AppleCare: licence to print money?

[dhlizard]

I don't get this. It's tethered to the wrist so where's the risk of dropping it like a naked iPhone and shattering the screen? It's IPX7 water resistant (to 1 meter for 30 min) so there's no chance of the usual "accidental" water damage. And why would it be more likely to malfunction beyond the 1 year warranty than other Apple products?

I have always used cases and screen protectors on my iPhones and iPads, so they are decently protected.

Wearing the watch on your wrist may subject to to all sorts of collisions and impact shocks - that is my concern. I have read plenty of accounts of case and screen damage according to posters here.

 

[The Doctor11]

My Apple Watch Sport was the first time I bought AppleCare+ for something. I did this because I will use it in sports and such and don't want it to get damaged badly. Like if I fell off my bike and landed on my left side. I imagine in that situation it would be pretty bad.

 

[placidity44]

I don't buy extended warranties for anything but I really should get it for my iPhones. I carry my 6 plus without a case without any warranty whereas with apple care i'd pay 99 dollars and a 79 dollar charge for a replacement should I shatter a screen or whatever may happen. Apple's customer service is unmatched though. It's well worth paying for if you want it. I wouldn't call it a license to print money because it is fantastic i'm just to cheap to pay for it. Apple Care is the standard for support.

 

[hallidc]

I buy extended warranties for a large majority of highly expensive items I purchase (iPhone, Mac) simply because you just never know if it will come in handy (yet I haven't had to claim AppleCare+ damages yet..have with normal AppleCare on my MacBook).

As for non-Apple watches - I insured my Rolex for theft protection.

 

[profmjh]

Discussions of AppleCare preferences aside I'm amazed that OP hadn't heard of it until now. It's literally listed as an add on option for all of their products. I guess things could differ in the UK in how Apple can promote it.

I don't tend to buy my Apple products directly from Apple. My laptop was from a physical reseller store and there was no mention of AC. My phone I bought from the carrier and there was no mention of AC.

I did see it when I ordered my AW, but it seemed expensive relative to the price of the watch. I've never broken a watch before and Apple products seem to be very reliable, so I didn't go for it.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I don't get this. It's tethered to the wrist so where's the risk of dropping it like a naked iPhone and shattering the screen? It's IPX7 water resistant (to 1 meter for 30 min) so there's no chance of the usual "accidental" water damage. And why would it be more likely to malfunction beyond the 1 year warranty than other Apple products?

I get this. Being a long term watch user I know no matter how careful you are, sooner or later your watch will get bashed into something to damage it. I had the replace the bezel on my gold Rolex to the tune of $1450.

I never have damaged a iPhone and I have owned them all. Never dropped a laptop. If I damage or crack the screen just one time on my SB AW, AC+ will pay for itself. I have little doubt the watch will perform the way Apple intended, never had an Apple product failure but as a wearable, it will take its bashes in life like anything worn on the human body.

For all the other Apple products, I would not waste my money. I am WAY ahead of the game with all the money I saved by not buying AC but for $70. . . .

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This ^^^

Have never purchased AppleCare for any of my numerous Apple products and have never regretted not buying it.

But IMHO these Apple Watch's we bought are prime for damage/malfunction beyond the included 1 year coverage time.

It's a crapshoot but I am betting on some damage before the two years is up. If not that is good too

Enjoy!

 

[Aluminum213]

Nothing happens to the products of MOST people who buy Apple care, Apple makes 100% profit on it, it truly is an amazing profit scam

 

[DynaFXD]

Never purchased AC+ until I got my watch. To me it is in high risk of damage as a wearable. Never purchased it for any of my iPhones, laptops, or desktops and never needed it or regretted not purchasing.

Interesting. I'd argue those other devices have a higher incidence of being damaged and a larger exposure to damage footprint than a wearable. Unless your nickname is "lefty" of course
The fact that we have such completely opposite view points answers the OP's question: license to print money from FUD.

 

[DynaFXD]

I never have damaged a iPhone and I have owned them all. Never dropped a laptop.

Two types of people, those who have damaged their cell phone and those who will.

If I damage or crack the screen just one time on my SB AW, AC+ will pay for itself.

Just like it will for any other covered device.

Curious that you craft exceptions for the AW. I'd say best be out of the extended warranty game ALTOGETHER. That way, the money you save on one will pay for the damage on another and it is break even. Apple (and everyone else in the manufacturing game) know their failure, damage, and return rates. They price their insurance to be a money maker. Over the life of your devices, your probably paying out more than taking in.

