[canadave]

I have a 2011 17" Macbook Pro, one of the ones affected by the graphics problems that have caused Apple to issue an extended repair program:

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

I brought it into the local Apple Store here in Canada, and the tech at the Genius Bar was very apologetic, but told me that under no circumstances would I be eligible for the free repair, because I bought my laptop from eBay.

I was very surprised to hear this. Is this really the case, that there is no further recourse for me, that I have to pay the $675 to get the repair? Why should the fact that the laptop was bought on eBay make any difference to the issue that has prompted the free repair offer?

I can understand not having a warranty for eBay Apple devices, but it seemed unfair that the free repair program would not cover a device it is supposed to cover, simply because I purchased it on eBay.

[Mike Wuerthele]

That doesn't seem right. Applecare will refuse to override the Apple store.

Call Apple Canada, speak with Consumer Relations.

[canadave]

Originally Posted by Mike Wuerthele 

That doesn't seem right. Applecare will refuse to override the Apple store.

Call Apple Canada, speak with Consumer Relations.

Thanks Mike, I'll try that. Just to be clear, I don't have any kind of AppleCare or warranty whatsoever, so I'd be purely relying on Apple's repair extension program for this particular graphics card fault.

[Mike Wuerthele]

Yeah, that's not what I was talking about. Apple stores sometimes tell you to call Applecare for more help, regardless of warranty status or Applecare purchase status. In my experience, that's a waste of time.

[canadave]

Oh, I see now. Yeah, that wasn't even offered as an option. It was basically like, "you bought this on ebay, so you have no recourse. The laptop's serial number comes up in our system showing that you have no rights because you bought it on ebay, and there's nothing Apple can do for you."

[Mike Wuerthele]

Yeah, that's bullcrap.

Escalate.

[canadave]

Will do, and I'll report back here what they tell me. Thanks again.

BTW, best wishes to you and your wife for a speedy recovery.

[Mike Wuerthele]

Thanks.

[Spheric Harlot]

Follow the instructions here:

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

If it qualifies, it qualifies; end of story. It is completely irrelevant who bought it, where - you're good until February 2016.

You also don't have to take it to an Apple Store; any Authorized Repair Center will do.

[canadave]

I forgot about the fact that I could bring it to an Authorized Repair Centre, thanks. I might try calling one of them first, before I call Apple Customer Relations (I'd like to leave that as a last resort).

When I call the repair centre, should I mention that my laptop is bought on ebay, I wonder? Or just tell them the story so far and omit that detail?

[Spheric Harlot]

It shouldn't make any difference at all.

[Doc HM]

I sent one of these I bought from eBay to pile in the UK (bath) and they didn't blink an eye. It failed the diagnostic. They fixed it.

Good luck.