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Some times they do, some times they don't.....and that's the potential problem with these "code only" deals because if they do ask, well, there goes your money.

Who holds on to a box for 3 years? I moved since then and I couldn't tell you where I packed the boxes from Apple Care.
 
Who holds on to a box for 3 years? I moved since then and I couldn't tell you where I packed the boxes from Apple Care.

I have every box for any electronics over $100 bucks and still in warranty. I keep the manuals, warranty paperwork, original receipt and any accessory boxes inside. It really helps the resale value, makes transporting easy and in some cases i've had manufacturers give me updated hardware because I can include virtually everything i received in the box (for warranty claims).
 
I have every box for any electronics over $100 bucks and still in warranty. I keep the manuals, warranty paperwork, original receipt and any accessory boxes inside. It really helps the resale value, makes transporting easy and in some cases i've had manufacturers give me updated hardware because I can include virtually everything i received in the box (for warranty claims).

I do too, but there wasn't any electrics in that box. I still have the boxes for the iPhones, Macs, Time Capsule and so on. In the Apple Care box what are you going to transport in it?
 
I do too, but there wasn't any electrics in that box. I still have the boxes for the iPhones, Macs, Time Capsule and so on. In the Apple Care box what are you going to transport in it?

It just holds that card and the cd, and the receipt and a print out of the online confirmation...don't ask me I kept my mobileme box too :D
 
It just holds that card and the cd, and the receipt and a print out of the online confirmation...don't ask me I kept my mobileme box too :D

I guess I'll start saving that stuff. I just hate saving stuff like that, I hate clutter. Mine might be in a box from when we moved, but who knows, stuff like that I sometimes throw away.
 
Actually, no, you weren't just pointing that out. You were saying that anyone could go and buy it online using a student discount, which is illegal. See the string of quotes below. I'm surprised to see this coming from you, HBOC, considering you are one of the bigger proponents of not buying box-less AppleCare because of the gray line.

I am just pointing this out. It's not up to me to pass judgement onto people who do this. There is a difference from possibly buying bogus hacked codes online, to using the student discount link. Like I said, I went into the store and picked up my AC showing my ID.
 
I guess I'll start saving that stuff. I just hate saving stuff like that, I hate clutter. Mine might be in a box from when we moved, but who knows, stuff like that I sometimes throw away.

I put my AC box inside my MBP box to save space.
 
I am just pointing this out. It's not up to me to pass judgement onto people who do this. There is a difference from possibly buying bogus hacked codes online, to using the student discount link. Like I said, I went into the store and picked up my AC showing my ID.

If you buy AppleCare from the Apple Education Store, and are not a student, you could get into some serious trouble AND lose your AppleCare (and money).

If you buy AppleCare online from eBay without the box, the worst thing that could happen is that the code was already used or gets revoked later. But, if you used a credit card, you get your money back from your credit card company if that happens.

You're right, there is a difference. A HUGE difference. If you are a student, go for it. If you are not, you are committing fraud by buying from the Apple Education Store.
 
What Fishrrman says is such a pie of missinformation it's even not funny.

Of course there are scammers on Ebay, granted.

But I bought 3 codes during the last several years and did not want to deal with shipping the box (THERE IS NO SERIAL NUMBER ON THE BOX APPLE WILL NEED). Got the emails, registered them ok, got my machines services internationally without issues ....

So making a blanket statement like you do is just something you made up.

There are a lot of shop going bankrupt, complete chains of them sometimes as you know, and those Ebay people are buying massive amounts of boxes sold under the regular price during liquidations.

THERE IS A SERIAL NUMBER ON THE BOX APPLE MIGHT NEED.
Plenty of times this has been discussed. In case there's a problem with your AppleCare suscription, Apple will ask you to provide this number and check if it correspond to the AppleCare code you introduce. If you don't have it, your AppleCare will be cancelled. It has happened before and there are several threads on that.
The AppleCare code is linked to a box with a serial number. In principle, you need only the code BUT Apple can ask you for the serial no. anytime.
Why don't they want to send you the box? One box=One code, so they should not be able to sell it to someone else... Unless it's a scam.
 
