Okay, after seeing many other people having the same issue, I decided to write my experience on this issue. Many that ordered through Sprint found their shiny new iPhone without a very useful applecare+ serial in the box. At least in my case, the packing slip stated that applecare + was backordered and you could call Sprint (1-800-Sprint-1) to check the order status. Here are the steps that I went through to try and add Applecare + to my phone. IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE RESOLUTION OF THE ISSUE ,SKIP TO STEP 4.
Step 1: DO NOT call Sprint. They are useless. Their representative(s) I talked to knew nothing of Applecare + nor why it did not arrive with the phone. They could see it was billed to me (which I did on my own through my bank statement) and simply said 'Call Apple.'
Step 2: Call 1-800-275-2273. It is Apple's support center for Applecare. Be prepared to have your Serial number for the phone. (Found in Settings > General>About). Have that written down somewhere because I had to say it 3 times and it was annoying having to find it over and over again. The representative transferred me to their Sales Department, but did not tell me the number. Maybe if someone has that direct line it would be better to call there.
Step 3: Talk to the Sales Support. Verify Serial number again. Verify phone number, name, address.
Step 4: I was told that they are having a hard time going through all the Applecare + orders from resellers (i.e. Sprint) and thus it may take some time for Applecare + to be added to the phone. The representative said "wait a week and see if it comes on there. If it does not, call us back with a copy of the receipt so it could be sent to us for verification." Just to play it safe, I submitted a proof of purchase today to Apple via https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do. I guess I will just wait and see what happens this next week.
So....what happens if someone who is waiting for the Applecare + to be "added" damages their phone beyond the limits of the 1 year limited warranty? I sure hope something happens fast!
Step 1: DO NOT call Sprint. They are useless. Their representative(s) I talked to knew nothing of Applecare + nor why it did not arrive with the phone. They could see it was billed to me (which I did on my own through my bank statement) and simply said 'Call Apple.'
Step 2: Call 1-800-275-2273. It is Apple's support center for Applecare. Be prepared to have your Serial number for the phone. (Found in Settings > General>About). Have that written down somewhere because I had to say it 3 times and it was annoying having to find it over and over again. The representative transferred me to their Sales Department, but did not tell me the number. Maybe if someone has that direct line it would be better to call there.
Step 3: Talk to the Sales Support. Verify Serial number again. Verify phone number, name, address.
Step 4: I was told that they are having a hard time going through all the Applecare + orders from resellers (i.e. Sprint) and thus it may take some time for Applecare + to be added to the phone. The representative said "wait a week and see if it comes on there. If it does not, call us back with a copy of the receipt so it could be sent to us for verification." Just to play it safe, I submitted a proof of purchase today to Apple via https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do. I guess I will just wait and see what happens this next week.
Total time trying to get this taken care of: 2 Hours
So....what happens if someone who is waiting for the Applecare + to be "added" damages their phone beyond the limits of the 1 year limited warranty? I sure hope something happens fast!