Applecare for iPad only available at time of purchase?

[skestes]

For those that are thinking of Applecare for their iPad I've been told by the Apple rep for my campus that AC will only be available for the iPad at the time of purchase. The campus computer store is actually offering 12 different SKUs for the iPad; 6 with AC, 6 without.

Has anyone else run into this information?

 

[saving107]

Apple has always allowed you 364 days after your original purchase to buy Apple Care from an Apple Store or Online Store, maybe thats just your campus policy.

 

[saving107]

now I don't know, I was wondering the same thing.

 

[nippyjun]

Dont forget that squaretrade may offer a warranty at a better price for a longer period of time with the ability to add accidental damage protection.

Applecare doesn't include the damage protection.

 

[SchneiderMan]

Just wait until a few days before your year of warranty ends and then purchase Applecare.. No rush really.

 

[Fubar65]

Dont forget that squaretrade may offer a warranty at a better price for a longer period of time with the ability to add accidental damage protection.

Applecare doesn't include the damage protection.

I wouldn't get a squaretrade warranty. When I was looking at buying a refurbed HP laptop, I researched Squaretrade. The customer reviews of it were awful, with squaretrade more often than not just refunding you the price of your warranty and cancelling it rather than honoring it.

 

[nippyjun]

I wouldn't get a squaretrade warranty. When I was looking at buying a refurbed HP laptop, I researched Squaretrade. The customer reviews of it were awful, with squaretrade more often than not just refunding you the price of your warranty and cancelling it rather than honoring it.

I have not seen bad reviews. On eopinions there are over 350 reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 star overall rating:


http://www.epinions.com/pr-Online_Stores_Services-SquareTrade_Inc

Same with resellerratings.com.

 

[gibbz]

I wouldn't worry. Every other product can purchase Apple Care within the first year since AC basically extends the original warranty.

I'd imagine the only reason it isn't available separately now is because the device is only pre-order. Wait until it is released and I would bet there is a buy it separate option.

 

[skestes]

Just wait until a few days before your year of warranty ends and then purchase Applecare.. No rush really.

Apple is saying you can't, not according to the Regional Apple sales rep. I'm not sure if this is just the academic channels or the consumer ones as well.

 

[AJsAWiz]

For those that are thinking of Applecare for their iPad I've been told by the Apple rep for my campus that AC will only be available for the iPad at the time of purchase. The campus computer store is actually offering 12 different SKUs for the iPad; 6 with AC, 6 without.

Has anyone else run into this information?

He lied

Maybe a scare tactic to get you to buy it now

 

[Nexus4144]

yep, Apple has always allowed you to buy the Applecare within the reg warranty period. So just buy it before it ends if you want it

 

[MikhailT]

I wouldn't get a squaretrade warranty. When I was looking at buying a refurbed HP laptop, I researched Squaretrade. The customer reviews of it were awful, with squaretrade more often than not just refunding you the price of your warranty and cancelling it rather than honoring it.

I don't know how you researched, but I haven't heard any issues with Squaretrade, I heard more good reviews than bad reviews and my experience with customer service has been excellent, they helped me with answers as well as giving me discounts for any issues I had.

I bought 3 years warranty with accident insurance from SquareTrade for my iPad for 130$.

 

[nippyjun]

I don't know how you researched, but I haven't heard any issues with Squaretrade, I heard more good reviews than bad reviews and my experience with customer service has been excellent, they helped me with answers as well as giving me discounts for any issues I had.

I bought 3 years warranty with accident insurance from SquareTrade for my iPad for 130$.

Was $130 the full price or did you use one of the 30 or 40% off codes that they offer at times?

 

[aristobrat]

The campus computer store is actually offering 12 different SKUs for the iPad; 6 with AC, 6 without.

That must be something the campus computer store is doing. In an Apple Retail store, adding APP to a device has never changed the device's SKU (i.e. there isn't a SKU for a naked device, and a different SKU for the same device purchased with APP)

Maybe this is the first product Apple's ever sold that require APP being added at time of purchase, but I really doubt it.

 

[avaloncourt]

I bought 3 years warranty with accident insurance from SquareTrade for my iPad for 130$.

You bought an extended warranty for an item that hasn't yet been released?

 

[skestes]

He lied

Maybe a scare tactic to get you to buy it now

I'm willing to agree with you. Here's the iPad AC page and it does say anytime within the first year.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/APP_IPAD?mco=MTcyMTgwODY#overview

 

[MikhailT]

Was $130 the full price or did you use one of the 30 or 40% off codes that they offer at times?

130$ was with 30% off coupon that the customer service gave me (they have 20% off right now for iPad) and with 10$ for tax in NY.

You bought an extended warranty for an item that hasn't yet been released?

Yea, why not? Squaretrade warranty is fully refundable to the time you used it, and it's already marked to start after 4/12. I cancelled 3-4 warranties and gotten almost all the money back. So if I don't want iPad, i can just cancel and get the full refund back within 30 days.

http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/ipad-landing

 

[MacAttraction]

Better yet, if u are buying with a credit card, many have extra 1 year warranty coverage after the manufacture's first year warranty expire's -- and u don't pay extra for it !

