AppleCare Protection Plan - Extended Coverage for your Apple Products
note: If you don’t want a funny story, then check your AppleCare Status: https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do. Otherwise, read on.
During my time at Apple, I would often run into customers who would come into the store with malfunctioning equipment (either because they’ve caused a problem, or hardware was defective). Ultimately, to get any sort of results, they would need an appointment at the Genius Bar. This would in turn have a Genius (aka technician) look at the product, make an assessment, and then present the solution. For someone who hasn’t voided their warranty with physical or water damage, it’s usually good news.
When someone would come in, I would ask what the problem was, to determine whether it was software or hardware related. Then, I would lookup their serial number on Apple’s website to see if the product was still covered under either limited warranty, or AppleCare. What’s funny here is, the fastest way I found to do so, was to google “check applecare serial number” to which I would always find a result to some random guy’s blog: www.macitguy.com. I’d be directly linked to Check your Applecare status by Serial Number, which would in turn give me the direct link to check, well, AppleCare status by serial number.
After a while, I stopped searching Google, and using the ever so helpful macitguy, I just started typing https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do, it was just easier (believe it or not).
Quicktips:
-Be really nice to the Genius’, they hold your fate in the palm of their hands. If for some reason you’re not happy or aren’t being treated the way you want, ask for a manager. If you’re not happy with the result of your appointment, ask for a manager. Even if you’re out of warranty, even if you’ve damaged the computer a little bit, there’s always a chance. Be professional, curteous, and show them you’re a loyal Apple customer, and you might get pleasantly surprised.
-Always arrive to your appointment with your data/personal information backed up. The Genius may need to wipe/restore your device; you would lose all your data without a backup. Or you would need to make a second trip after being told to go home and back your stuff up.
-Innocence, ignorance, and a gentle attitude. The three keys to success at the Genius Bar.
Fun fact:
The reason they call AppleCare “an extended coverage” for your product, as opposed to an extended warranty, is to avoid liability in the event that Apple goes under. If Apple declares bankcruptcy tomorrow and closes their doors, and you have 2 years left on your AppleCare coverage, and something goes wrong, you’re on your own :]
