“When Apple announced AppleCare+ the company said it would only be available at the time of purchase. That is an important distinction from ‘AppleCare,’ which can be purchased anytime in the first year but does not include coverage for accidental damage,” TJ Luoma reports for TUAW. “The reason for AppleCare+’s more restrictive requirement is clear: Apple wants to make sure your iPhone is not already damaged when you purchase AppleCare+.”
“Apple.com was flooded with pre-orders, so much so that the system was overwhelmed and many people were unable to place orders at all. Others were able to place orders, but weren’t offered AppleCare+. Still others gave up and ordered directly through AT&T or Verizon’s websites,” Luoma reports. “Earlier today I emailed Apple at that address,applestoreinfo@apple.com. I explained that I had ordered through Verizon’s website (which never offered AppleCare+), and I’d heard others who hadn’t been able to pre-order AppleCare+ had received this email.”
Here is the full text of the reply I received:
AppleCare+ will be available for iPhone 4 (8GB) and iPhone 4S pre-order customers until November 14th. After you receive your new iPhone, please contact AppleCare (1-800-275-2273) to complete your purchase.
Sincerely,
Rachel Apple Inc.
Read more in the full article here.
I called Applecare 4 hours ago and got the same answer and phone number. Cool.
I wonder how it works if you walk into an AT&T store, Best Buy, etc. and make a purchase? Will they offer AppleCare+?
They didn’t offer it via AT&T’s website for pre-ordering (which I hard to use due to Apple’s site being unable to complete the order).
I and my wife have had every single model iPhone from day one, without incident. Anyone getting AC+ just because?
With purchase of AC+
At risk is $99 with out ever claiming incident, $150 with first incident and $200 by second incident.
Without purchase of AC+
At risk is $0 without ever claiming incident, $199 with first incident and $400 by second incident.
The most you save is $200, or double your $99 investment. However you shell out $200 to save $200.
Given the type of people out there, the clumsy ones, like my son, sure it’s worth it. But I feel unsatisfied for myself, given my track record.
Your math is flawed as it suggests that you would get the subsidized price of the iPhone if you had to replace it do to accidental breakage within two years.
In fact you would have to pay full price for the phone, which starts at $449 for the 16GB iteration. So, if you had two incidents requiring replacement iPhones, your total loss sans AC+ is $898 (plus tax) vs $200 (non-taxable) with the coverage.
I agree. I’ve never needed it on my iPhones (original, 3G and 4). I have used AppleCare on my iMac and it was very handy. The cost of that vs. the cost of a new logic board is worth it. But for the iPhone, I’ll pass. My brother in law, however, will REQUIRE this! LOL!
@daniko1
Hey Daniko,
Just curious, where are you getting those second set of amounts from?
“Without purchase of AC+
At risk is $0 without ever claiming incident, $199 with first incident and $400 by second incident.”
I thought AT&T doesn’t sell you a replacement phone if you are not eligible for a new contract upgrade (usually 1.5-2 years) meaning that one would have to pay the “full” unsubsidized price (which I believe is $400-800 depending on the model).
Has this changed recently? If so, then I don’t see why anyone would get the applecare plus warranty.
If anyone has more details on this, please clarify.
Maybe to help clarify the $199 talk. At least in the first year, Apple has a standard ” repair” fee of $199 if ANY water damage or broken glass, etc. The repair is a replacement phone on the spot from the Apple Store. Unfortunately, I’ve had to do this. Hence the $0 if no AppleCare is purchased at all and accidental damage occurs. Not sure if this “repair” policy carries beyond the first year though. If not, then year two “whoops” factor gets costly….
I saw an AppleCare (no ) customer walk into an Apple store and announce to the “genius” that his girlfriend dropped her iPhone in the toilet and asked what could be done. The genius told the man “we will replace it for you right now, sir.” and the man seemed bewildered and awestruck. Q: How is AppleCare different/better than that!?