Apple Begins Selling Refurbished AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C Case in U.S.

[Tenkaykev]

I wish I could find even one decent discount in the UK from an established outlet with acceptable reputation. Every appreciably lower price has been from a company with questionable reviews.

The best I can find is £219 from EE Store (rather than £229 from Apple). Currently almost all retailers are offering at full price - with some even adding postage on top!

I'm in the same boat. Watching the keynote about the hearing aid type functionality had me considering getting a pair. I'm OAF and my hearing is ok-ish but it's certainly getting worse. I have been scanning everywhere to try and find a price in the UK that offers a similar discount to what is mentioned here. Perhaps Prime Day 🤞

 

[polyphenol]

I'm in the same boat. Watching the keynote about the hearing aid type functionality had me considering getting a pair. I'm OAF and my hearing is ok-ish but it's certainly getting worse. I have been scanning everywhere to try and find a price in the UK that offers a similar discount to what is mentioned here. Perhaps Prime Day 🤞

It makes me feel marginally better to know there is at least one other person in a similar position! I know I have significant hearing impairment notches - but a lot of the rest is pretty good. So I am perfectly functional most of the time but find some TV and radio not so enjoyable because I either miss bits, or misinterpret some things.

Scan have them at £206.99 but charge £4.79 for collect/£5.48 for delivery (or free to pick up from shop if you are near enough) - and they are awaiting stock.

At this rate, Airpods 3 Pro will launch before I find a good price.

 

[juju90]

Yeah. The refurbished stuff is sometimes not a great deal.

I would never buy anything used.

 

[iRizz]

I would never buy anything used.

Apple refurbished is of much higher quality than any other company's "refurbished." I've bought refurbished laptops from Apple several times and they had the plastic seal that you peel off the display like a new device. Not only do they make sure the device is working perfectly through thorough testing, you get the same warranty as a brand new device. Having said all that, Apple refurbs are not a good deal these days when places like Best Buy and Amazon have the same devices for cheaper for brand new.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Imagine having the job of cleaning out the earwax. Yuk.

 

[matthazz]

A few things:
- Wait until prime day or Black Friday, I recently bought these new on Amazon for $169. I love them except for the poor battery life and the ear tips were not great for my ears. I got some memory foam tips that work much better.
- I highly doubt they are selling used earwax laden AirPods. Any device that was opened has to be sold as refurbished. So any returns that were opened and un-used are tested, cleaned and repackaged as refurbished.
- I have bought my last 4 Macs refurbished. They are immaculate. They are also likely just opened and returned being never used or very lightly used. The extra QC testing, cleaning and battery replacement means they could be better from a verification perspective than a new factory unit.
- I‘ve only ever purchased custom ram and storage configurations from the refurbished store. So they are always the best deal (15-20% off) that is backed with the full Apple warranty. I’d avoid base units, there will always be a retailer that will deep discount these units new.

 

[polyphenol]

A few things:
- Wait until prime day or Black Friday, I recently bought these new on Amazon for $169. I love them except for the poor battery life and the ear tips were not great for my ears. I got some memory foam tips that work much better.
- I highly doubt they are selling used earwax laden AirPods. Any device that was opened has to be sold as refurbished. So any returns that were opened and un-used are tested, cleaned and repackaged as refurbished.
- I have bought my last 4 Macs refurbished. They are immaculate. They are also likely just opened and returned being never used or very lightly used. The extra QC testing, cleaning and battery replacement means they could be better from a verification perspective than a new factory unit.
- I‘ve only ever purchased custom ram and storage configurations from the refurbished store. So they are always the best deal (15-20% off) that is backed with the full Apple warranty. I’d avoid base units, there will always be a retailer that will deep discount these units new.

Prime Day and Black Friday tend to be gross exploitation days - at least in the UK.

I bought my mac mini as a refurb - as you say, perfect condition. And a pencil.

 

[Earendil]

Yup

Tim basically "Cook'd" the refurb store

I don't even bother looking anymore

Unless you are suggesting that Apple has an ever growing warehouse of refurbs, then they are selling all those machines at those prices. That’s not cooked, that’s capitalism. As Apple has become more popular, Apple doesn’t need to discount as steeply because there are more buyers.

Gross, Apple. Just gross.

It’s fine to be personally grossed out by earwax, but in case you (or others) don’t know, earwax contains antibacterial and anti fungal properties. There are (last I looked into it) no known diseases that are transmitted earwax to ear.

 

[Jashar7]

Talking of this, what happens if you go to the store to try them on? Do they just wipe them down with a sanitising tissue or something? What about 14 day returns - sold as refurbs?

It’s not worth it sometimes the AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon are $189 only

 

[MrMojo1]

Keep in mind that Amazon is currently selling brand new second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case for $189.99 in the U.S., which is a much better deal than Apple's refurbished store is offering for the earbuds.

If one has a Costco membership, Costco sells it new for $200, which includes Applecare+, which cost extra separately.

 

[Tenkaykev]

It makes me feel marginally better to know there is at least one other person in a similar position! I know I have significant hearing impairment notches - but a lot of the rest is pretty good. So I am perfectly functional most of the time but find some TV and radio not so enjoyable because I either miss bits, or misinterpret some things.

Scan have them at £206.99 but charge £4.79 for collect/£5.48 for delivery (or free to pick up from shop if you are near enough) - and they are awaiting stock.

At this rate, Airpods 3 Pro will launch before I find a good price.

There's several on EBay at what appear to be suspiciously cheap prices.

 

[macduke]

Bravo on this line

Very much appreciate this sort of thing being highlighted

No kidding, usually we have to fact check this crap in the comments.

 

[polyphenol]

There's several on EBay at what appear to be suspiciously cheap prices.

All the lower prices seem to be either too cheap (yes - I did look at eBay), or sellers which have at best chequered reviews (at worst, simply appalling). There's one based in Hong Kong, another seems to be in Spain. And one price comparison site lists only sources which are significantly more than full Apple retail prices.

Also noticed listings which had ambiguous descriptions - one could be read either that the offer included the case, or that it was ONLY for the case. Or, after several of the real thing in eBay or other multiple listing sites, they change to other models (old version, non-Pro, etc.).

I'm not expecting to see them truly cheap - just comparable to regular USA discounted prices.

 

[Htsi]

Costco for $200 is better
Amazon ranks last due to the problem of fakes.
Everyone that had their pro v1 replaced due to static are already rocking Apple refurbs.
All Apple care claims & warranty claims result in a refurbished product.

 

[Tenkaykev]

All the lower prices seem to be either too cheap (yes - I did look at eBay), or sellers which have at best chequered reviews (at worst, simply appalling). There's one based in Hong Kong, another seems to be in Spain. And one price comparison site lists only sources which are significantly more than full Apple retail prices.

Also noticed listings which had ambiguous descriptions - one could be read either that the offer included the case, or that it was ONLY for the case. Or, after several of the real thing in eBay or other multiple listing sites, they change to other models (old version, non-Pro, etc.).

I'm not expecting to see them truly cheap - just comparable to regular USA discounted prices.

Ok, I am willing to take one for the UK customers looking for the best discount on the Airpods Pro 2. How are you going to do that ? I hear you say. Well, I have an infallible method. Every time I buy expensive new kit it triggers the reputable retailers such as John Lewis to offer the same item at discount within 2weeks. Every fecking time. If you hold off buying until I have made my purchase you can thank me later...

 

[nburwell]

While I don’t hesitate to purchase refurbished Apple products, AirPods would be a pass for me. Plus, as others mentioned, I can pickup the Pro 2’s brand new for $189.