13" MBP on Craigslist

[lbro]

I've been considering buying a MBP for some time now and I've been looking at the 13" unibody base model. I could either buy one brand new from the apple.ca store or I could buy a used one.

If I bought one from the apple store, I would get the education discount which would bring the cost down to $1,149 (all money in CAD) plus tax (12% on $1,149 is $137.88, which comes to a total of $1286.88). I would also get the iPod touch with it for free but I could sell that on Craigslist (would $200 for a brand new, unopened iPod touch be to high?). If I could sell it for $200 that would mean that the cost of the MBP would come out to be $1,086.88.

I also found an ad on craigslist offering a MBP, exactly the same as the one I'm looking at on the Apple store, for $950. Here is the ad:

Apple MacBook Pro 13.3"!

2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive

INCLUDES MAC OS 10. 6 Snow Leopard
iLife (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)


I just used the system maybe twice!

No scratches at all , Like brand new (Even Box).

Warranty from Mid 2010-Mid 2011 (almost Full year)!!

He also posted three pictures:




What sort of reasonable offer could I make? $800?
What sort of questions should I ask? Should I ask him how much he bought it for?


So, what should I do, should I get a brand new MBP, knowing that it hasn't been abused, or get the used one at a cheaper price?

 

[Eddyisgreat]

A) You won't get $200 for the iPod touch. There is a refresh coming which will probably be announced soon, and you just won't be able to command a premium when they can just go to the Apple Store and get it themselves.

As far as the MBP goes, same rules as above. $950 might be the obligitory high asking price, but this guy more than likely doesn't want to lose much more money on his purchase. Did he say "firm" anywhere? still if you can i'd just skip it and go straight to Apple. You can buy a refurbished MBP with the same specs from Apple for $1,019 (just looking at the US site) which will be just the same as a new one.

 

[Hellhammer]

Just get the new one. Buying used is always an extra hassle and it sounds weird that he's already selling it, meaning that it could be stolen for example.

 

[oplix]

I bought a sealed 2010 13 mbp on CL for 950. I wouldn't purchase opened though.

 

[Nein01]

There is a refresh coming which will probably be announced soon

say what?

 

[Eddyisgreat]

say what?

ie

Leaks of claimed next-generation iPod touch parts continue to surface, further bolstering speculation that Apple is preparing to launch new models with front-facing cameras to allow for FaceTime video calling. The latest leak comes via M.I.C. gadget, which reveals another LCD/front panel assembly on sale for approximately $95 at a Chinese e-commerce site.

Just two weeks ago, we received images of a similar assembly also bearing Apple branding on the ribbon cable. The styling of the branding differs slightly between these two samples, however, with the earlier version utilizing two lines of text for the "Apple" brand and dating while the new version presents the text on a single line. Our earlier sample carried a production date of April 2010 stamped on the back of the LCD, while the new version appears to carry only a serial number.

Apple is widely expected to introduce new iPod touch models sometime in the next month or two, with recent claims pointing to a mid-September media event for their debut. Recent betas of iOS 4.1 have suggested that Apple will be utilizing email addresses as options for FaceTime video call initiation, allowing non-iPhone iOS devices such as the iPod touch and iPad to utilize the feature should they receive video camera capabilities.

Article Link: Another Next-Generation iPod Touch LCD and Front Panel Assembly Surfaces

 

[iggypod]

Just get the new one. Buying used is always an extra hassle and it sounds weird that he's already selling it, meaning that it could be stolen for example.

^This. Lessen the hassle factor.

 

[Mac-key]

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC374LL/A?mco=MTgxMzM0Mjc

 

[KirkL]

Ask him why he's selling such a new machine. I think it's stolen too.

 

[vincenz]

Definitely buy from Apple. The little extra you'll spend will be worth it for the peace of mind. If you don't have enough, just save a little longer for it. You can probably sell the touch for 150 brand new on craigslist. Do it before the refresh though.

 

[burton212]

I just got the 13" refurb, and you cant tell the difference between a new one.

 

[djasterix]

I just got the 13" refurb, and you cant tell the difference between a new one.

Buy the refurb, no risk on that...

 

[iPhone1]

It's either stolen or the guy decided he didn't like it past the 14-day return timeframe. I would at least ask to look at it in a public place and do some tests on it to make sure it works fine. Ask him to bring the receipt, all materials and some DVD's to check the SuperDrive with.

Unless you are really comfortable doing bench tests I would buy new.

 

[lbro]

Alright here's an update,
I decided to buy one brand new so I just ordered one. I am so excited!

 

[Terminal.app]

I've purchased from eBay before, but Craigslist...creeps me out...

 

[AlphaDogg]

ie

um... if you pay any attention to what apple has done in the past is that when they come out with new ipods, their back-to-school offer ends. They are just trying to get rid of their stock of the current iPod touch.

 

[MrCooperS]

If it's a local guy, ask him to meet at your local Apple store. Ask someone at Apple to check out the serial number for you (which I'm sure they don't mind doing) and see if it's stolen. Ask if he has a original receipt. If he doesn't even want to meet you up, then just pass and buy it at Apple.

 

[ChrisLovesSaw]

Concerning the iPod Touch, if you buy a new MBP off the Apple Store you actually get a choice of the 8, 16, or 32 GB models ($100 - $200 for the latters). I got the 8 GB (free) and only got $120 for it, and I ALMOST got $150.

So you'll be selling the iPod for cheap, but it's money to use for the refresh coming up.

 

[lbro]

Concerning the iPod Touch, if you buy a new MBP off the Apple Store you actually get a choice of the 8, 16, or 32 GB models ($100 - $200 for the latters). I got the 8 GB (free) and only got $120 for it, and I ALMOST got $150.

So you'll be selling the iPod for cheap, but it's money to use for the refresh coming up.

I got the 8GB also and I just posted an ad on craigslist today trying to sell it for $185 (in my area, you can buy one brand new for $200 at futureshop). I already got someone interested in buying it. Hopefully I can sell it for $150