Apple now charging for some online chat support, rates cheaper than phone support
Apple has begun rolling out changes to its online chat support service that will require some customers to pay a per-incident fee, though the new policies could result in lower costs for those who might otherwise dial the company's telephone support line.
After entering their device's serial number in Apple's support portal, customers whose AppleCare coverage has lapsed are now notified that they may be asked to pay a new $19 fee during the chat session. Support staff have been given flexibility in deciding when to levy the tariff, however, and consumers with quick queries -- such as "how can I change the time display format" -- are not likely to incur any charges.
Users can also ask that the fee be waived in advance if their issue falls into one of a few predefined categories, including "I recently purchased Mac OS X" and "I recently purchased Apple branded software, and I'm having issues using it with this computer."
One Apple support representative told AppleInsider that incidents which do require payment will be covered for 30 days, both online and via phone. That means customers can begin a case online and then continue to receive support for the same problem over the phone without paying any additional fees, saving as much as $30 compared to AppleCare's current per-incident telephone charges.
Apple introduced the live chat service as part of a larger online support overhaul last August, and reports that it would soon transition to a fee-based option began to surface in late February. The company is said to have developed a new, proprietary payment method specifically for the live chat that will also allow customers to fast-track hardware repairs and replacements that usually require a credit card.
After entering their device's serial number in Apple's support portal, customers whose AppleCare coverage has lapsed are now notified that they may be asked to pay a new $19 fee during the chat session. Support staff have been given flexibility in deciding when to levy the tariff, however, and consumers with quick queries -- such as "how can I change the time display format" -- are not likely to incur any charges.
Users can also ask that the fee be waived in advance if their issue falls into one of a few predefined categories, including "I recently purchased Mac OS X" and "I recently purchased Apple branded software, and I'm having issues using it with this computer."
One Apple support representative told AppleInsider that incidents which do require payment will be covered for 30 days, both online and via phone. That means customers can begin a case online and then continue to receive support for the same problem over the phone without paying any additional fees, saving as much as $30 compared to AppleCare's current per-incident telephone charges.
Apple introduced the live chat service as part of a larger online support overhaul last August, and reports that it would soon transition to a fee-based option began to surface in late February. The company is said to have developed a new, proprietary payment method specifically for the live chat that will also allow customers to fast-track hardware repairs and replacements that usually require a credit card.
Comments
Apple should consider going to free support, this is just petty.
With more than half-billion* customers giving away technical support for all products for all customers regardless of how old the product is would probably not end well. However, I do think it could be in Apple's best interest to extend technical support to 1 year from their current 90 days without AppleCare.
* assumption
Why should they support out of warranty products for free? Good customer serivice cost a lot of money. You do understand we are not just talking about people calling in months after their warranty expired, but rather years? Like folks with iPhone 3GS, iPad 1, pre-unibody Macs or anything older than three years old.
If anything, Apple should extend their warranty to three years on everything for free, which include this support for free. After that, you should pay up.
With more than half-billion* customers giving away technical support for all products for all customers regardless of how old the product is would probably not end well. However, I do think it could be in Apple's best interest to extend technical support to 1 year from their current 90 days without AppleCare.
* assumption
Yes, I always thought this was BS. If Apple really wants to stand behind its products, it should be a complete 1yr warranty.
With more than half-billion* customers giving away technical support for all products for all customers regardless of how old the product is would probably not end well. However, I do think it could be in Apple's best interest to extend technical support to 1 year from their current 90 days without AppleCare.
* assumption
Yes, often it takes 90 days to get properly up an running. Specially for someone new to Apple. It is stingy at best for a company that prides itself above all on the customer experience.
On a different note - I just had some dealings with iTunes support due to some iTunes Match / Apple ID issues. What a terrible experience! Like so often happens with online support I got several longwinded emails pointing out the importance for the support staff to see my problem resolved (all auto generated bullshit) and no matter how many times I explained the issue which really was not all that complicated it was very obvious that my emails were not read, and definitely not understood. Very un-Apple like and very disappointing.
Apple should consider going to free support, this is just petty.
Nope. It’s a good source of income. The ones who need to be spoon fed everything should pay through the nose. You see it big time on the Apple discussion boards. One of these types asks a question and gets pissed when shown the Apple support document explaining what to do. Nope, they want to be told, step-by-step, what to do and even then they can’t follow instructions. Knowledge is power… and money in the bank.