 

[DynaFXD]

Extended warranties are insurance programs. Insurance programs are designed to make money, not lose money. If you avoid all extended warranties over the long haul you will probably come out ahead as the money you save on extended warranties will cover incidental damages that come.

BTW, Apple does not give new devices on Apple Care claims. They give remanufactured items. Theses are identifiable by their serial. Whether this matters to anyone depends. For me, Best Buy would not take an iP5 from me because they id'd it as a reman. by the serial and their policy says no. 99% of the time it may not matter. But just be aware of what you will get for the cost of any extended warranty. I'll never buy Apple care again, though it seemed like a good plan when they replaced my water logged iP5 that they couldn't repair.

 

[beardedsteven]

I've had several iPhones replaced via Applecare. I think my 5 got replaced 5 times. Worth it? Duh...

And personally I think it's worth it just for the extended phone support.

 

[iConnected]

... I'd say best be out of the extended warranty game ALTOGETHER. That way, the money you save on one will pay for the damage on another and it is break even. ....

For any given person, that is far too general a statement - and based on pure assumption.

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Extended warranties are insurance programs. ...

For many other products and providers, yes they are - but not for Apple.

AppleCare (MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, Apple Display) is not an insurance product.

AppleCare+ (iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, iPod touch / classic, Apple TV) combines a non-insurance element (hardware and service coverage) with a very specific and limited insurance element (accidental damage cover).

 

[Karnicopia]

I never get extended warranty either but decided to get apple care + for the watch. The price seemed pretty low compared to the cost of the watch, I honestly didn't know how durable the watch would be and I liked that it would cover both the band and the watch. If the watch ends up being as durable as it seems I'd likely not buy it the next time around but for the first gen and considering it's out on my wrist the whole time I figured why not. It's really not going to fundamentally change my view on device insurance but seemed to make sense in this case.

 

[bunnicula]

Extended warranties are insurance programs. Insurance programs are designed to make money, not lose money. If you avoid all extended warranties over the long haul you will probably come out ahead as the money you save on extended warranties will cover incidental damages that come.

BTW, Apple does not give new devices on Apple Care claims. They give remanufactured items. Theses are identifiable by their serial. Whether this matters to anyone depends. For me, Best Buy would not take an iP5 from me because they id'd it as a reman. by the serial and their policy says no. 99% of the time it may not matter. But just be aware of what you will get for the cost of any extended warranty. I'll never buy Apple care again, though it seemed like a good plan when they replaced my water logged iP5 that they couldn't repair.

Best Buy has never refused an iPhone I've traded there and a couple of them were indeed warranty replacement units.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Two types of people, those who have damaged their cell phone and those who will.


Just like it will for any other covered device.

Curious that you craft exceptions for the AW. I'd say best be out of the extended warranty game ALTOGETHER. That way, the money you save on one will pay for the damage on another and it is break even. Apple (and everyone else in the manufacturing game) know their failure, damage, and return rates. They price their insurance to be a money maker. Over the life of your devices, your probably paying out more than taking in.

I would say the AW is the worst as far as in danger of damages.

I have no fear what so ever of the device failing, it is why I have never purchased AC+ as I have never had a device fail but the watch is different. Besides when I sell it later this year to buy the AW2, it is a great feature to make the new owner feel good about buying a used watch.

I do not argue about the insurance it is a rip off and in Apple's favor. I have saved hundreds by not buying it in the past but knowing I am going to turn around and resell this thing and the possibility of damage before I did......not much could be repaired for under the cost of the $70 for AC+!

There are people here who drop their phone all the time and for these I would recommend the insurance.

 

[iConnected]

Another point to consider:

With AppleCare / AppleCare+ on a product, you may be able to sell that product more easily within the coverage period - and maybe also for a little more money than others are getting for products that don't have it.

Buyers get great peace of mind from knowing that their purchase has hardware and technical support coverage from Apple.

With AppleCare+, you may also be able to transfer that cover with at least one accidental damage claim remaining available.

I'm not suggesting these benefits fully offset the cost, but they do have value.

 

[boy-better-know]

When you pay £55 excess for a replacement, would it be a brand new watch or a refurb, anyone know?

 

[bdobsonca]

I don't buy any extend warranties on any thing - except my iPhones. I've had several occasions to use it, and will continue to buy it for the iPhone. I did not get it on my Watch, and don't even consider it on any of my Macs.

