AppleCare for cheap

[harrisonw1998]

No, because now Apple auto-enrolls it when you purchase it.

 

[aristobrat]

I never read or experienced any evidence of eBay-sold AppleCare being a scam, though I did wonder. I ended up purchasing my Mac Pro AppleCare 3 years ago on eBay from a seller called memorymate. It cost $80, activated fine, and I eventually had to use it for a failing optical drive. There were no problems with the AppleCare, and it cost me a fraction of the cost had I have purchased from another source.

The problem with eBay AppleCare was that someone cracked the code Apple used to generate activation codes and then a ton of eBay vendors started selling these made-up codes for cheap.

These codes almost always activated fine, unless they gave you a made-up code that someone else had used. If that happened, they'd just apologize and generate you another bogus code to try.

The real issue was when, months later, someone walked into an Apple Store and bought an AppleCare box (which they still sell for people who don't buy AppleCare at the same time they buy their product) that had the same activation code in it that the eBay scammer randomly made up for you. That code won't activate for the legit purchaser, and in the process of Apple troubleshooting the issue, your eBay AppleCare will be invalidated.

Odds of that happening are low, but someone else already posted a link to a HUGE thread on here full of people that had that happen.

If you're going to buy AppleCare online from anyone, make sure they send the entire unopened box, and don't just email you a code.

 

[669532]

Oh, I meant AppleCare, but Apple's prices are relatively high in the UK, no?

Apple's prices are * relatively* consistent when you account for standard taxes e.g. VAT + Sales tax in different countries.

 

[shahr04360]

Had an issue even got box in wrap and unopened from eBay. AppleCare claimed due to cross-country and unauthorized reseller. First-time encountered such problem. Finally end-up by auto-enrolled my Mac thru AppleCare site (log from US site) whilst seller (UK) send working code after then. BTW, I'm Asian. LOL

 

[yezza]

The problem with eBay AppleCare was that someone cracked the code Apple used to generate activation codes and then a ton of eBay vendors started selling these made-up codes for cheap...

Interesting, thanks for explaining that.

 

[Big Stevie]

This might just be the UK but all Macs bought on the HE discount get 3years hw cover for free, the £60 is to add 3 year phone cover too.

Are you saying when I buy my MacBook via the student discount scheme later this month, I will automatically get the 3yr Apple Care free?

 

[669532]

Are you saying when I buy my MacBook via the student discount scheme later this month, I will automatically get the 3yr Apple Care free?

If you're are in the UK and buy on the HE discount at UNI or over the phone you will get 3yr Hardware cover (different from apple care) for free, if you want phone support for 3years that costs £60 to upgrade.

I only know about the UK not sure how this works else where.

 

[Big Stevie]

If you're are in the UK and buy on the HE discount at UNI or over the phone you will get 3yr Hardware cover (different from apple care) for free, if you want phone support for 3years that costs £60 to upgrade.

I only know about the UK not sure how this works else where.

Thanks charlieegan3. I am in the UK, but I was going to take my brother into an Apple Store to make the purchase (he qualifies for education discount) rather than doing it over the phone. So;

1) Would the 3 yr warranty still apply for in-store purchase?
2) Is the phone support worth having for £60?

Cheers.

 

[669532]

Thanks charlieegan3. I am in the UK, but I was going to take my brother into an Apple Store to make the purchase (he qualifies for education discount) rather than doing it over the phone. So;

1) Would the 3 yr warranty still apply for in-store purchase?
2) Is the phone support worth having for £60?

Cheers.

I have never done a HE discount in store but I would guess so, I would say the phone support is not nessesary. If you can post on MR then you have all the support you want.

 

[BIS2]

So re: the Amex warranty, how does it work? When you have AppleCare you can just go to the Apple Store or call....but they always tell you that it ends on the date 3 yrs after purchased, its not like they extend it since you used an Amex. If you went tried to get coverage after your date I assume they would reject you, so what then? Do you go thru Amex? This seems like a huge hassle. Would you send the product to Amex to fix? Just trying to figure out the logistics here.....