Quick question about Apple service.

If I buy a new Macbook Pro 13" from eBay or MacConnection, and it turns out to be defective, will Apple service it if I take it into a Apple Store? I'm not sure if I could return it to the seller if it was eBay, and I want to avoid the hassle of shipping it back and waiting for a new one for MacConnection.

Thanks,
Dean

 

Not unless you purchased applecare-which is a joke anyway. Sometimes you can go in to the support area and post problems but it is not the same as having a place to bring it to if you need that kind of service.

If you do not have the knowledge to fix it I would get the applecare (even know I think it is a rip off it is better than nothing.) The other place you mention, ask about their warranty on the notebooks they sell or the one you purchased.

 

I don't know what Kooler is talking about. Apple Care may be expensive, but its simply a great warranty. Most people who have experience with it will agree. Apple's customer satisfaction is tops in the industry and I think its in large part due to their warranty.

As to your question, If you buy from MacConnection lets say, and the laptop you receive is dead on arrival, I believe you'll have to go through MacConnection. Here is what their site says:

DOA products must be reported to Customer Service at 1-888-213-0259 or [email protected] within the first 30 days of receipt and, if deemed by us to be defective, may be repaired or replaced at our sole discretion. Some manufacturers and publishers require DOAs to be handled directly with the manufacturer, and in these cases, we will provide the contact information. DOA returns that prove through testing not to be defective are subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee. After 30 days, the manufacturer's warranty process must be followed. If you've had the laptop for two weeks and then it breaks

Easiest way to be sure is to call them and ask. If you have had your laptop beyond the return grace period and it breaks because of a defect then you can bring it to an Apple store. Bringing it there will result in 3 possible scenarios: They'll fix it in store, they'll send it out to be repaired (at no cost to you), or they also have the option of giving you a replacement.

Apple Care is well worth it and I wouldn't consider owning a laptop without it.

Here are some links if anyone is still in doubt.

Article
There isn't a direct link to the chart, but the link is in the article right under the name of the authors.

 

It seems to depend on the agent/manager - I've had first-week faults for Apples I've purchased in an Apple Store in the US then bought back to the UK, which the Store refused to replace 'because it has a different keyboard', though they could repair it - although I did get it replaced once I talked to the business team and they were clearer on just how many fruit-branded pieces of crap I actually own.

On the other hand, I've had Apples I bought from a non-Apple UK reseller exchanged at an Apple Store with zero arguments after a second-week fault when I bought it in for a Genius visit.

I'm sure there must be certain preconditions but I couldn't tell you what they are.

Most of the time, I think you'd be referred back to wherever you bought it from if you got it new, but if you make the Shrek Cat eyes at the Genius you might get it replaced - most of the more senior Apple Store employees seem to have more authority in making decisions like that than many other stores I could mention.

Bottom line would be that if you want to be absolutely sure of getting it looked at by an Apple Store after purchase, buy from Apple (and quite possibly, in the same country as you intend to have the fault ).

 

if you buy a machine from an authorized reseller then it has its standard 1 year warranty, just like buying directly from Apple.... if you buy 3rd party from someone not reselling machines officially, it may or may not have any warranty left.

 

Okay say your screen dies, that's $500 - $600 for a MB screen, $900 for a MBP screen. $300 ish for Apple care is a rip off? I don't care if you know how to fix something your self. The parts are still expensive.

 

Okay, now I'm super confused. There's a difference between the standard Apple warranty and AppleCare in the first year? I thought AppleCare was just an extension of the first year warranty and both covered the same exact things.

 

basically.. yes... you get 1 year with purchase... 2 more years costs extra...

if you buy from someone who isn't officially reselling the machines though, sometimes Apple starts the warranty from the time that person bought it, even if they had it sitting around 3 months before you bought it.

 

As long as the machine that you are buying still has time left on its original 1 year warranty or the extended apple care warranty any apple store should service the laptop for you.

