"new" MBP with battery cycle count of 7?

[kingtj]

I'd also say that the smart move is probably to just go with "option 2" here.

I've bought and sold a lot of new and used stuff on both eBay and Amazon. And on the seller side? I lost a lot of money, thanks to incredibly nit-picky people who demanded I take returns (eating the shipping cost in the process) over unreasonable details. For example, I had a guy demand a full refund on an Ecobee smart thermostat I sold, described as "excellent condition -- taken out of service when I upgraded to the latest model". His complaint? He was able to discern a small scuff or scratch in the glossy white plastic, someplace on the side of the unit. (I asked if he could provide me with a photo, since conceivably he had what constituted a shipping damage claim. He not only refused, but Amazon got after me for violating their "terms of service" for seller accounts -- because supposedly, asking for a photo constitutes harassing the buyer!) Who in their right mind would EVER care about some small mark on the side of a thermostat on their wall, if said thermostat works exactly as it's supposed to and looks new overall?

Technically, sure -- you aren't supposed to ever advertise a product as "new" if it's been opened for any reason. But if it's clearly in perfect working order and your reason for knowing it's not really new comes down to not getting to peel some plastic wrap off of the thing? You could do MUCH worse. 10 or fewer battery cycles is negligible in the big picture. Any random battery you buy, new, might vary in the total number of cycles it lasts before wearing out by more cycles than that.

Its a perfect laptop that has no issues in the box. It has no more cycles than can come from apple direct if your machine happens to be the one used for extended testing before leaving the factory.

You were happy with the price you are happy with the computer so you have 2 choices.

1. send it back for a refund and go through all the trouble hassle backwards and forwards fighting your corner have to get a new machine etc etc.

or

2. accept you were lied to accept that it makes no real difference and keep the machine that you admit yourself is spot on in every other way.

Its just your choice the end of the day, return on a matter of principal or keep your life easy.

 

[jk73]

I'd also say that the smart move is probably to just go with "option 2" here.

I've bought and sold a lot of new and used stuff on both eBay and Amazon. And on the seller side? I lost a lot of money, thanks to incredibly nit-picky people who demanded I take returns (eating the shipping cost in the process) over unreasonable details. For example, I had a guy demand a full refund on an Ecobee smart thermostat I sold, described as "excellent condition -- taken out of service when I upgraded to the latest model". His complaint? He was able to discern a small scuff or scratch in the glossy white plastic, someplace on the side of the unit. (I asked if he could provide me with a photo, since conceivably he had what constituted a shipping damage claim. He not only refused, but Amazon got after me for violating their "terms of service" for seller accounts -- because supposedly, asking for a photo constitutes harassing the buyer!) Who in their right mind would EVER care about some small mark on the side of a thermostat on their wall, if said thermostat works exactly as it's supposed to and looks new overall?

Technically, sure -- you aren't supposed to ever advertise a product as "new" if it's been opened for any reason. But if it's clearly in perfect working order and your reason for knowing it's not really new comes down to not getting to peel some plastic wrap off of the thing? You could do MUCH worse. 10 or fewer battery cycles is negligible in the big picture. Any random battery you buy, new, might vary in the total number of cycles it lasts before wearing out by more cycles than that.

Truly amazing that you apparently believe it's only "technically" wrong to advertise an opened MBP with 7 battery cycles and 6-7 weeks of tolled AppleCare as "new."

 

[kingtj]

The fact it had a bit of used up AppleCare makes it a bit more of an issue than it would be otherwise. I grant you that.

But generally, yes - I stick by my original comments. Do you realize how often in retail stores this happens; products sold on the shelf as "new" were actually opened before and just got re-shrink-wrapped? Sometimes it's only because a salesperson had to open a box to show a potential buyer something inside it. (Guy walks in off the street and asks if item X includes a certain cable or adapter and salesperson has no idea, so they open the box to see.) Again, by letter of the law, that makes it no longer a new item and the store has to mark it down and sell as opened box. In *reality*, I guarantee that's NOT what happens in many cases, especially with smaller stores that are struggling to stay profitable.

I completely get that, too - because everyone involved knows the product in the box is still just as new as it ever was. It's not the same as it having an unknown history because someone bought, used and returned it.

Truly amazing that you apparently believe it's only "technically" wrong to advertise an opened MBP with 7 battery cycles and 6-7 weeks of tolled AppleCare as "new."

 

[groovyd]

I'd return it and get a proper new one from Apple direct.

 

[jimthing]

Truly amazing that you apparently believe it's only "technically" wrong to advertise an opened MBP with 7 battery cycles and 6-7 weeks of tolled AppleCare as "new."

So what ARE you doing then?

Returning completely / keeping as is / keeping and asking for money off / something else?

 

[California]

Truly amazing that you apparently believe it's only "technically" wrong to advertise an opened MBP with 7 battery cycles and 6-7 weeks of tolled AppleCare as "new."

I've bought and sold macs for decades, and I've learned to question sellers about Applecare dates. This is what I would do if I were you:

1. Take it to Apple for an inspection under Applecare for liquid spills or anything else that might void the warranty.

2. Tell the seller your concerns about Applecare start date and smudges etc. You NEED A PAPER TRAIL so start now.

3. If there are any issues with the laptop as per Apple's inspection, return the unit.

4. If the unit is okay, ask seller for a Partial Refund of the month and a half you did not have Applecare

OR

Ask Seller to inform Apple of the new start date of your Applecare.

5. Copy Amazon on all your email transactions.

6. If the unit is messed with, return If unit is fine, settle with the seller over Applecare start date problems and ask for a partial refund because it's pretty impossible to get Apple to move its warranty start date.