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Buying rMBP from craigslist

S

suddengust

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 20, 2014
2
0
Hi,
I am going to buy ME294ll/a someone from craigslist. I NEVER USED mac before and done this before. so could you tell me some advice when I buy it? Like check points or some facts I have to be careful

Thanks
 
suddengust said:
Hi,
I am going to buy ME294ll/a someone from craigslist. I NEVER USED mac before and done this before. so could you tell me some advice when I buy it? Like check points or some facts I have to be careful

Thanks
Click to expand...

Stick to buying something with some of the 1 year warranty left or Apple Care. It seems like you're buying a 2013 rMBP so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Try and make sure it comes with the box or the receipt (preferably both). One or the other is a good indication it's not stolen. Lack of both and I'd pass.

Here are some things to look for:

- Make sure all the keys work and don't feel crunchy or sticky, that could mean they spilled something in it

- Restart the computer to make sure it boots up with no problems

- Connect to a wireless network, try the USB ports/bluetooth

- Inspect the casing for dents

- Check the screen for dead or stuck pixels

- Click the apple symbol in the upper left corner and select "About this Mac" and "More info.." to verify the specs and model, click on "System Report" to check the battery health.

The list would be a lot more extensive if it weren't such a new machine. Good luck.
 
I wouldn't do it. What if it has water damage? But is still working now. The life of it would be diminished.
 
Out of interest does this site have a place or option to sell or seek interest in sellings Macs between forum users?

My advice to the OP would be check of scratches/dents, check that the charger is working fine, check that it boots up and check the specs in the About my Mac page match what the seller said, check battery cycle count so that it is within reason, check screen for any damage or dead pixels, check the keyboard and touch pad work fine.
 
My advice is to take it to the Apple store. It doesn't matter if you have a trained eye or not, Apple has access to a diagnostic program that will pinpoint any potential issues. Also, when I purchased a non-Retina MBP awhile back, I asked them to remove the back cover and inspect the computer for any water damage.

Oh, and the inspection is free :D.
 
StockDC2 said:
My advice is to take it to the Apple store. It doesn't matter if you have a trained eye or not, Apple has access to a diagnostic program that will pinpoint any potential issues. Also, when I purchased a non-Retina MBP awhile back, I asked them to remove the back cover and inspect the computer for any water damage.

Oh, and the inspection is free :D.
Click to expand...

This
 
Queen of Spades said:
Stick to buying something with some of the 1 year warranty left or Apple Care. It seems like you're buying a 2013 rMBP so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Try and make sure it comes with the box or the receipt (preferably both). One or the other is a good indication it's not stolen. Lack of both and I'd pass.

Here are some things to look for:

- Make sure all the keys work and don't feel crunchy or sticky, that could mean they spilled something in it

- Restart the computer to make sure it boots up with no problems

- Connect to a wireless network, try the USB ports/bluetooth

- Inspect the casing for dents

- Check the screen for dead or stuck pixels

- Click the apple symbol in the upper left corner and select "About this Mac" and "More info.." to verify the specs and model, click on "System Report" to check the battery health.

The list would be a lot more extensive if it weren't such a new machine. Good luck.
Click to expand...



Actually, I am buying a new one without box from him. He said it is brand new still factory sealed, plastic covered, and so on. It comes with apple care(expired in 4/2017). Since I never buy mac before, is it true that even he opened the box, but the factory plastic cover or vinyl? is still not broken?
And he said he got it for birthday gift...(maybe saying he doesn't have receipt?)

Thank you for reply.

----------
SCOLANATOR said:
Out of interest does this site have a place or option to sell or seek interest in sellings Macs between forum users?

My advice to the OP would be check of scratches/dents, check that the charger is working fine, check that it boots up and check the specs in the About my Mac page match what the seller said, check battery cycle count so that it is within reason, check screen for any damage or dead pixels, check the keyboard and touch pad work fine.
Click to expand...



Where can I find someone here who selling ME294 ll/a?

because I am new here, I am not familiar with it.

Thanks.

----------
StockDC2 said:
My advice is to take it to the Apple store. It doesn't matter if you have a trained eye or not, Apple has access to a diagnostic program that will pinpoint any potential issues. Also, when I purchased a non-Retina MBP awhile back, I asked them to remove the back cover and inspect the computer for any water damage.

Oh, and the inspection is free :D.
Click to expand...


The seller says it is brand new and has all the seals but just no box. We would meet up in local starbucks, I don't think he would agree that take it to apple store to inspect it.
 
why would he not agree to the inspection? esp if it's really brand new.

that sounds fishy.

suddengust said:
Actually, I am buying a new one without box from him. He said it is brand new still factory sealed, plastic covered, and so on. It comes with apple care(expired in 4/2017). Since I never buy mac before, is it true that even he opened the box, but the factory plastic cover or vinyl? is still not broken?
And he said he got it for birthday gift...(maybe saying he doesn't have receipt?)

Thank you for reply.

----------





Where can I find someone here who selling ME294 ll/a?

because I am new here, I am not familiar with it.

Thanks.

----------




The seller says it is brand new and has all the seals but just no box. We would meet up in local starbucks, I don't think he would agree that take it to apple store to inspect it.
Click to expand...
 
StockDC2 said:
My advice is to take it to the Apple store. It doesn't matter if you have a trained eye or not, Apple has access to a diagnostic program that will pinpoint any potential issues. Also, when I purchased a non-Retina MBP awhile back, I asked them to remove the back cover and inspect the computer for any water damage.

Oh, and the inspection is free :D.
Click to expand...

This...that is how I did when I bought it off eBay and took it to Apple and they replaced working logic board for free. :apple:
 
New and wrapped without a box?

Sounds like grey market to me (basically smuggled into the country).

Except the US has no duty on electronics, so I don't know why they would do that.
 
another reminder is to make sure the serial number on the bottom plate matches the OS serial number.
 
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