Better deal: 15" rMBP Apple refurb or Best Buy open box?

[ProMod]

I am eyeing the 15" Retina MacBook Pro 2.6/16/512. Looking to save some cash so I'm going the refurb/open box route. I've come across two deals:

- Late 2012 2.6/16/512 on the Apple refurb store for $2,289 + tax

- Early 2013 2.7/16/512 open box at a local Best Buy for $2,420 + tax

Which one is the better deal? The idea of the refreshed internals on the 2013 model sounds good, but I would rather not get stuck with a SanDisk SSD. It's a give and take with the 2013s it seems.

I would be using my Discover card if I bought at the Apple refurb store, so I'd get 5% cash back there. I'm a Premier Silver Reward Zone member at Best Buy, so I'd get a longer return period and some Reward Zone points if I bought there. I also already have about $150 in points to spend there anyway.

Thoughts?

 

[martinm0]

I am eyeing the 15" Retina MacBook Pro 2.6/16/512. Looking to save some cash so I'm going the refurb/open box route. I've come across two deals:

- Late 2012 2.6/16/512 on the Apple refurb store for $2,289 + tax

- Early 2013 2.7/16/512 open box at a local Best Buy for $2,420 + tax

Which one is the better deal? The idea of the refreshed internals on the 2013 model sounds good, but I would rather not get stuck with a SanDisk SSD. It's a give and take with the 2013s it seems.

I would be using my Discover card if I bought at the Apple refurb store, so I'd get 5% cash back there. I'm a Premier Silver Reward Zone member at Best Buy, so I'd get a longer return period and some Reward Zone points if I bought there. I also already have about $150 in points to spend there anyway.

Thoughts?

I'd try Best Buy first and see if they'll knock any more money off. I was able to get my 2.7/16/512 for $2000 last weekend. They were doing 10% off open box all week, and the machine didn't sell so I low balled the guy and he agreed. Can't hurt to try. Plus, I have a Silver Premier Rewards Zone membership, so I get a 60 day return policy on top of it. I usually go Apple Refurb all the way, but this was a steal I feel.

(Oh, and both machines are pretty equal. The only difference will be that 2.6 vs 2.7 clock speed (both should have 6MB L3 cache).

 

[KylePowers]

Definitely hit up Best Buy and haggle, you'll likely succeed.

 

[ProMod]

I'd try Best Buy first and see if they'll knock any more money off. I was able to get my 2.7/16/512 for $2000 last weekend. They were doing 10% off open box all week, and the machine didn't sell so I low balled the guy and he agreed. Can't hurt to try. Plus, I have a Silver Premier Rewards Zone membership, so I get a 60 day return policy on top of it. I usually go Apple Refurb all the way, but this was a steal I feel.

(Oh, and both machines are pretty equal. The only difference will be that 2.6 vs 2.7 clock speed (both should have 6MB L3 cache).

I've tried my best to haggle two local Best Buys down to $2000 on that same machine, and they look at me like I have two heads. They say they have no ability to adjust the price on Apple products. I call total BS.

 

[macalec]

I am eyeing the 15" Retina MacBook Pro 2.6/16/512. Looking to save some cash so I'm going the refurb/open box route. I've come across two deals:

- Late 2012 2.6/16/512 on the Apple refurb store for $2,289 + tax

- Early 2013 2.7/16/512 open box at a local Best Buy for $2,420 + tax

Which one is the better deal? The idea of the refreshed internals on the 2013 model sounds good, but I would rather not get stuck with a SanDisk SSD. It's a give and take with the 2013s it seems.

I would be using my Discover card if I bought at the Apple refurb store, so I'd get 5% cash back there. I'm a Premier Silver Reward Zone member at Best Buy, so I'd get a longer return period and some Reward Zone points if I bought there. I also already have about $150 in points to spend there anyway.

Thoughts?

I would go to best buy. I have negotiated great deals on my macs- with the open boxes, etc. I am always surprised when I walk of there with a good deal on my mac.

 

[ProMod]

I would go to best buy. I have negotiated great deals on my macs- with the open boxes, etc. I am always surprised when I walk of there with a good deal on my mac.

I'm going to give it another shot in a few days. Maybe they need to meet a sales quota by the end of the month?