MacLochlainns Weblog

Life’s interesting, and thankfully AT&T is no longer the sole provider of the iPhone. On December 21st, 2010, I replaced my iPhone 3G with a LG Optimus S using Sprint. It was adequate, and far cheaper than what AT&T was charging me. It also had 3G service because AT&T didn’t provide coverage in Rexburg, Idaho.

The iPhone is now on Sprint, and I switched to the iPhone 4S. When I went and got it, I thought it strange that there wasn’t an order option for AppleCare+. No one mentioned that AppleCare+ was now the ticket, and that it’s the responsibility of the vendors to advise you at the time of purchase. They didn’t advise me! Is it possible that they don’t want to advise you because AppleCare+ provides for two repairs for accidental damage at $49 per service opportunity and covers any part that might fail earlier through normal use. Who wouldn’t opt to protect the iPhone from both a faulty part or grip for $99 over 2 years?

A rumor or rumbling that may have its origin in Apple Support is that AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon aren’t telling customers at the time of sale. Customers must then take their iPhone to an Apple Store, not an authorized reseller, have their phone inspected before they can get AppleCare+ after sale. That is if you do it within 30 days of the purchase with proof of purchase and a Genius Bar appointment.

Alert to potential buyers, demand AppleCare+ before you get your iPhone! Let your friends know because this may be more than a baseless rumor. That is, unless you like inordinate risks. Those in that category should watch this unfortunate Assuie bungee jumper go swimming with the crocodiles. At least the crocodiles didn’t get her below Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, which is a miracle in itself.

The downside was that I’d have to go to Salt Lake City for the coverage, the upside is I have an iPhone again. The upside outweighs the downside, but like Shylock in the Merchant of Venice I’d like to get my metaphoric pound of corporate flesh. When I posed the question to the Sprint kiosk, “Is it possible that the vendors have some financial interest in folks not purchasing AppleCare+?” 😉 That question asked; and, miraculously, Sprint said it was their error and they’d fix it – add AppleCare+. Apple support emailed me to confirm that AppleCare+ is now enforce on my new iPhone. That proves the squeaky wheel does get oiled.

I strongly recommend you don’t waste your money on anything less than an Otterbox Defender Series Hybrid Case & Holster for iPhone 4 & 4S.The video below explains why.

The only problem I’ve found is the hip case because it’s hard plastic and breaks. Fortunately, you can buy just the OtterBox iPhone 4S Defender Case Replacement Belt Clip Holster through Amazon.com for less than $8 at the time of updating this blog post.