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911: How can I tell if a Macbook is REALLY brand "new"? What is apple packaging like?

Scottsdale said:
You know everyone always wants to say, "if it's too good to be true."

The truth is many people have MANY reasons for selling something like a new Mac. Perhaps they need cash. They put it on their credit card, then sell it for cash. It happens all of the time. Especially in economic times like these. I once had a friend that needed cash, and asked me if I would do this. I turned him down, but the point is that everything is NOT stolen.

People have different reasons. Often they may have their parents buy them something that their parents approve of to sell it to buy something their parents don't approve of. Doesn't mean it's ethical for them, but that is not your problem.

Often guys sucker their girls (and vice versa) into buying them something like this then change their mind and just want to sell it behind the other's back.

Maybe someone got one as a gift, and could not bare the thought of telling the gift giver they already have one. So, they sell it instead of asking for a receipt.

How about they got it from work, or another source and have their own.

Won it in a raffle? Or work function. Or as some other drawing.

The point is there are MANY reasons why people would want to sell something that is new to them but they would rather have the cash. And, NOT all things are stolen people. I see this all of the time here. If you can see it with your own eyes, put your hands on it, and then pay at a discount, it's NOT always too good to be true. People are down on their luck sometimes, people don't want to return a gift sometimes, or people just need the money sometimes... Don't assume the worst.

Be cautious, but a lot of the time, people are just willing to sell something for less because they need cash NOW.

Do your research, but do not assume everything is stolen. The vast majority of Craig's List scams are sending money and sending the product. That is where the scam is. If someone is willing to meet you and has the box, it's pretty doubtful it's stolen. Now, if someone meets you with NO box, no materials, no power cord, no disk, only a laptop and laptop bag, maybe that is a stolen one.

If someone is down on their luck, they will usually tell you. If someone is selling something stolen, you will usually know.

My two cents.
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Good point.. I received an $800 Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV as a gift for signing up with a company.. It's still sitting in the box, unopened because I have no use for it.. If I were to sell it I'd prefer to sell it to a friend VERY CHEAPLY.. I got it for free, it's all profit to me..
 
Darth.Titan said:
Also if it boots and goes straight to the "Welcome to Leopard" movie, that's a pretty good indication that it's new. That in addition to all the other recommendations.
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not necessarily when i sold my blackbook i restored it and reinstalled leopard, i stopped at the point where it was asking me for name and stuff so the new owner could fill this out. when he turned it on in front of me to test it, he filled that stuff out and it went into the welcome movie.

For everyone else stop assuming the thing is stolen, it may be but there are hundreds of other explanations. based on the serial it was purchased 4-6 weeks ago so its not eligible for a return, maybe it was an impulsive purchase and the guy needs money bad who knows. Anyway I think people like drama so they automatically assume and type the worse possible scenerio, its more entertaining i guess.
 
JCUSN said:
There is no way to hack the serial and change it in the "About This Mac" is there?
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Sure there is. I know I've seen posts somewhere that there's a service disc image floating around on the Internet that will let you change the serial number. Not sure if it works with the newer unibody laptops since the info is a couple years old.
 
A better deal?

I wish to inform that I have sent your MACBOOK with skynet courier Delivery Services. Insurance and delivery charges have been paid for, but the only fee remaining is the security safe keeping fee of $245 USD which you will be required to pay before delivery. I did this because i was unable to transfer your MACBOOK in your country. I have Travelled out of Nigeria to Switzerland for a period of 4 months to see my boss. However, this was not paid for because of demurrage.

Well, I did forward them your delivery address, but a re-confirmation is important and when contacting, I advise you quote the MACBOOK and shipment code to them for onward delivery to your re-confirmed address.

make sure that you reconfirm your informations to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your MACBOOK overthere and know when it will get to your address.

Again it is my pleasure to inform you that your MACBOOK has been approved and upgraded in your favor.

To facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted. Contact
Mr.Raymond Johnson with the above e-mail. Be informed,that this transaction is completely risk free and legal in all ramification. Your MACBOOK has not been obtained through any illegal means or stolen in any way.

Regards,
Mr. James Iguei
 
Old Muley said:
I wish to inform that I have sent your MACBOOK with skynet courier Delivery Services. Insurance and delivery charges have been paid for, but the only fee remaining is the security safe keeping fee of $245 USD which you will be required to pay before delivery. I did this because i was unable to transfer your MACBOOK in your country. I have Travelled out of Nigeria to Switzerland for a period of 4 months to see my boss. However, this was not paid for because of demurrage.

