Hey all,
I'm looking at an 11" MBA with i7, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD and I have been considering getting one from the refurb store but I am apprehensive. Can I have some comments from people with experience of the refurb store? Was it in a good condition when it arrived? Any scratches or signs of wear? Any problems afterwards? Would really be appreciated, thank you.
They're great. I'd get them each and every single time, were it not for the fact that, on the more expensive iOS devices, I want my name and cell number engraved (to deter theft and increase the odds of getting a lost device returned), and on Macs, I tend to want to do a lot of customization (and customized Mac configurations are way less likely to show up in the refurbished Mac section). But when that either doesn't matter and/or I'm getting a lower-end iOS device, I tend to go refurbished.
Of note, Apple gives you the same warranty as you'd find on a new version of that product, along with the same policies for AppleCare as well as the same eligibility policies for it. The only "functional" difference aside from the aforementioned is that the box it arrives in is usually all white (if a Mac) or all white with the name of the device and text that reads "Apple Certified Refurbished" at the bottom (if an iPod, iPad, or AppleTV)
I have bought (from the ACR section of the Apple Online Store):
1 x Mid 2009 MacBook
1 x Mid 2010 Mac mini (2, if you count the one my father bought around the same time)
1 x First Generation iPad (32GB WiFi only)
1 x Third Generation AppleTV
2 x First Generation iPad minis (one a 16GB WiFi only model and one a 64GB Verizon model)
1 x Third Generation iPad with Verizon (32GB WiFi + Verizon) (For my father)
1 x WiFi only 16GB iPad 2
1 x WiFi only 16GB iPad Air
1 x 16GB Black and Silver (no rear-camera) Fifth Generation iPod touch
1 x 64GB Fifth Generation iPod touch
The only of these that I had any issue with out of the box was the WiFi only iPad 2 and it was a total fluke; it was then replaced at the Genius Bar (and at that point replacements are treated the same as if the iPad were purchased new). Of note, I had to exchange each of the replacements due to image retention issues which led Apple Customer Relations to facilitate a whole unit exchange for a "new in box" ACR WiFi only iPad Air (the one listed below it). I only bring this up out of honesty; it was a fluke occurrence and I wouldn't bank on it happening to you.
Of similar note, the Verizon iPads that I have bought ACR (the 3rd Generation 32GB iPad for my father and the first generation 64GB iPad mini for myself) have had weird quirks when it comes to not recognizing the data plan and then erroneously telling me (and my father) that we have run out of data when we have not. This is an issue that I do not have on my 128GB Verizon iPad Air, which I bought new. I'm told that Verizon first generation iPad minis have that issue frequently, though, that doesn't explain it also happening on my father's third generation iPad. Could be coincidental. Could have nothing to do with the iPads itself. The fact that those two were ACR and my iPad Air, which has yet to exhibit that problem are the only thing leading me to think that one has to do with the other. But again, it could also be that pre-Air/pre-retina-mini iPads with Verizon LTE just sucked in this regard.
OTHERWISE: All of the other devices/computers function fantastically.
Every refurb I've ever had from Apple has been good as new. Two points to note:
- If you do get a scratched/marked/dodgy refurb, you can return it no problems.
- If you know a student, refurb discounts are normally about the same as student discounts, and they get a 3 year warranty for free too.
Discounts on refurbs are actually quite a bit less than the student discount and Apple Online Store for Education Prices. It should be noted, however, that you can't further get discounts on Apple Certified Refurb stuff.
