Someone Offering $1900 For My Mac

Squilly · Apr 19, 2013

I got offered $1900 (maybe $1800) for my 2012 rMBP. Specs are:
2.3ghz, 16gb ram, gtx 650m, and of course retina display.
It's the older model, so I might be willing to part with it IF something comes out in the summer. Is it a good price to sell it for? It's on Craigslist btw. Thanks.

srsub3 · Apr 19, 2013

It's a good price... here in chicago area there are few people selling your configuration for 1600$....

Orlandoech · Apr 19, 2013

What size SSD?

Squilly · Apr 19, 2013

Orlandoech.com said:
What size SSD?

256gb

jlc1978 · Apr 20, 2013

Squilly said:
I got offered $1900 (maybe $1800) for my 2012 rMBP. Specs are:
2.3ghz, 16gb ram, gtx 650m, and of course retina display.
It's the older model, so I might be willing to part with it IF something comes out in the summer. Is it a good price to sell it for? It's on Craigslist btw. Thanks.

Considering Apple is selling refurbs with a full warranty for $1800, I'd wonder about the offer. is the seller willing to meet you at a public place and pay cash or do they want to send you payment and have you ship the computer? There are a lot of scammers who will offer a high price, send a check and then press for shipment as soon as the check clears. There are a lot of other variants on this type of scam; especially since most people don't realize just because a check "clears" in 3 days doesn't mean it is good. Banks release funds but when the check bounces take it right back out.

I'm not saying this is not a legit offer, but google Craigslist Scams to protect yourself.

fskywalker · Apr 20, 2013

jlc1978 said:
Considering Apple is selling refurbs with a full warranty for $1800, I'd wonder about the offer. is the seller willing to meet you at a public place and pay cash or do they want to send you payment and have you ship the computer? There are a lot of scammers who will offer a high price, send a check and then press for shipment as soon as the check clears. There are a lot of other variants on this type of scam; especially since most people don't realize just because a check "clears" in 3 days doesn't mean it is good. Banks release funds but when the check bounces take it right back out.

I'm not saying this is not a legit offer, but google Craigslist Scams to protect yourself.

The offer may be legit, maybe the guy does not knows too much about the machine current street prices, but be careful.

jlc1978 · Apr 20, 2013

fskywalker said:
The offer may be legit, maybe the guy does not knows too much about the machine current street prices, but be careful.

True, but I'd say the odds are on the "it's a scammer" side; which is why the "be careful" is key. There are so many scammers out there and once you send them money or computer it's generally gone forever. Scammers can be pretty persuasive and play on greed. Personally, I'd only:

Sell to someone locally
Insist on cash
Only meet in a well trafficked public place that has multiple exits, that I can hang around for a while, and get to early

With a MBP you could setup a genius bar appointment, have the machine checked out and swap cash right there (assuming Apple wouldn't object).

While that may seem like overkill Craigslist gives crooks a way to pre-select victims; and if you make it hard to run their scam they simply move on to an easier mark.

fskywalker · Apr 20, 2013

jlc1978 said:
True, but I'd say the odds are on the "it's a scammer" side; which is why the "be careful" is key. There are so many scammers out there and once you send them money or computer it's generally gone forever. Scammers can be pretty persuasive and play on greed. Personally, I'd only:

Sell to someone locally

Insist on cash

Only meet in a well trafficked public place that has multiple exits, that I can hang around for a while, and get to early

With a MBP you could setup a genius bar appointment, have the machine checked out and swap cash right there (assuming Apple wouldn't object).

While that may seem like overkill Craigslist gives crooks a way to pre-select victims; and if you make it hard to run their scam they simply move on to an easier mark.

Agree, very good recommendations. Even though it is more expensive, I sell mostly on Ebay and rely on their protection policy, only sell (or buy) outside of Ebay by following the recommendations made above.

Squilly · Apr 20, 2013

jlc1978 said:
Considering Apple is selling refurbs with a full warranty for $1800, I'd wonder about the offer. is the seller willing to meet you at a public place and pay cash or do they want to send you payment and have you ship the computer? There are a lot of scammers who will offer a high price, send a check and then press for shipment as soon as the check clears. There are a lot of other variants on this type of scam; especially since most people don't realize just because a check "clears" in 3 days doesn't mean it is good. Banks release funds but when the check bounces take it right back out.

I'm not saying this is not a legit offer, but google Craigslist Scams to protect yourself.

With 16gb ram? Already taking precaution with payment. Agreeing on either a certified check or cashiers check, meeting in a very public place.

----------

jlc1978 said:
True, but I'd say the odds are on the "it's a scammer" side; which is why the "be careful" is key. There are so many scammers out there and once you send them money or computer it's generally gone forever. Scammers can be pretty persuasive and play on greed. Personally, I'd only:

Sell to someone locally

Insist on cash

Only meet in a well trafficked public place that has multiple exits, that I can hang around for a while, and get to early

With a MBP you could setup a genius bar appointment, have the machine checked out and swap cash right there (assuming Apple wouldn't object).

