Apple Care+ or SquareTrade?

[tugger]

I went with Worth Ave Group for the theft coverage, the thing I'm most concerned about. Also covers breakage, spills, etc. The 32GB-4G policy was $105 for 2 years with a $50 deductible. My credit card covers for iPad breakdown in the 2nd year, so all around this was a better deal than AppleCare unless I totally demolish it or it gets stolen more than once.

 

[marc55]

I did the same but according to some posters, Florida iPad owners are required to bring theirs in for inspection...Don't know why.

Is FL the only state required to bring it in for inspection?

 

[ZipZap]

From Apple's site. Click warranty and service pricing, then click my iPad is not eligible for warranty service.

Thanks,

So the way I would view this for Square Trade:

Assume $299+$49=$349 for each damage replacement ($700 for 2). Depending on your model your warranty may be gone or close to gone after the first claim.

Since Apple is not likely to repair iPads...any manufacturer issues in year 2 will cost the same $349.

So, I will leave it to everyone else to descibe the value of ST short of having No problems.

 

[palpatine]

apple care +
http://store.apple.com/us/product/APP_IPAD_PLUS_AUTO-112700

two incidents of accident coverage with 49 dollar service fee. sounds fair to me. it seems like a no-brainer, and a huge improvement over the old apple care option, which seemed like a waste of money compared to st and others.

 

[azentropy]

I've always been a ST fan and have said so on these forums. I protected my previous 4 iPad purchases with ST. However them now adding in a $49 deductible changes the equation for me at least as that was a big benefit they had over other coverages.

 

[Achtung(Baby)]

How do I buy AC+ if I bought my iPad at Best Buy last week friday? Do I have to call Apple?

 

[Stealthipad]

Amazing, over 80 posts just on making a choice between Square Trade or Applecare.

 

[Built]

How do I buy AC+ if I bought my iPad at Best Buy last week friday? Do I have to call Apple?

Yes, you call. I did the same thing.

 

[Irish Rose]

I went with AppleCare+. I like dealing with Apple directly and knowing that I can get tech support over the phone whenever I need it is worth the few extra dollars to me over the ST warranty.

 

[Saturn007]

Old thread I know, but I was impressed by josh's comment

"$100 for warrenty + ~$50 for case + +$50 deductible = $200 easy to keep it safe. Saving a POSSIBLE $100 for a $300 replacement we don't even know will be needed."

It's good to look at the #s from a different standpoint as he did. I've always gone with some sort of Apple Care or Square Trade protection, but this definitely gives me pause.

Now, I think the #s may need rethinking, right?

You'd want a $50 case in any event as screen protection, especially if you DIDN'T get AC+ or ST. So, that's not part of the costs.

So, we're looking at $150 ($100 plus $50 deductible) for guaranteed coverage of a $400 or $500 item... that's still a chunk. However, if indeed Apple charges only $300 to repair an iPad (replace a screen?) then it would be

$150 vs. $300.

Of course, a big factor is that I know believe that a repair *will be needed*!! Even if it's something as simple as a home button not quite working well.

I was glad I had ST coverage on an iPhone 4 as it meant a no-fuss, no extra cost, < 1 week repair to get back my iPhone working like a charm again! And it saved me the hassles of trying to find some place to repair it and pay out of pocket.