Where I am, you could return an Apple product whether you had AppleCare or not. I returned three 2009 iMacs before getting an OK one, never had AppleCare.
You might get “lucky” sometimes but generally insurance is sold at a profit, so if it’s something you can afford to self-insure (and it’s legal), you’re usually better off with that in the long run. AppleCare isn’t bad, though, IMO.
Where I am, you could return an Apple product whether you had AppleCare or not. I returned three 2009 iMacs before getting an OK one, never had AppleCare.
You might get “lucky” sometimes but generally insurance is sold at a profit, so if it’s something you can afford to self-insure (and it’s legal), you’re usually better off with that in the long run. AppleCare isn’t bad, though, IMO.