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Warranty Recommendation?

T

Tharius

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 20, 2011
26
0
There are so many different types of warranties out there I'm not sure which one is exactly the best to purchase for my iPhone 5s.

Does anyone have any recommendations? (My phone is through Sprint)
Bestbuy
Apple
Sprint
ProtectYourBubble
SquareTrade
 
I think you should buy AppleCare once your Apple 1 year warranty expires because it extends the warranty to two years and covers water damage etc.
 
Cheapest would be to purchase it using an Amex or equivalent with extended warranty protection as that doubles the warranty (notice you asked about warranty, not insurance).

Amiz said:
I think you should buy AppleCare once your Apple 1 year warranty expires because it extends the warranty to two years and covers water damage etc.
Click to expand...

Purchasing AC+ has to be done in the beginning. No more waiting until the last minute to purchase it.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Cheapest would be to purchase it using an Amex or equivalent with extended warranty protection as that doubles the warranty (notice you asked about warranty, not insurance).
Click to expand...
When people ask these type of questions, they typically do not know the difference between a warranty, an extended care plan, and insurance.

Amex does not double warranty protection technically. It extends the original protection by one year. If the original warranty is one year, yes, it ends up being two years. If the original warranty is six months, then it ends up being 1.5 years.

The original poster is highly encouraged to read the terms and conditions of each extended care plan (e.g., AppleCare+) and the various insurance plans as there are different coverages as well as different fees/deductibles associated with obtaining service.

There is no "best" plan since it's up to the individual to assess risk, cost, convenience, etc.

For me, I always purchase consumer electronics, big ticket items (e.g., appliances) and major travel expenses (hotel, air, rental car) on my Amex for its superior cardholder benefits. I don't bother with extended care plans like AppleCare+ nor cellphone insurance plans.
 
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I have owned MANY Apple devices and have never purchased any extra warranty and have never had reason to use any warranty. Worth it to me as the money saved would replace a device and I would still be ahead.

BUT, there are some who drop their phone all the time . . . . just saying some might need to buy the warranty!
 
mpantone said:
Amex does not double warranty protection technically. It extends the original protection by one year. If the original warranty is one year, yes, it ends up being two years. If the original warranty is six months, then it ends up being 1.5 years.
Click to expand...

Not true on the latter. It extends the original warranty for a period of time equal to the duration of the original warranty, up to one additional year. So it basically mirrors the original manufacturer's warranty of one year or less, essentially doubling it (in our case). The six month warranty in your example would end up being 1 year.

If you purchase AC+ with it, it mirrors the original warranty at the end of AC+ coverage, for a total of 3 years of protection (no accidental damage protection in the last year).
 
mpantone said:
Amex does not double warranty protection technically. It extends the original protection by one year. If the original warranty is one year, yes, it ends up being two years. If the original warranty is six months, then it ends up being 1.5 years.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but that's not true. I encourage you to read the terms and conditions of your extended care plan...

When you charge the cost of an eligible product to your eligible Card, Extended Warranty can extend the terms of the original manufacturer's warranty for a period of time equal to the duration of the original manufacturer's warranty, up to one additional year on manufacturer warranties of five years or less
AmEx
Click to expand...
 
Amiz said:
I think you should buy AppleCare once your Apple 1 year warranty expires because it extends the warranty to two years and covers water damage etc.
Click to expand...

There is a flaw to that statement in bold....After one year than get the apple care + warranty ? What happens if the OP gets the damage before the one year ? The first year is for issues with the iPhone not damage from drops and spills.

http://images.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/docs/applecareplus_us_tc.pdf

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/docs/applecareplus.pdf
 
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ABC5S said:
There is a flaw to that statement in bold....After one year than get the apple care + warranty ? What happens if the OP gets the damage before the one year ? The first year is for issues with the iPhone not damage from drops and spills.

http://images.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/docs/applecareplus_us_tc.pdf

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/applecare/docs/applecareplus.pdf
Click to expand...

