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Am I being duped here? Possibly getting a 2013 Mac Pro for $700 cash
- Thread starter Non-Polar
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That seems exceedingly suspicious. The RAM alone is worth far more than that.
I have no idea what's going on. I found the same listing's pictures on eBay, and that seller has it for $2000... This guy says he's the same seller. So why sell it for more than 1/3 of the price? He seems to have good ratings on this app too.
Price is really, really low. $1600-$2000 seems more common for this model on eBay. If the same seller has sold them for $2000, I'd be blunt and just ask why this one is different. Worst case, he tells you to pound sand, which is probably a blessing in disguise here.
Something is off here. As someone else said, the RAM alone is worth a fortune.
It's not that he sold them for $2000, it's that he listed the same one for that price unsold. I was checking eBay to make sure I wasn't losing my mind (Not too familiar with Mac Pro's), and noticed that the pictures were the exact same.
I'm awaiting a response from the seller since it seems like my previous message of checking the Mac Pro thoroughly prior to purchase didn't go through.
Is there anything I should check for though? I'm thinking of bringing a USB stick for a stress test, checking iCloud lock. But yeah, outside of that, I have no idea what else to check for.
He may try to pull a fast one if you meet up and do one of those "Oh sorry, I meant to post it for more than $700. Do you have any extra... how much do you have?".
If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
I would be cautious, but still proceed, since it sounds like you'd actually be seeing it in person before paying the seller? Just a couple thoughts:
1. What's his ebay feedback (specifically as a seller which you can see be drilling down on the feedback score)? It's not a sure-fire way to figure out a scammer but if he has tons of feedback (and a history of selling Mac hardware) then I'd be less wary.
2. Ebay charges a hefty fee (up to 10% of the sale price) and PayPal takes another 2-3%. I'm not sure what marketplace his $700 listing is on but maybe it takes a much smaller cut. I agree $700 is way below what it's worth, but he may have seen it not selling at $2000 and would rather have some cash now rather than wait for someone to pay more.
3. IIRC the biggest issue with the nMPs were the video cards failing. Apple has a recall/repair program for the affected ones though: https://9to5mac.com/2016/02/06/apple-mac-pro-repair-program-graphics-video/. Would you actually get the opportunity to boot it up before paying? You might also ask the seller for the SN so you can check if it's still got AppleCare coverage and/or if it's affected by the video card issue.
Edit: Ugh, just saw that the repair program was set to end two weeks ago (May 30, 2018). If it's affected though you could still see if Apple would make an exception considering the circumstances and how close you are.
Edit again: My understanding is that iCloud Activation Lock on Macs is actually easily defeated (https://tidbits.com/2016/07/22/disable-find-my-mac-by-resetting-nvram/) IF and ONLY IF a firmware password hasn't been set (which it hasn't for the vast majority of Macs out there). You can test if a firmware password is set by trying to boot from USB or the recovery partition. See more details on that here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204455
If a firmware password is set and the seller doesn't know what it is, run away. My understanding is the only way to fix that is to take it to the Apple store where they will ask you for proof of purchase.
1. What's his ebay feedback (specifically as a seller which you can see be drilling down on the feedback score)? It's not a sure-fire way to figure out a scammer but if he has tons of feedback (and a history of selling Mac hardware) then I'd be less wary.
2. Ebay charges a hefty fee (up to 10% of the sale price) and PayPal takes another 2-3%. I'm not sure what marketplace his $700 listing is on but maybe it takes a much smaller cut. I agree $700 is way below what it's worth, but he may have seen it not selling at $2000 and would rather have some cash now rather than wait for someone to pay more.
3. IIRC the biggest issue with the nMPs were the video cards failing. Apple has a recall/repair program for the affected ones though: https://9to5mac.com/2016/02/06/apple-mac-pro-repair-program-graphics-video/. Would you actually get the opportunity to boot it up before paying? You might also ask the seller for the SN so you can check if it's still got AppleCare coverage and/or if it's affected by the video card issue.
Edit: Ugh, just saw that the repair program was set to end two weeks ago (May 30, 2018). If it's affected though you could still see if Apple would make an exception considering the circumstances and how close you are.
Edit again: My understanding is that iCloud Activation Lock on Macs is actually easily defeated (https://tidbits.com/2016/07/22/disable-find-my-mac-by-resetting-nvram/) IF and ONLY IF a firmware password hasn't been set (which it hasn't for the vast majority of Macs out there). You can test if a firmware password is set by trying to boot from USB or the recovery partition. See more details on that here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204455
If a firmware password is set and the seller doesn't know what it is, run away. My understanding is the only way to fix that is to take it to the Apple store where they will ask you for proof of purchase.
