Well, I've purchased three different apple products like this (that is "open box") over the years from authorized apple sellers, and each was with a diminished warranty. And I verified this with Apple--they confirmed that the dealer was supposed to report the use of the machine as a demo and that this would start the clock on the one year of service. And, I passed on a clubmac open box (had been sold and returned) because there was too little of the warranty left. <BR><BR>So avsvs you are mistaken. Either that, or a slew of resellers have scammed me and Apple was in on it, which seems implausible. And, it makes sense: the apple warranty assures that the machine will function problem-free (or, if not, that it will be repaired cost-free) for its first year of <I><B>use</B></I>, not its first year of <I><B>ownership</B></I> (which surely has no functional significance). It is reasonable to start the clock at the sales date, since not all users will elect to register the product (though most will have it on the 'net and not have the wherewithal to avoid a "call home" during initial setup). But, it is not reasonable to deny that when fired up at the store it is indeed being used. As you pointed out avsvs, it's likely getting some harsh use.<BR><BR>Now, perhaps things have change. That wouldn't surprise me, especially since there are far more Apple retail stores around than there were back when CompUSA was one of the only brick-and-mortar chains from which one could buy a mac. And, Apple has a booming refurb market--makes more sense to send the demos in as refurbs than to sell them on the cheap. But it most certainly was how things worked in the past and with Apple's blessing. I agree, though, that buying demos is risky--though, not necessarily insane. I got a dual 1GHz G4 (MDD) for $1400 <I>including Apple Care</I> when they were going for more than $2000. Got years of solid performance out of that machine. Now, it only had about 9 months left of the original year of coverage, but (under the circumstances) I was willing to suck it up. In fact, I got another tower and two displays the same way that year.<BR><BR>In any event, my only concern (as expressed in my last post) is that it is an open question whether Apple will retroactively register the Apple Care for that machine on the basis that the AC was purchased at a time when the machine was still in its first year (assuming receipts for both). As ToolBoy pointed out, this sort of activation is ripe for abuse. I could buy my computer, then a few months later buy the Apple care, keep the receipts to both (but not register the Apple Care plan) and then just wait. If the machine manifests problems after the year, I whip out my AC and gripe and moan about thinking I was covered, since I bought it while the machine was eligible. But, should the machine be problem free, then I can resell the AC for a couple hundred--coverage without the (actual) cost. Surely, Apple is hip to this. Thus, in order to get them to do it, you'd have to make your case and persuade them that it really was an honest and reasonable mistake. Now-a-days, that's gonna be tough, since the warnings are so clear at so many of the places at which one might purchase AC. Check out the Apple site--warnings all over about registering it, both at the time of purchase and whenever you log into your apple account (if you have one). Ditto the AC box--abundantly clear that it must be registered.<BR><BR>But, Apple has come a long way in the world of service. Used to be, they wouldn't budge in the name of customer relations. I've been a mac user forever and a day, and they couldn't care less when I bought the last clam (Paris) seven days before they released the retooled iBook (at something like a pound lighter). I called, wrote letters, the works--they would not swap out the older model for the newer. Period. Compare that to a few months ago: bought an iMac from Apple online and didn't get the mobile me at the time of purchase (for $79, introductory rate). When my gf (proper owner of the shiny new iMac) discovered iWeb, it was clear that she would need her own .mac account (since I use the hell out of mine and had no plans of sharing). I called Apple and they gave it to me at the $79 rate, which technically I was no longer entitled to. Seems small--is small, really--but this is progress for Apple. They have long stood behind their product but invested little in their service. (I cite, as an area still in need of work, the fact that .mac/MobileMe has no phone support. None. Literally is no telephone number associated with the service <I>at all</I>. And the forums are lightly monitored/moderated at best.)<BR><BR>bluesdoggy, I hope you report back with your experience--would love to know Apple's response to your request for late activation.<BR><BR>Cheers!
