Got a hell of a deal...

[Jeremy08]

So I was going to custom order a 2.2 15" mbp with a high res AG display from a local store known as Nebraska Furniture Mart. They were willing to honor Apple's student discount, and actually match the 100 dollar App store coupon with a 100 dollar NFM gift card. Essentially, I would have ended up only paying $1999.99 +135.00 for the display + 139 for applecare (after I use the GC on the applcare)+tax. This was gonna end up being about 2432.11

Instead I found a 2.0 Mbp (early 2011 of course) that had been returned and was marked down to 1425.92. At first it figured I was only saving around $185 after tax w/ applecare (which I wouldn't get the discount on so it would be $239 for the open box item (compared to 1699+139+tax for a brand new model of the same).

After going back and fourth for an hour, weighing the pros and cons of having a 2.0 vs a 2.2 and mainly having the standard resolution display over the high res. I finally decided to save the money and go with the deal that would cost me around $1780 vs 2400+ for a 2.2 with the high res.

BTW: the machine has a very small nick on the bottom, and otherwise is in great shape.

Once I got home I checked the service, and found that it had already been purchased and had applecare applied at the time of purchase (and apparently never removed). I called apple and they told me indeed it is covered till April 26th 2014. I also called NFM to confirm that the applecare I purchased hadn't been some how already associated, and they confirmed that their applecare service plans do not auto-enroll when you purchase it, especially with an open box machine. I would have to open the applecare box and get the code off of the card inside. They also informed me that I was welcome to return the applecare, I would just have to bring it back to the store because they gave me a physical box, unlike other services places....


CHA-CHING$$$!! So I have a MBP 2.0 ghz early 2011 that I paid 1425.92+tax (1525.73w/tax) and it has applecare through april 26 2014. Saved around $430 had I bought this model brand new out of the box (from NFM). About $530 if I had bought it from apple (but I would have gotten a worthless App store giftcard instead of the NFM giftcard, making the savings $100 less). And instead of going with a higher res AG display and the 2.2 and sticking with base, I saved myself $905.

Anyway, I thought I share a story about a success with an open box computer, and an added unknown bonus (the apple care) that ended up saving me over double what I thought I would save.

 

[monkeybongo]

Who would have known that a store called Furniture Mart would have deals on Apple products?

I'm pretty much only buying refurb, open boxes and used Apple laptops now. Save the initial depreciation and pocket the cash to buy a new iPhone or iPad.

 

[jmpnop]

The graphics processor in the 2.2GHz model is so much better than the one on 2.0GHz. If you're not into graphics design and stuff, its a great deal.

 

[killerrobot]

Good news - be aware of two things:
1)Technically the Apple Care has to be transferred to the new owner of the machine for it to be valid. Again that's technically and many a Apple stores will just check to see that it's under warranty and not that you're the person listed as registering it.
2) The original owner could return his Apple Care any time he wants for a pro-rated rebate. So before you take it in for service, make sure he hasn't done that.

 

[Jeremy08]

Good news - be aware of two things:
1)Technically the Apple Care has to be transferred to the new owner of the machine for it to be valid. Again that's technically and many a Apple stores will just check to see that it's under warranty and not that you're the person listed as registering it.
2) The original owner could return his Apple Care any time he wants for a pro-rated rebate. So before you take it in for service, make sure he hasn't done that.

Good Point.

1) I already called apple to ask and make sure it was a valid apple care warranty. They confirmed it was already registered and good until April 26th, 2014. The representative also offered to change the warranty into my name, so I don't expect any issues.

2) I don't believe that would be possible for the original owner to return the apple care now, since its been way more than 30 days. Also, I feel as if it is likely that because NFM doesn't automatically register applecare with computers (you have to do it manually), the individual who originally bought the computer likely did return the applecare but for whatever reason it never got removed from the machine.

I guess I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have any issues, but initially my impression is that I should be fine.

 

[killerrobot]

If the original owner still has the receipt be careful. Straight from the Apple Care terms and conditions:

5. Cancellation
You may cancel this Plan at any time for any reason ... A copy of the Planʼs original proof of purchase must accompany your notice... if you cancel more than thirty (30) days after your receipt of this Plan, you will receive a pro rata refund of the original purchase price , based on the percentage of unexpired Coverage Period, less (a) a cancellation fee of twenty-five ($25 USD) dollars or ten percent (10%) of the pro-rata amount, whichever is less, and (b) the value of any service provided to you under the Plan. Unless applicable local law provides otherwise, Apple may cancel this Plan if service parts for the Covered Equipment become unavailable, upon thirty (30) daysʼ prior written notice. If Apple cancels this Plan, you will receive a pro-rata refund for the Planʼs unexpired term.
6. Transfer of Plan
Subject to the restrictions set forth below, you may make a one-time permanent transfer of all of your rights under the Plan to another party, provided that: (a) the transfer must include the original Proof of Purchase, the Plan's Certificate and all of the Plan's packaging material, including printed materials and these Terms and Conditions; (b) you notify Apple of the transfer by sending, faxing or e-mailing notice of transfer to Apple Inc., ATTN: Agreement Administration, MS: 217AC, 2511 Laguna Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95758, U.S., fax number 916-399-7337 or agmts_transfer@apple.com, respectively; and (c) the party receiving the Plan reads and agrees to accept the Terms and Conditions of the Plan. When notifying Apple of the transfer of the Plan, you must provide the Plan Agreement Number, the serial numbers of the Covered Equipment being transferred and the name, address, telephone number and email address of the new owner.

Also, from personal experience, what one Apple CSR says on the phone, isn't necessarily what will happen. So just keep your fingers crossed. I hope it all works out well.

