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Applecare+ - what's the point
- Thread starter mbob
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My impression was that the $199 OOW replacement is just that - cost for replacement if the defect would have been covered by warranty, but the warranty has expired. With AppleCare+, just like the original AppleCare, you have no out of pocket for warranty issues for the full 2 years. Useful if you plan to keep your phone, hand it down to a family member, or sell it (AppleCare is transferable one time).
People who have been paying $199 after they damage their phone are just lucky. Apple has never promised that in writing to my knowledge, and I think the introduction of AppleCare+ is an intentional plan to move away from those "dropped my phone, $199 to replace" incidents. I would not be surprised if people start complaining that they were looking at $650 for a new phone because they dropped theirs, they didn't get AppleCare, and Apple wouldn't do a $199 replacement.
People who have been paying $199 after they damage their phone are just lucky. Apple has never promised that in writing to my knowledge, and I think the introduction of AppleCare+ is an intentional plan to move away from those "dropped my phone, $199 to replace" incidents. I would not be surprised if people start complaining that they were looking at $650 for a new phone because they dropped theirs, they didn't get AppleCare, and Apple wouldn't do a $199 replacement.
I did say you'd have to be a super klutz to break 2 phones... Apple/AMEX will take care of any problems I have with my first phone.
Ok but 2 drops in 730 days still doesn't make someone a super klutz and with an all glass phone that's all it takes.
Please stop with the misleading statements without proof...
From PC MAG:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2394604,00.asp
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I've had a glass phone for 2 years... no drops, no breakage. Why? Cause I'm not a klutz.
Nobody clicked on that clearly since a few posts after it claims that the $199 replacement is going away.
You need to stop calling people klutzes, because they may need their phones replaced.
Accidents happen! For instance, the sole reason I bought AppleCare+ is because I have a medical condition and my medications sometimes make me severely sick and dizzy. If that happens and I drop my phone causing it to break, I need to be able to have a replacement fast.
For me its not worth it since I never broke any of my iphones or electronics in general. They are all in excellent shape a year after that I usually sell them for a newer model.
So to pay upfront for something that probably wont happen is pointless. But others might find it usefull, I know of a few people that break their phones every other month due to their own negligence. They keep dropping them, getting them wet etc...
So up to you, usually history repeats itself so you can learn your patterns and make the right prediction.
So to pay upfront for something that probably wont happen is pointless. But others might find it usefull, I know of a few people that break their phones every other month due to their own negligence. They keep dropping them, getting them wet etc...
So up to you, usually history repeats itself so you can learn your patterns and make the right prediction.
I bought Applecare + because I love to carry my iPhone without a case but I occasionally drop it. I cracked the screen of my iPhone 4 previously and apple told me $199 to repair it (I eventually bought the new iPhone 4S). So for $99 and $49 I don't have to worry about dropping my iPhone. I will also likely recoup my money next year when I sell my iphone 4s for the iPhone 5.
Look I empathize for your situation but maybe because of your condition you should have a nice sturdy case on your phone. If I have fits of rage where I throw my phone at my assistant's head I'll have a case, insurance and a good lawyer.
I'm not saying Applecare+ shouldn't exist, I'm saying I don't need it, those of you prone to breaking your stuff on a regular basis (dropping a glass phone) are klutzes and if you're a klutz (with our without a medical condition) you also have the alternative to buy an Otterbox or any of the tank like cases.
I also don't think having Applecare+ for such a short duration (essentially it's a 1 year extension give or take) gives it much more extended resale value. Most people upgrade their phones within a year and a half (up until my EVO it was every 9 months max for me) so the insurance for the next owner is only going to be 6-11 months. Really not that useful unless you intend on buying already broken iPhones with Applecare+ attached. If the service was say 3-4 years I think it would be a more worthwhile investment.
My reasons for purchasing AC+ for my new 4S (and first iPhone) are twofold: Peace of mind and technical support. Having purchased AppleCare in the past for our MacBook Pros, I have to say the telephone technical support is outstanding. I've called AppleCare with multiple questions ranging from battery issues and Calendar conversion to iPhoto/iDVD interaction and modem/router issues. They ALWAYS figure it out and make things right. Sometimes it just amazes me.
So with that history of amazing service plus the replacement policy for a damaged iPhone, I'll always buy AppleCare for the peace of mind at a reasonable price.
So with that history of amazing service plus the replacement policy for a damaged iPhone, I'll always buy AppleCare for the peace of mind at a reasonable price.
I'm not how sure how Phone Tech Support works... I've called Apple for computers well out of warranty and with no Applecare and they helped me solve the issues too...
So, it's not really $199, but $228 ($199 + $29) to get your iPhone replaced OOW? I don't really care either way, just curious since everyone has been spouting off this amount and haven't said anything about this. And yes, I did buy the AC+ for my iPhone4S. Do I care if it'll save me money or give me peace of mind? Peace of mind, sure, but at the end of the day, it's just money. It can be replaced, it's not going to break me. There are far more important things to dwell on than phones and its insurance.
