i am finalizing on buying my macbook and i wanted to know if anybody has the Frys laptop warranty, and if you think its a better choice than apple care. im debating because i asked one of the computer people at Frys and they told me that a 3 year was $180 and i could just take it to the store and get it fixed for anything. Or do yall think i should go to the apple store thats about an hour from where i live and get the macbook with apple care. thanks in advance
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Apple care or Frys
- Thread starter JJLT76
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Is ordering from the AppleStore online an option for you? Or even over the phone? I have not heard any feedback from Fry's purchases but I would think service from Apple directly would be better. Sometimes working with the "middleman" isn't always great. Just my 2 cents and a half.
Will you be traveling over-seas?
The Fry's warranty on laptop/dektop: If the unit needs repair on the same issue for more than 3 x then the 4th time on that issue then you get an equal priced unit if they don't have the unit in stock ..
Plus you get a loaner during the repair of your unit .. Fry's is the retail chain that only does loaner units to customers..
Anything else you wanna know about Fry's warranty info ?
There are two things you need to consider:
1. Will your local Fry's be around for the next 3 years? The ones near me have been closing.
2. You don't have to buy Applecare from Apple. Amazon sells it for less than Apple. LA Computer sells it for less than anybody.
Best wishes.
1. Will your local Fry's be around for the next 3 years? The ones near me have been closing.
2. You don't have to buy Applecare from Apple. Amazon sells it for less than Apple. LA Computer sells it for less than anybody.
Best wishes.
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Where Are You?
You forgot to put your location in your profile so we know where you are. N CA Fry's will be here beyond anyone's lifetime. But buying a Mac from Fry's costs more than other ways like from PowerMax in Oregon or Academic or refurbished from Apple.
You forgot to put your location in your profile so we know where you are. N CA Fry's will be here beyond anyone's lifetime. But buying a Mac from Fry's costs more than other ways like from PowerMax in Oregon or Academic or refurbished from Apple.
Wow those prices from LA computer seem to good to be true. Have you ever dealt with that company, meaning is it legit?
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i live in Grand Prairie, TX and i was considering buying from Frys because there are 2 different Frys near me, one near Las colinas (i can see the Dallas Cowboys training facility from Frys
) and another in Arlington (about 10 min from my house) so thats why i was considering Frys. I guess i can convince my parents to take me too the Apple Store but its gona take a near miracle to get my parents to come with me becasuse of their work schedule.I don't think you should buy any extended warranty. Electronic normally work great out of the box, or immediately have problems. The normal Apple warranty should cover you for that. I've bought dozens of Mac over the years and never bought that extended warranty.
-T
-T
yea i kinda agree with you but my parents would go crazy if i spent nearly $2000 and not have boughten a extended warranty. ive had my 23" Sony LCD HD tv for about 3 years and not a single problem (knocks on wood) and yet ive had my Xbox 360 for 1.5 years and have had it replaced 3 times under the extended warranty (funny thing is that it started malfunctioning exactly 1 year from when i bought it)
You're comparing a Mac product to a Microsoft product ...
Joking aside, I worked in Computer retail for many years and these extended warranties were really all about profit driven add-on sales while the customer is in the "buying mode". Your problems with the X-Box are not the norm, but it's really your decision of what risk you think are at. Or if your parents are paying, then it is the risk level they feel comfortable with. Either way the risk is very low.
-T
I'd go with applecare definately. Fr'ys is a low quality electronics store were they don't even pay their techs more then $0.75 above minimum wage so your liable to not get great service or tons of headaches if you have to get your computer fixed with them.
In fact I have been told by a few people I know who've worked there that alot of what frys sells is faulty or questionable items. I wouldn't even consider buying anything of any real value from them let alone go there for repairs. Its best just to stick with apple
LOL i forgot Im gonna talk to them and tell them that if they want me to get the extended warranty that they have to take me to the apple store ( i can drive but still need 3 more months till i can drive by myself
without a guardian in the passenger seat, eventough they never have more than an hour to take me out and practice ) but im also not going to sound to demanding because they have the power to just not let me buy it.
I'd go with applecare definately. Fr'ys is a low quality electronics store were they don't even pay their techs more then $0.75 above minimum wage so your liable to not get great service or tons of headaches if you have to get your computer fixed with them.
