Futureshop Warranty vs apple care warranty

Gamalen · Jan 23rd, 2008, 01:46 PM

Hey Guys,

I figured Futureshop had a good deal for macbooks this week and i picked one up (1150 for the core 2 duo 2.0Ghz bundled with mac office 08 for only 130) last night.
The sales guy there was really pushing the futureshop warranty, it was going to cost me $280 to cover 3 years, versus applecare's 300 for 3 years.
After reading some posts, I was going to purchase a warranty anyways. I know futureshop guys get commission for every warranty they sell, so he went on and on how FS warranty covers peformance, power surge, and replacement parts, that they can fix it in the store. They indicated to me that apple doesn't fix dead pixels, doesn't cover power surge, etc.
I still have 14 days whether i want to get the FS warranty or not. So i'm kind of at a toss up.
In my windows days, I had 2 HP laptops replaced from Futureshop with the extended warranty...but FS is an authorised HP dealer/repair depot.

Any of you guys buy the extended warranty on a macbook through Futureshop? Experiences? Let me know what your thoughts are.

Adrian. · Jan 23rd, 2008, 01:48 PM

They are really good about iPods...

They have replaced mine a few times with no hassle. As far as computers I have no idea.

a7mc · Jan 23rd, 2008, 02:03 PM

Hmmm... tough call. I have the FS warranty on my MacBook Pro. Am I pleased? Somewhat.

FS Pros:
- Cheaper than Applecare (hint: haggle with them over the warranty... you can get them to drop the price a bit on it)
- Covers a bunch of things Applecare doesn't... including the battery!!! That's a HUGE plus, as you'll likely need to replace the battery at least once in the 3 year span. A free battery is a good thing.

- Fairly hassle-free. They don't really argue about anything you bring in to them, they just get it fixed.
- Can bring to any FS, anywhere in Canada for repair.

FS Cons:
- Not nearly as consumer-friendly and effective as Applecare.
- VERY VERY VERY slow for repairs. If you bring ANYTHING in, you're looking at 4 weeks minimum. Every single time. No matter what. I brought the laptop in, 5 weeks. I brought the power cord in, 4.5 weeks. You WILL be without a computer for at least 4 weeks on every single repair.

So... as I said... tough call. If you can deal with the slow service, then FS is a little better. If you can't go without a computer for 4-5 weeks, then Applecare is better.

A7

adam.sn · Jan 23rd, 2008, 02:42 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by a7mc
	Hmmm... tough call. I have the FS warranty on my MacBook Pro. Am I pleased? Somewhat. FS Pros: - Cheaper than Applecare (hint: haggle with them over the warranty... you can get them to drop the price a bit on it) - Covers a bunch of things Applecare doesn't... including the battery!!! That's a HUGE plus, as you'll likely need to replace the battery at least once in the 3 year span. A free battery is a good thing. - Fairly hassle-free. They don't really argue about anything you bring in to them, they just get it fixed. - Can bring to any FS, anywhere in Canada for repair. FS Cons: - Not nearly as consumer-friendly and effective as Applecare. - VERY VERY VERY slow for repairs. If you bring ANYTHING in, you're looking at 4 weeks minimum. Every single time. No matter what. I brought the laptop in, 5 weeks. I brought the power cord in, 4.5 weeks. You WILL be without a computer for at least 4 weeks on every single repair. So... as I said... tough call. If you can deal with the slow service, then FS is a little better. If you can't go without a computer for 4-5 weeks, then Applecare is better. A7

I used to work there & had one of the highest warranty ratios in the store.

1. You can't negotiate the price of the warranty, it's fixed. No exceptions, however you can get them to discount accesories. They wont' discount software or the laptop itself, there's no markup.

2. They no longer fix laptops in the store. They did at one point, now they send them back to apple in the first year, and to a private repair depot for the 2nd and 3rd year.

3. They cover the battery... if you can prove it won't hold a charge anymore.

4. It's true, they don't really argue much about it and you can bring it to any FS. Some are easier to deal with than others. Repair takes anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months. They will give you a new laptop for free if it takes beyond 90 days.

