Depends on what model you buy:
Macbook Airs + Retina Macbooks = Lift-off box top with full shrinkwrapping.
Non-retina Macbook Pros = "Pizza" box style with seal near handle.
In any event, I passed on deal. Thanks for feedback.
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Buying a sealed rMBP 13" but seller has an odd request
- Thread starter klover
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Depends on what model you buy:
Macbook Airs + Retina Macbooks = Lift-off box top with full shrinkwrapping.
Non-retina Macbook Pros = "Pizza" box style with seal near handle.
In any event, I passed on deal. Thanks for feedback.
My rMBP was not shrinkwrapped.
Oops brain fart you just stated what you did - my bad
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Strange.. I bought two ( 15" RMBP ) and both were shrink-wrapped. One was ordered online (BTO) and the other from an Apple B&M.
Oh well, good thing the OP passed on this 'deal'. Sounded very fishy indeed!!!
I bought mine as soon as apple released the rMBP last year, perhaps this is a new phenomenon, or they were rushing to fill the back orders (I had to wait 3 weeks) and opted for the standard clear tape but to be honest, none of my Macs were ever shrink wrapped.
It depends on the type of box. Those in the old box shapes (with a built-in handle) are not shrink wrapped but have a piece of tape sealing them. The new box shapes that have no handle are shrink wrapped. That currently includes the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro Retina 15", and MacBook Pro Retina 13".
This is a macbook pro retina we're talking about, their boxes are like iphones and ipads, they dont flip open like the classic macbook pro box.
Feedback for those who get a similar proposal in the future:
Some people perform insurance claim scams where they report their MacBook Pro or other laptop stolen. Their home-owners insurance demands proof of purchase and some times a receipt isn't enough. After all, it would be very difficult to go through the proper channels to get the proof of purchase.
This is especially true if you bought the laptop second hand or from a seller that isn't easy to get ahold of to prove purchase. Apple has a help line, but what about Wal-Mart or Target?
If one were to report their MacBook Pro stolen, having a receipt and the box would help with the argument that it was snatched out of your car or book bag.
When a MacBook is reported stolen, a reimbursement check is cut for the full retail+tax value of the MacBook and in the process, the MacBook's serial number is reported to the police department.
Where does this put you?
The Apple store will not have any knowledge of it. BUT, if you turn your laptop in for repair, the name on the MacBook will match the name registered to the laptop. There's a chance you will not be given the laptop back when repairs are done because you aren't the person who bought/registered it.
However, let's say you get pulled over by the police for a speeding violation. The officer sees your MacBook in the back and asks if you'll let him take a look inside. If he has any reason to suspect the laptop is stolen he can run the serial number and it will be flagged as a stolen laptop. You will get arrested on the spot and charged with possession of stolen goods over $1000 in value. This is a chargeable offense and you WILL have to be bailed out or serve time until trial. "I didn't know it was stolen" is the worst argument they receive and will do worse to get you released. Even IF you promise being able to furnish proof that you bought it off someone, you would have to provide that proof to the detective who arrested you who will send someone to ask questions. If he can't find that person, you're SOL.
Taking possession of a laptop when you're not sure whether or not they'll report it stolen to perform such a scam is a risk. Is it as big of a risk as driving a stolen car? No, not really because the proper methods in place to minimize those scams are very minimal, at best.
How do I know this stuff? My friend's MacBook was actually stolen and in the process of trying to get it back, we went through all channels. Police department is the ONLY place that actually records the serial number and keeps it in a database. Apple bluntly said they don't flag or keep a database of stolen MacBook Pro serial numbers.
This would explain why this seller was attempting to keep the box from you and he doesn't seem to really care if you know who he is, etc.
Some people perform insurance claim scams where they report their MacBook Pro or other laptop stolen. Their home-owners insurance demands proof of purchase and some times a receipt isn't enough. After all, it would be very difficult to go through the proper channels to get the proof of purchase.
This is especially true if you bought the laptop second hand or from a seller that isn't easy to get ahold of to prove purchase. Apple has a help line, but what about Wal-Mart or Target?
If one were to report their MacBook Pro stolen, having a receipt and the box would help with the argument that it was snatched out of your car or book bag.
When a MacBook is reported stolen, a reimbursement check is cut for the full retail+tax value of the MacBook and in the process, the MacBook's serial number is reported to the police department.
Where does this put you?
The Apple store will not have any knowledge of it. BUT, if you turn your laptop in for repair, the name on the MacBook will match the name registered to the laptop. There's a chance you will not be given the laptop back when repairs are done because you aren't the person who bought/registered it.
However, let's say you get pulled over by the police for a speeding violation. The officer sees your MacBook in the back and asks if you'll let him take a look inside. If he has any reason to suspect the laptop is stolen he can run the serial number and it will be flagged as a stolen laptop. You will get arrested on the spot and charged with possession of stolen goods over $1000 in value. This is a chargeable offense and you WILL have to be bailed out or serve time until trial. "I didn't know it was stolen" is the worst argument they receive and will do worse to get you released. Even IF you promise being able to furnish proof that you bought it off someone, you would have to provide that proof to the detective who arrested you who will send someone to ask questions. If he can't find that person, you're SOL.
Taking possession of a laptop when you're not sure whether or not they'll report it stolen to perform such a scam is a risk. Is it as big of a risk as driving a stolen car? No, not really because the proper methods in place to minimize those scams are very minimal, at best.
How do I know this stuff? My friend's MacBook was actually stolen and in the process of trying to get it back, we went through all channels. Police department is the ONLY place that actually records the serial number and keeps it in a database. Apple bluntly said they don't flag or keep a database of stolen MacBook Pro serial numbers.
This would explain why this seller was attempting to keep the box from you and he doesn't seem to really care if you know who he is, etc.
This is undoubtedly the funniest thread i've ever read.
Not one person suggested to actually ask the person why he wanted the box.
No, that's beyond this crowd. Instead, they come up with the lamest conspiracy nonsense imaginable.
Then again, on second thought maybe your all right, who knows? Maybe he wanted the box to smuggle dope, or he's a terrorist and wants to get by security.
God only knows what horrible things he wants to do with that box.
I'd call the police or FBI if I were you. Tell them to read this thread.
Not one person suggested to actually ask the person why he wanted the box.
No, that's beyond this crowd. Instead, they come up with the lamest conspiracy nonsense imaginable.
Then again, on second thought maybe your all right, who knows? Maybe he wanted the box to smuggle dope, or he's a terrorist and wants to get by security.
God only knows what horrible things he wants to do with that box.
I'd call the police or FBI if I were you. Tell them to read this thread.
I bought them in August 2012... Pretty close to release date... I wonder why the difference... Of course, it's trivial really...
Nice suggestions to keep in mind.... My used rMBP came without a box and I bought one since prefer to have it in case I ever sold it.
Apple doesn't keep records of stolen products. AppleCare follows the device, not the original purchaser, so there is zero chance something will be kept by a Genius bar after repairs on the belief that it's stolen because you aren't the original purchaser.
To the extent police place serial numbers in a database they aren't shared across agencies or jurisdictions. They also aren't going to run a macbook serial number unless you have a pile of them in the car and something else makes them suspect they're likely stolen.
To the extent police place serial numbers in a database they aren't shared across agencies or jurisdictions. They also aren't going to run a macbook serial number unless you have a pile of them in the car and something else makes them suspect they're likely stolen.
