I have been curious of this. Apple does this with iPods, do they give out custom iMac boxes to ship them back to repair?
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Should I need my iMac repaired, will Apple send a box for me to ship it in?
- Thread starter Jack Flash
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Several years ago I had to return a Powerbook for warranty service. Apple sent a box to me overnight with prepaid return shipping.
Here is Apples policy. http://www.apple.com/support/products/faqs.html
About half way down the document it explains that they will send you a pre-paid box for shipping back to them for repair:
Here in Japan they send the courier out with a box and they actually pack it up. Then they overnight it to Tokyo and usually service it the day they receive it and I end up with it back in 3 days. 
For repairs under warranty they will provide prepaid box and I had to call and schedule pickup with the courier (dhl because i'm rural) OR if you take it into the store you can have it sent from there and sent back to your house. BUT if for some reason your computer can't be fixed within 3 service visits or for less than the cost of a new one and it requires a replacement, they will ask that you pay to ship yours back and they will pay for shipping of a replacement. It was slightly ridiculous if I remember, UPS was like $25 or $30 when I sent my mbp back but I got to track my new one coming from Shanghai that was a rough 6 days.
that was a rough 6 days.From my understanding, Apple doesn't let you ship desktops for repair anymore. I inquired about this when my friend's iMac was having problems. He lives about 70 miles from the nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. The AppleCare rep said that they will only send you a box for a notebook.
On the other hand, if you have the AppleCare Protection Plan, a desktop usually becomes eligible for on-site service.
On the other hand, if you have the AppleCare Protection Plan, a desktop usually becomes eligible for on-site service.
iMac = You take it to the store.
I live a couple hundred KM from the nearest Apple store and they said I had to take it to a licensed apple tech. There is one in my town Microage but I'm very concerned for the quality of the service and the skills of the tech.
Apple said its under waranty.
Apple also said if the Microage damages the computer that its between me and them to sort it out. I WAS NOT THRILLED WITH THAT COMMENT since they told me to take it there.
I should have a result monday if I get to use my 1 day old computer.
I live a couple hundred KM from the nearest Apple store and they said I had to take it to a licensed apple tech. There is one in my town Microage but I'm very concerned for the quality of the service and the skills of the tech.
Apple said its under waranty.
Apple also said if the Microage damages the computer that its between me and them to sort it out. I WAS NOT THRILLED WITH THAT COMMENT since they told me to take it there.
I should have a result monday if I get to use my 1 day old computer.
If this is indeed the situation, it is the situation in the USA only. I live in southwestern Japan, about 3 hours drive (and expensive tolls) from the nearest Apple Store in Osaka. I've sent my current iMac in to Apple Service in Tokyo twice and my former iMac once.
Apple sends out special boxes designed for quick shipping with the courier and they do it all for you.
That's pretty sad if Apple doesn't do this in the states as well.
It may well be just a US policy. Apple has a page that lists mailing addresses for mail-in repair service, and there's no address listed for desktops.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305023
If anyone in the US has an iMac or a Mac Pro and lives very far from an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, then I would highly recommend checking with Apple if your location is eligible for on-site service, and if so, then consider purchasing AppleCare.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305023
If anyone in the US has an iMac or a Mac Pro and lives very far from an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, then I would highly recommend checking with Apple if your location is eligible for on-site service, and if so, then consider purchasing AppleCare.