Buy it with your credit card so you get a free year of warranty. If you buy it with a VISA platinum and above you will most often be able to extend after the free second year for another two years, totaling four years - at a cost much lower than Applecare. And, in my experience, less hassle too. The only thing you don't get is the tech support but that's why we have this site!
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A friendly reminder to those about to purchase!
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I think he/she is referring to purchase protection systems in place by the credit card majors -- I'm pretty sure my platinum mastercard has this also....a lot of the systems double a warranty up to an additional year, and they tend to cover things that broadly fall into the product defect category (but not necessarily the accidental damage category).
EDIT: And it doesn't matter from whom you purchase, as long as they're a legitimate seller of the product.
EDIT: And it doesn't matter from whom you purchase, as long as they're a legitimate seller of the product.
Yes, it's simply a great service that few people seem to use. I'm a very particular person and this is the best deal I've come across in many years. Great service, prompt payment and completely hassle free. You don't need to register for automatic double warranty feature - just keep your receupt and the credit card statement and if you have a problem call VISA , Mastercard or Amex and they will tell you how to solve it. It covers everything the original apple warranty covers. They use Apple's warranty as their guide.
Seriously, I can't recommend it enough. there are so few real deals out there but this is one of them.
Warranty... but not Applecare
I think it's worth pointing out that the terms of these card company extended warranties vary. Some use third party (non-Apple) service companies. Some simply reimburse Apple repair costs. Neither is the same as Applecare extended warranty coverage.
I think it's worth pointing out that the terms of these card company extended warranties vary. Some use third party (non-Apple) service companies. Some simply reimburse Apple repair costs. Neither is the same as Applecare extended warranty coverage.
Actually, in my experience VISA and Mastercard reimburse. You can send it to Apple, take it in to the apple store or any authorised repair place. You pay and get reimbursed within a week. I've used this many many times with computers, printers, ipods etc and it's great. There is NO catch and in my opinion a much better deal than applecare if you don't need tech support. It also has a no lemon policy, battery is covered and power surge due to lightning insurance. I'm sorry, but those who put this down, have not used it.
The OP's point is why I'll likely forego purchasing Apple Care. Although I don't have the x4 option with my Visa Classic, I do still get a free 1 year extension on my existing warranty, bringing it to 2 years total. If I purchased Apple Care, I'd essentially be paying full price for just one year of care. Worth it? I'm leaning heavily towards no.
The extra free year seems to be valid with most VISA, Master cards. Only VISA has something that is called VISA PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE, usually for platinum card holders and above - but it varies between banks so some 'lower cards' offer it, and some platinum don't.
Before the end of the free second year, you just call VISA and tell them you want to buy the performance guarantee and they'll take care of it for you. Here's some more info:
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/credit/visa_signature_benefits_wm.html?it=c|/personal/cards/benefits/index.html|Warranty%20Manager%20Service
My provider is amazon/chase too and, as stated, the automatic double warranty feature is free and automatic without registration. Subsequent coverage under the performance guarantee program costs depend on the original purchase price of the item and is paid once, not monthly.
I think this is only a USA offer, I can't seem to find it on the european (belgian) website. Dammit!
Make sure you read the fine print on your card agreement before going this route. It's extremely important that you know all the loopholes that your card issuer may use to weasel out of any protection plans, and these loopholes vary from one card to the next. My Platinum mastercard, for instance, specifically excludes notebook and desktop computers (but not other electronics) from purchase protection eligibility. Meanwhile, I have a Platinum Visa that does not. And many cards out there offer no such protections at all.
I've been burned before by these "perks," and so I still recommend AppleCare to people.
I've been burned before by these "perks," and so I still recommend AppleCare to people.
No, I have it here in Australia with my Platinum Citibank card. They are friggin useless though, the Asian call center has NFI, they may speak english, but they sure don't understand it. Hardly worth the hefty annual fee - I could buy applecare with it!
The OP's story about having something repaired and reimbursed within a week sounds to good to be true, insurance companies are insurance companies, and they don't like to pay.
I would definitely recommend VISA over mastercard for this service. I used mastercard a few times and felt that it wasn't as professional, nor as fast. VISA has only been good and definitely includes electronics and laptops.
