Apple Authorized Service Provider vs Apple Store (Genius Bar)

[vbman213]

I'm getting ready to take my Macbook Pro in to have my hinge examined. From day one, I noticed a creaking sound from the right hinge area.

The nearest Apple store is a 2 hour drive, but there is an AASP about 10 minutes away.

I talked to them and they said that they can have it fixed within 2 business days. And that they have heard about this problem.

Basically, would they charge me to fix it? Doesn't Apple compensate AASPs for labor/parts. So I shouldn't be charged anything. Right?

 

[vnle]

I'm getting ready to take my Macbook Pro in to have my hinge examined. From day one, I noticed a creaking sound from the right hinge area.

The nearest Apple store is a 2 hour drive, but there is an AASP about 10 minutes away.

I talked to them and they said that they can have it fixed within 2 business days. And that they have heard about this problem.

Basically, would they charge me to fix it? Doesn't Apple compensate AASPs for labor/parts. So I shouldn't be charged anything. Right?

As long as you're under warranty/AppleCare and Apple approves of the fix. But by the sound of it, they should so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[CaptainChunk]

All AASPs are required by their contracts with Apple to service in-warranty Apple hardware at no charge to the consumer. Unless of course, a warranty is deemed void due to physical damage or tampering. I've also noticed that the techs at AASPs tend to be better versed in the service of Apple machines than the "Geniuses" staffed by Apple Stores are.

I use a local AASP almost exclusively. Though there are several Apple retail stores in my area, the process is usually quicker at my local AASP - there's no need to schedule a service appointment online (which almost always have inconvenient drop-off times) nor the need to stand in line with the mouth breathers with broken $200 iPhones to get my $3,000 computer fixed.