In fact I have been told by a few people I know who've worked there that alot of what frys sells is faulty or questionable items. I wouldn't even consider buying anything of any real value from them let alone go there for repairs. Its best just to stick with apple
I've bought many items from Fry's and they have almost always worked, I find them to be quite good. I've bought RAM from them and it still works fine in my MacBook Pro after 6 months. I've even had very good luck with returning items to them without a receipt. From what I read in iPhil's post Fry's warranty seems to be better than Apple's.
yea is it true that if your laptop is stolen within the first year of having it, that they replace it. I extremly doubt it but im on AIM right now and i was talking with this chick i know and she said that she got her HP laptop stolen and got a new one for free with the warranty that she had from frys.
No, but there SHOULD be. Juniper is a low end company card for people with bad credit. I'm surprised Apple partnered with them. They should have their own credit.
on a tangent (not sure if anyone's posted this), fry's is selling 1 gb of kingston ram (200 pin pc2-5300) for $20. that's $50 with a $30 rebate. pretty crazy.
p.s. it has to be purchased today.
p.s. it has to be purchased today.
I dunno about Fry's, but Best Buy warranty includes battery (or at least it used to) which is a huge plus!
i saw this and i chuckled...this is going to be long
Get Apple Care.
My story has to do with a 17" Powerbook G4 1.67 that I purchased from the Plano, TX store in October of 2006. I purchased the Fry's three year warranty program given its offering of a loaner computer, which seemed essential given my status as a student who traveled due to an extra-curricular activity.
I am going to be clear. I dropped my computer. The hard drive suffered damage. Fry's ran a diagnostic, using who knows what and concluded that it was only the hard drive. My computer was returned to me with a new hard drive. Mind you it was formatted with OSX Panther 10.3; my computer never could have shipped without Tiger. Anyways, I got my computer back and within two weeks realized a random screen flicker.
When I say random, it was random. Sometimes it would start flickering as soon as I turned my Powerbook, other times it would be completely random. The screen flickers were of varying degrees and lasted varying lengths of time, but nonetheless annoying.
Here's the rough break down of my stories with Fry's:
January 2006 - No Issue Found (by the Fry's Service Center), nothing done to computer, got computer back February 27, 2006
March 3, 2006 - Computer is taken back in for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), nothing done to computer, got computer back April 22, 2006
April 29, 2006 - Computer is taken back in for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), nothing done, got computer back May 23, 2006
June 14, 2006 - Computer is taken back in for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), got computer back July 1, 2006
July 2, 2006 - Computer is taken back in less then 24 hours of being picked for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), went to pick-up computer August 15, 2006
August 15, 2006 - Go to pick up my computer after threatening service reps (I will get to that later) While sitting on the counter waiting for the mass amounts of paperwork, I take out the Powerbook, turn it on, just for good measure. Fry's Tech sees screen flicker upon start-up, says "oh s****, I will get the service manager." Computer is given back October 4, 2006
October 28. 2006 - Same issue with a new complication, overheating on the left side. It was unclear to everyone at Fry's whether any work was done in between August 15 and October 28, but whatever the case, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center) Computer is picked up in November.
December 1, 2006 - Same issues, computer given to Fry's. Fry's replaced something according to them. However on the documentation, which at this point is over 100 pages, they make no note of what they actually replace. The computer is returned on January 2, 2007, but with no record of what was replaced, just that work had been done.
March 2, 2007 - By mid-February the computer's same issues had returned, the computer was dropped off for the same issues and picked up in late April.
May, 2007 - This was the last I saw of the Powerbook in my home. On the 8th of May the computer was sent in for repair for the same two issues. On June 2, 2007 I went in to pick-up the computer, started it and within 15 minutes the computer was burning and the screen was flickering. I would go in twice more to have this happen once in August and then in late September, before on October 4, 2007 - they replaced my computer and gave me the loaner.
Some Explanations of Fry's Policies
The Lemon Law
1. Fry's must actually service the computer. All of those "no issue found (by Fry's Service Center)" don't count. The irony is, everytime I went in, I would place my Powerbook on the counter show them the issue, a tech would document the issue and then send it off, or so I thought.
2. It must be the consecutive issue four times. So when the heat problems started, that reset the clock, if that had even mattered. Even though I was still having the same old error, a new error meant that they had four new times to fix it.
3. Re-Works don't count. Everytime Fry's doesn't fix something; i.e. I go to pick it up and it fails before leaving the Service Desk, that doesn't count. That's a rework.
The Yellow Cards
Fry's will send you these cards telling you to pick-up your computer. They then get more threatening and claim that they will possess your computer. They have 90 days before that can occur. They will also begin to call you and leave threatening messages, including ones saying that "if you don't get down here before we close today, I will repossess your computer." Once again, they have 90 days before they can do anything.