Applecare is fine too, but you're paying a lot for it. I like the fact that I don't need to fork out money again after the first year of owning a product that really should last at least 3 years without issues. Given how much Apple laptops cost, I really think they should stand by their products and provide three years warranty for the pro computers. It's ridiculous that after paying several thousand dollars for a computer and your display stops working after 12 months, that you'd have to pay 8-900 dollars to fix it. When you buy it with a VISA card, you're covered for the second year for free. If nothing goes wrong during the second year, it may not be worth getting the performance guarantee. And, If the computer has issues during this time, I feel fine about spending the extra money at the end of my second year of ownership.
In any case, yes, check the fine print. However, my experience with this is that it's a great deal, especially with VISA cards. And example:
A year ago, my ipod earphone jack seemed to be malfunctioning and I had some static when I connected earphones. I called VISA and they asked me to call Apple for a repair estimate. Apple told me it would cost $250 ( can't remember, but I think it was just a flat fee) to repair - basically the cost of a new one. I told visa and they asked me if I wanted a check for the full amount, or if I wanted to get my old one repaired. I asked for the check, received it a few days later, bought a new ipod and kept the old one, which I managed to fix myself. No hassle, perfect service and very generous.
It is true. I've used this service many times and each time I've been overwhelmed by the great service and follow up. Payments have always been made within a week, often quicker and they even call you to tell you that they have sent the check!
I wouldn't be recommending it like this if I hadn't been completely and totally impressed on several occasions. Just check my history here: I'm highly critical and a real whiner : )
PS. Just to clarify: They don't repair things, they just reimburse. The repair is done by whoever you want and takes the time it takes. It is the reimbursement that takes a week or less.
I have used that on a macbook that was having issues, however, you will find its not worth the time or trouble to do it....and they pay only a fery small amount....
Trouble? What card did you use and what trouble? I've always had all repairs paid in full without any hassle and very quickly - not just once, but many times. Tell us more....and also where you are located since that might make a difference.
Also, you can't use it in the first year when you're still covered by Apple warranty, only after that. Given that macbooks were only released last year in mid-May, it's unlikely that you already had time to use it. Maybe it was another kind of insurance?
After reading this, I went to AMEX website to see what they got. And it turns out for a AMEX card holder, you should definitely purchase Applecare without any hesitation, and here is why:
If you purchase an additional service contract or extended warranty with a product which is otherwise eligible
under the Buyer's Assurance Plan, and the combined coverage provided by both the original manufacturers
warranty and the purchased service contract does not exceed five years, then the product is eligible for coverage
under the Buyer's Assurance Plan. The Buyer's Assurance Plan will extend the warranty time period and mirror
coverage of the original manufacturers' warranty up to one additional year after both the original
manufacturers warranty and the purchased service contract have expired.
Awesome! Full warranty for totally 4 years!!
Thanks OP for bringing this up!! It's great to know there's one more year of FREE warranty under your belt even after Applecare expired.
After reading this, I went to AMEX website to see what they got. And it turns out for a AMEX card holder, you should definitely purchase Applecare without any hesitation, and here is why:
If you purchase an additional service contract or extended warranty with a product which is otherwise eligible
under the Buyer's Assurance Plan, and the combined coverage provided by both the original manufacturers
warranty and the purchased service contract does not exceed five years, then the product is eligible for coverage
under the Buyer's Assurance Plan. The Buyer's Assurance Plan will extend the warranty time period and mirror
coverage of the original manufacturers' warranty up to one additional year after both the original
manufacturers warranty and the purchased service contract have expired.
Awesome! Full warranty for totally 4 years!!
Thanks OP for bringing this up!! It's great to know there's one more year of FREE warranty under your belt even after Applecare expired.
Cool! Great to know. I wonder if VISA and MAstercard offer something similar?
how about refurbs?
I have used Visa Warranty program in the past with success.
But one thing people should ask- AMEX I believe WILL NOT offer the free warranty extension on a refurb'd computer. Anyone know if this is true, and what about VISA?
I have used Visa Warranty program in the past with success.
But one thing people should ask- AMEX I believe WILL NOT offer the free warranty extension on a refurb'd computer. Anyone know if this is true, and what about VISA?
I have a VISA Platinum card and this is what the policy is:
"Purchase Assurance protects most purchases made on your card against theft or accidental damage up to $1,000 for up to 90 days from the date of purchase. Extended Warranty may extend the terms of the original manufacturers U.S. warranties for up to one additional year on most items purchased with your card."
Sounds kind of lame actually...
"Purchase Assurance protects most purchases made on your card against theft or accidental damage up to $1,000 for up to 90 days from the date of purchase. Extended Warranty may extend the terms of the original manufacturers U.S. warranties for up to one additional year on most items purchased with your card."
Sounds kind of lame actually...