I've had to send mine out before and it took 2 months. Applecare's turnaround time is WAY WAY faster.

One of the huge pro's w/ applecare is over the phone tech support with someone who knows macs. Most of the employees at FS and Best buy don't know a mac from a hole in a ground and will rarely be able to help you.

Personally, i'd go with the apple care seeing the kinda stuff that can go wrong through FS.

I no longer work there.

- Adam

dona83 · Jan 23rd, 2008, 03:06 PM

A friend of mine bought PSP on her MacBook and wish she got Applecare instead. I brought in my old iBook for a screen replacement and I got it back in about 3 days. I could not imagine being without my machine for 4 weeks.

ehMax · Jan 23rd, 2008, 03:13 PM

FutureShop warranty on Macs isn't worth the ink printed on your FutureShop receipt. Get AppleCare.
I hear regularly from people who have their laptops and Macs held captive for weeks if not months on end at FutureShop only to come back with the problem not fixed.

My friend had his iPod held captive for a month and a half, and it came back all scratched to $H!T.

With AppleCare, the hardware coverage is through Apple to bring to Apple certified technicians worldwide, with certified Apple parts, with fast turn-around times.

The coverage is on the Mac itself, so if you sell, there is no hassle having the coverage remain on the Mac to the new owner. This makes it great if you get the itch to sell and upgrade to a new Mac before the end of 3 years. Selling your used Mac with AppleCare still on it increases the value of it. Selling it privately with FutureShop warranty on it?

AppleCare also automatically covers many Apple products when purchased with a new Mac, such as Airport base station, Apple Displays, Apple Keyboard and Mice with Mac Mini's.

You get a copy of TechTool Deluxe included with AppleCare.

You get 3 years of unlimited Telephone support from Apple open 9am-9pm 7 days a week for use of your Mac, the Mac OS, and all bundled Apple branded applications.

Though not advertised, if you've had multiple hardware problems on a Mac in some cases Apple will authorize and provide a replacement of your Mac, or authorize and reimburse up to hundreds of dollars towards the rental of a Mac while your Mac is being serviced *if* you have AppleCare on your Mac.

Mr. Fartleberry · Jan 23rd, 2008, 03:18 PM

I think it's been covered - Apple includes phone support and the Techtool ap.

I'd add that with AAPL you have until the end of year one to decide if you wish to option the warranty. FS want their bucks up front on the spot when you purchase.

Gamalen · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:28 PM

Hey Guys, Thanks for your feedback, i'll get the applecare warranty. I saw some posts related to applecare from SIG electronics last month. I'll give that a shot.
Yeah, I cannot do without my my macbook for 4 weeks - 2 months, that is not acceptable at all. No commission for FS guy.

krs · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:39 PM

I would vote for Applecare as well - it's actually a lot cheaper than the FS warranty when you buy at the right place.
I just got it from SIG for $200 for a MBP, a macBook I think is even a bit less.

As an aside, I thought the battery was covered with Applecare. It certainly is during te first year of regular warranty if it doesn't hold a charge properly.

psxp · Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:47 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by a7mc
	FS Cons: - Not nearly as consumer-friendly and effective as Applecare. - VERY VERY VERY slow for repairs. If you bring ANYTHING in, you're looking at 4 weeks minimum. Every single time. No matter what. I brought the laptop in, 5 weeks. I brought the power cord in, 4.5 weeks. You WILL be without a computer for at least 4 weeks on every single repair. So... as I said... tough call. If you can deal with the slow service, then FS is a little better. If you can't go without a computer for 4-5 weeks, then Applecare is better. A7

I was wondering if FS just get their "techs" to look at the machines or send to an Apple Auth Repair Centre?

FS do take forever to replace/check items, so think about this.. each time you go in with a problem you will loose 1 MONTH of warranty time as well.

I recently had a Superdrive die on me before Christmas. I emailed my local Apple Auth Repair center my Serial number, and they ordered the part in. When I dropped off my PC until I had it back was like 3 days. Hows that for service?!! As it was under applecare they just ordered and swapped out the SuperDrive.

Exceptional service.