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Don't buy AppleCare on Ebay
- Thread starter Detektiv-Pinky
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So you're saying you're not the original original poster?
Not if the code that's on the box has been used before...
But don't sweat it. Only the people who have had problems buying AppleCare on eBay posted here. There are tons of threads about very happy people who've done the same.
My business name is AWS Studio Distribution - and have agreements to purchase via Ingram Micro. and TechData. I have several contracts with pro-audio manufacturers as well - selling Apple and pro-audio products goes hand-in-hand. I supply gear to studios locally as well as internationally. To maintain my status with Apple as a reseller I have to purchase $100,000 on a yearly basis. Do you need more details?
Authorized resellers *can* sell at any price they want - you're telling me that Amazon.com and JR.com (authorized) are doing something wrong by selling for less than MAP?
Some manufacturers enforce MAP like Avid - and resellers adhere to those. Most manufacturers give a hoot about MAP for e.g. Sony, Canon, Nikon, Apple, etc.. and yes, ebay is full of authorized resellers that do sell below MAP - funny that you're telling me that authorized resellers can't do this and that while you, clearly unauthorized haven't even explained how you can get 'codes' only - when Apple clearly does NOT sell codes only for AppleCare.
So you're saying you're not the original original poster?
Tsk.. you concentrate on such silly details
Apple does not have you listed as an authorized reseller unless I am doing something wrong, what state do you operate out of?My business name is AWS Studio Distribution - and have agreements to purchase via Ingram Micro. and TechData. I have several contracts with pro-audio manufacturers as well - selling Apple and pro-audio products goes hand-in-hand. I supply gear to studios locally as well as internationally. To maintain my status with Apple as a reseller I have to purchase $100,000 on a yearly basis. Do you need more details?
Authorized resellers *can* sell at any price they want - you're telling me that Amazon.com and JR.com (authorized) are doing something wrong by selling for less than MAP?
Some manufacturers enforce MAP like Avid - and resellers adhere to those. Most manufacturers give a hoot about MAP for e.g. Sony, Canon, Nikon, Apple, etc.. and yes, ebay is full of authorized resellers that do sell below MAP - funny that you're telling me that authorized resellers can't do this and that while you, clearly unauthorized haven't even explained how you can get 'codes' only - when Apple clearly does NOT sell codes only for AppleCare.
By the way, I simply sell a great (actually many great items) item at a great price and have not had any problems, my almost 4 year track record of doing so proves your theory wrong about the codes. So stop the slander. Attack the people that have actually done someone wrong, focus your attention where it should be.
I do understand your sour grapes as you do not have the buying ability to do the same.
Amazon and J&R do not sell at the price level you are talking about. I am saying that they are controlled by apple, 100%. This is the reason that I chose to not be an authorized reseller. I also buy my apple products for much less then you do, if I was authorized, the discounts are not as great.
As far as explaining how I buy my codes, what can I tell you? I buy them 300 to 400 pieces at a time and get a great price, the person I buy from is authorized to buy and sell the codes. Why you aren't familiar with the program I don't know, but apple isn't always (actually very seldom) forthcoming with information, even to their own stores and telephone support.
What is your online store front or website? I Googled for it but couldn't find it.
My business is incorporated in NV - I am a Apple Business Consultant and reseller - I do not have a store - I only sell to studios that I network with. This is not my main business - my main business is music production.
Your statement confuses me - "I also buy my apple products for much less then you do, if I was authorized, the discounts are not as great."
But the person that you buy from (who is supposedly authorized) gets a hefty discount? Doesn't make sense - after taking into consideration ebay fees, paypal fees, etc - your distributor must still make some profit after selling you codes - the pricing gets ludicrous. This is the part that confuses me.
Anyway, I'll check with Ingram/Tech on Monday and ask them what pricing they can get for AppleCare for a order of 500,000 units - and will re-examine if I can get 'codes' only. I also know the guys at LA Computer Company - I don't know why you take this as 'slander' when I am doing some homework to try and find out if what you're selling is genuine or not.
Heck, if it is genuine, then I'll buy AC from you! But I need to be certain.
I don't have a store - I resell to studios (A/V studios) I've posted some items here in the past in fact (I think in the marketplace section)
I'm sure all this talk of "codes" is legitimate, but I've been told by Apple staff numerous times that AppleCare (UK) is literally just assigned to your device ID number at their end and has nothing to do with the box/etc you get as part of "AppleCare" - I've got a box sitting next to me right now which means nothing.
Does the US use "codes" for AppleCare or am I just missing a massive point here?
Does the US use "codes" for AppleCare or am I just missing a massive point here?
Nope. It is indeed all about the codes. People just seem to find sellers more trustworthy if they will provide you with a code and the original box. But it really doesn't mean anything. Well, it might mean that the seller actually purchased the AppleCare legitimately from Apple or a reseller.
well, not quite true....if you go back and read about the OP's problem you'll see that Apple required he verify that his "code" was actually a legitimate Apple product. To do that he had to either provide the serial number from the box or a receipt from an authorized reseller.
If you buy using the "code only" route, you're not going to be able to prove you have a legitimate Apple product and what you thought was your Applecare warranty protection vanishes.....just as the OP found himself without coverage after buying a "code only" deal.
This is absolutely correct.
After just having bought applecare on ebay, I thought I was buying an actual boxed copy that would be shipped to me. Unfortunately, the seller just emailed me the code. I thought "oh well, I guess I'll try it and see if it works." Worked fine enrolling it.
Then I read this post and posted a couple of responses. I decided to call applecare and investigate. They said that the problem the OP had has indeed been happening. Because of these problems, they actually don't even recognize the "codes" as valid when it all comes down to it. Even if your code goes through and everything looks good, if you ever have any issues where they require proof of purchase and the applecare serial number... you're out of luck.