Mailing it to California
You need to send them your power charger. I was told once that if we don't send a power charger, they won't look at the computer. I might also add just giving them your box as they were completely incapable of packing the computer themselves. My computer received numerous additional dents thanks to Fry's.
The Shadiness
1. Fry's will not touch in Apple in store, they might now, but at least in my time they wouldn't. All computers are sent to a tech center in California, allegedly. So you can have a store employee see your problem and it be sent to California and nothing happen. If you have something that randomly acts up, like my screen flickering - good luck.
2. Fry's may send your computer to a local, non-Fry's repair shop. According to the Assistant Manager at the Plano store, the computer was sent to a local Dallas Apple tech, not Fry's in California. Their warranty agreement mentions nothing of this.
3. Fry's probably shouldn't be an authorized reseller. They sell their old loaners as Refurbished. That is no the case, the computers are used. The problem arises if you are sold one of these and they have been registered with Apple Care whenever the first loanee got the computer, the warranty is started with Apple - so you might be out Apple Care, also these are not Apple refurbished or refurbished at all.
Parting Thoughts:
I ended up having six loaners altogether. I had my actual computer less then the time I had with two different loaner models. The staff, especially the store manager was not helpful and rude. I was threatened numerous times to cancel my service and questions went unanswered. There is not a place I know of where there are more people unhappy with service then the service desk at Fry's. I feel bad for the employees that work there, however lacking of knowledge they might be, they have to deal with things that aren't their fault as they spend most the day diagnosing problems.
Calling corporate was a joke. They were unhelpful and showed me that there was no accountability within the company. I refuse to set foot in Fry's given this experience. Even if something is cheaper there I will take my business elsewhere solely on principle.
(I edited this post after over two years, and the frustration I have still runs through my blood. I could not imagine a worse way to treat your customers and a more unethical and sleazy way of running a business. I know, given my experience at the counter, that I am not the only way that feels this way, and it's a shame given the decent prices and selection that Fry's boast. It was bad enough, I still have three employees cell phone numbers given the amount of contact I was having with them over trying to get issues resolved, so maybe I made a friend or two...)
Get Apple Care.
My story has to do with a 17" Powerbook G4 1.67 that I purchased from the Plano, TX store in October of 2006. I purchased the Fry's three year warranty program given its offering of a loaner computer, which seemed essential given my status as a student who traveled due to an extra-curricular activity.
I am going to be clear. I dropped my computer. The hard drive suffered damage. Fry's ran a diagnostic, using who knows what and concluded that it was only the hard drive. My computer was returned to me with a new hard drive. Mind you it was formatted with OSX Panther 10.3; my computer never could have shipped without Tiger. Anyways, I got my computer back and within two weeks realized a random screen flicker.
When I say random, it was random. Sometimes it would start flickering as soon as I turned my Powerbook, other times it would be completely random. The screen flickers were of varying degrees and lasted varying lengths of time, but nonetheless annoying.
Here's the rough break down of my stories with Fry's:
January 2006 - No Issue Found (by the Fry's Service Center), nothing done to computer, got computer back February 27, 2006
March 3, 2006 - Computer is taken back in for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), nothing done to computer, got computer back April 22, 2006
April 29, 2006 - Computer is taken back in for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), nothing done, got computer back May 23, 2006
June 14, 2006 - Computer is taken back in for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), got computer back July 1, 2006
July 2, 2006 - Computer is taken back in less then 24 hours of being picked for same issue, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center), went to pick-up computer August 15, 2006
August 15, 2006 - Go to pick up my computer after threatening service reps (I will get to that later) While sitting on the counter waiting for the mass amounts of paperwork, I take out the Powerbook, turn it on, just for good measure. Fry's Tech sees screen flicker upon start-up, says "oh s****, I will get the service manager." Computer is given back October 4, 2006
October 28. 2006 - Same issue with a new complication, overheating on the left side. It was unclear to everyone at Fry's whether any work was done in between August 15 and October 28, but whatever the case, no issue found (by the Fry's Service Center) Computer is picked up in November.
December 1, 2006 - Same issues, computer given to Fry's. Fry's replaced something according to them. However on the documentation, which at this point is over 100 pages, they make no note of what they actually replace. The computer is returned on January 2, 2007, but with no record of what was replaced, just that work had been done.
March 2, 2007 - By mid-February the computer's same issues had returned, the computer was dropped off for the same issues and picked up in late April.