Well, I did forward them your delivery address, but a re-confirmation is important and when contacting, I advise you quote the MACBOOK and shipment code to them for onward delivery to your re-confirmed address.

make sure that you reconfirm your informations to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your MACBOOK overthere and know when it will get to your address.

Again it is my pleasure to inform you that your MACBOOK has been approved and upgraded in your favor.

To facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted. Contact
Mr.Raymond Johnson with the above e-mail. Be informed,that this transaction is completely risk free and legal in all ramification. Your MACBOOK has not been obtained through any illegal means or stolen in any way.

Regards,
Mr. James Iguei
Click to expand...

wtc is the point of this post?:confused:
 
Old Muley said:
I wish to inform that I have sent your MACBOOK with skynet courier Delivery Services. Insurance and delivery charges have been paid for, but the only fee remaining is the security safe keeping fee of $245 USD which you will be required to pay before delivery. I did this because i was unable to transfer your MACBOOK in your country. I have Travelled out of Nigeria to Switzerland for a period of 4 months to see my boss. However, this was not paid for because of demurrage.

Well, I did forward them your delivery address, but a re-confirmation is important and when contacting, I advise you quote the MACBOOK and shipment code to them for onward delivery to your re-confirmed address.

make sure that you reconfirm your informations to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your MACBOOK overthere and know when it will get to your address.

Again it is my pleasure to inform you that your MACBOOK has been approved and upgraded in your favor.

To facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted. Contact
Mr.Raymond Johnson with the above e-mail. Be informed,that this transaction is completely risk free and legal in all ramification. Your MACBOOK has not been obtained through any illegal means or stolen in any way.

Regards,
Mr. James Iguei
Click to expand...



I'm not sure what this is or why it was posted, but it's almost laughable how many things are wrong with it. There are so many red flags, it's hard to believe anybody would actually fall for it.
 
Old Muley said:
I wish to inform that I have sent your MACBOOK with skynet courier Delivery Services. Insurance and delivery charges have been paid for, but the only fee remaining is the security safe keeping fee of $245 USD which you will be required to pay before delivery. I did this because i was unable to transfer your MACBOOK in your country. I have Travelled out of Nigeria to Switzerland for a period of 4 months to see my boss. However, this was not paid for because of demurrage.

Well, I did forward them your delivery address, but a re-confirmation is important and when contacting, I advise you quote the MACBOOK and shipment code to them for onward delivery to your re-confirmed address.

make sure that you reconfirm your informations to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your MACBOOK overthere and know when it will get to your address.

Again it is my pleasure to inform you that your MACBOOK has been approved and upgraded in your favor.

To facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted. Contact
Mr.Raymond Johnson with the above e-mail. Be informed,that this transaction is completely risk free and legal in all ramification. Your MACBOOK has not been obtained through any illegal means or stolen in any way.

Regards,
Mr. James Iguei
Click to expand...

That is funny.
 
Is the OP still alive?!? Did you survive the transaction?

Tell us how it went...if the computer's as he said it was, etc...
 
From Apple

2. Warranty information about your product
Our records indicate that your product is covered under Apple's Limited Warranty which is estimated to expire on December 14, 2009.

Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support.

If you believe that this information is inaccurate, learn how to update your coverage status. Please put your sales receipt in a safe place. You will need it for warranty validation.

Extend your service and support coverage for your product with the AppleCare Protection Plan. If you have already purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan, make sure you have registered it.
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Enter the serial you mentioned here. The country is US!
 
Ok...seriously...where is the OP?! You'd think if the deal went down smoothly one of the first things he'd do on his new Mac would be to brag about it on MR. Should we be worried?

brad.c said:
Or, for the big guns, just send some Canadian Geese. ;)
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I love how they have to make the geese Canadian...as if geese have citizenship...:rolleyes:

If it happened a few years ago, it probably would have been Afghan terrorist geese and B*sh would be ordering the destruction of such weapons of mass destruction.:p
 
I purchased two BNIB SR 2.2 MBP off craigslist last march for $1400 each which were still the baseline. The seller was an absolute retard and kept reposting the same computers up with the wrong specs, and I bought the first 2 he had. Even then it was a great deal. I made sure to meet in a parking lot near a bank. A week later the multitouch rev was released.

Just make sure the serial hasn't yet been registered and that there aren't just bricks in the box
 
haha...well sorry to keep everyone waiting. I've been extremely busy the last few days.

I bought the Mabook Pro, and it really is BRAND NEW. I mean, BRAND spanking NEW:)

It was still sealed, and it started up exactly like my iMac did for its first time (and i bought that at the apple store).

This was just a really great deal.

Thanks for everyone's input!
 
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