Apple service providers

[Simon Wilcox]

So my macbook died[1] and I need to get it fixed under applecare.

Seems I can't just send it off, I have to choose an Authorised Service 
Provider in London to take/send it to.

Now supposedly they'll all provide the same level of service but I'm 
betting that some are more equal than others.

Anyone have recommendations/horror stories to share ?

Simon.

[1] hard disk died right in the middle of using it. Should be a fairly 
simple job to swap it out and install the OS but I'd quite like the disk 
back as there's some data I might want to get off it.