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Meeting up for a sealed MBP from Craigslist - Precautions?

G

Gmas

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 21, 2010
65
12
So I've been looking to replace my 2009 MBP (which still works very well for web surfing and regular tasks BTW) with something newer. It seems like you can get a lot of value looking on Craigslist. Obviously there are risks associated with this route as well though.

I've found a new/sealed 2017 MBP for a great price, though not too good to be true territory. Planning to meet up with the person later today possibly, and just wondering what precautions I can and should take. I'm going to suggest meeting at a police station or at least somewhere very public. Is there anything I can do as far as getting information from the seller prior and checking against something to make sure all is legit? Checking/verifying the serial number or anything else? I'm pretty careful and smart about this type of thing, and have done similar transactions many times, but rarely for this much money. Just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything so figured I'd ask here as a double check. Really appreciate any suggestions or tips!
 
Might want to read this person's experience:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/i-was-sold-a-stolen-macbook-pro.2063968/

Since enrolling devices in DEP is usually done when a business orders a product, there's a small chance that it could be associated with (and managed by) a business even though it's sealed. Small chance of this, but worth mentioning...

Might be worth connecting to the Internet during your initial check and make sure you don't see a "Managed by #### company" message, like in the linked example.
 
Don't do it. There are too many scams and too many shady types on Craigslist - the MBP he's selling may be defective or stolen. You may even be robbed. I repeat: don't do it. If you're looking to save money, consider purchasing a refurb through Apple.
 
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I'm sure you'll be fine if you just check it and meet in a starbucks so you have wifi.
Pay when you're happy.
 
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BobertKennedy said:
Don't do it. There are too many scams and too many shady types on Craigslist - the MBP he's selling may be defective or stolen. You may even be robbed. I repeat: don't do it. If you're looking to save money, consider purchasing a refurb through Apple.
Click to expand...

I'm glad the person who bought my upgraded 2006 Mac Pro off of Craigslist a few weeks ago did not see this...;)
 
So I called him and spoke to him on the phone....he sent me the serial #, which checked out on Apple's website, and also offered to let me open it and check it out, assuming I intend to buy if everything checks out. I've proposed to meet at a nearby Apple store and hopefully have an employee verify with me that all is in order.

He's actually cancelled a couple meetups with me now due to higher offers (which ended up flaking)....but I look at that as an actual good thing at this point, as if his intention was to rob me or scam me, why cancel a willing meetup.
 
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It's stolen.

NOBODY is going to sell a "sealed" new MBP "for cheap" on craigslist, when they could just take it back to the Apple Store (or return it if it was bought online) and get a full refund.

It's your money.
But I suggest you consider something else.
 
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I can think of a few situations where someone might think (rightly or wrongly) that they can't return the laptop. But it's fishy. I'd want a really good story on why he has a sealed MBP that he isn't returning back to the seller.
 
Apple was replacing machines with new refurbs when over the summer when it had a battery/top case shortage. If that's where it came from, it's fine. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
 
aristobrat said:
Might want to read this person's experience:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/i-was-sold-a-stolen-macbook-pro.2063968/

Since enrolling devices in DEP is usually done when a business orders a product, there's a small chance that it could be associated with (and managed by) a business even though it's sealed. Small chance of this, but worth mentioning...

Might be worth connecting to the Internet during your initial check and make sure you don't see a "Managed by #### company" message, like in the linked example.
Click to expand...
To see if the device is DEP managed > System Preferences > Profiles ( bottom right of image )
profiles.jpg


MDM will be listed within the Profiles.
Ensure you can add your iCloud account.
Look for tracking software installed, like PreyProject.
https://www.preyproject.com/

Good Luck!
 
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I bought a sealed rMB 2017 from a guy who lived out of town but was driving this way for the weekend on craigslist. I paid $1050 for a sealed rMB. He said it was a gift and I got this deal about 2 weeks after they were first released. thats a better deal than the Black Friday deals that just happened. I dont think they are all scams. Some people get gifts they dont want i guess.
 
Naimfan said:
Apple was replacing machines with new refurbs when over the summer when it had a battery/top case shortage. If that's where it came from, it's fine. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
Click to expand...
These come in an unslightly and ugly box that has "Refurbished" written on all sides. I had a few come come into my shop
 
Purchased my current 2016 MBP on Craigslist for over $1000 cheaper than retail. No issues at all.

You shouldn’t have any problems as long as you meet in a bank lobby/Apple Store and get a copy of the original receipt.
 
AFEPPL said:
Open it up, boot it, check the system info and make sure it works.
Serial match the box etc.
Click to expand...
Verify the SSD size!

People had been swapping the 256GB SSDs for the 1TB SSDs and returning them to local Best Buys and Apple Stores so the serial matched, but the product had a quarter the storage as when it was sold.

It got to the point that any Mac returned, sealed or not, was inspected by a Genius who had to check that all parts were as shipped.
[doublepost=1513715501][/doublepost]
kschendel said:
I can think of a few situations where someone might think (rightly or wrongly) that they can't return the laptop. But it's fishy. I'd want a really good story on why he has a sealed MBP that he isn't returning back to the seller.
Click to expand...
Yup. Contests are a big one, I just got a sealed Xbox One X with Forza for $450 CAD and it came with the prize pick up form from Doritos.
 
Gmas said:
So I've been looking to replace my 2009 MBP (which still works very well for web surfing and regular tasks BTW) with something newer. It seems like you can get a lot of value looking on Craigslist. Obviously there are risks associated with this route as well though.

I've found a new/sealed 2017 MBP for a great price, though not too good to be true territory. Planning to meet up with the person later today possibly, and just wondering what precautions I can and should take. I'm going to suggest meeting at a police station or at least somewhere very public. Is there anything I can do as far as getting information from the seller prior and checking against something to make sure all is legit? Checking/verifying the serial number or anything else? I'm pretty careful and smart about this type of thing, and have done similar transactions many times, but rarely for this much money. Just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything so figured I'd ask here as a double check. Really appreciate any suggestions or tips!
Click to expand...

Agree to meet but only at their place. In fact, if you get the transaction to occur in the basement of their home, even better. Other great places to meet are as follows:

Abandoned amusement parks
The brambles of Central Park at 3am
Dilapidated mental hospitals
Seedy motels that charge by the hour
Parking lots with no lighting
Vacant lots between burnt out churches
A backyard tool shed
The backseat of their '77 Olds Delta

Seriously... if the seller is completely open with you, there is no reason to think they are shady. The shady ones are usually the cats that want the transaction to be on their terms and don't want to give an inch.

Who knows? Maybe they won the laptop in some type of skill crane tournament at the local mall. Stranger things have happened.

Assuming the worst about people from the word "go" is a sad way to spend a life.

Be safe and enjoy!
 
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Carry pepperspray, just in case.
Open box before person leaves to make sure its really a computer and not something else.
Run diagnostics on 1st boot (press and hold D key after turning machine on).
Also, when you leave make sure youre not followed in case they plan on getting it back from you when youre not home.
 
Is it really that cheap......
If you want to save cash, I would buy from refurbished store (you are basically getting a new item)
I don’t know how the apple warranty works, if you don’t have the original receipt.
Personally I wouldn’t hand over thousands with no gaurantee.
 
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