 

[saving107]

Better yet, if u are buying with a credit card, many have extra 1 year warranty coverage after the manufacture's first year warranty expire's -- and u don't pay extra for it !

I have the cash right now in my savings for the iPad, but for that reason I am planning on using my Master Card because it offers an extra year of warranty and a Price Protection if the price goes down in the first 60 days, and then i'll just pay off my card when I get my next statement. American Express offers a similar (or the same) program, not sure about Visa.

Master Benefits
American Express Benefits

 

[MikhailT]

Better yet, if u are buying with a credit card, many have extra 1 year warranty coverage after the manufacture's first year warranty expire's -- and u don't pay extra for it !

Unfortunately, majority of cc owners have the entry or low end credit cards that just offer rewards points or cashback. You need platinum level credit cards to have the extended warranty and price protection programs, I am unaware of any entry level credit card offering those features.

 

[avaloncourt]

Yea, why not? Squaretrade warranty is fully refundable to the time you used it, and it's already marked to start after 4/12. I cancelled 3-4 warranties and gotten almost all the money back. So if I don't want iPad, i can just cancel and get the full refund back within 30 days.

Why not? Buying an extended warranty for a product you don't actually own yet is a bit like relieving yourself before going out on a date because you had extra time on your hands.

And, if you've cancelled three or four warranties before it sounds more like you have a case of chronic premature acquisition.

It's not like SquareTrade was going to run out of warranties on release day.

Do you buy tires for cars you don't own too?

 

[MisterMe]

Why not? Buying an extended warranty for a product you don't actually own yet is a bit like relieving yourself before going out on a date because you had extra time on your hands.

And, if you've cancelled three or four warranties before it sounds more like you have a case of chronic premature acquisition.

It's not like SquareTrade was going to run out of warranties on release day.

Do you buy tires for cars you don't own too?

I cannot agree more. Unless they are sold by the manufacturer, extended warrantees are generally a bad proposition. Automobile dealers and consumer electronics salespeople pawn those things on nervous customers. In the case of automobiles, they tend not to cover the things that break. In the case of consumer electronics, if its doesn't break within the first 24 hours, then it will probably last forever.

Bottomline: With AppleCare as a high-profile exception, extended warrantees are very bad investments.

 

[MikhailT]

Why not? Buying an extended warranty for a product you don't actually own yet is a bit like relieving yourself before going out on a date because you had extra time on your hands.

And, if you've cancelled three or four warranties before it sounds more like you have a case of chronic premature acquisition.

It's not like SquareTrade was going to run out of warranties on release day.

Do you buy tires for cars you don't own too?

What does it matter when I buy the extended warranty? There are no pros or cons to this, it's my decision and my money.

I cancelled the warranties because I sold those devices to other people who did not want those warranty. In exchange of canceling the warranty, I drop the prices on the devices. It has nothing to do with premature acquisitions. Don't assume other people's intentions or their flaws.

I cannot agree more. Unless they are sold by the manufacturer, extended warrantees are generally a bad proposition. Automobile dealers and consumer electronics salespeople pawn those things on nervous customers. In the case of automobiles, they tend not to cover the things that break. In the case of consumer electronics, if its doesn't break within the first 24 hours, then it will probably last forever.

Bottomline: With AppleCare as a high-profile exception, extended warrantees are very bad investments.

You obliviously have no idea what your'e talking about. If electronics don't break within 24 hours, it'll work forever? Want to explain why two of my macbook pros failed to work with the 8600gt after a year and half? Wanna explain how my macbook's monitor developed dust defects after a year or super drive not working after two years? They were all covered with no cost, thanks to Apple's extended warranty, exceptions or not. Those are just with Apple products, don't get me started on other products, especially Dell. My sister's computer just won't boot up suddenly after a year and a half, extended warranty had it covered for free with part upgrades included as well.

Squaretrade is more reputable than the typical crap bestbuy's extended warranty craps. I know people who got stuff fixed through squaretrade that manufacturers refused to fix. Extended warranty is always a risk, I know that. I'm losing 130$ for something I might not even use for the next three years. I'm fine with that, that's the difference between me and the so-called nervous customers. I rather be safe than sorry, I have been in many situations that most people tells me that was not probable.

 

[jackiecanev2]

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Better yet, if u are buying with a credit card, many have extra 1 year warranty coverage after the manufacture's first year warranty expire's -- and u don't pay extra for it !

Unfortunately, majority of cc owners have the entry or low end credit cards that just offer rewards points or cashback. You need platinum level credit cards to have the extended warranty and price protection programs, I am unaware of any entry level credit card offering those features.

I kmow they're moderately difficult to get, but (all?) American Express cards offer purchase protection, double warranty, etc, including the fee-free Amex Blue cards. I dropped my gold card for a blue, the only difference being concierge - and $250 a year!

 

[MikhailT]

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I kmow they're moderately difficult to get, but (all?) American Express cards offer purchase protection, double warranty, etc, including the fee-free Amex Blue cards. I dropped my gold card for a blue, the only difference being concierge - and $250 a year!

That's true, but as you said, they are moderately hard to get. Nobody in my family have them, otherwise I would ask to use their card and pay them over time.