With Applecare is there a labor charge at the Genius Bar?

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Level 1

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With Applecare is there a labor charge at the Genius Bar?

An Apple Chat Advisor told me recently that with the Applecare I have there will be no labor charge for work done on my MBP13 at any Genius Bar. I will soon have to have my intermittedly working spacebar repaired soon. Geek Hampton, an ASP, charges about $150 for their labor, about their same charge for the new keyboard.

If there is no labor charge at the Genius Bar, I would prefer to have the work done there, as this would not be a great inconvenience. I worry, though, that I am being unfair to Geek Hampton, because they have ordered and received the replacement keyboard just for me, and that there will be some charge for them -- and that I may become persona non grata there. I would prefer not to be so designated because those who work there seem kind and fair, and I want to use their many services.

Can anyone confirm the facts stated above and how my actions affect my local ASP?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), a little more than one year old

Posted on Nov 21, 2015 2:25 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 21, 2015 10:13 AM in response to skippy631

Applecare is an extended warranty from Apple which covers parts and labor for repairs of problems not caused by the user within the warranty period. Note in the link that the covered service can be provided by an AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider). Also note that one of the benefits of being an AASP is "Reimbursement for labour" as well as parts. So if your local service provider (Geek Hampton) is really an AASP, you shouldn't be getting charged for the labor. If your service provider is just a computer shop that works on Apple products, then a labor charge is fair but if an Apple Store is reasonably convenient, I'd think both its free and reliable service would have been a better choice except that Geek Hampton has already done some of the work by ordering the keyboard, probably after a diagnosis. I'd suggest clarifying whether or not Geek Hampton really is an AASP and, if so, asking directly if they're reimbursed for labor by Apple under your Applecare coverage since the Apple Chat Advisor told you that with the Applecare you have there will be no labor charge.

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Answer 2

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Nov 21, 2015 10:10 AM in response to skippy631

well, from what I understand, at the genius Bar, the initial evaluation is Free. IF they can fix your problem simply, then there may not be a labour charge, but if not, then yes, there will be a charge for parts and labour. I don't know if Geek Hampton will get mad at you or not, but you may want to give 'em a shout and explain the situation nicely. Again, the initial evaluation at the Genius Bar is free. if you choose to have Apple repair it if it needs repairing, and it can't be fixed easily, then there may be some kind of charge. if you choose to go with Geek Hampton, then so be it. They are a business and as such, need to make money. They probably can't afford to do stuff for free, and that may include evaluations

the ball's in your court

JB

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