This is why it wouldn't be good to be free forever. Too much abuse by lazy people. Some people want you to do everything until you mention there is a cost and then all of a sudden they seem to be able to figure it out themselves. I assume most of us here have experienced this phenomenon.
This is why it wouldn't be good to be free forever. Too much abuse by lazy people. Some people want you to do everything until you mention there is a cost and then all of a sudden they seem to be able to figure it out themselves. I assume most of us here have experienced this phenomenon.
Yes, both ways. I have been frustrated by tedious crappy intransigent support and on the other hand I have been trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of trying to help someone who as time goes on I have grown to intensely dislike due to their frustrating lack of ability and technical ineptitude. Support is hugely time consuming and must be one of the most frustrating jobs on earth. When you consider phone support people usually cannot see the screen they are trying to support and have to deal with click happy incompetent and often semi incoherent pissed off clients it is probably a wonder they are as good as they usually are.
If somebody needs support and they aren't covered by any warranty, then they should pay up.
With hundreds of millions of customers, there is bound to be a certain percentage of knuckleheads out there, and if these knuckleheads aren't covered by any warranty, then they must pay.
In the decades that I've owned Apple devices, I've never once called them for any support. Anything that you need and more can be found online.
And if somebody is totally clueless about computers, then they should simply get Applecare.
I approve of this move by Apple.
You may be asked. Keep a close eye on that language, guys.
I think this is another strategy or initiative taken by apple but obvious for the better position of the company. It was wonderful to go through this discussion.
Yes, both ways. I have been frustrated by tedious crappy intransigent support and on the other hand I have been trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of trying to help someone who as time goes on I have grown to intensely dislike due to their frustrating lack of ability and technical ineptitude. Support is hugely time consuming and must be one of the most frustrating jobs on earth. When you consider phone support people usually cannot see the screen they are trying to support and have to deal with click happy incompetent and often semi incoherent pissed off clients it is probably a wonder they are as good as they usually are.
I get what you're saying but you're probably not in the right line of work if that's frustrating to you. I do this all day long and am very happy about it. Gives me a chance to practice speaking many dialects ranging from English to tech-ese. Those who need a little more help I just repeat what I need them to do and then simply give them a few seconds of silence. Give them a moment to get on the same page as you. I mean, they're all productive adults who want to see the resolution quickly, correctly.
That said, I don't see the harm in charging beyond the free support period. It's stated right up front. Free support can be abused and when you pay for something you might be more inclined to value it.
I get what you're saying but you're probably not in the right line of work if that's frustrating to you. I do this all day long and am very happy about it. Gives me a chance to practice speaking many dialects ranging from English to tech-ese. Those who need a little more help I just repeat what I need them to do and then simply give them a few seconds of silence. Give them a moment to get on the same page as you. I mean, they're all productive adults who want to see the resolution quickly, correctly.
That said, I don't see the harm in charging beyond the free support period. It's stated right up front. Free support can be abused and when you pay for something you might be more inclined to value it.
Yeah, you are right, of course. I am not in that line of work and I take my hat off to you. I imagine the trick is to slow things down, and make sure people don't get ahead of themselves and start clicking frantically.
Asking for support is asking to be lazy, and stupid?? (Well, after 91 days, before 91 days it's okay, I guess.)
Good source of income? Apple gets PLENTY of income, and I know some of it is because they offer support. This will test that, because 91 days into buying your $199 iPod i'll cost you 10% of the device cost to ask a question about it.
If Apple upped the 90 day phone support limit to 1 year, then after 1 year charged it'd be a more reasonable (but not optimal) strategy in my opinion.
In the past I honestly thought the slight higher cost for some Apple products was because of both added margin AND cost towards future support - like a built-in extended warranty.
Time will tell if this is good business or not , but it seems like a step in the wrong direction.
With more than half-billion* customers giving away technical support for all products for all customers regardless of how old the product is would probably not end well. However, I do think it could be in Apple's best interest to extend technical support to 1 year from their current 90 days without AppleCare.
* assumption
Agreed.
I have thought it was horrible that I don't need support for many things, it would be nice that I would get phone support for AT LEAST 90 days. Meaning I buy on January 1st, since I have had apples for a long time I don't need too much support, and then I run into an issue 6 months down the line let me call in.
90 days of phone support form the first moment you actually call in for support.
How many issue are you going to have. This way you still offer the 90 days, but also actually offer support. What you have now does not accomplish this.
But I thought all Apple owners are of higher intelligence, and Apple devices are über easy to use.