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That's the thing. His seller feedback is great - 100%, > 200. His reputation on the app is 5 stars as well.
And for your #2 point, that was exactly what I was thinking, but aside from the video cards failing, I wasn't sure if there were any deal breaking issues with these guys.
I'll for sure be checking for the AppleCare coverage, and check the video card issue by using a stress test through a USB drive.
And for your #2 point, that was exactly what I was thinking, but aside from the video cards failing, I wasn't sure if there were any deal breaking issues with these guys.
I'll for sure be checking for the AppleCare coverage, and check the video card issue by using a stress test through a USB drive.
What actual proof do you have that it's the same seller? It's not in any way difficult to download some photos off eBay and send them to you, or put them in a new listing.
Why not contact the eBay seller on eBay itself to confirm whether the two are actually the same.
If the eBay guy is different obviously he will respond and confirm he's not the same guy.
If the eBay guy is different obviously he will respond and confirm he's not the same guy.
Because I'm going to make a fake ad to get you to come see me with $700 in cash, and I'm going to steal it from you.
This is good advice. Also, does the item location shown on the ebay listing match up with the area you're in? You might also ask the seller to get a photo of the SN or some other view that isn't already included in the ebay pictures. That would give you some additional reassurance that he actually has it in his possession and didn't just rip off someone else's photos.
Is PayPal required for the marketplace you're using OP? If it were me, I'd say to the seller that I'm coming over to test it and make sure it works, then ask seller to meet me at my bank (or the post office) where you can buy a money order to pay the seller and do the transaction there in public.
Hope it works out for you OP. Let us know how it goes.
Hope it works out for you OP. Let us know how it goes.
Eh, should've seen this coming. Don't know why I didn't contact the eBay seller earlier than before.
I contacted the seller on eBay, and he says that he is not selling the item in Philadelphia, and only in Florida. I got way too excited and threw out common sense in handling it up to this point. Oh well, onto continuing my search.
I contacted the seller on eBay, and he says that he is not selling the item in Philadelphia, and only in Florida. I got way too excited and threw out common sense in handling it up to this point. Oh well, onto continuing my search.
Genuine Mac Pro box with a brick inside, shrink wrapped.
You get there. He says no way you can check it out without handing the cash over first. It’s shrink wrapped man. You open the wrap you own it. I can’t sell it after you open it. You want to open it fine, you hand over he money first.
You hand over the money. By the time you manage to get the box open he has split.
Common scam near the holidays.
You get there. He says no way you can check it out without handing the cash over first. It’s shrink wrapped man. You open the wrap you own it. I can’t sell it after you open it. You want to open it fine, you hand over he money first.
You hand over the money. By the time you manage to get the box open he has split.
Common scam near the holidays.
My first trip to America, for Macworld Expo NY ~2000/2001, guy tried that scam walking up to us while we were waiting at a set of traffic lights in a taxi - had a "brand new camcorder" shrinkwrapped in box.
Was quite the cultural experience.
Wow, this thread is something...
Prolly is some kind of scam and/or stolen property, but don't go bonkers over it. Take a friend with you, inspect and test the item, get a receipt with it, and a photo copy of the sellers driver's license (he/she will probably object, but if legit and wants to sell, should agree). If he/she won't agree, walk away...
Prolly is some kind of scam and/or stolen property, but don't go bonkers over it. Take a friend with you, inspect and test the item, get a receipt with it, and a photo copy of the sellers driver's license (he/she will probably object, but if legit and wants to sell, should agree). If he/she won't agree, walk away...
This is why my local police department suggests that we use their lobby as a Craigslist meeting place. Not only does it keep us from being robbed, but someone fencing stolen items is way less likely to want to do so right there.
Only problem is that we are a small city so the lobby isn't open 24/7.
Only problem is that we are a small city so the lobby isn't open 24/7.
Sorry it didn't work out. At least you found out before you got scammed.
FWIW finding a really good deal on a nMP may be difficult until the new new model comes out in a year or two (assuming Apple actually does follow through there). But at that point, given the real difficulty in swapping components in the nMP, how much longer is Apple going to support it with OS updates and such. I think honestly the best value is to pick up a 2009/4,1, upgrade the CPU(s), flash to 5,1, get an NVMe SSD and metal GPU (maybe also an updated BT/WiFI card) and you're good to go with Mojave and likely future releases (with the aid of a dosdude1 hack if need be). And you can do all that for $700 or maybe even less.
Just food for thought. I spent a long time looking for deals on a trashcan but ultimately decided to go with a cheese grater and aside from the boot screen/4K issue (which I solved with a MacVidCards flash job) it's been a pretty good experience. Even more valuable now that we're on the cusp of having NVMe booting and maybe more goodies thanks to the newfound ability to inject drivers into the EFI firmware.