 

* You are chatting with Rachel R, an Apple Expert

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Hi, my name is Rachel R. Welcome to Apple!
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Rachel R: Good afternoon.
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Rachel R: Would you like some assistance with your shopping?
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You: Hi Rachel
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You: I was wondering, I'm hearing things about a Macbook Pro 13" display having "neon like" colors as well as a throttled SATA speed
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You: If I purchase a MBP 13" and an iPod touch 8GB using the back to school promotion
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You: and the MBP 13" turns out to carry those issues mentioned above,
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You: can I take the MBP to a nearby Apple store for an exchange?
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Rachel R: If you purchase it here online, it must be returned online.
*

You: Thanks for the info, and one more quick question
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You: If I buy from an authorized dealer such as MacConnection, and it turns out to have an issue, would I get it serviced at an Apple Store or would I send it back to MacConnection?
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Rachel R: You would call our AppleCare Department and they would handle, as it is under warranty.
*

You: Great, thanks for the information!

 

I bought my unibody from MacConnection.

I had a problem with it (2 mos old). Took it to the Apple Store.

They replaced the unit with a brand new computer. They even let me keep(swapped) my original HDD, so I wouldn't have to deal with lost data.

Fantastic service. End of story.

 

i hate reading these posts. it is the 4th time someone has told me ;"I just took the computer...and got a new machine." I guess it is your smile.

when this notebook was about 6 months old (really it was older cause it was made in china) anyway they ended up having to replace my display and I was asked to pay $1000 I even went thropugh some executive secretary of Mr. Jobs.

 

only gotta pay for it if within reason seemed to be caused by neglect... that would be something for your computer insurance to cover, not a warranty.... some companies offer insurance with their warranties for extra fee, me I have it add through my insurance company I do all my other insurance with... it breaks, they buy me a new one, its nice.

 

There are going to be issues with every manufacturer; my point is that in general Apple's service is considered the best. I don't know if its my smile, but I do know that the way you have responded to people here, makes it difficult for us to want to help you with your computer issues.

And Doh123 is right, the only way they would make you pay for a new part is if the there was negligence or the computer was out of warranty. Pretty standard stuff.

 

Hey buddy and wow what a great question and I wish i would of seen it sooner. So this is what's going to happen if you call in to Apple care after purchasing your computer from a 3rd party ( And believe me, i see this everyday!!!)

1. You just got your computer from someone else on ebay or Macconnection and the computer is busted..... OH NOOOOOOOO.

2. You decided to call into Apple Care ( And you get me and everyone is happy.. jk.. I'm T2 you have to speak to front line before you reach me. lol ) any who you call into Apple Care and the first thing your going to get asked is for your serial and after that what's going to happen is that the product isn't registered to you.. Its going to be registered either to the business or the person that sold it too you.. Also, depending on when you called.. the phone support has already been ticking away.. so hopefully you got the computer within that first 90 day period.. if not well then just keep reading.

3. Depending on who Answers, the general call flow will flow according depending on the Agent ( Sad, but true ) they are either going to give you a hard time because your information isn't showing..AND if your within the range of eligible phone support.. At this point explain your situation and hopefully he/she registers to you.. if not and he/she is still giving you a hard time ask to speak to a manager or a product specialist. ( <-- This is when I would answer but I'm wireless not CPU )

4. Eventually you should be in the clear and the product should be registered to you and the APP should be within the clear. or the Standard warranty including the 90 day phone should be ok, if not then don't worry about.. Just explain that you purchased the product that was not "Open Box" from a reseller, any way you should be in the clear by now.. Trust me.. we are already on step four and by now.. this has already been a 25-35 minute phone call. trust me.

5. After the above your main objective is to now get this computer fixed.. At this point hopefully your speaking to an agent thats showing a lot of empathy or speaking to a product specialists. So after you explained the situation and the product is proven to be yours the real work can get done.

6. 9 times out of 10 what should happen from here is basic troubleshooting so that the issue can get isolated.. By no means. are we ever going to refer you to the person who sold you the computer, by any means this just does not happen. If so... you better call back and freak out.

7. After the issues been isolated and been fixed then I bet your happy.. However if the issue isn't fixed. Then you will be referred to an apple store ( We book the appointment and provide you with a case # ) and get ready for your computer to get repaired. Any way that should be a general run down on what's going to happen. Customer satisfaction is more important then resolving technical issues at Apple Care, trust me. You should be ok.