Apple Care on Christmas gifts

Question

Level 1

8 points

Apple Care on Christmas gifts

I bought my oldest an Apple Watch for Christmas. The well advertised Thanksgivings sales by Apple and others encourage this. When I give electronics, I like to buy Apple Care to have a full two or three year warranty. In talking with an Apple Care agent about this purchase I was told the only way to have the full two year warranty for an Apple Watch as a Christmas gift was to buy it the day I was going to give it. Therefore she affirmed that I should return the gift and wait until Christmas Day. In practice, I have never had an issue of Apple Care not being honored because the Apple Product was bought weeks before the date the recipient started using the device. But I was shocked by the service representative affirming I needed to return the watch if I didn’t want the recipient of this nice gift to only have a 23 month instead of 24 month warranty. I am beginning to ask my friends what they think and I thought I should ask here. Perhaps I am too sensitive to this issue and a service representative telling it like it should be. Is there a realistic way a company, especially one like Apple, can make a policy which would take into account things like buying for birthdays or Christmas?

Posted on Dec 4, 2017 2:44 PM

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Answer 1

minacrime

Level 3

809 points

Dec 4, 2017 2:45 PM in response to Eutychus

They were incorrect:

AppleCare+ - Apple Watch - Apple

Important notes

Purchase AppleCare+ with your new Apple Watch. Or buy it within 60 days of your Apple Watch purchase:

Online (requires you to verify your serial number and run a remote diagnostic)
Visit an Apple Store (inspection of Apple Watch and proof of purchase are required)
Or call (800) 275-2273 (requires you to run a remote diagnostic and provide proof of purchase)

See AppleCare+ Terms and Conditions for complete product details.

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Answer 2

Eutychus Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 4, 2017 3:04 PM in response to minacrime

Thank you for your reply. I have taken advantage of the approach you mentioned in your post for the iPhones I have bought from a carrier store. But my issue is that AppleCare aparently starts ticking its warranty time from the purchase date on Black Friday not from the time a person actually has access to the gift on Christmas. And even waiting to buy AppleCare after Christmas will be counted as the purchase date of the watch thus losing a month of coverage.

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Answer 3

minacrime

Level 3

809 points

Dec 4, 2017 3:07 PM in response to Eutychus

Oh, I understand you now. That is correct: it would be unfair to expect Apple to know when an item is first opened/put to use. Even if you buy AppleCare+ after 35 days, (within the 60 day limit) it does not start 35 days after the invoice date, it is backdated to that date.

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Answer 4

Eutychus Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 4, 2017 3:24 PM in response to minacrime

I understand that the contract reads that way. And I also admit that in the few cases where a computer or phone had a problem near the end date of the AppleCare coverage that the AppleCare service representatives treated us well. I did not think about this issue when I purchased the Christmas gift. It seems that the heavy advertising for purchasing Christmas gifts acknowledges that many people purchase in many weeks in advance for holiday giving. I found it surprising that there was not an affirmation that there was a policy that would take such gift giving into consideration. I found it most surprising that a service representative would affirm that I should return the watch while I had the opportunity. Perhaps the lesson for me is not to buy on Black Friday but to give gift cards or to order the last day quick shipping can make it to our house.

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Answer 5

liv0123

Level 4

2,883 points

Dec 7, 2017 8:10 PM in response to Eutychus

Hi Eutychus,

I think it wasn't communicated properly, possibly. Basically, any device that leaves the store w/out immediate purchase of Applecare+ then or is received via an online purchase, must have a basic diagnostic ran on it which can be done remotely. Applecare+ allots 30 days after purchase to have this ran and added on. This makes sense, as billions of devices are sent out and purchased without coverage right away and there is no one to physically see what that device may or may not have incurred.

The coverage is exceptional, so they simply need to verify that it is in good health when they offer it to you

- If not, they'd have loads who did not take care of the device or had an accident and only want to purchase the coverage after the fact, naturally

- I purchased mine for my son whilst in the store one year, then gave it to him for Christmas. . That way I didn't have to unpackage it. But, I wouldn't have minded....simply would've taken care when opening and placing it back in the box

Needless to say, I hope you got everything sussed out!

Take care & I hope she enjoys 🙂

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Answer 6

liv0123

Level 4

2,883 points

Dec 7, 2017 8:12 PM in response to Eutychus

Just saw this post.

Great idea on having it shipped later!!

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