As part of the growing relationship between Apple and Best Buy, the retailer will reportedly start selling AppleCare plans for Macs and AppleCare+ plans for iPhones, iPads and the Apple Watch.
The report comes from 9to5Mac, which cites sources familiar with the negotiations who claim that the plans will be available at Best Buy on the week of Sept. 14, just around the time Apple is expected to launch its highly anticipated iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
If the report is true, then it marks another milestone in Apple and Best Buy's recently forged partnership. Earlier this month, Best Buy became the first major retailer to begin selling the Apple Watch, which was previously sold only in Apple's stores and a select few upscale fashion boutiques.
According to 9to5Mac's sources, Best Buy will begin selling AppleCare for OS X devices and the more premium AppleCare+ plans for iOS devices, but both plans will operate fully as though they were purchased straight from Apple. If a customer purchases either plan, he can have his device serviced directly through Apple or Best Buy.
Additionally, the plans are sold alongside Best Buy's own third-party warranty, so a customer who buys any of Apple's products from the retailer can have the choice of using Best Buy's warranty or upgrading to an official AppleCare or AppleCare+ plan.
Best Buy has been previously wary about offering AppleCare or AppleCare+ plans, says a 9to5Mac source, opting instead to promote its own warranty services to Apple customers who buy their devices from Best Buy.
It seems, however, that Apple has finally persuaded the retailer to offer its own warranty plans with the inclusion of a few improvements. Just earlier this month, Apple announced that AppleCare+ for the iPhone and iPad has been expanded to Spain, Brazil and Turkey. Before that, Apple has extended the purchase window for AppleCare+ to 60 days.
Apple is also reported planning to offer a premium AppleCare+ plan for Macs and iMacs, which, like the AppleCare+ plan for its iOS devices, will offer up to two years of additional support and support for accidental damage. However, no word yet has been made on when Apple plans to introduce such a plan.
Photo: Mike Mozart | Flickr
