Apple Care+ for iPhone 4S

I see everybody in this thread panicking about Applecare Plus. I agree that Verizon and Apple should have handled it differently, but that has been the way Apple has always done things. We are all (inlcuding the stores) on a need to know basis. Trouble is, we all need to know now!

I wouldn't sweat it. Just go to Verizon and buy the phone. If they haven't heard of Apple Care Plus, simply take the phone to the Apple Store and ask them to add it. If they give you a hard time, tell them that you are going to wait right there until they figure out a way to sell it to you. they will eventually figure it out.

I just called 1800-MY Apple, was switched to AppleCare, spoke with "Kathy" .

Told her my iPhone4S is on order from AT&T and my order is also for AppleCare. Told her myATT store has boxes of (plain) Applecare sitting there. a copy of Applecare is part of my phone order.

Told Kathy that AT&T offered only plain AppleCare and the store offered some sort of AT& T plan costing $10/month but insuring for full replacement cost if phone lost or damaged.

(My guess is AT&Tprefers hawking its own advanced plan rather than AppleCare+)

Kathy told me all I need do is take my boxed phone and boxed AppleCare to my local AppleStore ( very close- two stores in fact) and an Applestore person will swap out my plain Applecare for the Plus version

My gf ordered the 4s on Friday (the 7th) from an ATT brick & mortar store and I suggested she get AppleCare+ however while she was there I guess the rep sold her on their (ATT) insurance plan instead. Seeing that it may still be possible to purchase AppleCare+, I'm considering taking her phone to an Apple store to purchase it, or at least attempt to and then have her cancel the ATT insurance.

My main question is it worth fighting the battle? Anyone have any suggestions one way or the other? Apparently under ATT's plan, you would "only" pay $200 to replace the phone if it is lost or stolen, if I remember correcly

Sorry if this isn't the best forum. Thanks for the help

Just to add to the craziness of this whole topic I figured I would add in another story. A buddy of mine who also ordered his phone through Verizon wasn't happy with my explanation to him about what I was told when I called the 800 number. He called the number to get more clarification. When he talked to the rep they told him to go now to an Apple Store & they can help him. They also said that this must be done before the 14th or else he would not be able to participate. For even further clarification he asked for a supervisor and was assured that this was the way it needed to be done. He works outside of Boston & in close range to a store so he went there after work. Needless to say when he got there it was blank faces as they did not have any idea what he was talking about.

I guess we will all just have to wait and see because there have been at least 6 or 7 different stories on here. Everyone seems to be pointing at eachother and no one knows what is going on.

It appears to me people may be overly anxious or concerned about this issue. Apple has a good track record at resolving issues and I anticipate once the phone is available, they won't leave everbody out in the cold. For me, even if that isn't the case I'll be more than happy to purchase coverage from:

http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/

or

http://www.worthavegroup.com/iphone-insurance (when it becomes available for the 4S)

I understand most people may be only comfortable dealing with Apple and I understand. Yet, both of these other companies seem to be reputable and appear to have better coverage than Applecare+. WorthAve even covers theft. In any case, I, like most of you, will probably pursue Apple's new plan when and if it is an option for us who have already purchased the phone without the plan. If not, it's nice to know there is a backup plan. Good luck to everybody and enjoy your new phone.

Just got off the phone with Apple support (10:42 CT on 10-13-11). I was told they just received a a new memo just moments ago regarding the AppleCare+ mess. For people who have pre-purchased the iPhone 4S or plan to purchase it in Verizon retail stores starting tomorrow. Once you have your iPhone, call 1-800-275-2273 to purchase the AppleCare+ directly using this number. You "must have your iPhone to be able to give them the serial # & purchase info". Don't call the above number unless you physically have your iPhone.

Here is the actual memo dated 10-12-2011:

AppleCare+ Pre-order Registration

For AT&T:

AppleCare+ will be available for iPhone 4 (8GB) and iPhone 4S pre-order customers until November 14. After customers receieve their new iPhone, they must bring it to their local AT&T store to complete their purchase.

For Verizon:

AppleCare+ will be available for iPhone 4 (8GB) and iPhone 4S pre-order customers until November 14. After customers receieve their new iPhone, they must contact AppleCare (1-800-275-2273) to complete their purchase.

For Sprint:

Customers who didn't have the opprotunity to purchase AppleCare+ on their pre-orders have until November 14 to add it. Sprint customers must call AppleCare (1800-275-2273) for that exception.

