Getting AW2 in USA and using in UK

[StuMcBill]

My parents are heading to the US on holiday in September, and if it was out, asking them to pick me up an Apple Watch 2.

Would I have any issues with warranty, power etc using it in the UK. I guess I could just buy a UK Power Cable from Apple and it would be fine.

If I wanted to add AppleCare (for example) or had a warranty issue when back in the UK, would Apple work on it, or would it only be valid in the US?

Thanks
Stu

 

[keysofanxiety]

All Apple devices have a global warranty. No problem where you bought it from.

 

[StuMcBill]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[fischersd]

All Apple devices have a global warranty. No problem where you bought it from.

What?! AC+ is an insurance policy and is typically underwritten in the country that it is provided. There were certainly issues with people trying to get support from Apple in countries that the Watch wasn't launched in - you had to take it back to the country of origin for service.

This is actually routine in the electronics industry - each country is typically a subsidiary of the corporate company (in this case headquartered in the US). The cost of the device in each country includes the warranty costs for that country. (as people were going on about new vs refurbished replacements - in some places new replacements are mandated by law, so the cost of the warranty program in that country would be higher than countries that Apple can provide refurbished replacements for warranty.

@StuMcBill - call Apple in the UK and ask them if you will have any issue with an Apple Watch purchased in the US - adding Apple Care to it and having it serviced in the UK. Ask for your case number and ask them to make sure they make notes in your file as to what they advised you (so the next person you talk to at Apple doesn't refute what was said).

 

[MLVC]

What?! AC+ is an insurance policy and is typically underwritten in the country that it is provided. There were certainly issues with people trying to get support from Apple in countries that the Watch wasn't launched in - you had to take it back to the country of origin for service.

This is actually routine in the electronics industry - each country is typically a subsidiary of the corporate company (in this case headquartered in the US). The cost of the device in each country includes the warranty costs for that country. (as people were going on about new vs refurbished replacements - in some places new replacements are mandated by law, so the cost of the warranty program in that country would be higher than countries that Apple can provide refurbished replacements for warranty.

@StuMcBill - call Apple in the UK and ask them if you will have any issue with an Apple Watch purchased in the US - adding Apple Care to it and having it serviced in the UK. Ask for your case number and ask them to make sure they make notes in your file as to what they advised you (so the next person you talk to at Apple doesn't refute what was said).

I bought my watch in Australia, it wasn't out in the Netherlands yet. I only had to wait to get AppleCare until it was released in the Netherlands, but it wasn't an issue at all as soon as the watch was released in NL. My Australian AW has a Dutch AppleCare.

 

[fischersd]

I bought my watch in Australia, it wasn't out in the Netherlands yet. I only had to wait to get AppleCare until it was released in the Netherlands, but it wasn't an issue at all as soon as the watch was released in NL. My Australian AW has a Dutch AppleCare.

Surprising. Has anyone had issue with making regular (non AC+) warranty claims? If not, that means that Apple is dealing with all of the accounting in the background to make it easier on their customers.

 

[Freida]

I worked for apple before and unless they changed it, applecare is international. Buy your product anywhere and its covered everywhere where there is apple presence or authorised apple service center.

 

[magicnigel]

My parents are heading to the US on holiday in September, and if it was out, asking them to pick me up an Apple Watch 2.

Would I have any issues with warranty, power etc using it in the UK. I guess I could just buy a UK Power Cable from Apple and it would be fine.

If I wanted to add AppleCare (for example) or had a warranty issue when back in the UK, would Apple work on it, or would it only be valid in the US?

Thanks
Stu

Here's a few issues that you might want to consider before buying in the states.

1. Every electrical item purchased in the EU has a 2 year warranty as standard, if you buy from the states your watch will only be covered for the 1 year. I recently had the battery replaced in a MBA and was informed of this, having bought it in the states. I'm guessing Apple care will cover you for 2 years but if it's a manufacturing/hardware fault rather than a cosmetic fault then you might be better buying at home.

2. With the brexit the exchange rate is pretty bad and depending on where your parents are going, your watch may be subject to sales tax. California is 8% for example, I had priced an Apple Watch in May thinking I'd save while abroad but the cost difference ended up being about £20. Not exactly worth the hassle. At the moment there's about a £40 saving on the 42mm sport if you can get it in a state without sales tax.

Adding AppleCare once in the UK after purchase is possible but Apple will need to inspect your item before doing it. If you don't have an Apple Store handy they might not allow you to apply it to your watch. Again, I bought an iPad Pro recently and forgot to add Apple care to my purchase. Tried to do it the day after and had to call into store to get a once over.

Power will be fine, the watch changes over USB, so you can use a standard iPhone charger. If you're saving a lot of money on it I'd go for it, or even use that money to buy AppleCare with the watch at the time.

 

[fischersd]

Power will be fine, the watch changes over USB, so you can use a standard iPhone charger. If you're saving a lot of money on it I'd go for it, or even use that money to buy AppleCare with the watch at the time.

True, the watch charging cord has a USB connector at the end, but you'll also be losing out on the 220V usb charger (as the ones in the US are just the 110V two-prong we use over here). Will they just swap those for you at the Apple Store free of charge or will you need to purchase another one? (I tend to leave all mine plugged in....if I had to swap the cables every day that would get a wee bit annoying)
Just something else to consider.

 

[eastwoodandy]

You also need to consider availability. Rumours point to 16th or 23rd September release date, if they are in the US on those dates, I very much doubt they can walk into a store and purchase one, I would imagine supply constraints for the first month or so.