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Is AppleCare + worth it?

D

Dtp8513

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 17, 2010
122
0
In the past, I broke my phone and it cost me $200 to fix (water damage).

It happened once in 3 years...


Is AppleCare+ really worth it at $100?
 
If you are a lucky person and nothing ever goes wrong for you regarding tech devices. Not worth it.

However, just an example of how extended warranties paid off for me. I had a Dell gaming laptop, the video card blew in the very last part of the 3rd year. Would have cost me over 600.00 to replace it. I got it done for free.

This year in year 2 of my iMac Apple care warranty, I had a smudge issue come up on my screen. They came to my home, evaluated the situation, and replaced my LCD display at home. Would have cost me almost half + the cost of a new iMac.

The question is punk.... are you feelin lucky? :D

That being said, damage caused by user, sometimes not worth it, damage occurring from software or hardware defect or issues, well worth it.

WW

Besides, I normally have a policy that any device that I pay over 400.oo for, I protect with extended warranty.
 
It's like any insurance, is peace of mind worth it? Plan is $100, new iPhone 4S replacement at retail price begins at $650. So if you break it without insurance of any kind, this is the possible cost to you if it cannot be fixed.

I purchased it for 2 years worth of peace of mind.
 
DougFNJ said:
It's like any insurance, is peace of mind worth it? Plan is $100, new iPhone 4S replacement at retail price begins at $650. So if you break it without insurance of any kind, this is the possible cost to you if it cannot be fixed.

I purchased it for 2 years worth of peace of mind.
Click to expand...

Don't they normally replace/fix phones for $200, not full retail price?
 
It's worth it for me since I'm with Sprint and there not offering insurance on iPhones. So applecare is worth it for me, and in the long run will be cheaper than my Sprint insurance. Just as long as I don't loose it.
 
iSaxon said:
Don't they normally replace/fix phones for $200, not full retail price?
Click to expand...

Yes. But, AppleCare+ gives you two replacements over the 2 years, so you could end up paying $400 for two out-of-warranty repairs, or $200 for AppleCare+ ($100 for AC+ and two $50 deductibles).

AppleCare+ also gives you an extra year's warranty (no deductible) and 2-years telephone support instead of 90 days. You need to factor those benefits into your decision as well.
 
Slowlo said:
Don't forget the $50 deductible if you actually make a claim.
Click to expand...

Don't forget that deductible applies to accidental damage, not to normally warrantable stuff like a failed speaker, or home button or similar. See http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/AppleCarePlus.pdf

If during the Coverage Period, you submit a valid claim by notifying Apple that (i) a defect in materials and workmanship has arisen in the Covered Equipment or, (ii) the capacity of the Covered Equipment’s battery to hold an electrical charge has depleted fifty (50%) percent or more from its original specifications, Apple will either (a) repair the defect at no charge, using new or refurbished parts that are equivalent to new in performance and reliability, or (b) exchange the Covered Equipment with a replacement product that is new or equivalent to new in performance and reliability, and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product.
Click to expand...
iSaxon said:
Don't they normally replace/fix phones for $200, not full retail price?
Click to expand...

They have done this, unsure if it will continue, and there are limitations to it as well. See http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=United_States&product=iphone

Certain damage is ineligible for out-of-warranty service, including catastrophic damage, such as the device separating into multiple pieces, and inoperability caused by unauthorized modifications. However, an iPhone that has failed due to contact with liquid may be eligible for out-of-warranty service.
Click to expand...
 
Agree, it's good to have for piece of mind. Just like auto insurance, health insurance etc.... you never know when you'll have to use it. It's cheap anyway, if you can afford the phone and monthly bill, you can easily afford the extra cost for Apple Care.
 
iSaxon said:
Don't they normally replace/fix phones for $200, not full retail price?
Click to expand...

