HomePod HomePods from OWC (Really New?)

[ZipZap]

OWC says they are selling new HomePods.

They say they get them direct from Apple without an Apple warranty. OWC offers their own warranty for 1 year.

These units do not come in a white box but ship in a plain box that does have the proper padding for the unit.

However, little things like a protection sticker on the top, and a properly wrapped power cord are missing.

Anyone have any experience with these units or can comment of the claim of them being new. Does Apple really sell new units to resellers this way?

I find it hard to believe this is how Apple sells these units to resellers, and wonder if these are actually refurbished.

 

[chabig]

They obviously are not new. So does it really matter? If you like the price, buy one. If not, don't.

 

[ZipZap]

If not new, then yeah it matters because it might indicate more likely failure which costs the buyer more in the long run.

 

[artfossil]

What OWC actually says is that these HomePods are "New, Bulk (Non-Retail) Packaging." Quantities are limited (and they only have 13 of the white. If you want to know more, why not ask OWC?

 

[ZipZap]

I did. They said the units were new, that Apple sells them without a warranty, and that they are covered by the OWC warranty.

But I am having a hard time understanding how Apple would sell new HomePods in this manner to a third-party. I could understand if the homepods were all refurbished but they claim they’re new.

I could be completely wrong, and that’s why I posted here for comment.

 

[TehFalcon]

I've never heard of a HomePod "failing". I'd have no problem buying a used one...

 

[shirleyrocks]

I can’t speak to how OWC/Macsales stocks their HomePod inventory, but I bought one from them a couple months back. Apart from the non retail packaging, it’s indistinguishable from the HomePod I bought through Apple and I’ve had zero problems with it.

 

[akash.nu]

I’ve never heard of not having Apple support on an Apple device wherever it was bought from. I’d be cautious.