Can you get Applecare, after buying a new imac from Best Buy

Even if you buy at Best Buy, you can always buy AppleCare so long as you're still within the limited warranty period for the iMac. It isn't something that has to be purchased at the same time as the Mac.

And Yes, you are correct that for computers BestBuy only offers their own service.

You can find all the details about AppleCare for iMacs here:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD006LL/A

as I'd rather not have an computer shipped to me

We've ordered more Macs that I can remember directly from Apple and none have arrived with any hint of defect or damage. All are still in service, and we live in a smallish inland Northwest city 100 miles from the nearest interstate freeway.

I purchased this iMac from the Apple Store on-line. The shipping carton looked absolutely "clean" and undamaged. As soon as it was delivered, I took it to an Apple Store (round trip 100+ miles) with my old PowerBook G4 to have the files transferred. The store was the same one where I purchased my PowerBook.

While there are authorized Apple Resellers in this area, I wanted to purchase directly from Apple. I've had good experiences with both the Apple Store and the Apple Store on-line and I wouldn't hesitate to do business that way again should the need/desire arise.

mikeyg1479 wrote:

. . .

My question is, can I buy applecare direct from apple for this device to exend the warranty, and how long would I have to do so after purchase?

Yes, as Rysz says, you can. You can also usually find it discounted from various resellers that buy it in bulk (try ebay), but be careful -- some of them are scams, so be sure you know who you're dealing with. If it's discounted too much, it may be too good to be true.

One thing to be careful of is the purchase date. Apple's records for your Mac will show the date they shipped it to Best Buy, not the date you purchased it. A week or so after you register your AppleCare, check it via the Check Coverage Status box at the right of this page: http://www.apple.com/support/imac/intel/ If the expiration date shown isn't correct, contact Apple Support. They can correct the date, but be sure you have a copy of the Best Buy invoice or bill. (I think Apple Stores can do it also.)

My experience may have been the exception that proves the rule. My first 21.5 (replaced the next day at a local Apple Store) arrived with a huge gash in the outer box that penetrated all the way through the styrofoam. Courtesy Fed Ex.

I just ordered Applecare for my new (refurb) iMac from Provantage - cost $124 including shipping vs. $169 plus sales tax from Apple. LA computer company is also a good source. I've dealt with both companies several times for various things including the discounted Applecare - quick shipment and no problems encountered.

mikeyg1479 wrote:

...as I'd rather not have an computer shipped to me,

How do you suppose those computers got delivered all the way from China to Best Buy? Isn't it better to have them shipped directly to your home or office?

I've never bought them any other way. I've ordered laser-engraved iPads on a Sunday and they're in my hands by Wednesday.

If you're worried about delivery, Apple requires a delivery signature for nearly all its products. FedEx absolutely, positively won't leave without one.

As for shipping, not so worried about shipping itself, so much as I'm worried about a computer sitting on my porch all day as I work days and just don't trust my neighbors. I also wouldn't be around to sign for fed ex.

Ah, I understand now.

My daughter in Portland OR had a similar concern about location (front porch sits very close to a busy street) and neighbors (some nice; some not so). She got permission from her supervisor to have it delievered to work. I realize this depends on the type of work you do. She runs the front office area at a clinic and either she or her underlings accept FedEx/UPS deliveries several times a day.

mikeyg1479 wrote:

Thank you for the replies everyone. Good to know I can still get apple care outside of Best Buy.

As for shipping, not so worried about shipping itself, so much as I'm worried about a computer sitting on my porch all day as I work days and just don't trust my neighbors. I also wouldn't be around to sign for fed ex. Its ust easier to pop into a Best Buy store 10 mins away and walk out with a Mac, plus I already have financing there. Thanks again.

Every single Apple computer I've purchased since 2001 (on my 9th now) has been ordered directly from Apple's online store and shipped. In every case, they were delivered with signature required, so if I was not at home, they were not left - I'd call the shipper and arrange to pick it up. You can print a pre-signature release from Apple's site and leave it on the door if you are comfortable having it left on your stoop, but otherwise, they need someone to sign for it.

You can also use an alternate shipping address (other then your billing address) like your work (if allowed) a neighbor or family member. I'm just saying it has not been my experience that Apple ships expensive items like a laptop or computer without requiring confirmation of delivery by signature.

Small items maybe ship without requireing a signature (although even then, not in my experience).

Either way, buying from Apple directly or an authorized reseller like BestBuy, the Apple warranty applies the same, and AppleCare is also the same. If you buy it with the computer at Best Buy, they should also register it at the time of purchase so you don't need even to do anything to activate it.

If you buy it with the computer at Best Buy, they should also register it at the time of purchase so you don't need even to do anything to activate it.

How did you get them to do that? I've asked at Best Buy and another reseller and was told that registering it is my responsibility - I purchased my last one at an (exclusively Apple) reseller and even they would not do it.

Of course, if you buy it at an Apple Store, of course they will.

The last Apple thing I bought at BestBuy was an iPod Touch last year (a gift). At the time they asked me if I wanted applecare for it and said that if I bought it then, it would be registered and activated automatically. I just assumed this was some new deal worked out with Apple and their authorized resellers for Applecare bundled with an Apple device purchase.

Since I did not buy the AppleCare, I cannot verify that it would have actually worked as promised though (😁 I'd already said NO to their geeky squad protection plan before he offered up the AppleCare option)

Well, maybe your Best Buy NC stores have better customer service than our PNW stores???? 😀

P.S. I just remembered: they also do not register your hardware purchase (iMac, whatever) automatically with Apple either - at least around here. Unless you buy it at an Apple store, you have to register both the hardware and the Applecare. There was a question here some time ago about someone having bought a Macbook at Best Buy; they were told it would be registered and so they did nothing until they called Apple months later for a problem and found out it had never been registered. So, I wouldn't trust anyting BestBuy tells me unless I can verify it myself.

I have purchased Apple Care twice--once from an Apple Store and once from Apple Store on-line. Each time, Apple Care was registered for me when the computer was delivered to me. We also purchased an iPod Shuffle from an Apple Store. We purchased Apple Care for it and it was also registered as part of the purchase.

As far as I know, Apple Care is not "bundled" with anything. It is a separate purchase that you can make or not as you choose. You can even purchase it from the Apple Store in person or on-line as long as you are within the allowed time period after your inital purchase. Since Best Buy apparently is now an authorized Apple Reseller, they will do the registration process for you.

Since Best Buy apparently is now an authorized Apple Reseller, they will do the registration process for you.

To make sure, I would verify this myself by checking my covered products at the Apple site. Just because someone is an authorized reseller does not mean they will do that for you.