Sprint Total Equipment Protection vs Best Buy Black Tie vs Apple Care?

chriswy27 · 11-08-2011, 07:53 AM

I am looking to buy an iPhone though sprint. My question is what are the differences between the warranties?

At one time I heard that Best Buy's Black Tie was better because though you have to pay for it all up front, there is NO deductible if you need a replacement.

What are your thoughts? Thanks!

**WagonMafia05** · 11-08-2011, 08:57 AM

Sprint doesn't offer TEP for the iPhone right now. Apple offers AppleCare+ for the iPhone and you have to pay for it upfront also. Not sure how much or what all is included with the Besy Buy program.

chriswy27 · 11-08-2011, 09:13 AM

With applecare+ do you pay a deductible?

**J_Corcione** · 11-08-2011, 09:30 AM

Apple Care is pretty good but sooo expensive. Best Buy Black Tie coverage. Be very careful and make sure you read the fine print. Ask lots of questions of your sales person if you are not satisfied speak to a manager or a Subject Matter Expert. Also its always best to do your own research. Hope this helps.

**WagonMafia05** · 11-08-2011, 09:37 AM

How much is best buy's plan? AppleCare+ is $99 and you have a $49 deductible. I think you pay the $49 if they replace your phone but not 100% sure on that.

Sent from my iPhone using SU Forum

**J_Corcione** · 11-08-2011, 10:24 AM

I thought I read somewhere it's a monthly fee like 14-16 dollars a month.

**WagonMafia05** · 11-08-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_Corcione

I thought I read somewhere it's a monthly fee like 14-16 dollars a month.

Nope. AppleCare+ is a one time $99 fee that you have to add before the 14th. After the 14th you must add it when you buy the phone.

Sent from my iPhone using SU Forum

**J_Corcione** · 11-08-2011, 10:30 AM

Ah I see. I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

schmidtj · 11-08-2011, 01:05 PM

Applecare+ charges a deductible for replacements due to accidental damage/loss (some restrictions apply). I think repairs/replacements due to defects are not subject to a deductible. AC+ is good for 2 years for $99.

**GoldenBlaze** · 11-08-2011, 01:58 PM

If you don't have AppleCare or AppleCare+, if you are out of your 90 day warranty and an issue comes up, you have to pay a fee per issue. Issues with the iPhone are maintained directly through Apple, who services their own devices/equipment.

chriswy27 · 11-09-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidtj

Applecare+ charges a deductible for replacements due to accidental damage/loss (some restrictions apply). I think repairs/replacements due to defects are not subject to a deductible. AC+ is good for 2 years for $99.

So apple is $99 & a deductible if it breaks. What is Geek Squad?

chriswy27 · 11-11-2011, 02:08 PM

If it helps anyone, I decided to go with AppleCare+.

AppleCare+ is $99 and a $50 deductible if the phone breaks. You get two accidental incidents over a 2 year period.

BestBuy wanted either $230 w/ no deductible for 2 years OR $14.99 a month which comes to $360 for the same. Either way, even if you have to use your AppleCare+ twice, it is still CHEAPER than BestBuy.

jamgar · 11-28-2011, 06:28 AM

Not to mention black tie is promoted so incorrectly, if your phone is broken they give you a loaner and you have to put down a $100 deposit to use the loaner. The loaner will not be an iphone either. They take your phone and after a few days(hopefully) they get back to you with results. I think black tie is way overpriced, and if you have any problems it not as easy as the rep says it is.

11-08-2011, 07:53 AM	#1
chriswy27 Two Cans & String User Join Date: Nov 8, '11 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 28	Sprint Total Equipment Protection vs Best Buy Black Tie vs Apple Care? I am looking to buy an iPhone though sprint. My question is what are the differences between the warranties? At one time I heard that Best Buy's Black Tie was better because though you have to pay for it all up front, there is NO deductible if you need a replacement. What are your thoughts? Thanks!