I would think Mac would be the 100% choice. I did and my warranty expires in December and the HD decided to go. Had I not then between parts and labour thats $400 saved right there. A friend of mine had his logic board go which was a heck of al to more. I cannot understand spending that much $ not to protect it.

 

[Docd62]

I do agree that most extended warranties are a rip-off and don't buy them as their cost and the hoops you have to jump though to get it repaired or replaced can drive you insane. AC+ different the cost is not exorbitant for the most part and apple is very easy to deal with when using it. Does Apple make money on AC+, yes, it's a business.

I have put it on most of my family's apple devices and never had a claim on mine. My wife and kids are a different story and have made a few claims because of them for the most part broken screens. Is Apple ahead, most likely but I have peace of mind that I can just walk in and get replaced quickly and most of the time free. It would only take one iPhone to take a dip in a pool or such and I think I would be ahead. Replacing a phone for 99 bucks is a lot better and easier to swallow 900.
I also sell my old phones every year and you do get more when you resell them with AC+ so that help recoup the cost also.

If you want to have some fun just sit in an Apple Store and watch all the people come in with damaged and broken phones and tell me it might not be worth it. I've seen cracked, smashed, bent, crushed, soaked and even punctured and that just when I've been there.

 

[iamMacPerson]

I've had several iPhones replaced via Applecare. I think my 5 got replaced 5 times. Worth it? Duh...

And personally I think it's worth it just for the extended phone support.

Same, except my 5 was replaced 14 times due to Wi-Fi problems. With the multiple and never ending repairs I had done on all my 15" MacBook Pros, its a no brainer for me. AppleCare covered all the repairs and anytime I ran into a problem at the store with them not wanting to fix something I could call in and (usually) their reps would take care of it.

When you pay £55 excess for a replacement, would it be a brand new watch or a refurb, anyone know?

You get a 'white box replacement'. Usually the devices are refurbished however there is a chance of getting a new one. Out of all the white box replacements I have had none of them have looked refurbished because the outside casing is replaced with new components. Same with the battery.

 

[parseckadet]

I usually don't get AppleCare for my devices, but I did this time around for a couple of reasons.

First, it's a watch, and it will inevitably smack into something. Either a door knob, a counter top (granite in my house), or any of a number of things. This is why I got the SS, but I still want the extra coverage just to be safe.

Second, this is a 1.0 product. That means that Apple hasn't had years and years to sort out manufacturing issues. My first gen iPhone got replaced 3 times in the second year because I kept getting bubbles between the glass and the display. This is also why I've stayed on the S-track for iPhones, gives Apple a year to sort out the idiosyncrasies of manufacturing their designs.

But, Apple is the ONLY company I will buy extended warranties from. Years ago my wife needed her PC laptop repaired under an extended warranty from BestBuy. They had to ship it off to who-knows-where, and then sat on it for over a month. This while she was trying to finish up her dissertation for her PhD. That experience was a big factor in why she switched to Mac.

 

[AFDoc]

Guess I'm just responsible and am not careless with my expensive electronics.... no need to buy a coverage I won't need to use.

 

[parseckadet]

Guess I'm just responsible and am not careless with my expensive electronics.... no need to buy a coverage I won't need to use.

So you're saying that only irresponsible people will break electronics? Ever hear the phrase "accidents happen"?

 

[sdallnct2]

If you already have a "floater" policy from your insurance company, it would be worth seeing if you can add AW. You might have one already to specifically cover say an engagement ring, Rolex, maybe a nice camera.

These are great values and include coverage for theft. However they do not cover mechanical break down.

If you don't already have a policy like this, not as good a value as likely there is a minimum charge. But still worth checking on.

I have bought Apple Care+ on my iPhones and Watch as I don't like to baby these items. For example I've run or worked out w/my phone strapped to my arm 6 days a week for years. Plan to do the same with my watch (tho I'm also checking into adding to my floater policy).

I have not bought Apple Care or tried to insure my iPad. I don't use it the same way and usually just sits by the couch or bed.

 

[BuckeyeDonovan]

Guess I'm just responsible and am not careless with my expensive electronics.... no need to buy a coverage I won't need to use.

I guess with that logic car, home owners/renters, and medical insurance are completely unnecessary as well for you too huh? You're just super duper responsible and nothing unexpected ever happens to you eh? Must be nice to be so much more awesome than us plebs.