Buying Used Mac, AppleCare issue

[elliots11]

I just bought a used iMac on eBay, part of why I bought it was it had AppleCare. I requested the seller transfer AppleCare to me, which I’ve done multiple times before, but this time he says that he got it from a school, the school didn’t transfer the AppleCare to the eBay seller, the school bought macs in bulk and he can’t get it done, and he can give me a small but likely worth it discount on the price.

so:
- We’re only talking about 3 months of remaining AppleCare coverage here. Enough for me to make sure it works.

- Should problems arise can I actually take it to Apple for repairs if my name isn’t on the AppleCare? It’s tied to the serial number but I’m not going to show up as the owner of the plan. Receipt help?

- I should add that this does not otherwise seem like a sketchy seller or transaction. Good photos, good track record 100% positive eBay sales, 20 of them, seems like a small personal account not unlike my own.

- I’ve checked the serial from the pics and it does have AppleCare, and the seller has pics of the AppleCare on the eBay listing. It checks out.

Should I expect problems from Apple if there’s problems with the iMac?

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you have problems, Apple may not repair under warranty, since AppleCare+ is not in your name and you bought it from a third party. Just be as polite as possible, should you need to contact Apple. They may show some mercy.

 

[elliots11]

If you have problems, Apple may not repair under warranty, since AppleCare+ is not in your name and you bought it from a third party. Just be as polite as possible, should you need to contact Apple. They may show some mercy.

Yeah I reached out to AppleCare and they basically said don’t do it. So if anyone else finds themselves in this situation you can always just call AppleCare and ask. They recommended Apple Authorized resellers and Apple Refurbs, of course. I went ahead and cancelled the transaction, upon further review even though the thing was probably fine it’s kind of a yellow flag when it’s advertised one way and then they can’t do it. Like what else is going to go wrong? No telling.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yeah I reached out to AppleCare and they basically said don’t do it. So if anyone else finds themselves in this situation you can always just call AppleCare and ask. They recommended Apple Authorized resellers and Apple Refurbs, of course. I went ahead and cancelled the transaction, upon further review even though the thing was probably fine it’s kind of a yellow flag when it’s advertised one way and then they can’t do it. Like what else is going to go wrong? No telling.

Good move on your part contacting Apple and then cancelling. Now you don’t have to worry.

 

[Fishrrman]

I don't know what your financial situation is, but perhaps you might consider buying from Apple's online refurbished store instead...

 

[AZhappyjack]

The fact that the Mac was purchased by/for/though a school and there's the inability to transfer the AppleCare warranty is a huge red flag to me. If he can't transfer the AppleCare, how can you be certain that the Mac is his to sell? Could be configured with some school-based profile that could make the machine unusable outside of that environment.

It would be a hard pass from me.