Yes. It's $199 to give you a replacement phone if you opted not to buy AppleCare. In the end, you pay $51 more IF you break your phone. If you don't break it, and did buy AppleCare, you've spent $99 for nothing. So, it's really up to each person and how confident they feel with or without it. Personally, I'm fine without it. I'm very conscious of my phone, so I'm not worried about dropping it and breaking it, or getting it wet. I rather just pay the $199 if something did happen. And since I always upgrade every year, I'm not worried about extending the original warranty for another 12 months.
 
SimplyBlue said:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/13547791/

Post says first time replacement cost with no AppleCare+ will probably be $249.
Click to expand...

Only if you opt to purchase Applecare+ on the replacement.

"Under the program, customers needing to replace a damaged iPhone would be given a $50 discount on Apple's standard $199 replacement fee if they also purchase AppleCare+ for the replacement device, for a total cost of $249."
 
saintforlife said:
+1 That's what I thought. can somebody answer this question?
Click to expand...

Stopping in my local Apple store to get a verified answer today. They may not know, but I want to have proof of anything the local store says since that is where I will be purchasing AppleCare + from since I ordered from sprint.com and didn't add the option.
 
I've asked this myself via e-mail and Apple added Apple Care + without answering the question. I figure I'll just keep it.
 
who knows whether or not the $200 replacement option will continue in the future. But at the very least, you can't take it 100% for granted as a guarantee as some in this thread seem to be doing. It was always sort of a courtesy thing that apple did for customers, at their discretion, mostly because the customer had no other options. Now that a customer could have bought coverage for such an issue, I think there is a pretty good chance that policy will cease or at least apply in substantially fewer cases.
 
DougFNJ said:
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/1...-free-replacement-policy-for-damaged-iphones/

According to the article, that $200 replacement will no longer be available effective.......but it is a little confusing if you now DO NOT have to purchase it with the phone....
Click to expand...

The article says you don't have to purchase it with the phone but if you expect a replacement phone you will be charged $249, the cost of Apple Care + and the replacement phone with that $49 discount.

What I still don't get is if I don't get AC+ then can I just pay $199 for the replacement and never get AC+?
 
If you have a tendency to drop your phones from time to time or have kids that drop your phone then yes, I'd get it. Otherwise, no its a complete waste of money if you dont use it or need it.
 
Check with your home owners insurance because mine for $20 a year covers any portable electronics, iPhones, iPads, iPods, laptops, etc. with a $50 deductible. Covers theft, accidental damage, and more.
 
I'm on the phone with a woman named Rosemary at 1800 My Apple. I asked:

If you do not buy Apple Care + and drop your phone, can you walk in and pay $199 for a new phone?

I then asked if you walked in to pay $199 for a new phone because I broke mine would I then be required to add AC+ making my total purchase $249 (considering they're allowing a $49 discount if you purchase AC+ with the $199 replacement)?

She is researching my questions and put me on hold. She is asking more specifically if the AC+ program just overrode the $199 replacement process that has been rather public (but perhaps not written & published policy).

Edit:
I was just told that the $199 replacement will stand so. So if you need to do an out of warranty replacement it is $199. If you don't get Apple Care + then you still save $49.

Apple Care + sounds like a great idea if you a) plan on dropping your phone or dunking it in the water a lot b) have kids who may play with it and understand kids drop things and c) intend to take advantage of the program by "dropping" your phone, paying $49 for the service fee replacement then selling it "new" before the iPhone 5 comes out. ;)

I for one just cancelled my Apple Care + because I do things for peace of mind and figure if I do have one unfortunate mishap then $199 later will cover it. My risk that I'm willing to take.
 
Last edited:
I suppose we're all arguing semantics to an extent, seeing as how we're dissecting an article written based on a conversation with a "source".

That said, I think the fact they referred to "Apple's standard $199 replacement fee" is a pretty significant indicator that nothing has changed in that regard. Had they replaced "standard" with 'old'/'previous'/'former'/etc I might feel differently, but as it stands, that seems pretty clear to me.

Edit: Looks like it's no longer speculation, both Jessica. and JRoDDz have provided confirmation that the $199 replacement stands. Cool. :)
 
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