Best Buy open box warranty coverage

The open box might be a used MBP - in any case, it is usually an item that was previously purchased and returned. In such cases, it usually means that the warranty coverage had already expired. You will need to contact Apple and supply the purchase date/proof and check with them.

Well, it is entirely possible - since Apple starts the warranty when it is shipped and if it sits on the shelf for some time, it can happen (I know because it happened to me at another retailer once) - I had to prove my purchase date and the warranty was adjusted. During the conversations, I found out that the unit had been shipped 13 months ago.

The warranty from Apple will be from when the computer was originally sold, you will have to check with Best Buy to find that date. You may have a one year with Best Buy for one year from when you purchased it.

No, Apple only starts the warranty when shipped if it is to a user. Best Buy is an authorized reseller of Apple products, the warranty on a MacBook Pro starts when the end user purchases it. Since Best Buy has a 30 day return policy on MBPs they would have to leave the returned MBP sitting around for 11 months for the warranty to lapse. I suppose it could happen if it was placed on a wrong shelf and then other things were stacked in front of it but it is not very likely. Doesn't matter what happened to you at some unknown other retailer, that is Best Buy's policy as a authorized reseller.

My sister purchased an open box MBP after the 2nd time her son stole hers. As it turned out it had been sold and returned the day before so she lost 1 day with the warranty from Apple.

Apple only starts the warranty when shipped if it is to a user

Sorry, but we are going to disagree on this; I've seen too many instances over the years where Apple universally starts the warranty when it is shipped - no matter to whom.

Actually, I wish I was wrong - it would certainly be helpful if Apple actually clarified it. But that's not gonna happen.

FWIW, the "un-named" retailer was an Apple authorized reseller at that time (don't know if they're still in business or not).

Sorry, you can disagree all you want, but I have purchased Apple items from Best Buy, as I already said my sister has purchased computers from them and I'm currently sitting at a counter with an Apple/Best Buy rep. If you have personally bought computers from Best Buy where is has been on a shelf and the warranty was significantly shorter when you purchased it then that would be one thing but that is not what you said. I have also purchased from an Apple authorized retailer and AASP in my area and did not have this issue.

The only time I have recurrently heard this complaint was from soldiers who purchased Apple devices from the PX several years ago despite the fact that they were supposed to be authorized resellers. It turned out to be a problem with how the military purchasing system meshed with Apple and was eventually brought to their attention.

There was also a time when if you purchased from an AAR you had to go online and register your product and then activate the warranty. Since Apple doesn't do registration anymore this is no longer true.

The OP will need to contact Best Buy to find out what the original purchase date was and then talk to Apple about the warranty.

I've never bought a computer from Best Buy (not my favorite store); at the moment, I simply cannot recall the name of the retailer, but they were authorized and had both a store and online presence and were located in the NE US (Massachussets or something like that). I purchased an iMac and Apple at first did not want to honor the warranty as it was longer than 12 months. After the store contacted them and I faxed the purchase receipt, they accepted it as having been sold new. All that was about 8 years ago.

A LOT has changed over 8 years but sounds like your purchase was a SNAFU. My first purchase from Hardin Computers was an Apple Cube (yes, I bought one of those, no judging please) and it was one they had in stock for about 2 months. The warranty started from the day I bought it.

But due to consumer laws and changes in Apple's distribution system with AARs that have gone into place several years ago the warranty issue you describe would be rare. Apple cannot say that an AAR warranty starts from when they ship to the AAR, not when the consumer buys it but if you purchase from Apple it starts the day you buy it.

Now if they buy from a non-AAR that is an entirely different matter.

This is a user to user support forum. We cannot speak on Apple's behalf. You would need to Contact Apple Support to get a definitive answer.

tt2

It is certainly a previously purchased and returned MBP but I've never seen them sell an open box that was a year old. They do sometimes sell Best Buy refurbished but they are labeled as such.

P.S. How long ago did this incident occur?