Just like with Apple's DotMac's annual fee, you don't have to pay full retail for Apple's extended product warranty, also known as AppleCare.

First, here are the part numbers for the various AppleCare packages. You'll use these numbers in your search for a good price:

iPod AppleCare: M9404LL/B, $59
Apple Display AppleCare: MA358LL/A, $99

MacBook AppleCare: M8852LL/B, $249
iMac AppleCare: M8851LL/B, $169
Mac mini AppleCare: M9859LL/B, $149

MacBook Pro AppleCare: M8853LL/B, $349
Mac Pro AppleCare: M8850LL/B, $249

For more information on AppleCare, and why there's AppleCare for Apple displays when some plans cover it already, check here.

AppleCare plans consist of a box, literature, a CD with diagnostic tools, and a card with the AppleCare Activation numbers.

The user takes this Activation number to Apple's Website (URL in the box, or right here) and registers their Mac's serial number with the AppleCare Activation number. The Mac is now covered. It's that easy. If you buy your Mac from Apple and buy AppleCare at the same time your Mac will be registered automatically.

So, that's the AppleCare roundup. Now, time for some tips on saving money on these plans.

You can save a quick 15% (when accounting for shipping costs) at Amazon.com on Apple's iPod Applecare. Their price is $56.99 with free shipping. Buy iPod Applecare from Amazon here.. Check out Amazon's prices on all AppleCare plans here..

You can also grab quick pricing information from sites like PriceGrabber and Froogle, but I'll tell you straight away: the best deals on AppleCare can be found on eBay.

As a benchmark, it might be helpful to know that I've paid as little as $40 shipped for an iMac AppleCare plan on eBay and registered it with no issues at all; Apple didn't know or care where I bought my AppleCare plan when they serviced my Mac.

eBay. That notorious marketplace; people love it or hate it. This isn't a post on how to buy safely and wisely on eBay, but I will provide the following primmer on how to curb the risk of buying stuff on eBay:

1-Look at the Seller's feedback. You want a Seller with a solid track record if you're trying to lower the risk of being ripped off.

2-Look at the Buy-It-Now price: if it's too good to be true, then it's probably too good to be true. Use good judgement here.

3-Account for the total cost shipped to your door. Some Seller's charge an absurd amount to ship products.

4-Read the item description carefully. Make sure factual information matches the item the Seller claims to be selling, such as a manufacturer's part number.

You should be pretty well set up if you follow these guidelines, but don't limit your due diligence to my short list of eBay buying tips above, search the Web for more information on trading safely on eBay before you dive in for the first time.

Now that we've got the nasty stuff out of the way, let's move on to saving money.

Using the part numbers I posted above as a diving off point, you will search eBay for the particular AppleCare plan you need. Start with these search examples:

1- The part number. For example, "M8852LL/B" for Apple's MacBook AppleCare plan. Use the quotes in your search.

2- Try searching for variants of AppleCare, like Apple Care, or Apple warranty. If you're looking for a MacBook plan, try MacBook Apple Care, Mac Book AppleCare, MacBook Apple Care. You get the idea.

3- Use the Search title and description checkbox when searching.

You can ask your Seller to email you the registration number as you won't really need anything else in the box. Some Sellers will do this for you, and that saves you a bit more money. Here's the URL again that you'll need to register your AppleCare plan.

If you found this How-To helpful pass it along. More Apple How-To's in the sidebar.

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Don't forget How to Buy a Mac. Save money on your next Apple Computer purchase.

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