Extended Warranty Apple IPhone 4 gen??? to purchase or not?

[chimo2u]

I just bought the new iphone 4 at future shop for my 18 yo son for Christmas (Canadian Future Shop). Do you think it is wise to purchase the "extended warranty" for this purchase??? The phone was $159.00 with a 3 yr. contract. With no contract, the phone would be over $600.00....decided to go the contract route. The warranty is charged to your credit card monthly for the 3 yrs. at $12.99 plus taxes/month. It covers as a direct replacement warranty (no sending out to get fixed). The thing is, over the 3 yrs.@ 12.99 the warranty is costing over $400.00!!!! That's a lot of extra money!

I purchased the warranty a couple nights ago when I purchased the phone. Then got home and did some internet research on the pros/cons of purchasing extended warranty and went back to cancel it today (you have 30 days from purchase to make a firm decision regarding extended warranty purchase). My other option is Apple provides the standard 1 yr. warranty and I can purchase 1 more yr. of Apple Care for $79.00....thus making my warranty a 2 yr. one. I think this is the better way to go about it.
One final thought in this consideration is the thing most likely to happen to his phone (screen crack) is not even covered under either warranty.....so I don't know if it is a waste to purchase this or just go with the Apple warranty??? What do you think????
I'd hate to be the one who ends up with a lemon and has no recourse to replace this expensive phone!!!

 

[clh2]

I noticed you are in Canada. Are you able to get extended warranties through SquareTrade?

They appear to offer extended warranties at a lower cost than through the companies you buy the devices from. I haven't used them, because they still aren't licensed to do business in Wisconsin. (Or at least they weren't that last time I considered buying a warranty.)

 

[Gigi22]

OP, as much as I love Apple products, I reluctantly came to the conclusion that the iPhone is just too expensive for me (the $65 a month charge from the various telephone companies was the killer).
Had I purchased an iPhone, I would have also purchased the best protective case I could find, and 2 years Apple Care--based on the theory that I would upgrade the phone at the end of 2 years.
Not sure where that leaves your 3 year contract.
Just a thought--would a cracked screen be covered under your household insurance?

 

[tlbwriter]

Keep in mind that the Apple Care warranty only covers manufacturer's defects. It does NOT cover loss or accidental damage.

 

[chimo2u]

I noticed you are in Canada. Are you able to get extended warranties through SquareTrade?

They appear to offer extended warranties at a lower cost than through the companies you buy the devices from. I haven't used them, because they still aren't licensed to do business in Wisconsin. (Or at least they weren't that last time I considered buying a warranty.)

Thanks for your reply Unfortunately Square trade is only available by buying on E bay?? I bought at Future shop. It does look like a good warranty program though, bummer!

OP, as much as I love Apple products, I reluctantly came to the conclusion that the iPhone is just too expensive for me (the $65 a month charge from the various telephone companies was the killer).
Had I purchased an iPhone, I would have also purchased the best protective case I could find, and 2 years Apple Care--based on the theory that I would upgrade the phone at the end of 2 years.
Not sure where that leaves your 3 year contract.
Just a thought--would a cracked screen be covered under your household insurance?

Thank you for your reply I got a good deal with the student plan....only $55 per month with 1GB data and 10 ppl call anywhere in Canada as well as unlimited text, and 200 daytime minutes. Evenings and weekends begin at 6pm. This plan (using Apple care) will leave me with 1 yr left on the contract. My son will just have to be very careful, as cracked screens aren't covered!
Bought him the roots tough case, hope that helps keep it safe!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Did you purchase using a credit card that give you an extended warranty? We bought our iPhones on a American Express, which extended the warranty for an additional year. After 14 months, my DHs phone stopped working correctly. The Apple store replaced it at no charge when they found we have the Amex warranty extension. No fuss, no muss, no extra cost. -- Suzanne