Best Buy & Geek Squad Policies

[mpossoff]

Hi my name is Marc and just bought a refurbished iPhone from Best Buys. How is the Black Tie insurance for the iPhone? What are the things I need to look out for and is it a good plan to cover the iPhone? Marc

[Nokia]

Since you bought a refurb, it's more like an extended warranty. Currently, if you don't purchase the GSBTP plan, you have to bring the iPhone to BB if anything were to happen, and it's sent out for another refurb. If you purchase the plan. in addition to mfg. defects, it covers normal wear and tear, dust, heat, humidity, power surge, and drops and spills not due to negligence or abuse.

[mpossoff]

Thanks. So is it a good plan or not? Marc

[Nokia · Accepted solution]

It's up to you. I've never broken/lost a phone, so it wouldn't benefit me. I have a friend who has gone through five phones in the past three years.

Just remember, a new iPhone is at minimum $500. It's a cost/benefit ratio, and it's different for everyone. It ends up being $360 for the full two years.

And keep in mind, lost/stolen and full submersion is not covered.

[willia10]

Keep in mind that they don't replace your phone at the store.  Not sure what you were told by the associate but I was mislead.  They have to sent it out and it takes five business day or more to get it back. If you do not have a phone to use in the mean time they suggest you purchase a Go phone or put a $150.00 deposit down for a loner.

[mpossoff]

I don't of any insurance that would replace a phone, do you? As long as it's covered that's all I'm concerned about. My main concern is do they really cover what they claim to cover no questions asked. Marc

[sedesantis]

iPhone is rapid exchange. It usually takes around 3 days to get a new phone--once the service order is put in, the new phone is immediately shipped out. 

[willia10]

When I purchased my iPhone that what was told to me, it is replace at the store.  That is what sold me on the plan. When my husband had Verizon and needed a replacement it was at our home in 24 hrs.  Read all the other posting about people that are unhappy with the protection plan for the iPhone.   

[mpossoff]

hi again my issue and concern is if my iPhone breaks I want it repaired. The time period is not important. All I want is my iphone to be repaired. Rapid exchange or whatever is not important. If my screen cracks or my iphone crashes I want to know I want assurance of no questions asked... Marc

[sedesantis]

Yes, basically no matter what you do to it it'll be rapid exchanged. They say it needs to be in one piece, but I've even seen a guy who ran over his phone with his car get a new phone. I live in a college town, so I've pretty much seen everything you can do to a phone. It definitely also covers software issues, and I've rapid exchanged several that have frozen/died (both white and black screens of death). The only really gray area is water submersion, but I've been sending out full submersion phones and they've been exchanged (or repaired if it's a different phone). Just be aware that water submersion is not included in the T&C's, so it depends on the repair center's policy at the time when your phone breaks.

Also with the no question's asked: they'll need to know what's wrong with it to include it on the service order, but if they ask you what happened you don't have to tell them. Sometimes we just ask because we're curious to see how people damage their phones (and sometimes there are genuinely good stories about how it happened!). But the only things we need to know are the specifics of what is wrong--broken screen, home button doesn't work, speaker is crackly, etc.

Again, almost every iPhone I've sent out has come back in three days, which is why I say it's USUALLY three days. 

-Sarah

(Disclaimer: I am my own person sharing my own experiences)