MBP off eBay doesn't appear new

[maflynn]

Trying to recall...just bought a MBP 13 a few weeks ago from Best Buy.

I don't recall any shrink-wrapping...Just the seal...

I just purchased a 13" MBP from microcenter this past week.

Inside the brown box, the MBP box was inside a bag. The box was sealed, and inside the laptop was encased in that shrink-wrapping and had a seal on it, that had to be broken to free the laptop from the shrink wrapping.

the cords were all nicely wound and placed in the box as well.

For me there was no evidence for my new laptop that it was touched, and for the OP he should have seen this if the ebay seller advertised as new in box.

As I posted, ebay does take the side of the buyer even if the seller states no returns. If the product is not new in the box and not functioning, I highly recommend filing a grievance with ebay/paypal. They'll freeze the funds while they perform their investigation.

 

[deeddawg]

For me there was no evidence for my new laptop that it was touched, and for the OP he should have seen this if the ebay seller advertised as new in box.

True if the ebay description was "new in box". However since the description was "brand new, opened" the buyer can't expect the packaging to be pristine.

The select language stuff shows up on a fresh install first boot. System could have been brand new or wiped/reloaded.

Buying on ebay has its risks; thats the exchange you make for the pricing. IMHO if the system works fine, the cosmetic stuff cleans up fine, and the warranty seems good enough after checking as above, then I'd simply get over it and enjoy the system. But then I'm not someone who gets uptight about having to have stuff brand new; I bought my MBP13 as an openbox from Microcenter. The $100 I saved bought Parallels and Mac Office 2011.

Oh, on the warranty stuff, unless the ebay seller specifically claims they're an Authorized Apple Reseller I wouldn't expect it to start on the very day of the auction; I'd figure it starting anywhere up to a month before the sale. I'd factor this assumption into what I was willing to bid on the system in ebay as well, to account for the diminished value.

 

[maflynn]

agreed, and personally I avoid buying on ebay.

I'm always wary of buying new in the box stuff, especially when its discounted heavily.

How can someone sell a new in the box MBP for hundreds less then what you need to pay in the stores. To me, the only way is that its stolen. Perhaps there's other ways, but a seller is looking to make a profit, and if they bought the laptop and resold it, they'd want to make money especially when factoring the ebay fees. Only if the laptop was a five finger discount or a fraudulent sale, seems to make sense to me.

 

[Cagle]

True if the ebay description was "new in box". However since the description was "brand new, opened" the buyer can't expect the packaging to be pristine.

I just now spotted my mistake, I mean't unopened not opened. actual words on auction are 'brand new factory sealed'. but anyway, the guy is really nice, he explained that the double layer of tape is because they open the box to check the mbp to see if it matches the serial on the box (they get them from some place). he was surprised about the black marks, so I sent a picture and he plans to replace mine with a different one.

btw, the serial number check revealed it was a mid-2010 model, but only had the option to register the mbp, when I checked my mba's serial number recently, it had info on when the warrenty ran out, how long i had of telephone support. nothing like that here.

 

[lixuelai]

When things like this happen I usually show the evidence to the seller and try to get some money out of it. Of course if it is supposed to be brand new but had serious scratches on it or if the notebook was impaled by something (really happened to a MBP I bought on ebay) it would probably be a different story

 

[jenzjen]

I just now spotted my mistake, I mean't unopened not opened. actual words on auction are 'brand new factory sealed'. but anyway, the guy is really nice, he explained that the double layer of tape is because they open the box to check the mbp to see if it matches the serial on the box (they get them from some place). he was surprised about the black marks, so I sent a picture and he plans to replace mine with a different one.

btw, the serial number check revealed it was a mid-2010 model, but only had the option to register the mbp, when I checked my mba's serial number recently, it had info on when the warrenty ran out, how long i had of telephone support. nothing like that here.

Great to read that it is working out. My 2c, it seems legit given no friction in offering a replacement, so do those black marks feel like actual scratches or just some grime? If they are not actual scratches, I'd ask the seller for a partial refund and use a Magic Eraser on that corner. I'd bet some $ those marks will disappear.

 

[DaftZombie]

My MBP came in a box that wasn't shrink wrapped, but taped closed. It also had a few black/brown specs on it which were easily removed with a little water and the microfiber cloth. Mine was shipped direct from China btw. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[Queen of Spades]

Just FYI, shortly after iLife '11 was released, Apple had all its retail stores open CPU boxes and put the new discs in, then re-seal the boxes with a new strip of tape. So there are "new" boxes out in the wild that have been re-sealed per Apple's direction.

