Costco 2-year warranty vs. AppleCare+...any good/bad stories?

[Tozovac]

As an avid Costco fan, I've never heard of anyone "using" Costco's 2-year warranty on a Mac computer (2 years from date of purchase).

With AppleCare+ cost rising to the $300-$400 level for a MBP, any opportunity to "risk" passing on AppleCare+ in place of Costco's "free" 2 year warranty sounds very compelling, even with the known trade-offs that AppleCare+ covers more than just a manufacturer's warranty on the hardware.

But has anyone here had any good or bad experience utilizing the Costco warranty for non-accidental functional hardware issues after 12 months and before 24 months, as I'd assume Apple's base 12-month warranty would apply first in all cases.

 

[chscag]

I don't have an experience with an Apple product purchased from Costco but I did purchase a stereo system for my daughter which failed after 6 months. Costco replaced it with a brand new one, no questions asked. You probably need to read the fine print on Costco's warranty as it applies to Apple products.

I do agree with you that the $300-$400 cost of AppleCare + has risen to the point where it may be wise to look for alternatives. But with the complexity of the newer MacBook Pros and non-repairability, some form of a warranty is a must in my opinion.

 

[Tozovac]

I do agree with you that the $300-$400 cost of AppleCare + has risen to the point where it may be wise to look for alternatives. But with the complexity of the newer MacBook Pros and non-repairability, some form of a warranty is a must in my opinion.

Given that I've gotten an average of 6-7 years use from my 2 apple computers (Mac Pro 2006-2014, MBA 2014-2020), I wouldn't sweat even $350 too much since that's $5/month (over 7 years) of protection for those first 3 years...and I'm pretty OK with self-ensuring my ability to not drop my computer (never have), but once I'm prompted to consider paying over $2000 for a laptop for the first time, spending another $350 on top of the sales tax is a definitely a pill not easily swallowed.

Though, I do think AppleCare for my $2500 mac pro in 2006 was around $300 just the same...

 

[Dave Braine]

I don't have an experience with an Apple product purchased from Costco but I did purchase a stereo system for my daughter which failed after 6 months. Costco replaced it with a brand new one, no questions asked.

I had a similar experience with a camcorder that just stopped working past the normal 12 months. Full refund straight away.

With regards to AppleCare, over the years I've had use of 7 Macs, bought from new, and none have had any need for AppleCare.

 

[jparker402]

Does Costco's warranty provide 24/7 phone help?

 

[Tozovac]

I had a similar experience with a camcorder that just stopped working past the normal 12 months. Full refund straight away.

With regards to AppleCare, over the years I've had use of 7 Macs, bought from new, and none have had any need for AppleCare.

My 2006 Mac Pro went in several times during its initial 3 years for numerous video card issues.

My 2006 30" Cinema display went in several times also. Never a problem since, thankfully.

2014 MBA once for something I forget now.

Guess I’d better suck it up and go with it next time too.

 

[Tozovac]

Still no experiences with the Costco warranty for an Apple computer?

 

[firegun9]

Costco Concierge Service - Issaquah, WA

234 reviews of Costco Concierge Service "Have a warranty on my computer- 1 year and 6 months in- hard drive starts to click- computer then goes black.After hours and hours on the phone with Costco concierge services and 1 month later- NO SOLUTION They put me on hold every 2-3 minutes for 2-3...

www.yelp.com

The Costco Concierge's review is so bad...
Now I think I am going to keep my macbook pro from Bestbuy even though Costco will have a deal coming up.

 

[twoehr]

I came looking for guidance on this also as I plan to purchase a new 27” iMac to replace my mid-2011 model. If I get 4 years of coverage automatically (1 yr Apple, 1 year Costco, 2 years Costco VISA), why buy AppleCare? Accident protection is something unique, and I’d have to think about it with a portable, but not an iMac. Having an extended warranty paid off for my iMac, I had to replace the video card once and the LCD screen another time. If I get that coverage with Costco’s program I'm good.

My experience making a claim with Costco does give me pause for concern. I had a TV remote stop working in year 2 and they tried to weasel out of it saying remote controls are a “consumable” item. Luckily for me Costco brought in the manufacturer tech support to the call and I asked that person if they consider remotes “consumable” and would not replace it if broke while under warranty. They were like “of course it’s covered”. Nice try Costco.

 

[DaddyMac502]

As an avid Costco fan, I've never heard of anyone "using" Costco's 2-year warranty on a Mac computer (2 years from date of purchase).

With AppleCare+ cost rising to the $300-$400 level for a MBP, any opportunity to "risk" passing on AppleCare+ in place of Costco's "free" 2 year warranty sounds very compelling, even with the known trade-offs that AppleCare+ covers more than just a manufacturer's warranty on the hardware.

But has anyone here had any good or bad experience utilizing the Costco warranty for non-accidental functional hardware issues after 12 months and before 24 months, as I'd assume Apple's base 12-month warranty would apply first in all cases.

I am a Costco employee, going on five years at the front end. When returning a product because of failure. When you get to the return desk, the Costco employee will tell you rules and regulations or policies that they follow, immediately ask to speak to a manager, a manager nine times out of 10 is there to make you happy! explain your situation short and sweet and tell them exactly what's on your mind, you can also elaborate if Cosco concierge service was giving you the runaround, respect the manager and tell him exactly what you want. 9 times out of 10 you could get on brand-new product for what ever reason. When you feel you have no recourse always speak to a manager!!!!

 

[ufomism]

Did you end up buying the MBP through Costco?

Ordered a 16" and thinking of returning the AppleCare+ (if possible), since as you point out there's 4 year warranty through Costco.

Thanks

 

[KaliYoni]

An alternative to buying AppleCare is to self-insure. Stick some money, up to the full value of a replacement, in a savings account. Use the money if you lose or damage your Mac. If nothing happens to your Mac during its lifespan, you can roll over the money plus whatever earnings have accumulated to self-insure a new machine. Or put the funds towards the purchase of a new computer.