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There are many MacBooks and other Apple products listed with current Applecare extended warranties.
It is true that, in the vast majority of cases, Apple checks only the serial number of your device in order to determine whether or not any warranties are in effect. However, the official procedure for transferring an AppleCare warranty to a new owner is as follows:
Note that this procedure requires proof of purchase of the Plan.
Not a single Macbook seller I've contacted has been able to provide this proof of purchase.
I have no idea why Apple has this requirement, especially in light of the fact that the original warranty clearly applies to the device rather than the owner. I have been told that the owner of an AppleCare warranty may cancel the coverage at any time and receive a partial refund.
If you purchase an Apple product expecting the AppleCare to be transferred to you or always honored by Apple, be sure the seller can provide all the necessary information. Otherwise, you just might be that one person who brings their system into the Apple Store and is refused service because the coverage has not been transferred to your name.
It is true that, in the vast majority of cases, Apple checks only the serial number of your device in order to determine whether or not any warranties are in effect. However, the official procedure for transferring an AppleCare warranty to a new owner is as follows:
8 Transfer of Plan
You may transfer this Plan to a new owner of the Covered Equipment. If you purchased the Plan in the U.S. or Canada, transfer by sending written notice to AppleCare Administration, P.O. Box 149125, Austin, TX 78714-9125, U.S. You must provide the Plan’s enrollment or agreement number, the serial numbers of the Covered Equipment being transferred, proof of purchase of the Plan, and the name and address of the new owner. For Plans purchased and enrolled/activated outside the U.S. or Canada, please contact the regional Apple subsidiary for the country of purchase.
You may transfer this Plan to a new owner of the Covered Equipment. If you purchased the Plan in the U.S. or Canada, transfer by sending written notice to AppleCare Administration, P.O. Box 149125, Austin, TX 78714-9125, U.S. You must provide the Plan’s enrollment or agreement number, the serial numbers of the Covered Equipment being transferred, proof of purchase of the Plan, and the name and address of the new owner. For Plans purchased and enrolled/activated outside the U.S. or Canada, please contact the regional Apple subsidiary for the country of purchase.
Note that this procedure requires proof of purchase of the Plan.
Not a single Macbook seller I've contacted has been able to provide this proof of purchase.
I have no idea why Apple has this requirement, especially in light of the fact that the original warranty clearly applies to the device rather than the owner. I have been told that the owner of an AppleCare warranty may cancel the coverage at any time and receive a partial refund.
If you purchase an Apple product expecting the AppleCare to be transferred to you or always honored by Apple, be sure the seller can provide all the necessary information. Otherwise, you just might be that one person who brings their system into the Apple Store and is refused service because the coverage has not been transferred to your name.
Guide created: 12/17/08 (updated 11/04/09)
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