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Don't buy AppleCare on Ebay

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I registered my new iPhone 32GB the other day with an AppleCare purchased at the AT&T store. I guess it triggered some kind of check because now my MacBook Air and and MacBook late '08 are no longer listed on my AppleCare page.

I purchased those two from Macman812 in January.
 
Hi,

Is it true that one has to buy the Applecare for the specific country in which they are based due to the differing laws based on what is/can be covered and what is not? For example, if I bought Applecare for a MBP in the US and tried to apply it, it may either be rejected or it will only cover issues under US rules and not UK ones? I would like to buy from e-bay usa but I think they will only offer US versions?

Bazzy!
 
I got mine from MacMan (Brian) without any issues. Got warranty till 2012.

Though when I requested the box from him and I told him I would pay for the shipping he ignored me completely. I am a bit upset on that.
 
chewbaccacabra said:
I registered my new iPhone 32GB the other day with an AppleCare purchased at the AT&T store. I guess it triggered some kind of check because now my MacBook Air and and MacBook late '08 are no longer listed on my AppleCare page.

I purchased those two from Macman812 in January.
Click to expand...

Apple didn't even notify you? See, now that's just bad business.
 
So I bought Applecare from 3 different Ebay vendors months ago... All 3 have now have had their Ebay usernames sacked.

One is just an iPod... meh...

The other two are a 24" LED cinema display and a 15" MBP. I really do want to make sure I have these 2 items covered.

Should I call Apple and explain my concern? All 3 are still shown on my Applecare page but I don't want to have something fail a year out of warranty and THEN find out I'm screwed.
 
brentsg said:
So I bought Applecare from 3 different Ebay vendors months ago... All 3 have now have had their Ebay usernames sacked.

One is just an iPod... meh...

The other two are a 24" LED cinema display and a 15" MBP. I really do want to make sure I have these 2 items covered.

Should I call Apple and explain my concern? All 3 are still shown on my Applecare page but I don't want to have something fail a year out of warranty and THEN find out I'm screwed.
Click to expand...

I'd say hold off on registering anything else. That's what seemed to have kicked mine out. Weird too, because the Apple Store gave me a new model Air back in January. In March I called and got a live person to transfer that eBay bought AppleCare over to the new serial number.
 
clyde2801 said:
Were the boxes sealed when you got them, or did you just receive codes? I don't think a seller can't revoke applecare if he doesn't have the box and the serial code to prove ownership.
Click to expand...

No I never had the boxes. I don't believe Macman812 revoked the code though. I just wonder if Apple realizes what codes were eBay boxless codes and cancels them when they find out.
 
I heard back from Macman and he said that he doesn't save the boxes and they are tossed once the code is used.
 
Here is a screenshot of what I see when I go sign into my Applecare page.

4783_1178410972828_1004730250_528888_4957256_n.jpg


If you type in the serial numbers individually for the Air and Macbook you see they are still covered.

4783_1178411012829_1004730250_528889_319662_n.jpg


4783_1178410932827_1004730250_528887_3933470_n.jpg


Macman812 thinks there could be a system issue with Apple and we should give it a few days. He has stellar customer service so far, so no complaints from here.
 
Mustard Chops said:
Same thing with me. I called PayPal and because the item was 'intangible' ie a code, they will not proceed with a claim and find in the sellers favour.

This guy is on to a winner here! He is basically untouchable by eBay & PayPal...
Click to expand...

Whoa, this whole PayPal/eBay business looks more and more fishy to me. So we can conclude: PayPal buyer protection is a big joke!

When I joined eBay some 9 years ago it was a nice platform with a lot of opportunities (both for the seller and buyer). Now it seems that shady business practices are openly protect and encouraged...

It is not as if eBay and PayPal could not do anything about it. They simply do not want to loose income from they PowerSellers and choose to turn a blind eye towards not so honest sellers...
 
brentsg said:
Apple didn't even notify you? See, now that's just bad business.
Click to expand...

Apple is having issues with their on line enrollment today with macbook, macbook air and the new 13" macbook pro. These all use the same applecare enrollment # (Retails for $249 plus tax and is part # MB587LL/A). If you try to enroll the applecare on line, it tells you that it is not the correct code for the product, however, if you call Apple to ask them about or to enroll over the phone, that same enrollment # works perfectly and enrolls the product. I believe that this on line issue MAY be part of why chewbaccacabra is not seeing the computers as covered on his personal page with Apple.


I hope that I am correct regarding the online glitch with apple affecting his personal Applecare page. We will know more tomorrow when we (I) can get a hold of the applecare department at Apple.

I will update as soon as I know anything further.

I hope this helps a bit
 
Hm Macman 812 seems to be doing everything he can :) good seller.

I have a question for you heh - what if my applecare goes belly up 1 year from now? I mean I really hope you are still around doing the same business he he but still couldn't you at least keep the serial numbers from the boxes you toss out? So that your customers could be helped even more?

