Customer Reviews

AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod and iTunes

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Considering that this policy only extends the warranty for one year, it is expensive. Coverage for the iPod's biggest problem, its battery, is vague. Apple simply defines as non-defects some apparent battery problems, such as the fact that the battery drains very rapidly when the unit is not in use and turned off. Plus, the battery can drop drastically in usage time, and Apple protects itself by saying this: "Service coverage is available ... for battery depletion of 50 percent or more from original specification." What other company clearly states that precipitous product failure is not covered by either the original or extended warranty?

Although this policy is thru Apple, it is 2x the price of similar policies available from other companies that also have very good reputations. One is Crutchfield.com which has a 2 yr. plan for $29.99 which starts *after* the standard Apple 1 yr labor coverage (for a TOTAL OF 3 YEARS). Apple extended warranty is a total of 2 years for $59.99, rather than a total of 3 years for $29.99 thru Crutchfield.

I had accidentally dropped my ipod a few times but each time afterwards it went on playing as if nothing happened. Finally a few weeks ago it suddenly froze and stopped working. All attempts later to charge it, connect it to the computer, or restore it failed (including looking into apple's website for help). I called for assistance with my AppleCare and the person I spoke to was knowledgeable and amiable, and I had no anxious feelings because I knew I was protected. The person gave me some tips to try, and told me that if it still did not work, I could call back to arrange for my ipod to be sent back as she had already documented our interaction in the computer.

I did call back for it to be sent back and fixed as my own attempts were still not successful, and this time the person I spoke to was also very nice and comforting. I received my fixed ipod just a few days after with no charge to me whatsoever. I highly recommend AppleCare since it is quite convenient and really gives you a peace of mind.

Ok, even though i am telling you have to buy this, i gave it 4 stars, and the reason is that with Apple you will need more than 1 year warranty!! Google and you will see how many problems people have with the iPods. I bought my iPod 40gb 4g on July 2004($399,00 + tax), and after 7 or 8 months it began skipping. I thought at first it was a software glitch and overlooked it. Shortly after my warranty expired (1 year) it totally stopped working, i went to the Apple store i had bought it and they told me it is a hardware problem (and they had seen a 'few' with the same problem) and it will cost me $280,00 to fix it. :(
So, do yourself a favor, pay the extra, but know that if this thing breaks you won't have to pay an absurd ammount of money to fix it!!
For further accounts of people's experiences with the iPods malfunctionings, go to:
http://jon.blogs.com/mopho/2004/03/ipod_quirks.html

Regarding the warning in the first Spotlight Review to "Be prepared to hear Apple's Service Representative tell you that, 'Amazon is not an authorized reseller'", please note that per Apple's website, Amazon.com is "a reseller authorized by Apple to make Internet or catalog sales".

I just wanted to respond to Charles Long's difficulty reading the engraved serial number off the back of the iPod. Apple does have an easier way of accessing the serial number. Just go to the Settings menu, choose About, and you'll find the s/n listed on the iPod display.

That said, there's still plenty of room for improvement in Apple's AppleCare registration process, but I do recommend AppleCare for iPod -- because of the battery replacement issues, and also because the iPod is basically a very very portable hard drive.

Be prepared to hear Apple's Service Representative tell you that, "Amazon is not an authorized reseller" and that you must fax them a copy of your sales/shipping document, and also fax them a copy of the enrollment number of the service plan along with its bar code (which is on one of the sheets of paper inside the "protection plan" package).

If you have a fax machine at your fingertips, I guess this isn't a really big deal, but if you don't, and if you are handicapped and can only walk with great difficulty, you might decide the whole thing really isn't worth the hassle.

Also be prepared to read your iPods serial number which is indistinctly, dimly, and microscopically etched into the backside of your machine. My tired, old eyes required my best magnifying glass with intense light to make it out, and even then I managed to mistake 2 Qs for Os on my first attempt.

On my first request for service I found the iPod representative to be pleasant enough, even affable; but, upon reflection I realized that other than to recite the things I must FAX to them, she hadn't so much as given me the time of day, let alone an answer to the question I had asked her.

The guy at a local retail store tried to convince me I should buy this plan because all iPod batteries die within a year and a half or two years. With this plan I can supposedly get a new one for "free". But that only lasts 2 years. Why pay now when you might not even need a new battery within 2 years and Apple already offers an Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Program? From the Apple web site: "If your iPod requires service only because the battery's ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, Apple will replace your iPod for a service fee of $59, plus $6.95 shipping." Just wait and spend the money when/if you need to.

My Ipod never worked correctly, and when I tried to send it back they said the warranty was void because of a few microscopic dents in the casing. They wanted $255 plus tax for repair. How are you not going to get wear and tear on a product meant for being on the go? If you get this plan, what are the chances that you wont get any dents in 2 years? The chances of something going wrong internally that wasnt related to some outside force is slim to none. Dont throw away the money.

I couldn't get them to fix a cracked screen just 2 months after purchase. No pressure was put on it, it wasn't dropped, and was in a leather case the entire time. It was a small crack in the corner (no exterior damage, of course). I'd prefer to simply set three $20 bills on fire than purchase this useless "protection".