11-08-2011, 08:57 AM	#2
WagonMafia05 C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS! Join Date: Jan 29, '06 Location: Harrisonburg Va Posts: 1,864 Phone: SGIII Thanks: 34 Thanked 59 Times in 52 Posts SU$: 38,783	Sprint doesn't offer TEP for the iPhone right now. Apple offers AppleCare+ for the iPhone and you have to pay for it upfront also. Not sure how much or what all is included with the Besy Buy program. __________________ SGIII

11-08-2011, 09:30 AM	#4
J_Corcione Telegraph User Mood: Join Date: Jul 27, '05 Location: Kansas City Posts: 66 Phone: HTC EVO 3D Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts SU$: 824	Apple Care is pretty good but sooo expensive. Best Buy Black Tie coverage. Be very careful and make sure you read the fine print. Ask lots of questions of your sales person if you are not satisfied speak to a manager or a Subject Matter Expert. Also its always best to do your own research. Hope this helps. __________________ John Corcione Sr. Wireless Telecom Engineer & Project Manager II Samsung Galaxy SIII 4.1.1 JB 4G-LTE on the Sprint NOW Network

11-08-2011, 09:37 AM	#5
WagonMafia05 C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS! Join Date: Jan 29, '06 Location: Harrisonburg Va Posts: 1,864 Phone: SGIII Thanks: 34 Thanked 59 Times in 52 Posts SU$: 38,783	How much is best buy's plan? AppleCare+ is $99 and you have a $49 deductible. I think you pay the $49 if they replace your phone but not 100% sure on that. Sent from my iPhone using SU Forum __________________ SGIII

11-08-2011, 10:24 AM	#6
J_Corcione Telegraph User Mood: Join Date: Jul 27, '05 Location: Kansas City Posts: 66 Phone: HTC EVO 3D Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts SU$: 824	I thought I read somewhere it's a monthly fee like 14-16 dollars a month. __________________ John Corcione Sr. Wireless Telecom Engineer & Project Manager II Samsung Galaxy SIII 4.1.1 JB 4G-LTE on the Sprint NOW Network

11-08-2011, 09:13 AM	#3
chriswy27 Two Cans & String User Join Date: Nov 8, '11 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 28	With applecare+ do you pay a deductible?

11-08-2011, 10:30 AM	#8
J_Corcione Telegraph User Mood: Join Date: Jul 27, '05 Location: Kansas City Posts: 66 Phone: HTC EVO 3D Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts SU$: 824	Ah I see. I stand corrected. Thanks for the info. __________________ John Corcione Sr. Wireless Telecom Engineer & Project Manager II Samsung Galaxy SIII 4.1.1 JB 4G-LTE on the Sprint NOW Network

11-08-2011, 01:05 PM	#9
schmidtj Walkie Talkie User Join Date: Dec 18, '06 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 376 Phone: iPhone Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts SU$: 2,852	Applecare+ charges a deductible for replacements due to accidental damage/loss (some restrictions apply). I think repairs/replacements due to defects are not subject to a deductible. AC+ is good for 2 years for $99.

11-08-2011, 01:58 PM	#10
GoldenBlaze Account Locked Mood: Join Date: Nov 15, '07 Posts: 3,089 Thanks: 209 Thanked 199 Times in 151 Posts SU$: 23,236	If you don't have AppleCare or AppleCare+, if you are out of your 90 day warranty and an issue comes up, you have to pay a fee per issue. Issues with the iPhone are maintained directly through Apple, who services their own devices/equipment.

11-11-2011, 02:08 PM	#12
chriswy27 Two Cans & String User Join Date: Nov 8, '11 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 28	If it helps anyone, I decided to go with AppleCare+. AppleCare+ is $99 and a $50 deductible if the phone breaks. You get two accidental incidents over a 2 year period. BestBuy wanted either $230 w/ no deductible for 2 years OR $14.99 a month which comes to $360 for the same. Either way, even if you have to use your AppleCare+ twice, it is still CHEAPER than BestBuy.

11-28-2011, 06:28 AM	#13
jamgar Telegraph User Join Date: Jul 23, '05 Location: Ohio Posts: 53 Phone: HTC Evo Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post SU$: 175	Not to mention black tie is promoted so incorrectly, if your phone is broken they give you a loaner and you have to put down a $100 deposit to use the loaner. The loaner will not be an iphone either. They take your phone and after a few days(hopefully) they get back to you with results. I think black tie is way overpriced, and if you have any problems it not as easy as the rep says it is. Last edited by jamgar; 11-28-2011 at 06:30 AM.

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