I just noticed this thread and since I'm in the same boat, I called the Apple Store and got transferred to an AppleCare sales agent.

He told me that since I preordered through Verizon's website, I have until November 14th to buy AppleCare+. He said I have to do it either through a physical Verizon store or by calling AppleCare at 800-275-2273. He said you cannot do it at an Apple Store (I asked that).

So that seems to conflict a little with what others have said. But at least the Nov 14th date is consistent with the memo text posted above.

Hi,

I have somewhat a different question on Applecare +. I actually bought Applecare when I preordered my phone with Apple. However, when I look up the phone's serial number I don't see that Applecare has been applied. Checking the order page all it says is that this part of the order is already completed. Should I contact Apple now or wait a few days to see if it will show up?

Thanks,

After I bought the 4S at my local Verizon retailer I called the number for Apple Care to register for Apple Care plus and they told me because I live in Florida that I have to go in to the store to buy it. They couldn't sell it to me over the phone because of some strange law regarding telemarketing warranties that Florida has.

What a crock.

I recieved my iphone 4s today and pre-ordered Applecare Plus along with my brother and my friend. None of us recieved the applecare box nor has it been applied to our serial numbers. The web receipt says you will not receive a physical item next to applecare. I paid for something that I did not recieve. None of have the added protection when checking the serial number. I was also duped into believing I was getting a box with it, which is not the case here. I wanted the box so that when I ebay it, it fetches a higher value. I am very disappointed. Clone Steve Jobs already!

Not sure what mapper 65 wrote recently is what the ATT stores know

The SNAFU continues

Well, today I returned the Plain AppleCare which my ATT store sold me on 10-7.Per ATT customer support I was advised to return the plain AppleCare during my"grace" period (30 days after purchase)

I told the ATT store staff ( Manager, asst manager, sales associate etc) that I saw the memo copy telling ATT customrers that their ATT store can set up the AppleCare Plus.

The ATT store fok ALL insisted that they, in the stores cannot do that. The ATT store folk told me to go to an Apple Store when I receive my new phone* and I can purchase from the store.

Why in heck is there so much confusion?

* I pre ordered my new phone at the ATT store on 10-7 but late afternoon.So I am backorderd. The ATT store had phones in stock to day.Sat 10-15 in the evening but could not swap out my pre order for an actual phone! Manager claiimed because my order is being processed I would get the pre ordered phone ( and be charged for it) even if I cancel the pre order!

I'm the one that posted the Apple memo that I received from my Apple business rep.

I went to the AT&T store on Friday and they told me the same thing as Barbara above. They referred me to 1-800-MY-APPLE. It took me about 5 phone calls to that number throughout the day until I eventually was not either getting disconnected or waiting forever but I eventually hot through.

The girl on the the was very friendly and was able to add AppleCare+ to my phone and now I'm all set.

I was talking with someone that I work with an we were amazed that Apple can coordinate to get these phones from China to your doorstep in about 24 hours but they had at least a week to get this right and they still messed it up. I'm just glad that I'm finally done with this.

Good luck to everyone else!

I pre-ordered both the iPhone 4S and AppleCare Plus from Sprint on October 7th. My iPhone was delivered on October 14th, but nothing from AppleCare. Called Sprint customer service to ask where it was, and they told me to contact AppleCare. Called AppleCare and spent about an hour with Zach, who verified that my new iPhone was not covered by AppleCare Plus. He contacted Sprint on my behalf while still on the phone with me (thanks, Zach!) to discuss the issue with them. Zach handed me over to Lynn at Sprint after he was comfortable that she would work the issue to the ground. Spent the next half hour on the phone with Lynn, who was able to confirm that I had paid for AppleCare Plus when I ordered my iPhone, but couldn't find anyone in her chain who could tell her how to remedy the situation. Finally she said this issue has been escalated, and she will contact me Monday with a remedy. In the meantime, she assured me that Sprint will make good on any problems that may occur with the iPhone.

Being the new kid on the block, I can understand how Sprint may be confused about selling AppleCare Plus with the iPhone versus their own protection plan, but Verizon and especially AT&T have been iPhone providers for a long time. I was surprised to read that those who ordered their iPhones from them are also experiencing problems.

Looks like my problem has been resolved. This morning i received an email with my AppleCare Plus certificate confirming coverage of my iPhone 4S. Still don't know if my calls yesterday to Sprint and AppleCare had anything to do with it.