying an iMac about three months after the new one was introduced. The purchase date was backdated three months from the actual date.

I was told by various Apple employees that it wouldn't be an issue, just show your receipt, but I didn't trust their verbal promises and sought to correct it with Apple and have the correct date in their systems if I ever needed assistance.

Not only did the discrepancy shortchange me the 90 days of phone support (which thankfully I didn't need), but it also reduces the window for purchasing AppleCare, if one wants to wait until near the 12 month period.

It's a bit of a hassle, but there's a section on Apple's site where owners can submit the proof of purchase and have the correction made. They asked for faxed copies of the proof, but if you press them, they'll also let you email scans.

As for AppleCare, it's just like any other form of insurance, as a hedge against risk. Everyone has their own tolerances.

Anecdotal stories imply that unofficially, having AC may curry favor when seeking repair, as well as make Apple more amenable to making repairs out of warranty.

When AppleCare is combined with a credit card extended warranty that is supplemental and takes effect after the manufacturer's (like AMEX's), it can cover almost all of an item's useful life. With Macs, that's four years of coverage.

 

[Hellhammer]

Do you know which EU Directive this was? I can't find it and would like to know the specifics of it in the UK, since on the briefing it says member states can implement longer minimum durations of warranty.

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cons_int/safe_shop/guarantees/index_en.htm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governm...merrightswhenbuyinggoodsandservices/DG_194650

The second link is about UK but it doesn't really specify any certain lifespan. They usually aren't listed anywhere, I stumbled across our two-year policy accidentally when reading an article. Of course, like the page specifies, it depends on many factors.

However, the EU link suggests that all goods should have guarantee of two years.

 

[jlgolson]

All insurances are cons.

Only thing i would have insurance is for holidays, house and car.

If i were to add up the amount of money i have saved over the last 10 years by not buying insurance after insurance, i could buy multiple mac pros.

CONNNNNNNN

Your sentences there seem to contradict each other.

Anyway, AppleCare isn't "insurance" -- it's a protection plan because it includes tech support.

At the end of the day, yes, you are paying now on the chance that something goes wrong later and you won't have to pay out of pocket for that. That's how it works.

It's not a "con", you're paying for peace of mind. Some people are happy to pay that, others aren't.

Why would you buy it on your house or your car? You're just paying some company money in case something happens. Why would it be any different on those things?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I guess I'm in the minority here. I never purchase Apple Care but do buy w/ my Gold AMEX w/ free warranty extension. It extends the warranty for an extra year, so my machines are covered for two years. But after owning over 20 Macs in my lifetime, desktop and laptop, I've only had to use it once. I saved a lot of $ not buying AppleCare.

Because Macs have such excellent resale value I typically sell my machines every two years for about 70-75% of what I originally paid and get new warranty and new hardware. Good deal.

Many CCs offer warranty extension, not just AMEX, so you might want to look and see if yours offers it. It probably does and you don't realize it.

 

[KnightWRX]

That is not valid when your HDD fails two weeks after your 1 year warranty expired or when your wifi fails or any other normal hardware failure.

Yes it is. Here in Quebec, the law is very damn well clear and so is the case law supporting it. A good sold as to be fit for its primary purpose for a reasonable amount of time. There have been awards for close to 5 year old TVs and 8 year old refrigerators.

A 1500$ laptop is fit for its primary purpose for more than the 3 years that Applecare covers, so the law essentially gives you free Applecare. This includes hard drives, wifi, logic boards or any kind of non-abuse failure.

Like Hellhammer said, find out your local laws to see if you're not already covered.

 

[Justinf79]

I purchased AppleCare on my iPad, and got to sell it along with it for an increased price. I didn't get AppleCare though with my Mac Pro, because I could simply fix it myself. So far no problems after 2 years.

 

[Kebabselector]

One option, if you have it is to purchase the item from somewhere that offers a better warranty. My preferred store (UK) offers me 2 years, but as mentioned earlier we do have some protection in law (not that UK retailers seem to be that interested).

Like Hellhammer said, find out your local laws to see if you're not already covered.

The problem we have is people believing the retailers 'policy' is law. Not enough people challenge retailers over it.

 

[andreiru]

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Oh, they make a profit, alright.

Using stock earbuds if you love your music is a BIG no-no. Try proper audio gear & you'll never look back.

 

[brian82788]

hey, who gave me -1? let's be real here, this isn't so much news as it is just asking a guy what he thinks about warranties. i can do the same thing..

get apple care if you own an apple, if you want.

see?

I own quite a few apples, but somehow they always end up in my stomach.

 

[Saturn007]

One major difference Apple and Square Trade; also credit card extended warranties

I've had both Apple Care and Square Trade.

Apple has been tremendous, even sending prepaid shipping boxes to return laptops for fixing. I've had several things fixed out of warranty, too.

I got ST for our iPad, figuring the accidental screen damage was worth having.

But, to an earlier poster, there is a HUGE difference between AC and ST-- AC gives you Apple, Apple fixes, Apple engineers, Apple replacement parts if needed, etc. ST gives you money back for repairs that you have to arrange yourself, and then have to arrange to get your refund.

I'd much rather have the clean and simple Apple Care.

I always buy it on our Apple buys, although I'll confess I did not for an iPod Touch. Warrantless, it still survived, indeed the IPT 2G is still going strong. But next time, I'm going to be sure to protection, especially as AC covers flakey batteries.

One other thing everyone should look into--credit card extended warranty coverage. We discovered that our VISA now has it... which means that Apple's one year would be an automatic 2 years! (I've had excellen reimbursal from VISA in the past on a hard drive that failed.) That, again, changes the equation on AC vs. ST. Why get AC or ST if you already have 2 years coverage?

So, yes, I'm arguing against myself-- meaning, I haven't really resolved this!

 

[brian82788]

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Oh, they make a profit, alright.

Using stock earbuds if you love your music is a BIG no-no. Try proper audio gear & you'll never look back.

I'm uncertain as to the connection to earbuds and warranties. Also, what might be defined as proper audio gear, and what makes it better than the apple earbuds? I guess I don't know so much about earbuds or acoustics in general. But can it truly be worth the extra investment?

 

[bvirga0218]

global support

I would just like to note. The article says that you get global support with the purchase of applecare. This is not completely correct. If you purchase applecare for a portable you get global coverage. If you purchase it on a desktop you get onsite repairs instead.

Also apple just doesn't refer to it as an extended warranty or insurance. It is a service contract as it also provides complimentary phone support. Without it you would pay 49 USD per incident when calling.