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Cheapest price i found was Apple.com with Education discount. $239 and they have free shipping.
 
While the original poster to that thread had a bad experience the vast majority of submissions to the thread are folks who had positive experiences purchasing Applecare on eBay.

However, I bought my Applecare from L.A. Computer. They are a well-respected online merchant and have some of the best prices you'll find outside of eBay.
Were you shipped the actual Applecare box and serial number from L.A. Computer?
 
L.A. Computer is an Apple Authorized Reseller, so I doubt they are going to play any games.
 
I've bought all my APPLECARE warranties on eBay with no ISSUES! Just got a mabook pro and guess where I am going to get the warranty.. yea eBay for $150 BIN - M$ Livecash 8%!!!
 
Just checked Amazon: for MacBook Air (which is what I have) it's $199.70. Cheaper than eBay, I think.
 
eBay, I've had no problems. They email you the code and it works immediately.

Got it for my MBP for $212; much better than Apple's rate of $350. o_O
 
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