If you received a separate iLife '11 disc, that could be the cause.

You won't get warranty information on a serial number until the CPU's purchase date has been entered in. So once you did that, you'd get all the relevant information.

edit: nevermind.

 

[acribb]

My MBP came in a box that wasn't shrink wrapped, but taped closed. It also had a few black/brown specs on it which were easily removed with a little water and the microfiber cloth. Mine was shipped direct from China btw. I wouldn't sweat it.

The aluminum on my brand new MacBook Pro straight from China also had some black marks on it that wiped off. It's not a perfect world. Just wipe it down.

 

[aimbdd]

mine had a couple "spots" too, and it was brand new sealed box from apple. The computer is "shrink wrapped" when new.

 

[ldkaplan]

I just got one from Amazon so I assume it was brand new. No shrink wrap. It did have a cellophane sleeve and some foam between the keyboard and screen.

I'm not sure why the OP would complain if they got a good deal and it's in new condition.

 

[andrew086]

Does it look like this? https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/902774/
I bought my MBP new directly from Amazon and it had that on it.

 

[weenerdog]

Mine came with black specks too. It's just the back plastic casing.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I ordered brand a BTO MBP from the Apple online store. It arrived properly packaged and sealed, yet it had several large scratches on the lid. Apple was quick to replace it but the second was worse than the first. Third try and finally I got one that looked like new. For awhile there flea bay was looking tempting ...

 

[Built]

I just purchased a 13" MBP from microcenter this past week.

Inside the brown box, the MBP box was inside a bag. The box was sealed, and inside the laptop was encased in that shrink-wrapping and had a seal on it, that had to be broken to free the laptop from the shrink wrapping.

the cords were all nicely wound and placed in the box as well.

For me there was no evidence for my new laptop that it was touched, and for the OP he should have seen this if the ebay seller advertised as new in box.

As I posted, ebay does take the side of the buyer even if the seller states no returns. If the product is not new in the box and not functioning, I highly recommend filing a grievance with ebay/paypal. They'll freeze the funds while they perform their investigation.

Just returned home...

New MBP 13 purchased last month...

Came in WHITE box...with a transparent seal...MBP in sealed pouch...all obviously untouched and undisturbed.

Doesn't a BROWN box mean refurb???? Microcenter does, in fact, sell refurbs...which do not interest me. You might want to check that.

 

[sdsvtdriver]

Just returned home...

New MBP 13 purchased last month...

Came in WHITE box...with a transparent seal...MBP in sealed pouch...all obviously untouched and undisturbed.

Doesn't a BROWN box mean refurb???? Microcenter does, in fact, sell refurbs...which do not interest me. You might want to check that.

brown box was the shipping box.

white box is inside.

 

[deeddawg]

Doesn't a BROWN box mean refurb???? Microcenter does, in fact, sell refurbs...which do not interest me. You might want to check that.

Can you support this statement? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but it sounds like you're suggesting they sell refurbs as new, which is contrary to my and others experience.

I've been a microcenter customer for years as there's one close to my house. They've always in my experience been very clear about what products are clearance, openbox, or refurb -- always a big yellow sticker stating the product status.

I bring this up as microcenter is a good option for those who have one nearby. I recently bought an openbox MBP13 and it was VERY CLEARLY sold as an openbox. It was in the normal white box inside the brown shipping box and a large yellow label on the brown box stating it was an openbox item. I saved an extra $100 off the $999 price for my 2010 MBP at the "cost" of the warranty having started a week before I bought it.

 

[Built]

Can you support this statement? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but it sounds like you're suggesting they sell refurbs as new, which is contrary to my and others experience.

I've been a microcenter customer for years as there's one close to my house. They've always in my experience been very clear about what products are clearance, openbox, or refurb -- always a big yellow sticker stating the product status.

I bring this up as microcenter is a good option for those who have one nearby. I recently bought an openbox MBP13 and it was VERY CLEARLY sold as an openbox. It was in the normal white box inside the brown shipping box and a large yellow label on the brown box stating it was an openbox item. I saved an extra $100 off the $999 price for my 2010 MBP at the "cost" of the warranty having started a week before I bought it.

I never said that or even suggested that.

Quit being so defensive and stop over-analyzing.

 

[deeddawg]

I never said that or even suggested that.

I accept that you did not intend the meaning conveyed, and opened with that possibility. Thank you for the clarification. No need for the rest of your response though.

 

[maflynn]

I also purchased from Microcenter and it was a great experience. The outer box (presumably the shipping box) was brown, but the internal was what you expected.