 

[SPEEDwithJJ]

2) I don't believe that would be possible for the original owner to return the apple care now, since its been way more than 30 days. Also, I feel as if it is likely that because NFM doesn't automatically register applecare with computers (you have to do it manually), the individual who originally bought the computer likely did return the applecare but for whatever reason it never got removed from the machine.

The original owner can still cancel the extisting AppleCare & get a prorated refund. Check out the following quoted from the AppleCare terms & conditions:

"5. Cancellation
You may cancel this Plan at any time for any reason. If you decide to cancel either call Apple at the telephone number below, or send or fax written notice with your Plan Agreement Number to AppleCare Administration, P.O. Box 149125, Austin, TX 78714-9125, U.S. (fax number 512- 6748125). A copy of the Planʼs original proof of purchase must accompany your notice. Unless local law provides otherwise, if you cancel within thirty (30) days of your Planʼs purchase, or receipt of these Terms and Conditions, whichever occurs later, you will receive a full refund less the value of any service provided under the Plan. If you cancel more than thirty (30) days after your receipt of this Plan, you will receive a pro rata refund of the original purchase price, based on the percentage of unexpired Coverage Period, less (a) a cancellation fee of twenty-five ($25 USD) dollars or ten percent (10%) of the pro-rata amount, whichever is less, and (b) the value of any service provided to you under the Plan. Unless applicable local law provides otherwise, Apple may cancel this Plan if service parts for the Covered Equipment become unavailable, upon thirty (30) daysʼ prior written notice. If Apple cancels this Plan, you will receive a pro-rata refund for the Planʼs unexpired term."

More info regarding AppleCare terms & conditions can be found in the following link:

http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/NA_APP_English_v5.3.pdf

*** Edit: killerrobot beat me to the info. ***

 

[Jeremy08]

The original owner can still cancel the extisting AppleCare & get a prorated refund. Check out the following quoted from the AppleCare terms & conditions:



More info regarding AppleCare terms & conditions can be found in the following link:

http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/NA_APP_English_v5.3.pdf

*** Edit: killerrobot beat me to the info. ***

Interesting, though I would be curious to know if these rules apply to applecare purchased through a third party, like NFM? Wouldn't NFM's return policies apply? Or is this for any applecare sold anywhere?

 

[imahawki]

Who would have known that a store called Furniture Mart would have deals on Apple products?

I'm pretty much only buying refurb, open boxes and used Apple laptops now. Save the initial depreciation and pocket the cash to buy a new iPhone or iPad.

I'm also from Omaha. Nebraska Furniture Mart is the largest furniture store in North America. It is one of the many companies owned by Warren Buffet. They have a pretty large electronics store on-site. The place is more like a campus than a single store.

 

[wrinkster22]

So I was going to custom order a 2.2 15" mbp with a high res AG display from a local store known as Nebraska Furniture Mart. They were willing to honor Apple's student discount, and actually match the 100 dollar App store coupon with a 100 dollar NFM gift card. Essentially, I would have ended up only paying $1999.99 +135.00 for the display + 139 for applecare (after I use the GC on the applcare)+tax. This was gonna end up being about 2432.11

Instead I found a 2.0 Mbp (early 2011 of course) that had been returned and was marked down to 1425.92. At first it figured I was only saving around $185 after tax w/ applecare (which I wouldn't get the discount on so it would be $239 for the open box item (compared to 1699+139+tax for a brand new model of the same).

After going back and fourth for an hour, weighing the pros and cons of having a 2.0 vs a 2.2 and mainly having the standard resolution display over the high res. I finally decided to save the money and go with the deal that would cost me around $1780 vs 2400+ for a 2.2 with the high res.

BTW: the machine has a very small nick on the bottom, and otherwise is in great shape.

Once I got home I checked the service, and found that it had already been purchased and had applecare applied at the time of purchase (and apparently never removed). I called apple and they told me indeed it is covered till April 26th 2014. I also called NFM to confirm that the applecare I purchased hadn't been some how already associated, and they confirmed that their applecare service plans do not auto-enroll when you purchase it, especially with an open box machine. I would have to open the applecare box and get the code off of the card inside. They also informed me that I was welcome to return the applecare, I would just have to bring it back to the store because they gave me a physical box, unlike other services places....


CHA-CHING$$$!! So I have a MBP 2.0 ghz early 2011 that I paid 1425.92+tax (1525.73w/tax) and it has applecare through april 26 2014. Saved around $430 had I bought this model brand new out of the box (from NFM). About $530 if I had bought it from apple (but I would have gotten a worthless App store giftcard instead of the NFM giftcard, making the savings $100 less). And instead of going with a higher res AG display and the 2.2 and sticking with base, I saved myself $905.

Anyway, I thought I share a story about a success with an open box computer, and an added unknown bonus (the apple care) that ended up saving me over double what I thought I would save.

congratulations

 

[djpuma]

aww damn that was mine.

Thanks for reminding me to cancel my applecare.

cha-ching

 

[Jeremy08]

aww damn that was mine.

Thanks for reminding me to cancel my applecare.

cha-ching

OHHHH YOU SO FUNNY!!!! HAHAHA MAKE ME LAUGH, HAHAHA.

 

[jenzjen]

The original owner could process a refund at any time doesn't matter third party or not, but I think the original owner let it slip.

 

[SPNarwhal]

Interesting, though I would be curious to know if these rules apply to applecare purchased through a third party, like NFM? Wouldn't NFM's return policies apply? Or is this for any applecare sold anywhere?

It's for AppleCare that's sold through an authorized reseller, so NFM would apply. As long as the guy has the receipt / bank statement, he can prorate it at any time.

 

[Royale w/cheese]

Another Nebraska Native. NFM, great deals, and they will almost always deal further with you. Their Apple Store Dept. looks like the ones that got shut down in China though...