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Have you ever purchased a new macbook/pro off ebay?

steamed.hams

steamed.hams

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 15, 2008
334
0
Miami, FL
I'm very tempted to pull the trigger on one of these:

eBay link

With the basic specs:

A new MBP on fleabay ~ $1850 (free shipping, no tax)
A new MBP from apple ~ $2,158.92 (free shipping, incl. tax)

I could definitely use the $300 to put towards accessories, but is there anything I'm risking? I'm covered up to $2k on paypal, so I'm not neccesarily worried about getting my money back if anything goes wrong. But will I run into trouble registering my comp, or will I have warranty/applecare problems if I didn't purchase it from an official macstore/dealer?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.


[sidenote: I did a forum search, but did not find a thread relating to my specific questions. If I missed something, please link the thread and I will delete this one!]



:apple:
 
steamed.hams said:
I'm very tempted to pull the trigger on one of these:

eBay link

With the basic specs:

A new MBP on fleabay ~ $1850 (free shipping, no tax)
A new MBP from apple ~ $2,158.92 (free shipping, incl. tax)

I could definitely use the $300 to put towards accessories, but is there anything I'm risking? I'm covered up to $2k on paypal, so I'm not neccesarily worried about getting my money back if anything goes wrong. But will I run into trouble registering my comp, or will I have warranty/applecare problems if I didn't purchase it from an official macstore/dealer?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.


[sidenote: I did a forum search, but did not find a thread relating to my specific questions. If I missed something, please link the thread and I will delete this one!]

:apple:
Click to expand...

I've never purchased a newer computer on ebay. Changing the ownership with Apple is a pain (at least it was for my friend in Charlotte). They always used the prior owners name when shipping the box for repair but sent it to the correct new address.

Older, used system that have no warranty (and cost way less) I've done a couple. Also sold a couple of older our of warranty Macs on ebay. All those transactions were fine.

Buying gear here has been pretty good too. Personally, I'd stick with Apple refurbs from Apple on newer systems.

Best of luck,
 
I would recommend checking out the Apple Online Refurbished Store for some great deals on current generation computers. They are usually put through a very stringent cleaning and testing process so that everything looks and runs like a brand new machine (in fact, a lot of these machines are simply returns from people that purchased them but refused delivery for example).

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display
2GB memory
200GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB of GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera

Price: $1,699.00
Click to expand...

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB133LL/A
 
Thank you for the replies, panzer06 and Cadium. I see that both of you are recommending refurbs from the apple store. "Refurbished" is still a dirty word to me, and I'm prejudiced against these items for...well, for no good reason!

To me, it would be better to buy a new, factory sealed mac off ebay rather than a refurb from apple if their prices are comparable. But you two are suggesting the opposite...interesting...
 
steamed.hams said:
Thank you for the replies, panzer06 and Cadium. I see that both of you are recommending refurbs from the apple store. "Refurbished" is still a dirty word to me, and I'm prejudiced against these items for...well, for no good reason!

To me, it would be better to buy a new, factory sealed mac off ebay rather than a refurb from apple if their prices are comparable. But you two are suggesting the opposite...interesting...
Click to expand...

The Apple refurbs are almost better than new in that any issues with the unit have already been dealt with. They come with the same warranty as new and they cost way less than new.

Cheers,
 
panzer06 said:
The Apple refurbs are almost better than new in that any issues with the unit have already been dealt with. They come with the same warranty as new and they cost way less than new.

Cheers,
Click to expand...

I've never thought about it from that angle. Great point.

Are there any issues with scratches or aesthetic problems? Since refurbs are just restored to factory specs, can't you risk the outside being a little nicked up...?

Signed,
A mac n00b
 
steamed.hams said:
I've never thought about it from that angle. Great point.

Are there any issues with scratches or aesthetic problems? Since refurbs are just restored to factory specs, can't you risk the outside being a little nicked up...?

Signed,
A mac n00b
Click to expand...

Nope, that's the nice thing, they replace all covers etc if there are blemishes as part of the refurb process.

I bought two over the past couple of years and recommended friends buy a few others. No issues at all. Clean and functionaing perfectly.

Cheers,
 
I have bought 2 mbp and one mb from a guy on eBay his name is macman with some numbers at the end I can't remember it right now. Never had a problem the prices are good and now he is even including AppleCare with your purchase, let know if you want his link I can send to you when iget home from work.
 
I bought a PowerBook from Ebay a few years back and everything worked out fine. The previous owner even transferred the remaining AppleCare into my name, but I think it was a hassle for him to do so.

As with anything you purchase from Ebay, check out the seller as much as possible, make sure they are verified with PayPal and make sure all funds are exchanged through PayPal.
 
I have purchased many brand new machines from ebay but have always collected with cash paid. I have never had any problems.
 
It's good to know that people have also had positive experiences buying MB/MBPs off ebay.

brun019822 - If you could share the name of "macman" when you get a chance, I'd appreciate it!
 
I bought my macbook factory sealed on ebay and had absolutely no problem registering it and purchasing apple care. After I bought it I just called up apple and told them I just bought a new macbook and I wanted to register it. They asked me when I bought it, and my registration and one year free warranty began that date. It was a pleasant transaction. Nice lady that sold me the macbook, if I had questions she gave me her phone number so I just called her up.
 