While that may seem like overkill Craigslist gives crooks a way to pre-select victims; and if you make it hard to run their scam they simply move on to an easier mark.

It's local
Cashiers check/certified check?
Yes. Plus, I already have a Genius Bar appointment set up before we meet.

fr4c · Apr 20, 2013

I always deal in cash.

Otherwise meet at the bank and deposit/cash with a teller first.

RoastingPig · Apr 20, 2013

sell it ive seen here in LA them going from 1550 to 1700 on craigslist

noisycats · Apr 20, 2013

Cash. Or meet at a bank (preferably yours) so you can deposit right away.

MRU · Apr 20, 2013

Only go for cash or direct lodgement of money into your account.

Never agree on cheque or a bank draft.. They can be cancelled too easily and you'll be caught out.

fskywalker · Apr 20, 2013

noisycats said:
Cash. Or meet at a bank (preferably yours) so you can deposit right away.

That is exactly what I did once when I sold a road bike to a guy that wanted to pay cash (was concerned with fake money). We went to my bank and did the deposit, then I gave him the bike, no issues!

maflynn · Apr 20, 2013

noisycats said:
Cash. Or meet at a bank (preferably yours) so you can deposit right away.

A fake check will deposit just as easily if you did it alone or with the buyer. Cash only, if the buyer is legit, he'll agree to the terms. If he insists on over-paying with a check, then its a scam

jlc1978 · Apr 20, 2013

maflynn said:
A fake check will deposit just as easily if you did it alone or with the buyer. Cash only, if the buyer is legit, he'll agree to the terms. If he insists on over-paying with a check, then its a scam

True. The only way to be sure on a check is to go to the issuing bank and cashing it then since they will immediately see if there are sufficient funds and a valid check. Quite frankly, if they can go to the trouble and cost of a cashiers or certified check they can simply give you cash.

Shrink · Apr 20, 2013

jlc1978 said:
True. The only way to be sure on a check is to go to the issuing bank and cashing it then since they will immediately see if there are sufficient funds and a valid check. Quite frankly, if they can go to the trouble and cost of a cashiers or certified check they can simply give you cash.

Although I fundamentally agree with you, spending a few dollars for a certified or cashiers check, which guarantees the funds are there to back the check, is, perhaps, for some, more comfortable than carrying around $1900 in cash.

Squilly · Apr 20, 2013

Shrink said:
Although I fundamentally agree with you, spending a few dollars for a certified or cashiers check, which guarantees the funds are there to back the check, is, perhaps, for some, more comfortable than carrying around $1900 in cash.

This is exactly why it was done.

PigDog · Apr 20, 2013

I too would be very careful of fake cashiers checks and money orders, even a bank can be fooled, would you know if it is legit?

How about asking for 2 postal orders they can be purchased up to $1000 and meet at a post office and have them verify them there prior to you handing over your Apple.

Yes there are also fake postal money orders too, I read that a real one is purchased and it is altered.

A US postal money order can be cashed in most post offices with ID

Play smart and do not get ripped off.

Just my thoughts....

Squilly said:
This is exactly why it was done.

Squilly · Apr 20, 2013

PigDog said:
I too would be very careful of fake cashiers checks and money orders, even a bank can be fooled, would you know if it is legit?

How about asking for 2 postal orders they can be purchased up to $1000 and meet at a post office and have them verify them there prior to you handing over your Apple.

Yes there are also fake postal money orders too, I read that a real one is purchased and it is altered.

A US postal money order can be cashed in most post offices with ID

Play smart and do not get ripped off.

Just my thoughts....

He says its with TD Bank.

A Hebrew · Apr 20, 2013

I would handle nothing but cash. Make sure that the bills he gives you are real. (Usually a watermark check will suffice..I know it does at Walmart since I cashier there while not in school)

Honestly, if he has the money he can turn it into hundred dollar bills easily by going to a bank...tell him you will meet him at the bank he uses.

noisycats · Apr 21, 2013

maflynn said:
A fake check will deposit just as easily if you did it alone or with the buyer. Cash only, if the buyer is legit, he'll agree to the terms. If he insists on over-paying with a check, then its a scam

Agree. I was referring to the check being cashier's check only. Should have been more clear.
I would never except a personal check for a Craig's sale, even at a bank.

macalec · Apr 21, 2013

Squilly said:
I got offered $1900 (maybe $1800) for my 2012 rMBP. Specs are:
2.3ghz, 16gb ram, gtx 650m, and of course retina display.
It's the older model, so I might be willing to part with it IF something comes out in the summer. Is it a good price to sell it for? It's on Craigslist btw. Thanks.

That seems like a great price. Please be careful if it is a scam. I have seen too many stories on the news regarding this. Be safe

Macsonic · Apr 21, 2013

Maybe too good to be true. Be careful. Was thinking, why would the buyer offer $1800 to an item he has yet to see and inspect if it's working.

chrfr · Apr 21, 2013

Squilly said:
He says its with TD Bank.

Counterfeit bank documents are easy to generate. Do not accept anything but cash.

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