Best Buy Open Box

[LaCosta]

Anyone here have experience with purchasing a Best Buy Open Box special?

Issues, concerns, or problems?

I do know that there is always Apple Refurbs which are certified.

Thanks.

 

[circatee]

I did once, an iPad 2. It was still covered under warranty, too.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I've never been a fan of Best Buy's "geek squad"... but any given BB's return policy (15 days), any open box item would still carry a very large portion of Apple's warranty... even if it was returned and sat at "on the shelf" for a month or so, it would still carry 10-11 months of Apple's new product warranty.

It should be a good way to save a few dollars.

 

[fastlanephil]

Open box should include the standard Apple 12 month warranty from the date you purchased it just like an unopened new product.

 

[boast]

Your warranty will be based on the original owners purchase date. I could not get Best Buy to give me the date and Apple would not let me register my MacBook without the date when I contacted them.

 

[kch50428]

Issues, concerns, or problems?

Don't leave the store without powering it up and make sure it's not Activation Locked...

 

[Hellhammer]

I would check the warranty coverage as others have noted. You can check it here using the serial number.

 

[ardchoille50]

Don't leave the store without powering it up and make sure it's not Activation Locked...

Just to add that you can test for that here: Check for activation lock (iCloud website)

 

[LaCosta]

I ended up with an open box from Best Buy 27" iMac 2TB Fusion Drive Late 2015..... Price....$1,495.

A customer return within the 15 day period. Original box, packaging, screen still had plastic wrap, stand had wrapper, etc.

Pretty good huh.

 

[circatee]

Brilliant!
Did you buy, or do you have a USB 3.0 (or Thunderbolt) external drive for Time Machine backups?

I ended up with an open box from Best Buy 27" iMac 2TB Fusion Drive Late 2015..... Price....$1,495.

A customer return within the 15 day period. Original box, packaging, screen still had plastic wrap, stand had wrapper, etc.

Pretty good huh.

 

[maflynn]

A customer return within the 15 day period. Original box, packaging, screen still had plastic wrap, stand had wrapper, etc.

Nice, with BB's open box, i think the odds are very high that it was returned because the original buyer was unhappy with it or had some sort of buyers remorse.

BB would have sent defective units back to Apple

 

[MultiFinder17]

I have purchased two Best Buy open boxes - the first was several years ago when I bought a 2012 mini for $300. The box was open, but the computer was still wrapped in its plastic and all accessories were present. That machine is still serving me daily today

The second was a couple months ago when I got an Apple Watch for the wife. It was $250, and again, the watch itself was pristine and serves her well.

Go for it mate!

 

[LaCosta]

Nice, with BB's open box, i think the odds are very high that it was returned because the original buyer was unhappy with it or had some sort of buyers remorse.

BB would have sent defective units back to Apple

YES! It was just a buyer remorse return. I asked the BB Manager and he stated the history. From inspecting the merchandise, clear it was hardly used. I determined that the Magic Mouse charge was over 90%....meaning little use other than unboxing (assuming it was only charged once). I determined that it was purchased within the 15 days by contacting Apple to confirm the story told by BB.

As for a Time Machine backup..... I have not yet. I am new to the Macs....getting set up and figuring up requirements. I might very well use an online backup scheme too.

 

[msscout.mae]

I know this is an old question, but I referred to this page recently when I purchased my 2017 Open Box MacBook Pro. So, after going through with the purchase I wanted to add my $0.02.

I WAS VERY NERVOUS about purchasing a $2,500 computer as Open Box. Whatever the Bust Buy rep said aside, I was very skeptical that I would receive a $675 mark down (Open Box price $1,825) with absolutely no defects. But you have 14-days to return the device, so I decided to try the equipment.

Now 10-weeks later, I am so amazed and happy with the product. Works like brand new. I'm updating from a 2010 MacBook and it's incredible how the Pro's work. I love this computer. I love the touch bar.

And to add an additional benefit,
I'm a teacher and $1,825 was not coming out of my pocket, so I financed at 0.0% APR for 12-months. So not only do I have an amazing computer, I also get to dance with Citi Bank and get this computer without paying a cent of interest!

I will always look at an Open Box option before I make any large purchase from Best Buy!!

 

[psymac]

Sometimes the open box prices are good, but mostly they don’t beat online vendors who don’t charge sales tax.