Apple just called me re: Apple Care...confused

[al3000]

I purchased my Powerbook last november, and apple just rang me to tell me that my 90day technical support has ran out.

They were giving me the hard sell about applecare, how it is £2xx which covers me for 3years which is probably a good idea although I was under the impression that I got apple care for 1year .. although he seemed to say this was the case.

I asked if I was able to purchase apple care later on in the year, but he did not give me a straight answer, but instead said what a good idea it would be to get it now. Would this be possible? They are sending me a pack that I have 90days to pay for and activate but I was told that after the 90days are up I would not incur any charge if I did not activate it.

Could someone explain to me how applecare works, and what you get included with the powerbook ... I understood most of what he was saying, but the hard sell got in the way of my understanding at times. Thanks

 

[Applespider]

Your Powerbook is covered for 1 years - you can update to 3yr Applecare at any point in that year.

But telephone support is only for 90 days. If you buy Applecare, then it's for 3 years.

If something goes wrong with your Mac between 90days and 365 days, then you might be charged for calling support. If it turns out to be a hardware problem, then this should be refunded. If it's not a warranty problem, then you've have to buy Applecare or pay the support charge.

Bear in mind that Applecare (either sort) does not cover accidental loss or damage. You need a separate insurance policy.

 

[al3000]

Your Powerbook is covered for 1 years - you can update to 3yr Applecare at any point in that year.

But telephone support is only for 90 days. If you buy Applecare, then it's for 3 years.

If something goes wrong with your Mac between 90days and 365 days, then you might be charged for calling support. If it turns out to be a hardware problem, then this should be refunded. If it's not a warranty problem, then you've have to buy Applecare or pay the support charge.

Bear in mind that Applecare (either sort) does not cover accidental loss or damage. You need a separate insurance policy.

Thanks, what problem could not be classed as a warranty problem, would it be something like software?

I asked about the one year cover, he said that although they would replace it, I may incur shipping charges etc.

Just an afterthought, will the 3years of cover include the first year of use, or 3 extra years on top of the first?

 

[kretzy]

Sounds a bit dodgy to me. I've never heard anyone mention getting a call like this from Apple. I also seems strange how confusing they made AppleCare sound, considering its pretty easy to understand. I call scam of some kind.

 

[asencif]

Insurance Policy

Anyone now how you can take out a seperate insurance policy that covers accidental damage or loss?

 

[excalibur313]

I had a friend who, when in Taiwan had his computer infested by fireants. They apparently really love silicon but so many died on the inside of his computer that it refused to boot. When he brought it into the store he was nicely informed that applecare does not cover fireant damage either so if you ever see a queen ant looking to lay a colony in your laptop, squash it very quickly.

 

[jsw]

Thanks, what problem could not be classed as a warranty problem, would it be something like software?

I asked about the one year cover, he said that although they would replace it, I may incur shipping charges etc.

Just an afterthought, will the 3years of cover include the first year of use, or 3 extra years on top of the first?

AppleCare really only provides 2 years of warranty - the 2nd and 3rd year - plus phone care for the latter 275 days of the first year.

Warranty items include hardware and Apple software but not accidental damage or 3rd party software.

 

[kretzy]

Anyone now how you can take out a seperate insurance policy that covers accidental damage or loss?

Check your Home and Contents Insurance Policy, it may already be covered or there may be an option to pay and extra premium to cover it.

 

[Applespider]

Sounds a bit dodgy to me. I've never heard anyone mention getting a call like this from Apple.

I had one a few weeks ago from Apple trying to sell me Applecare for my iPod. I got really, really confused since I got my 3G iPod in Jan 04 and my 4G one via insurance in August 04. It wasn't until a few days later I realised they were trying to sell me Applecare at £30/£40 for my 512MB Shuffle...

 

[kretzy]

I had one a few weeks ago from Apple trying to sell me Applecare for my iPod. I got really, really confused since I got my 3G iPod in Jan 04 and my 4G one via insurance in August 04. It wasn't until a few days later I realised they were trying to sell me Applecare at £30/£40 for my 512MB Shuffle...

Hmm, very interesting. It just doesn't seem like something Apple would normally do. Perhaps it's a new marketing strategy.

 

[AstrosFan]

Anyone now how you can take out a seperate insurance policy that covers accidental damage or loss?

As mentioned above, some people add it to their homeowners' policy. Again, you need to check with the policy to insure that accidental damage is covered.

Secondly, there are companies that primarily offer insurance which covers accidental damage to computers, especially laptops. For example, after performing a Goggle search on "accidental damage laptops insurance," I came up with a company called Safeware, which I remember someone on this forum saying they used. They offer insurance which covers accidental damage. I personally have never used them & have no affiliation, so I cannot speak to whether they are reputable or not, but simply point them out as an example of companies that offer this service.

As others have said previously, I think it depends on your usage pattern & wear/tear on your computer. For someone who totes it back & forth to work every day & has significant potential hazards, some type of insurance may be warranted. However, for people with different usage patterns, it may be completely unnecessary.

Myself, I have Applecare b/c the primary coverage I want is for defects rather than accidental damage.

Good luck!

 

[verb]

I had a friend who, when in Taiwan had his computer infested by fireants. They apparently really love silicon but so many died on the inside of his computer that it refused to boot. When he brought it into the store he was nicely informed that applecare does not cover fireant damage either so if you ever see a queen ant looking to lay a colony in your laptop, squash it very quickly.

Actually fire ants love electricity. Here in texas they infest all manner of outdoor electrical appliance (air conditioners, pool pumps etc...). While you might find them on your non-electrical gear you won't find them "infesting" it.

 

[RBMaraman]

Hmm, very interesting. It just doesn't seem like something Apple would normally do. Perhaps it's a new marketing strategy.

It's not new at all, they've been doing it for years. I got a call in July of 2002 about the iBook I bought in August of 2001. They just wanted to remind me that the opportunity to buy AppleCare was about to expire. At the time, as a new Mac user, I really appreciated Apple making me aware of coverage I didn't even know exsisted. Personally, I think it's great Apple does this, especially for Mac newbies unaware of many great Apple products/policies.