Just a thought Macman bro :)
 
I bought Applecare from Memorymate a few months back for my Late 08 Macbook. Registration went fine. After reading this thread I decided to look up my applecare agreement online. It says that my computer is under limited warranty and will expire this November. I then called apple and after giving the agent my product number he said "well I see that your computer is covered under applecare, how may I help you today?" I asked him to confirm that my laptop is covered under applecare and could he please confirm the expiration date he has on file for my computer. He checked and said that my applecare warranty expires on November 30, 2011. I asked him why this wasn't showing online, but he had no answer.
 
I decided to check mine and it lists my iPhone and iMac that I did buy applecare for from Apple or AT&T. The one for my Late 2008 Macbook that I bought from memorymate on ebay is not there. It was up until last week. Seems a little odd.

If I try to reregister my serial number and Applecare number it says it is already registered.

Perhaps it is a glitch with the online system as Macman says because it says the machine is covered until 2011 as it should be based on my purchase date when I enter the serial number of the machine.
 
So, let me get this straight: Apple sells Applecare for a certain amount of money, but other people on eBay sell exactly the same product for much less.
Also, certified resellers, and I'm thinking of Bestbuy, and the like (I don't know if Bestbuy specifically sells this , but you know what I mean) can offer the same product at a discount, but just a small one.
So, why in the hell would Apple certify two different resellers at different prices?. Apple sells its product at a much lower price to some random guy on ebay than it does to big reseller companies that make millions in revenue every year?. Really?
Use some logic here. If you only get the code and Apple ask for the number in the box, you loose your coverage. So for a start, you are not completely sure your computer is going to be repaired. Also, there are well funded reasons to think that there's something wrong to the fact that they don't sell the full product and do it at such low prices. Come on, just think of it!
Do whatever you want, of course, but I would never buy such a thing from eBay (especially after knowing that Paypal won't cover your purchase in case of fraud).
Is anyone going to give a reasonable explanation why I'm wrong?
Cheers
 
Macmel said:
So, let me get this straight: Apple sells Applecare for a certain amount of money, but other people on eBay sell exactly the same product for much less.
Also, certified resellers, and I'm thinking of Bestbuy, and the like (I don't know if Bestbuy specifically sells this , but you know what I mean) can offer the same product at a discount, but just a small one.
So, why in the hell would Apple certify two different resellers at different prices?. Apple sells its product at a much lower price to some random guy on ebay than it does to big reseller companies that make millions in revenue every year?. Really?
Use some logic here. If you only get the code and Apple ask for the number in the box, you loose your coverage. So for a start, you are not completely sure your computer is going to be repaired. Also, there are well funded reasons to think that there's something wrong to the fact that they don't sell the full product and do it at such low prices. Come on, just think of it!
Do whatever you want, of course, but I would never buy such a thing from eBay (especially after knowing that Paypal won't cover your purchase in case of fraud).
Is anyone going to give a reasonable explanation why I'm wrong?
Cheers
Click to expand...

Macmel,

It is not true. Look the discount at Amazon or LA Computer. Is it not a small one, it is 30%-40%.

Another point, why Apple does not ask for the number in the box while registering online if it is so important?

Best.
 
alphaod said:
The joys of buying products from legitimate channels is rewarding.
Click to expand...

Now come on. :rolleyes: While you're sitting up there in your ivory tower perhaps you can see the point. Many thought and still think that buying from eBay is ok. I know I do but it's buyer beware. It seems my AC for my MBAir is nowhere listed in my list of items covered. Edit: I am not truly concerned as I have a hard copy certificate of coverage that was mailed to me by them thus agreeing to the AC coverage.
 
Macmel said:
So, let me get this straight: Apple sells Applecare for a certain amount of money, but other people on eBay sell exactly the same product for much less.
Click to expand...

Extended warranties are HUGE profit items. It's completely reasonable to think that they could be sold at a significant discount and still be profitable to sell. My family used to own a boat dealership and we sold extended warranties when desired. I could buy them for my personal vehicles through our company at discounts that well exceeded 50% of the normal price.

So no, it doesn't seem odd to me that someone other than Apple and Big Box can sell them for very low prices.
 
Update to my "case". After calling Apple and explaining to them how my MB Air appeared online under registered agreements and now did not (and stating I have the COC in hand) they got in touch with the Agreement Admin department who used the serial of another machine that was listed online and said that it may be a glitch or something but in 24-48 hours the MB Air will show online, the product is covered and to ensure there is no other concern they'll e-mail and updated COC to my home.

It took about 20 minutes to explain what I meant to the representative who continued to say I was covered and I continued to say that was not the complete point of my call. After that (she is tech support which is apparently the right place to be for this) she chatted with Agreement Admin and they confirmed (those are the people you want confirmation from).

brentsg you had said earlier this month that you would haul Apple into court over the failed AC registrations and I said you needed to brush up on your law a bit. You countered and missed my point entirely.

You want to take Apple to court over a failed registration number obtained from a person online who is not an authorized reseller of any Apple product? Unfortunately, Apple has little to do with this issue. If they're not going to accept the AC registration number and you did not obtain the number through appropriate channels (eBay/non authorized resellers is not an appropriate channel) then it is well within their right not to honor the agreement. They are very clear about this. You must have the COC (you can pull that offline) and proof of purchase should there ever be question as to whether or not the coverage is valid.

