I ordered my iPhone 4S last night through the Apple Store, but failed to order Apple Care+. Honestly, I didn't see it as an option when I ordered. Odd, because it's normally a very visible option. Is it too late for me to purchase Apple Care+? If not, how to I go about getting it?
iPhone 4
I've researched this and written it up for TidBITS.
http://tidbits.com/article/12568
In short, according to
http://store.apple.com/us/product/APP_IPHONE_PLUS_AUTO-110480
you can order AppleCare+ for a pre-ordered iPhone 4S until November 14th, 2011.
There's also indication from AT&T that AppleCare+ can normally be added to an iPhone within 24 hours of activation, if you fail to order at the time of purchase.
cheers... -Adam
Yes, will somebody let us know if we can purchase Applecare +? I pre-ordered from Verizon, they don't offer applecare plus, when I checked the apple site, it says you have to buy it with the phone, there is no option to order it.
I preordered my verizon 4S at 5:30AM this morning on Apple's website and I was never given an option for either Applecare package. I even deliberately searched for AppleCare+ and it wouldn't let me "add it to my cart." Hopefully, they'll explain how we can go about getting it now!
I had the same situation with AT&T. I just spoke with someone in sales at the AppleCare support number (U.S. Technical Support: 1-800-275-2273). He assured me that I would be able to add AppleCare+ as long as I went in to an AppleStore within 30 days and purchased it. If this is accurate, it's a pain, but at least it's an option.
I just spoke with the Apple Store Customer Service on the phone. They were unable to add Apple Care+ to my order, but advised me to go to the brick & mortar Apple Store and ask them to add Apple Care+ to my order, and to do it in the next 7 days. I'm going this afternoon. Will advise if the brick & mortar Apple Store is able to add it.
I work across the street from a store. I walked in and asked and they said that they won't have anything in store before the 14th and will be able to help people then. The women said we'd probably hear something about it before then but she assured me that if you go in around when you receive the phone, you'll be all set. I made sure to specify that I did not need to go in on the 14th as that is the whole reason why I ordered online.
I was informed by a brick and mortar employee, if I bring my phone in factory sealed, the store could sell me Apple Care+ after the fact. The logic for the factory seal is, since this new plan has accident insurance, they don't want people purchasing the coverage after they may have had an incident.
*****Update
Okay, just got off the phone with AppleCare, and was told that as long as I had ordered the 4S today and had a confirmation email to show them, I could go to an Apple Store any time *before* the iPhone showed up and get AppleCare+ added to my iPhone. I'm going to be in the mountains and away from all Apple Stores for the weekend, but I will give it a try on Monday when I get back.
Just spoke to the manager of my local apple store. He explained that he can not add the apple + care because each warranty is serialized. He can't sell them until they are received on Fri 10/14 with the actual phones. However, he told me I could purchase the warranty for up to one year. I pointed out that the website says it must be done at time of purchase and he told me they add them all the time after the purchase. Of course, I got his name in case I have issues, but I will be going the week after the release to avoid the crowds.
My Apple Store couldn't help either, but there was a nice Mini-Steve Jobs Memorial outside the store - worth the visit to see it. The Apple Store folks referred me to the AppleCare phone number - 1-800-275-2273. AppleCare folks said it's a "glitch" with the website keeping anyone from ordering AppleCare+ with the iPhone 4S, and we WILL be able to order AppleCare+ - guidance forthcoming.
Success!
I didn't see the AppleCare+ option this morning when I pre-ordered. I went into the Apple Store to add it and they said they couldn't do it before the 14th because that's when they get them. They also said I couldn't do it then because it had to be purchased at the same time as the phone. I called Apple and spoke with someone in the apple care department who consulted with 2 people in customer service. Customer service couldn't add it because they didn't have the part number. The apple care lady had the part number but couldn't add it. Working together the lady in apple care and the lady in the service department got it added. It is confirmed when I look in my order history.
Wow, that's great, one would think that Apple would have something on their site about this issue. I purchased my 3 iphones from verizon because I wanted the family plan, The only way to purchase multiple phones at the same time and the family plan from apple is to create a new customer account, but then I wouldn't have gotten my $50 off or the (grandfathered unlimited plan. Apple customer care and Apple store employees don't seem to know anything they just guess and give their opinion. It would be nice if they communicated not only to each other but to use via their site.
Glad it worked for you!
After reading your post, I was just on the phone for 20 minutes with an Apple Care guy, who called Apple sales, etc., etc. He and the folks he worked with were UNable to add AppleCare+ to my order, but acknowledged that it's an Apple-wide problem. He gave me a case number and told me that the case number would enable me to purchase AppleCare+, even though it will be past the time that I purchased the phone. I hope that's enough.
I also just received an e-mail from Apple Support documenting that I will be able to purchase AppleCare+ for my pre-ordered iPhone 4S when Apple Care's system maintenance is complete.
Apple.com would not allow me to purchase Applecare+ for any of the four iPhone 4S phones that I purchased this morning. When I called the 1-800-MY-APPLE support line tonight I was told that AppleCare could not be added the the existing orders but that it could be added anytime during the first twelve months. When I questioned the validity of that statement the support person rechecked and then claimed that it was a good job that I had called since the policy had "just" changed and that Applecare+ could now be added to my existing orders. I supposedly will receive an email allowing me to provide the information necessary to add Applecare+ to my four orders. We'll see if that hppens.
For those of us who pre-ordered through Verizon Wireless:
Verizon Wireless did not offer Applecare+ via the pre-order system. According to their support people, they only are offering the standard Applecare plan for $69.99 available at vzw.com/accessories. They also have no idea if Applecare+ will be offered since it has not officially launched. Customers who pre-ordered an iPhone 4s are being advised to contact Apple Sales.
Apple Sales cannot do anything for you since you do not have an Apple Web Order number.
I just spoke to Sahara with the Applecare Support Escalated Issue team and here is what she told me. The only option that Apple is offering if you pre-ordered your phone from a 3rd party retailer is to take your phone and proof of purchase (receipt) to the Genius Desk at your local Apple Retail location. They have no information if a B&M AT&T store or Verizon store will be able to sell the plan on a pre-ordered phone. You also have to take your phone to the Genius within 30 days of the purchase date not the date you receive the phone.
Now, what do you do if you don't live close to an Apple Retail location? Tough...I live 2 hours away from 4 different Apple Stores so I guess I get to take a road trip in order to enroll in Applecare+.
Last thing, Apple Sales and Applecare Support really know next to nothing about the various options that might be offered once the phones and Applecare+ plan actually launch on Oct. 14. I would have hoped that Apple could have thought through these various complications but I guess you can't cover every possibility.
Apple Care+ for iPhone 4S