All this to say, I then contacted the seller and explained the situation and he has issued me a refund, even though he will probably take a hit from this.
Now that is a good businessman.
I have bought a legit copy and will be enrolling it and canceling the one I got off ebay.
My advice... listen to the OP and buy a legit copy. No offense to ebay sellers, but it's just safer that way when we are spending so much for a computer. I would only buy it on ebay if it was still a sealed box.
If you have applecare from ebay, I hope it continues to work great. I was just lucky enough to correct this before my year was up.
As far as I know a machine can only have AppleCare once. Meaning, if you cancel the AppleCare you already added, you won't be able to add AppleCare that you've purchased elsewhere.
I have sold many appecares and I have been in touch with many of my buyers and I myself have used the applecare I sell on a few computers and never has there been a problem when I have needed any repairs using my applecare codes. My customers have also not had problems, I of course can not speak for all of them, but I have received thank you emails from customers after they have had repairs done with the applecare I sold them.
Many of the people on this forum speak in absolutes, thats not fair as most sellers codes work perfectly. There are a few bad eggs out there, and I do guess the way to avoid buying a bad code is to not buy codes at all, but just know that I have seen bad applecares that are sold in box's as well.
I guess if anyone wants to verify how well my codes work or another sellers codes work is to email my buyers from over a year ago and see how its going. I assure you that all my customers will be happy even after the initial purchase.
I am just relaying what the applecare specialist told me I could do in view of my situation. I think it would be a special exception.
Well vexious, I guess luck is on my side, because they are in the process of doing it right now.
Let me just say that Apple truly has the best customer service i've ever experienced. Every applecare specialist i have spoken with has been excellent in attitude, understanding and service.
Typically they do not do this sort of thing, but they are making an exception for me.
This is why I bought an Apple, and this is why I will continue to buy Apple products.
By the way macman812, I in no way was trying to take business away from you. I'm sorry. Just trying to give my opinion and express what I thought the best decision for me was.
The seller I bought from was also a standup guy and dealt with me very sympathetically, even in light of his loss on the sale.
From all your posts you seem very legit, and if I am ever in need of anything for my mac I will definitely look you up on ebay.
Thanks for bringing balance to the conversation.
Let me just say that Apple truly has the best customer service i've ever experienced. Every applecare specialist i have spoken with has been excellent in attitude, understanding and service.
Typically they do not do this sort of thing, but they are making an exception for me.
This is why I bought an Apple, and this is why I will continue to buy Apple products.
By the way macman812, I in no way was trying to take business away from you. I'm sorry. Just trying to give my opinion and express what I thought the best decision for me was.
The seller I bought from was also a standup guy and dealt with me very sympathetically, even in light of his loss on the sale.
From all your posts you seem very legit, and if I am ever in need of anything for my mac I will definitely look you up on ebay.
Thanks for bringing balance to the conversation.
I know you say Apple said that even if the code appears valid and processed that if you need a repair they'll expect proof of AC purchase. Honestly, they can't really do that and I doubt Apple stores care. They just check whether AC is active or not. BUT they can ask you (that's clearly outlined in their TOS), if the plan's coverage is ever in question. Those showing in processing and those without the physical proof of coverage document e-mailed or mailed to you by Apple would need to show receipt of purchase.
I've bought applecare on ebay and never had an issue with the registration or with Apple retracting the contract they sent later on. I'm curious though where these applecare codes come from in the first place. Surely, if they were stolen, it would be easy to track that down and block them? Where are these sellers getting them and how they can be sold for so little?
Just very curious what I'm missing here...
thanks!
Just very curious what I'm missing here...
thanks!
I called Apple and specifically asked if I would be able to add a new applecare plan to my Macbook even though my original plan had been cancelled. They said I could and offered to sell me a plan then on the phone.
In my case my plan was cancelled by someone other than me as a result of a fraudulent ebay sale (seller: fromtheheartllc).
I will never buy an APP from ebay again. I'll either buy right from Apple or save a little and buy from Amazon. I do not want to be without a legitimate receipt and proof of purchase.
Apple Care eBay
I have purchased 8 Apple Care plans on eBay.
I had 1 problem.
Purchasing through Paypal helps. And Paypal did help, and the issue was resolved to my satisfaction.
In the future I'll pay for any eBay purchases with my credit card. Credit Card companies are much easier to deal with, and a resolution to my satisfaction is always quick and positive.
I have purchased 8 Apple Care plans on eBay.
I had 1 problem.
Purchasing through Paypal helps. And Paypal did help, and the issue was resolved to my satisfaction.
In the future I'll pay for any eBay purchases with my credit card. Credit Card companies are much easier to deal with, and a resolution to my satisfaction is always quick and positive.
Just received a code for my Mac Pro from macman. Still waiting for PayPal to refund my money from memorymate. I finally received the code 5 days late, but am continuing with my dispute.
Really? I called in about 4 different times, all of them said there is no way they can do it as they have to issue a 'refund'. I even talked to Corporate Customer Care.. =\
The guy at Corp Care said I could buy an additional applecare and if he cancels it within a month he'd let me still apply it but that was it. It was the first time i've ever been really let down by apple and saddened. As i offered to purchase a copy direct from them, they still refused.
Can anybody tell us where these codes come from, if not Apple? WHY are they not legitimate? And, if they aren't, how come Apple can't stop them from being registered in the first place?
As I mentioned, never had a problem with applecare bought on ebay.
As I mentioned, never had a problem with applecare bought on ebay.
I'd like to know too because I have a box from AC for my cinema display and I think it's in the trash.
I know it is 10 pages long but somewhere you'll read that the code could be generated using a key gen of sorts.
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