While many of us (myself included) are finding great deals on eBay and getting lucky (I consider it luck) with the registration codes working, it is still a gamble that everyone needs to recognize could result in potential loss. Even greater loss now that PayPal deems the sale of codes as intangible items not worthy of dispute.

All I am saying is that it is not Apple's issue if you buy a code from some online seller on eBay and the code ends up being faulty. If Apple or any other retailer honored all codes regardless of validity then there would be no reason to ever buy a legit code for anything ever again. Apple's point is if you pay full price or buy through a reseller then they'll probably honor the agreement or at least be more willing to assist you.

As for credentials, I didn't say you needed to be a lawyer to have a thought, research would have served you well in that case. We both know that neither of us are lawyers. I know if I were I would not hand out free legal advice online.
 
jessica. said:
brentsg you had said earlier this month that you would haul Apple into court over the failed AC registrations and I said you needed to brush up on your law a bit. You countered and missed my point entirely.

You want to take Apple to court over a failed registration number obtained from a person online who is not an authorized reseller of any Apple product? Unfortunately, Apple has little to do with this issue. If they're not going to accept the AC registration number and you did not obtain the number through appropriate channels (eBay/non authorized resellers is not an appropriate channel) then it is well within their right not to honor the agreement. They are very clear about this. You must have the COC (you can pull that offline) and proof of purchase should there ever be question as to whether or not the coverage is valid.

All I am saying is that it is not Apple's issue if you buy a code from some online seller on eBay and the code ends up being faulty. If Apple or any other retailer honored all codes regardless of validity then there would be no reason to ever buy a legit code for anything ever again. Apple's point is if you pay full price or buy through a reseller then they'll probably honor the agreement or at least be more willing to assist you.
Click to expand...

My point is this: I buy a code right after I buy my hardware. To my knowledge I purchased from an individual that has the boxed Applecare product in hand, but I only get the code to save on shipping costs. And that is exactly what I thought happened when I bought mine... I go online and register the code and it works perfectly. Apple e-mails me a letter that my hardware is covered and as far as I'm concerned it's a done deal.

For a year, every day I can log on Apple's website and see that my gear is covered. Another year goes by and I can still see that my gear is covered. Now suddenly my hardware breaks so I call Apple. They now tell me that my code wasn't legit and I am not covered.

Yes in this scenario I believe that Apple is at fault. They bear some burden of responsibility to notify me that I have purchased an invalid code BEFORE they send me an e-mail to validate my initial Applecare transaction. If they don't catch it then somehow, they had a full year to figure it out before my window of opportunity closes (to make it right by re-purchasing the coverage).

I think that the "well it wasn't a certified Apple dealer" or whatever wouldn't be enough to get them off the hook.
 
brentsg said:
Extended warranties are HUGE profit items. It's completely reasonable to think that they could be sold at a significant discount and still be profitable to sell. My family used to own a boat dealership and we sold extended warranties when desired. I could buy them for my personal vehicles through our company at discounts that well exceeded 50% of the normal price.

So no, it doesn't seem odd to me that someone other than Apple and Big Box can sell them for very low prices.
Click to expand...

But it's not an external company who issues the extended warranty for either Apple or other resellers. It's Apple who issues the warranty and sets the price. I understand that big resellers can reduce the price a lot, but this guys in eBay they reduce the price further more. My question is: How do they get the AppleCare from Apple at such discounted prices? And most importantly, why Apple would do that, only to lose business when they know they are selling the code without the box which could be eventually necessary?.
AppleCare should be sold with the box, just in case you need the serial number printed on it. You may be requested proof of purchase by Apple.
My bet is this is all a scam that works normally, but if you have a problem, you are left alone. I would never buy AC from such a source.

brentsg said:
My point is this: I buy a code right after I buy my hardware. To my knowledge I purchased from an individual that has the boxed Applecare product in hand, but I only get the code to save on shipping costs. And that is exactly what I thought happened when I bought mine... I go online and register the code and it works perfectly. Apple e-mails me a letter that my hardware is covered and as far as I'm concerned it's a done deal.

For a year, every day I can log on Apple's website and see that my gear is covered. Another year goes by and I can still see that my gear is covered. Now suddenly my hardware breaks so I call Apple. They now tell me that my code wasn't legit and I am not covered.

Yes in this scenario I believe that Apple is at fault. They bear some burden of responsibility to notify me that I have purchased an invalid code BEFORE they send me an e-mail to validate my initial Applecare transaction. If they don't catch it then somehow, they had a full year to figure it out before my window of opportunity closes (to make it right by re-purchasing the coverage).

I think that the "well it wasn't a certified Apple dealer" or whatever wouldn't be enough to get them off the hook.
Click to expand...

Excuse me, but Apple owes you nothing: you bought a code from an illegal reseller. Apple guarantees that if you buy AC from them or an authorized reseller it WILL WORK. If you don't, it's your problem. It may work for a while because the sstem is automatic and re-checking all the codes manually is probably very complicated, but when you need repairs and your code is put to the test...
I bet there are hundreds of invalid codes out there that are never put to the test because the computers never break in the three year period. Hundreds of people thinking they are covered when they are not.
 
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