AppleCare – Apple’s extended warranty plan for Macs and iOS devices – can save you a bundle when it comes time to repair equipment, but it comes at a price that some consumers aren’t willing to pay, at least if an alternative is available. Some bargain-conscious buyers have found vendors on eBay willing to sell AppleCare plans at a steep discount compared to what it costs in Apple stores and at Apple-authorized resellers, but there’s a catch: some of the AppleCare boxes are counterfeit or have been acquired illegitimately. Apple taking steps to weed them out, and consumers may be caught in the crossfire. Don McAllister explains:

“It would appear that proof of purchase via eBay (or any other online auction or classified advertisement service) is not sufficient [for Apple]. I’ve sent off the request to the eBay merchant and if it’s not forthcoming, I’ll be requesting a refund.”

Caveat emptor – AppleCare via eBay [The Mac Screencast Guy]