Macmel wrote:
"THERE IS A SERIAL NUMBER ON THE BOX APPLE MIGHT NEED.
Plenty of times this has been discussed. In case there's a problem with your AppleCare suscription, Apple will ask you to provide this number and check if it correspond to the AppleCare code you introduce. If you don't have it, your AppleCare will be cancelled. It has happened before and there are several threads on that.
The AppleCare code is linked to a box with a serial number. In principle, you need only the code BUT Apple can ask you for the serial no. anytime.
Why don't they want to send you the box? One box=One code, so they should not be able to sell it to someone else... Unless it's a scam."

Yup, exactly right.

Again, I will state for the record and challenge anyone to provide proof otherwise:

The only "unique" identifier that distinguishes one AppleCare box - and one AppleCare policy - from another is the printed serial number that appears on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Inside, the contents are the same from one package to another (for the same type of AppleCare, say, for an iMac). There is nothing INSIDE the box providing you with a code or number with which to register the policy - it's on THE OUTSIDE.

When you register, you use this serial number to obtain your registration policy number.

So - without the box, you can't register AppleCare, because without the box, you have no serial number.

Yes, a seller who won't provide the box can provide you with a serial number, and,
Yes, it may appear to register fine with Apple's online registration site,
BUT
Without the actual box (containing a bona fide serial number), how do you KNOW the serial number the seller has given you is bona fide (that is, corresponds with the same number from an actual box), OR is nothing more than a phony serial number generated through software?
AND
If the seller's number IS bona fide, and it came from an actual AppleCare package, where is the box that he obtained the number from?
AND
If you need Apple service, and you are asked to produce proof of purchase, without the box, how are you going to prove that you actually purchased a bona fide AppleCare package?

Those vendors (including a few ebay vendors) who include the box as a part of the purchase are selling legitimate AppleCare packages, because you are getting a bona fide serial number. The printed box is "the proof of purchase", so to speak. It prooves you are in possession of an actual unit of the product.

WITHOUT the box, you have "no proof" of ownership. If you need service, you may be required to produce the box - with the serial number - in order to obtain same.

Like P.T. Barnum said.....
 
Again, I will state for the record and challenge anyone to provide proof otherwise:

The only "unique" identifier that distinguishes one AppleCare box - and one AppleCare policy - from another is the printed serial number that appears on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Inside, the contents are the same from one package to another (for the same type of AppleCare, say, for an iMac). There is nothing INSIDE the box providing you with a code or number with which to register the policy - it's on THE OUTSIDE.

When you register, you use this serial number to obtain your registration policy number.

Actually, the AppleCare Agreement Number is on the inside of the box. Wow, I can't believe you would post advice on the subject without knowing that. Otherwise, what's to stop someone from just taking the number off the outside of the box in a store and registering it to their Mac?

Too funny. I'm going to laugh about this one for a while :D
 
Another eBay AppleCare thread. Who's had experience?

Everybody who is going to say that eBay AppleCare is a scam please get out of this thread. I'm looking for people with first-hand experience.

I know that there are people who have bought AppleCare on eBay. Who did you buy it from? Was your AppleCare deleted? Any problems?

Again I'm only interested in those who have had first-hand experience.
 
Yes - it worked for me although I have not had to make a claim so far

I bought 2 AppleCare for iPhone policies on eBay from a seller called coastal_computing. Instead of a physical shipment I received activation codes by email, which I successfully entered into the Apple registration website. So far I have not had to make a claim against either policy.
 
Everybody who is going to say that eBay AppleCare is a scam please get out of this thread. I'm looking for people with first-hand experience.

I know that there are people who have bought AppleCare on eBay. Who did you buy it from? Was your AppleCare deleted? Any problems?

Again I'm only interested in those who have had first-hand experience.