Applecare+ has to be purchase within 30days of purchase, and have to bring it into the store to be checked
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
If you purchase AC+ with it, it mirrors the original warranty at the end of AC+ coverage, for a total of 3 years of protection (no accidental damage protection in the last year).
Click to expand...

I am no expert on the American Express warranty, but I have heard this fact disputed. The American Express warranty extends the original manufacturer warranty. It does not extend service plans, which is what AC+ would be considered. If that is true then the American Express card gives no additional coverage after AC+ expires.

ABC5S said:
Absolutely correct. My mistake
Click to expand...

It is still possible to purchase the standard AppleCare, and I think it can still be done as long as the phone is still covered under the one year warranty.
They don't advertise it, but when I went to get my broken phone replaced they told me I had regular AppleCare and even though I had purchased AC+. I told them that's impossible since they stopped selling it, but they assured me that you could still come in and buy regular AppleCare. Luckily I was able to show them my original receipt. So don't forget to save you receipt even if you purchase from Apple.

SquareTrade is a good option as well, but they recently raised the deductible to $100. I like SquareTrade because of the additional year of warranty available over AppleCare+. I also like to get the carrier insurance in case I lose the phone, especially when it is new.
 
dave420 said:
I am no expert on the American Express warranty, but I have heard this fact disputed. The American Express warranty extends the original manufacturer warranty. It does not extend service plans, which is what AC+ would be considered. If that is true then the American Express card gives no additional coverage after AC+ expires.
Click to expand...

It does allow one to purchase a manufacturer's extended coverage and it'll tack on and mirror the original warranty once the original and extended coverage expires. You just need to also purchase AC+ on the same card.

From Amex's description of benefits:

If the product also is covered by a purchased service contract, this Plan’s extended warranty time period begins at the end of the service contract and extends the original manufacturer’s warranty for a period of time equal to that warranty, up to one (1) additional year (up to three additional years for Centurion Cardmembers).
Click to expand...
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
It does allow one to purchase a manufacturer's extended coverage and it'll tack on and mirror the original warranty once the original and extended coverage expires. You just need to also purchase AC+ on the same card.

From Amex's description of benefits:
Click to expand...

Interesting. So do you think that means it would extend a SquareTrade warranty by one year as well? (4 years total)
I bought two iPhones with an American Express, but didn't buy the plans (AC+ on one, SquareTrade on the other) with the American Express card. Do you think I would still get the extra year? I guess I will find out for sure if I have a problem during that last year.
 
dave420 said:
Interesting. So do you think that means it would extend a SquareTrade warranty by one year as well? (4 years total)
I bought two iPhones with an American Express, but didn't buy the plans (AC+ on one, SquareTrade on the other) with the American Express card. Do you think I would still get the extra year? I guess I will find out for sure if I have a problem during that last year.
Click to expand...

Good question. One of the exclusions is third party service contract as follows:

"Purchases Not Covered 11. Additonal service contract or extended warranty coverage for a computer, computer component or part that You buy which already comes with an original United States of America manufacturer's warranty, unless such coverage is provided and administered by the original manufacturer;"

Given that AC+ is provided and administered by the original manufacturer, you'd be covered in the third year (although they may give you trouble as they have no record that you actually purchased AC+ as you didn't charge it to the card). You're out of luck with SquareTrade.

Next time, purchase both the iPhone and AC+ using the same Amex card.
 
old-wiz said:
It used to be you had to do it in person.. the supposed idea was to prevent people buying warranties after they damaged something.
Click to expand...

Thats what they told you. However if you call in to AppleCare they will sell it to you over the phone and auto register it. You also receive a confirmation in the mail.
 
@OP Get the one that you think suites you best. You peace of mind.. If you are looking for a plan that covers accidental damage or plan that covers stolen… basically get the plan that covers most of your needs.


Squaretrade starts $99 + $75 deductible

AppleCare+ $79 + $79 service fee.

Best Buy $150 - up to 3 claims


I've only seen or used BB and AC+. AppleCare and the turn around time was mostly same day. Best Buy was pretty solid too but I've only seen people have their phones replaced. Never used them directly.

Not sure on what Sprint will replace or how they repair.
 
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