No the $29 ERS fee is only if you get an Express Replacement Service (ERS) aka an advanced replacement via mail with a box and a return label to send your iPhone back to Apple.
link: http://www.apple.com/legal/terms/iphonears/
Dave
I too have an extended 1 year Warrenty from my citi card on my iphone 4s, my Amex card didn't offer it to my knowledge so I paid with citi, not to mention my citi card also protects against accidental breakage for 90 days from my purchase. I was also thinking about purchasing possibly a third party source? I know worthavegroup had a $80 deal for 1 year protection and unlimited breaks for $50 deductible as well. Then again it's much easier for 20 bucks more to just run in a apple store and get a replacement right then and there.
This guy is totally right.
Stop making the discussion about the AC+ vs OOW and make it the old AC ($69) vs OOW. The price difference is much less, especially when there are resellers still selling the old AC for $49. If the 4s can use that, then I say be careful with your iPhone (buy the Otterbox if you're extremely sloppy) and at the end of 2 years, tell the Apple Genius that you're iPhone doesn't charge like it used to. You get a replacement. Sell it and with that money, renew your carrier contract and get the iPhone 6 (or 5s by that time).
What about now? Start your opinions.
Some items from the apple site:
0.Out-of-Warranty Service
If you own an iPhone that is ineligible for warranty service but is eligible for Out-of-Warranty (OOW) Service, Apple will service your iPhone for the Out-of-Warranty Service fee listed below.
iPhone model
Out-of-Warranty Service
iPhone 4S
$199
iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS,
iPhone 3G, Original iPhone
$149
A $6.95 shipping fee will be added if you arrange service online or by calling Apple Technical Support. All fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to local tax.
When setting up out-of-warranty service, Apple will request credit card pre-authorization for the maximum service fee listed above. This amount will be deducted from your credit limit. The final service fee we charge will be determined during testing and may be less than the service fee listed above.
Certain damage is ineligible for out-of-warranty service, including catastrophic damage, such as the device separating into multiple pieces, and inoperability caused by unauthorized modifications. However, an iPhone that has failed due to contact with liquid may be eligible for out-of-warranty service.
Apple reserves the right to determine whether or not your iPhone is eligible for Out-of-Warranty service. iPhones that are repaired or replaced have a 90-day limited hardware warranty or assume the remainder of your standard warranty or AppleCare service contract coverage, whichever is longer. Please see Apple's Repair Terms And Conditions for further details.
0.Out-of-Warranty Service
If you own an iPhone that is ineligible for warranty service but is eligible for Out-of-Warranty (OOW) Service, Apple will service your iPhone for the Out-of-Warranty Service fee listed below.
iPhone model
Out-of-Warranty Service
iPhone 4S
$199
iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS,
iPhone 3G, Original iPhone
$149
A $6.95 shipping fee will be added if you arrange service online or by calling Apple Technical Support. All fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to local tax.
When setting up out-of-warranty service, Apple will request credit card pre-authorization for the maximum service fee listed above. This amount will be deducted from your credit limit. The final service fee we charge will be determined during testing and may be less than the service fee listed above.
Certain damage is ineligible for out-of-warranty service, including catastrophic damage, such as the device separating into multiple pieces, and inoperability caused by unauthorized modifications. However, an iPhone that has failed due to contact with liquid may be eligible for out-of-warranty service.
Apple reserves the right to determine whether or not your iPhone is eligible for Out-of-Warranty service. iPhones that are repaired or replaced have a 90-day limited hardware warranty or assume the remainder of your standard warranty or AppleCare service contract coverage, whichever is longer. Please see Apple's Repair Terms And Conditions for further details.
iPhone Original I replaced the backing with black aluminum; several months later I lost signal permanently and was not covered and had to pay $220. iPhone 3G I severely scratched the screen and paid $220 to replace it. No more than a year later I fell into a river with my 3GS in a pocket and had to pay $220 to replace it.
The last two incidents were within two years of each other.
Taking every cash outlay due to damage from June 2007 to today. $660 paid out to Apple. Time in possession of some model of iPhone = 53 months. End result is I would pay as high at $12.45 per month to insure my iPhone. AppleCare IF I break the iPhone once in two years would be $6.25 a month and IF I break it twice would be $8.33 per month.
Obviously I've thought about this before purchasing.
The last two incidents were within two years of each other.
Taking every cash outlay due to damage from June 2007 to today. $660 paid out to Apple. Time in possession of some model of iPhone = 53 months. End result is I would pay as high at $12.45 per month to insure my iPhone. AppleCare IF I break the iPhone once in two years would be $6.25 a month and IF I break it twice would be $8.33 per month.
Obviously I've thought about this before purchasing.
Taking out insurance is you betting you will have an accident and the insurer betting you won't.
The odds favour the insurer plus the financial also favours them. All that money earning for them. You could invest it yourself and get far better returns.
The odds favour the insurer plus the financial also favours them. All that money earning for them. You could invest it yourself and get far better returns.
Applecare+ extends the existing 1 year physical warranty to 2 years and 90 days of tech support to 2 years. Anything wrong with the phone except for accidental damage is covered by the warranty and replacement is free. The $49 charge is for accidental damage like dropping it and breaking the screen and that applies to two incidents.