Why do Apple warranties SUCK??

Mar 15, 2003
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I have a G4 that I spent a lot of hard earned money on about a year ago- it's been acting up a bit so I called Apple to speak to a tech rep- turns out that my system had a 90 day! 90 days seems INSANELY short to me.. I grumbled something about how a $3,500 computer should have at least a year warranty and she said that Apple had the best warranty in the industry - I didn't follow that up because I wasn't mad at her but her employer.. Regardless, I think it's absurd that Apple offers such a short warranty on brand new systems.. Say what you will about their computers (I use both a PC and a Mac and love them both) but this warranty will probably keep me away from their products for a while (I was really thinking about an iBook but remembered that my last laptop went schizo after 8 months of use-thank god for Sony's warranty!.)...
 
Mar 15, 2003
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Nope.. I called them and the rep said that she couldn't even talk to me unless I paid $46! How would I use my one year warranty if the tech won't even issue me an RMA? BTW, I see no notice of a one year warranty.. It says 90 days..
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
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I think you talked to a bad tech. Go to their online store and click to the G4 like you are going to buy it. At the bottom of the customization page it says the hardware warranty is 1 year. I'll ask some mac friends but im 99% positive this has been (at least) the minimum they have provided for some time now.
 

RichieZ

Diamond Member
Jun 1, 2000
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Originally posted by: dwell
Should have gotten Applecare.

why is it necessary to buy a warranty? this situation is akin to the ipod originally having only a 90 day warranty and then apple extending it to one year, great hardware but lousy support
 
Mar 15, 2003
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It does blow.. It was crashing constantly and gave me "Kernel errors".. I got some good advice from a mac newsgroup and reset the -nvram (whatever the hell that is) and did a clean install... Still get occassional "Kernel errors" but it's a bit more stable.. I would prefer to have a tech look at it and get to the bottom of this problem but it'll have to do for now.. If the problem turns up again then I'll have to drop it off at CompUsa... Sigh...

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Um, that blows. What exactly is wrong with it

 

RBlount

Member
Jan 3, 2001
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It does blow.. It was crashing constantly and gave me "Kernel errors".. I got some good advice from a mac newsgroup and reset the -nvram (whatever the hell that is) and did a clean install... Still get occassional "Kernel errors" but it's a bit more stable.. I would prefer to have a tech look at it and get to the bottom of this problem but it'll have to do for now.. If the problem turns up again then I'll have to drop it off at CompUsa... Sigh...

All new Apples DO have a one year warranty, but 90 days of tech support. The technician online should not have cut you off until they thought it is a software problem.

Take your unit in to any authorized Apple service center and have it checked out. Make sure you explain that you have already done a clean install.

-Rob

P.S. If you want to PM the Serial Number, I will verify your warranty coverage. I am an Apple Certified Technician and have access to their Service Web Site.
 

Turkish

Lifer
May 26, 2003
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Originally posted by: RBlount
It does blow.. It was crashing constantly and gave me "Kernel errors".. I got some good advice from a mac newsgroup and reset the -nvram (whatever the hell that is) and did a clean install... Still get occassional "Kernel errors" but it's a bit more stable.. I would prefer to have a tech look at it and get to the bottom of this problem but it'll have to do for now.. If the problem turns up again then I'll have to drop it off at CompUsa... Sigh...

All new Apples DO have a one year warranty, but 90 days of tech support. The technician online should not have cut you off until they thought it is a software problem.

Take your unit in to any authorized Apple service center and have it checked out. Make sure you explain that you have already done a clean install.

-Rob

P.S. If you want to PM the Serial Number, I will verify your warranty coverage. I am an Apple Certified Technician and have access to their Service Web Site.

now you are cool :D
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
It does blow.. It was crashing constantly and gave me "Kernel errors".. I got some good advice from a mac newsgroup and reset the -nvram (whatever the hell that is) and did a clean install... Still get occassional "Kernel errors" but it's a bit more stable.. I would prefer to have a tech look at it and get to the bottom of this problem but it'll have to do for now.. If the problem turns up again then I'll have to drop it off at CompUsa... Sigh...

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Um, that blows. What exactly is wrong with it

The 1 year warranty thing doesen't make much sense, and kinda sucks.. since you can't open the computer up without voiding the warranty.

If you really have no warranty coverage, open it up and make sure the heatsink isn't full of dust.. Could be a heat issue.

 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Lucky
G4 comes with 1 year warranty. The 90 days is for free support.

Yep.
I called them up cause the AC adapter on my iBook stopped working. It was after the 90 days was up, and they said "since you've had your machine more than 90 days, the rates for phone support are $XX.XX". I said, "I don't want phone support, I just need a replacement part." They said, "oh, ok, hold on...", 2 days later I had a new AC adapter delivered to me by Airborne Express.
 

SyahM

Golden Member
Nov 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Lucky G4 comes with 1 year warranty. The 90 days is for free support.
Yep. I called them up cause the AC adapter on my iBook stopped working. It was after the 90 days was up, and they said "since you've had your machine more than 90 days, the rates for phone support are $XX.XX". I said, "I don't want phone support, I just need a replacement part." They said, "oh, ok, hold on...", 2 days later I had a new AC adapter delivered to me by Airborne Express.

freedomsbeat, maybe you need to call and tell them that you need a new G4, not a tech support. If you still cant get through, make sure you politely ask for the supervisor.