If someone posted that they had bought AppleCare on eBay and got scammed, would they be allowed to post that they got scammed? You don't determine who posts in threads, sorry.

Look at any of these threads, another one isn't needed. All within the past month.

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=011016...ite:forums.macrumors.com&hl=en&as_qdr=m&meta=
 
If someone posted that they had bought AppleCare on eBay and got scammed, would they be allowed to post that they got scammed? You don't determine who posts in threads, sorry.

Look at any of these threads, another one isn't needed. All within the past month.

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=011016...ite:forums.macrumors.com&hl=en&as_qdr=m&meta=

of course they could post. I just wanted people on this forum to post in my thread(dunno why it merged with this one) who had experience with buying applecare on eBay. I've already been through all those threads and most of them were people like you. Warning of buying applecare on ebay but never having actually done it.
 
If you buy AppleCare from the Apple Education Store, and are not a student, you could get into some serious trouble AND lose your AppleCare (and money).

If you buy AppleCare online from eBay without the box, the worst thing that could happen is that the code was already used or gets revoked later. But, if you used a credit card, you get your money back from your credit card company if that happens.

You're right, there is a difference. A HUGE difference. If you are a student, go for it. If you are not, you are committing fraud by buying from the Apple Education Store.

Well since I am a student, I cannot speak from experience on using the EDU discount w/o being a student. However, my school was not listed on the list of schools in the Portland area, so i chose a school.

The irony with that is I ordered my MBP in the Apple Store. I was assisted by an Apple employee that told me to choose a school. I had my student ID. They have now since added my school to the list.

As far as the repercussions if ordering and not a student, I don't know. I know to order stuff using the student discount for Microsoft, you have to have a valid .edu email. With Apple, there is no such thing. I was surprised.

And to the OP. I did order AC for my iPhone on eBay. I got emailed the code. I started research on ebay scams and why only codes are emailed AFTER i purchased. I had to go the ebay way due to my warranty expiring.

I did have my iPhone serviced (new screen), and had to provide nothing (had no invoice or box anyways) in the form of proof. They checked that it was registered. So mine worked, but i sold my iPhone in October and bought the AC in August...
 
....As far as the repercussions if ordering and not a student, I don't know...

IIRC; when you buy online from the education store, in the process you click something to swear that you're qualified and that you agree that they can charge you the difference in price should they audit your purchase and find you aren't really qualified
 
In response to the fellow looking for a reputable AppleCare seller on eBay, look at their feedback and look at their auction layout to see who is professional and who is not.

I can tell you right off the bat that "Popissue" is the infamous "Memorymate" and "App.Holdings" (one and the same person). His account was banned, and he has since opened a new account to continue selling AppleCare. He scammed quite a few people in the past (check the feedback for app.holdings), but it wasn't the AppleCare per se. It was the individual. I saw a few of his listings when he first started under the new name, and he actually left "© memorymate 2009" on his picture, haha.

Even if the seller's feedback is good, look at the way their auction is designed. If it looks like they threw it together in 5 minutes, chances are they won't be there for the long haul should you have warranty issues down the road.

But, if you see a seller with lots of good feedback, and their auction listing looks like they put a lot of time into it, then it's probably a safe bet that they plan to be in business for a good long while and will take care of you down the road should something happen. Look for custom graphics, a real logo for the company, etc. That's what I would do, and will do when the time comes to buy AppleCare. Sometimes they're not the cheapest listed on eBay, but if you have to spend a few bucks more for the extra piece of mind, it's worth it in my book to buy from a reputable, long-time seller.
 
Actually, the AppleCare Agreement Number is on the inside of the box. Wow, I can't believe you would post advice on the subject without knowing that. Otherwise, what's to stop someone from just taking the number off the outside of the box in a store and registering it to their Mac?

Too funny. I'm going to laugh about this one for a while :D

This is correct. The box has the serial number and what product it is for (MB588LL/A in my case) and inside the box, there is the tech tools dvd, a 47 page guide, and a separate carboardish paper that has the web registration instructions with a sticker on the bottom right hand side with the registration number. I believe you need both numbers, but i cannot remember for sure.
 
