Question about AppleCare service

[mpavilion]

I've always bought phones from my carrier (other than a bad experience with the Nexus One). A big plus of going through my carrier for warranty swaps is that they ship me a new phone overnight, and I send them back the defective unit -- so I'm never without a phone.

From what I understand, if I bought a phone directly from Apple, and went through Apple on warranty exchanges (either during the phone's initial warranty period, or extended warranty period if I purchased AppleCare), I would have to mail the phone in and wait for it to be repaired or replaced... meaning I'd be without a phone for a certain period of time. Is this correct? Thx

 

[charlituna]

I've always bought phones from my carrier (other than a bad experience with the Nexus One). A big plus of going through my carrier for warranty swaps is that they ship me a new phone overnight, and I send them back the defective unit -- so I'm never without a phone.

From what I understand, if I bought a phone directly from Apple, and went through Apple on warranty exchanges (either during the phone's initial warranty period, or extended warranty period if I purchased AppleCare), I would have to mail the phone in and wait for it to be repaired or replaced... meaning I'd be without a phone for a certain period of time. Is this correct? Thx

Nope. Not correct. Well not totally. Depends on why it needs to be fixed. If it's something that would require a swap you have the option of giving them a credit card they can charge if you don't return the old phone and they will ship new one first.

Then again being in the valley you have like five stories you can do go and get it fixed

 

[Ghostbuster386]

They have an express option where they will send you a phone first. If you don't have apple care then it's $29 plus they put a hold on your card for the full price of the phone until they get it back. If you have apple care express replacement is free but they still do the hold on the card.

 

[mpavilion]

Interesting to know; thanks for the info. Maybe I'll consider buying directly from Apple next time. (Not into the idea of making a trip to an Apple store for a repair/exhange, if I can help it... handling everything by FedEx / UPS is ideal.)