May, 2007 - This was the last I saw of the Powerbook in my home. On the 8th of May the computer was sent in for repair for the same two issues. On June 2, 2007 I went in to pick-up the computer, started it and within 15 minutes the computer was burning and the screen was flickering. I would go in twice more to have this happen once in August and then in late September, before on October 4, 2007 - they replaced my computer and gave me the loaner.
Some Explanations of Fry's Policies
The Lemon Law
1. Fry's must actually service the computer. All of those "no issue found (by Fry's Service Center)" don't count. The irony is, everytime I went in, I would place my Powerbook on the counter show them the issue, a tech would document the issue and then send it off, or so I thought.
2. It must be the consecutive issue four times. So when the heat problems started, that reset the clock, if that had even mattered. Even though I was still having the same old error, a new error meant that they had four new times to fix it.
3. Re-Works don't count. Everytime Fry's doesn't fix something; i.e. I go to pick it up and it fails before leaving the Service Desk, that doesn't count. That's a rework.
The Yellow Cards
Fry's will send you these cards telling you to pick-up your computer. They then get more threatening and claim that they will possess your computer. They have 90 days before that can occur. They will also begin to call you and leave threatening messages, including ones saying that "if you don't get down here before we close today, I will repossess your computer." Once again, they have 90 days before they can do anything.
Mailing it to California
You need to send them your power charger. I was told once that if we don't send a power charger, they won't look at the computer. I might also add just giving them your box as they were completely incapable of packing the computer themselves. My computer received numerous additional dents thanks to Fry's.
The Shadiness
1. Fry's will not touch in Apple in store, they might now, but at least in my time they wouldn't. All computers are sent to a tech center in California, allegedly. So you can have a store employee see your problem and it be sent to California and nothing happen. If you have something that randomly acts up, like my screen flickering - good luck.
2. Fry's may send your computer to a local, non-Fry's repair shop. According to the Assistant Manager at the Plano store, the computer was sent to a local Dallas Apple tech, not Fry's in California. Their warranty agreement mentions nothing of this.
3. Fry's probably shouldn't be an authorized reseller. They sell their old loaners as Refurbished. That is no the case, the computers are used. The problem arises if you are sold one of these and they have been registered with Apple Care whenever the first loanee got the computer, the warranty is started with Apple - so you might be out Apple Care, also these are not Apple refurbished or refurbished at all.
Parting Thoughts:
I ended up having six loaners altogether. I had my actual computer less then the time I had with two different loaner models. The staff, especially the store manager was not helpful and rude. I was threatened numerous times to cancel my service and questions went unanswered. There is not a place I know of where there are more people unhappy with service then the service desk at Fry's. I feel bad for the employees that work there, however lacking of knowledge they might be, they have to deal with things that aren't their fault as they spend most the day diagnosing problems.
Calling corporate was a joke. They were unhelpful and showed me that there was no accountability within the company. I refuse to set foot in Fry's given this experience. Even if something is cheaper there I will take my business elsewhere solely on principle.
(I edited this post after over two years, and the frustration I have still runs through my blood. I could not imagine a worse way to treat your customers and a more unethical and sleazy way of running a business. I know, given my experience at the counter, that I am not the only way that feels this way, and it's a shame given the decent prices and selection that Fry's boast. It was bad enough, I still have three employees cell phone numbers given the amount of contact I was having with them over trying to get issues resolved, so maybe I made a friend or two...)
Response to
1) If they (Fry's) can do the repair in-store then they will do that ..
2/3) You should a letter to Randy Fry on customer service and handling of customers' product
4) @ my Fry's service dept. i've only seen a few angry customers there since i've started there..
I've seen worse in the Returns department
Open Box: it's a product that was bought,used and brought back to us and then re-checked by service techs for problems .. Then giving a 5% discount off the retail price ..
The loaner program uses the Open Box units if no other units are there..
About 3 months ago i had a "loaner" run to service dept. The customer had a iBook G4 14" and i took a open box Macbook unit up and the customer was surprised on the unit choice ...
the issue with their Open Box program is they say that you can have a 90 day apple warranty, which is illigit....if aplpe finds out you are screwed
I have not heard of that .. If you get Fry's warranty then you (customer) deals with Fry's not Apple ..
Fry's has always done me well, but I've only purchased items online through them. I've bought several hard drives, some RAM, and software at what is usually great prices. Nothing has ever been defective, and their rebates are usually perfect and quick to be returned.
*knocks on wood*
However, I've never used their warranty service.
*knocks on wood*
However, I've never used their warranty service.
Just curious which ones? As far as I know all that have opened have stayed open. They seem to be opening a new store about once or twice a year.