This is correct. The box has the serial number and what product it is for (MB588LL/A in my case) and inside the box, there is the tech tools dvd, a 47 page guide, and a separate carboardish paper that has the web registration instructions with a sticker on the bottom right hand side with the registration number. I believe you need both numbers, but i cannot remember for sure.

To register it online, only the AppleCare Agreement Number inside of the box is needed.

Sometimes Apple may request that you provide them with the serial number on the outside of the box to get warranty repairs done. Sometimes. Even then, if you threw out the box, they will most likely complete the warranty repairs for you. They'd have to be a real hard ___ technician to deny you service because you can't give them the number on the outside of the box that you purchased.
 
"This is correct. The box has the serial number and what product it is for (MB588LL/A in my case) and inside the box, there is the tech tools dvd, a 47 page guide, and a separate carboardish paper that has the web registration instructions with a sticker on the bottom right hand side with the registration number. I believe you need both numbers, but i cannot remember for sure."

In that case, my earlier posting - which was denigrated by "lovemacs" - is correct, and lovemacs is WRONG.

He is wrong because the actual "serial number" of the AppleCare product sold - and the one thing that makes it unique and distinguishes it from all other boxes of the same product on the shelf - is the SERIAL NUMBER, which - AGAIN - appears on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOX, and NOWHERE ELSE.

But let's go beyond this argument.

If the INSIDE of the box has "web registration instructions with a sticker on the bottom right hand side with the registration number", and even if you don't need the serial number from the outside - why won't the seller send you the simple, thin, piece of paper with the registration number on it?

Again, this paper serves as PROOF OF PURCHASE and verifies that you - the claimed owner of the policy - are actually in possession of the paperwork and registration number from which the policy emanates.

WHY WON'T THEY SEND YOU THIS?

Simple:
Because they don't HAVE IT, and never did.

The numbers are fake.
 
I dont know, both side has a point of argument. For the seller, they maybe an authorize dealer that can buy AC by the bundles, maybe they bought 100's at time from apple, maybe thats why they can provide the box. Unless someone from apple upper level flat out deny it, it could be a possible that it's true. But then again, why would apple ask for the serial on the box from time to time if they indeed sell bundles of AC to resellers knowing that they wouldn't have had it in the first place. Weird.
 
Many of these posts are stating that "code only" AC was bought on ebay without any problems. Every product comes with a one year waranty, so if serviced within that time frame, you wouldn't know if your AC was legit or not. I want to hear from someone who bought "code only" AC from ebay and had their product serviced AFTER the initial warranty expired. And I believe that is what the OP was getting at, the fact that it would take at least a year to know if your "code only" AC was legit or not.
Forgive me if everyone is already referring to using AC after the initial warranty, but I hadn't read anywhere in this thread that that was the case.
And like many others have said, if there is even the SLIGHTEST chance that something is a scam, is it really worth saving a few bucks on? After all, if you save $50 but still spend $150 on nothing, you haven't saved a damn thing.
 
^
search the forum, there is a thread that got closed a few months back, but it was many pages long, and chalk full of info you seek! Just search applecare ebay or something.
 
Macmel wrote:

Again, I will state for the record and challenge anyone to provide proof otherwise:

The only "unique" identifier that distinguishes one AppleCare box - and one AppleCare policy - from another is the printed serial number that appears on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Inside, the contents are the same from one package to another (for the same type of AppleCare, say, for an iMac). There is nothing INSIDE the box providing you with a code or number with which to register the policy - it's on THE OUTSIDE.

When you register, you use this serial number to obtain your registration policy number.

Just to refresh your memory Fish. Tell me I'm wrong again :rolleyes:

Nothing on the inside providing you with a code or number, uh huh. You use the serial number on the outside to register your plan, uh huh. Oh, the ignorance abounds. But you said it with such AUTHORITY (caps intended), that it was almost believable.
 
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