Buying AppleCare but not direectly from Apple?

[lgeek]

I bought my Powerbook G4 directly from Apple last year and the standard 1 year warranty is about to expire. I'm going to buy AppleCare but noticed that some online retailers (e.g. Small Dog Electronics and many others) are selling it at a fairly significant discount compared to Apple's standard price ($349).

Is there a different between buying AppleCare directly from Apple vs. an retailer? Since I bought my Powerbook directly from Apple, do I have to buy AppleCare directly as well? I'm aware that either way I need to "activate" the AppleCare after I buy it, but beyond that I have no idea.

Thanks

 

[stoid]

The AppleCare that I bought from Apple (edu discount $249 for PowerBook) was no more than a box with activation instructions and an Apple branded TechToolPro3. You should be just fine ordering from a third party.

 

[MadMacs44]

Better Deals

Apple rarely ever discounts any of its products including AC unless your education etc.. I sell AC plans at pretty deep discounts to my customers becuase I know they will be bring their repairs back to me. There is NO difference in buying from Apple or a secondary Mac dealer...uh unless a better price is more appetising BUY LOCAL!!!

PS- You mite wanna read the other Apple care thread that is flying around here for some interetsing ideas:0

 

[YS2003]

So, it does not make any difference on buying AppleCare from Apple/Apple Store or 3rd party such as Small Dog? If so, I will definately go with Small Dog as they sell goods at the competititve price while shipping very quickly and no sales tax to boot (I don't live in VT).

I am collecting those small dog figuarines Small Dog includes when you order items. That is a very nice touch. They are small enough to put them on the top of my 20" and 23" ACDs.

 

[hiiden]

try ebay too

i bought a powerbook direct from apple...then bought the applecare from another retailer at a great discount....in fact, you can find discounted applecare on ebay...it's just a piece of paper in a box with your applecare number...who knows where the people on ebay get them...but they're selling for less than half of what apple charges....

 

[fklehman]

i bought a powerbook direct from apple...then bought the applecare from another retailer at a great discount....in fact, you can find discounted applecare on ebay...it's just a piece of paper in a box with your applecare number...who knows where the people on ebay get them...but they're selling for less than half of what apple charges....

Sounds good on its face, but how do you know you're not getting hoaxed? I'm getting ready to buy a new PB too and could get the Edu price (249 I think), but am wondering if the eBay route could get a little shady.

 

[powerbook911]

Sounds good on its face, but how do you know you're not getting hoaxed? I'm getting ready to buy a new PB too and could get the Edu price (249 I think), but am wondering if the eBay route could get a little shady.

I don't see significant savings on ebay either. There is a little, but not worth the risk. I say take the edu discount if you qualify, otherwise, considering buying from a third party like Amazon or Small Dog. Small dog seems to have some really good prices on Applecare.

 

[eva01]

for some reason apple care seems to be the only thing that you can haggle with the salesman about, apple care and RAM, i got apple care for an extra 30 dollars off of the education price and i got a free 128MB chip of RAM for my G3 iBook a few years ago, also got a free USB cable too

 

[emptyCup]

I am not sure I would be comfortable buying from eBay, but I have never had problems buying from an authorized (internet) reseller. The cheapest is LA Computer ( http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/featured.cgi?group=appcare ) but many people like Small Dog ( http://www.smalldog.com/product/42901 ).

And, yes, the people at an Apple Store will haggle.

HTH

 

[hiiden]

big savings on ebay

I can tell you that I found a huge deal on ebay. I spent $107 on the applecare for my powermac. I bought it from a company on ebay...and registered the product on apple's web site with no trouble. Just check who you're buying from, check their feedback, and ask in advance if you can return it if it doesn't work. It's a cardboard box with a applecare enrollment number...it's the safest thing to buy on ebay.

 

[fklehman]

I will probably check on eBay before discounting it entirely, but I'm leaning toward the edu discount at the Apple Store. Any tips for haggling? I mean, how do you do that without seeming like a total cheapskate bastard when you're already paying $2500 for a new PB...what approaches did you use etc.

 

[California]

Sounds good on its face, but how do you know you're not getting hoaxed? I'm getting ready to buy a new PB too and could get the Edu price (249 I think), but am wondering if the eBay route could get a little shady.

Don't faint but the PB applecare price at the UCLA store is 99 dollars.

However, I bought an ibook applecare on eBay for like 135 and was very happy because it had an outdated cd in it and Apple shipped me a brand new cd for it.

 

[sheaitisnotso]

I took the ebay route myself for applecare for my new iBook and it worked just fine. Only ended up paying about $120 total too which was great. You just have to check out the seller before you purchase like the previous poster said.