I buy from eBay all the time. I purchased my MacBook Pro on ebay and my daughter's MacBook from the refurb store. No issues at all.

Use a credit card so you're protected and be sure to only buy from merchants will a high positive feedback rating.

(The refurb looks and behaves like new.):)
 
avingochea said:
I bought my macbook factory sealed on ebay and had absolutely no problem registering it and purchasing apple care. After I bought it I just called up apple and told them I just bought a new macbook and I wanted to register it./
Click to expand...

That's great. Pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear!

I'm having a hard time waiting for the sept/october updtates, and I'm so close to buying a refurb or one off of ebay!
 
My preference would be to go the refurb route (with all of the advantages pointed our by previous posters - rigorous testing, warranty, the possibility of adding Applecare, and directly sourced from Apple) rather than eBay. My own experience of Apple customer care has been pretty positive to date, and my own MBP is a refurb, thus far very happy with it.
Cheers and good luck with whatever you choose.
 
I got a refurb MBP in April - $1449 for the 2.2ghz SR w/ 120 gig HD, 15.4" matte screen, 128 mb gpu - direct from Apple. It came in a brown box marked "official certified Apple reconditioned product." All the contents were exactly like a brand new product. The box was factory sealed. The laptop looked, and basically WAS brand new. Same warranty. Officially 0 months old, battery had maybe 1 cycle on it, if any. I honestly can't see the difference in what you get from a 'new' unit. It's usually a 30+% savings. Nowhere does the computer itself reference being 'refurbished.' As it's registered with Apple, it registers just like a new product.

Mine has been perfect. I can't see any reason to spend the extra 30% just to get a white box, especially if it's from a third party, where it could have easily been re-sealed.

Anyway, just some positive feedback on the refurb option. :)
 
to transfer applecare, all the owner needs to do is send an email apple with a few details. I dont remember off the top of my head but it was like serial #, proof of purchase, and apple care #, and of course the new owner's contact info. Easy as cake.

Apple will send you a confirmation of change once it's done. I've sold my MBP on craigslist and transferred it to the new owner. Since i bought the computer from Apple.com i just sent them the order/invoice # as Proof of purchase.

though apple did misspell the new owner's name...i thought it would be a cut/paste deal on their end.

but of course ebay is ebay...
 
eBay still seems to come out slightly ahead in terms of spec and price in my recent shopping endeavors.

$1940 - 15" MBP 2.4Ghz/4GB/200Gb/256MB VRAM (ebay)
$1835 - 15" MBP 2.4Ghz/2GB/200Gb/256MB VRAM (refurb)

In that deal, I still come out $100 ahead, because the 2 GB upgrade is an extra $200....

:::rubs chin:::
 
Originally i was going to buy a MacBook pro from PC World but it would of cost me £1,299 then I thought about buying a refurb instead which would of cost me £1,099. One afternoon 2 months ago I browsed eBay and seen a MacBook Pro going for £1000 (buy it now price) never used. When browsing the location of this ebay sale I was happy to see that it was only 50 miles from me.

I then emailed the seller about details of the MacBook Pro and got her mobile number. She offered to deliver it to me free of charge. When she delivered it to me the MacBook Pro was in excellent condition (and still is) with all the discs, adapter and books and 8 months left on the warranty. She also gave me a free Laptop bag:). However the MacBook Pro was not boxed. Before she left she promised me some photo editing software but I still haven't recieved them and the empty box through the post even though I have tried phoning her up to remind her:rolleyes:


Anyway, atleast I saved £299 on buying from PC World and saved £99 on buying refurbished from Apple and I was able to register the MacBook Pro in my name on the Apple site:)

Artmuzz
 
refurb price differences

I'm finally making the leap back over from the Dark Side after 15 yrs and want to buy a MBP. Played with it a bit in the store today (I see a HUUUUUGE learning curve in my future) and I'm ready to commit.

I certainly would like to save my dinero and get a refurb but I'm curious about the different price tags for what look like the same machines on the refurb store price list. It appears that I can save up to $400USD - but should I buy the $1400 MBP if it looks like it's got everything the $1999 one has (I just want the 15" MBP that's going for $1999 retail)? Am I missing something?

oh, btw - the totally unhelpful guy in the store said that I won't need anything else - that I can easily transfer all my old peripherals from my Vaio to my MBP - true? Or is it like buying a car when they tack on all the extras that you can't live without right as you pull out your checkbook? thanks!
 
steamed.hams said:
eBay still seems to come out slightly ahead in terms of spec and price in my recent shopping endeavors.

$1940 - 15" MBP 2.4Ghz/4GB/200Gb/256MB VRAM (ebay)
$1835 - 15" MBP 2.4Ghz/2GB/200Gb/256MB VRAM (refurb)

In that deal, I still come out $100 ahead, because the 2 GB upgrade is an extra $200....

:::rubs chin:::
Click to expand...

Not if you are smart and buy ram from a site like newegg for ~$80 instead of getting ripped off by apple. ;)
 
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