PowerMax Trade-in...a log

[RJP31484]

Legit deals for new Macs $200- $400 below wholesale price?... (Apple new price on the 1.33/60/combo US$1299. Don't know ehat the 1.2 GHz machines closed out at, probably $1099 - $1199 You're saying there are new 1.2/60Gb /Combos on Ebay $850 shipped)?

I see a 60Gb/Combo for $799 plus $50 shipping + $25 insurance except it's not new and it doesn't boot. Rather than take their "2 hour old" machine back to Apple under warranty they'd rather sell it for a $200 loss on eBay. Uh huh.

Here's one for $850 -- it's from a EBay member that has never before sold anything on eBay -- now they have a "Brand new" iBook and a "Brand New" HP laptop and a "Brand New " Toshiba laptop - all factory sealed. This is either
1) a hijacked account or
2) it's one of the drop-ship "make money as an eBay seller" scams.

What these are is a con artist enlists a gullible eBay member to post auctions in exchange for a commission on each sale. The con provides the pictures and the details, and says they will ship the item direct to the buyer as soon as they receive payment. The gull posts the auction, takes the buyer's money, takes their commission out of it and gives the rest of the money to the con. Then the con disappears, leaving the gull to take the heat.

Here's one for $860 plus $30 shipping. Comes loaded with pirated software. It's NEW. Oops, no it's Like New. Oops no, it's used, but just barely. The seller is a self-admitted liar and thief. So, would they stop at cheating you?

Here's another one with pirated software. Seller hasn't sold anything since October 2003. All of a sudden the account is reactivated with a couple of piddling purchases, and bingo, a new iBook for sale. Fancy that.

Here's another: They're advertising a $100 rebate from Apple when you mail in your Apple Authorized Dealer invoice with the rebate form. Too bad the seller isn't an Authorized Dealer. Double too bad that the only Apple Retail rebate on right now involves the purchase of a printer as well...

This one says it is from an Apple dealer and they have a $1398 price on it.... no scratch that, they have loaded it with pirated apps.

I searched all "iBook G4 New" in North America as of tonight, many of the above mentioned are 30 Gb models, not 60 - that makes a big difference. found ONE iBook G4 I would consider legit -- it's one of these Ebay selling agents -- they don't actually have the goods, they are selling someone else's iBook for them. But it's a 30 Gb combo.

Question for MacAztec: How do you know they are legit? Have you personally purchased from any of these sellers?

If you are recommending that a MR poster buy from eBay and are offering to provide the links to ones you recommend, what responsibility are you willing to take if the MR person gets ripped off?

What I am saying is that nobody in their right mind sells a brand new product for $200 - $300 less than wholesale cost, unless there's a catch somewhere. eBay is the LAST place I would look for a new Macintosh, Period.

MacAztec = OWNED

 

[MacAztec]

CanadaRAM - You seem to be paranoid or something. I have bought a bunch of computers on eBay, sold a bunch of things on eBay, never got ripped off, ever.

Here are some examples of good laptops (completed auctions also). And so what if you get it a month used, as long as they have pictures and it has a warranty, who cares?

1) Good iBook

2) Another

I looked for 3 minutes.

 

[CanadaRAM]

CanadaRAM - You seem to be paranoid or something. I have bought a bunch of computers on eBay, sold a bunch of things on eBay, never got ripped off, ever.

Good for you. You have a higher degree of skill or luck than most. I would say at least half of the listings I saw were obvious ripoffs, hijacked accounts or otherwise hinkey.

P.S. Being paranoid doesn't mean that they're NOT out to get you

Here are some examples of good laptops (completed auctions also). And so what if you get it a month used, as long as they have pictures and it has a warranty, who cares?

Well for one thing, if it's advertiused as new it better be new. Not used. If I'm buying used I am expecting a substantial discount for loss of warranty and higher risk.

I never said that eBay wasn't viable for looking for used equipment. I said eBay in my opinion is an unacceptable risk for NEW Apples.

1) Good iBook

2) Another

You know what, both of these units are 30 Gb/Combos. Not 60 Gb/Combos.

One was offered for $899 with free shipping (it actually sold for $826 plus either $25 or $32 shipping, the seller had contradictory info), one is $899 plus shipping but with a $100 'manufacturer's rebate'. Whether or not the $100 rebate will be honored by Apple is another story - since they do not currently have a $100 retail rebate program running. The "rebate" unit is another of the ones where the seller is not actually in posession of the item being sold. They are taking orders and the machine will be shipped by another party who they claim is an Apple reseller.

Neither of them are the 60 Gb/Combo you suggested was available new for $850 shipped. You were criticising ITASOR for choosing a 60 Gb/Combo 1.2 GHz for $1074. Next time, compare Apples to Apples or back up your statement with fact.

A new 1.2 GHz 30 Gb unit is $999 from Apple, free shipping, or $899 for students plus the iPod $179 off deal. I can't see what the advantage of the Ebay sellers is vs. the risk if you are looking for a new Mac.

 

[tsk]

A new 1.2 GHz 30 Gb unit is $999 from Apple, free shipping, or $899 for students plus the iPod $179 off deal. I can't see what the advantage of the Ebay sellers is vs. the risk if you are looking for a new Mac.

Actually the student price is $949 unless you mean the combo unit.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Actually the student price is $949 unless you mean the combo unit.

Yup, you're right. I didn't catch that the base model for Education drops the combo drive and has a plain CD-ROM.

 

[solvs]

So I have $23 credit in my PowerMax account. I wanted to buy something that comes to ~$25 with the $6 they want to charge me for shipping. They told me I could pick it up or give them my credit card to pay for the extra ~$2. Take that as you will.

I could've sworn I still had ~$30 in my account though.

 

[tsk]

I think some of these iBooks on eBay may be people trying to make $50 with the student union deal. I did quick figuring, and based on my math and 5% sales tax, I could theoretically buy the iBook + iPod, sell the iPod and be left with the iBook for $780. I'm guessing that's some of what's happening. Kind of stupid IMO to do all that work for such a small return.

That $100 rebate looks pretty fishy to me though. I wouldn't touch it. Also, since I get a student discount, I wouldn't touch any of these. Honestly, if you don't get a student discount, I'd be looking at the Apple refurbs.

 

[ITASOR]

Update yay:

I've decided to get the iBook first and then send in the powermac as I can't really wait that 5 weeks and be without a computer.

Ordered an ibook with 60GB on Friday! I don't get tracking info until it arrives at PowerMax and then they ship it out.

Does anyone think PowerMax (large authorized reseller) really has to wait the 7-10 days? I was thinking maybe they get them faster.....I hope.

 

[tsk]

I sincerely doubt they are on the same schedule as the Apple store. I assume at the very least they get them from Apple wholesale or something. Otherwise I'd assume they have some sort of stock.

 

[ITASOR]

I sincerely doubt they are on the same schedule as the Apple store. I assume at the very least they get them from Apple wholesale or something. Otherwise I'd assume they have some sort of stock.

Well she said they do have stock, but on iBooks they only have the bone stock ones. (30GB HD=POOP). So, when I asked about a 60GB HD and said I wanted that she said she was on the Apple store configuring it up.

I highly doubt she was really just ordering it from a normal online apple store. Tomorrow's Monday, so I will call and ask!

 

[tsk]

Well she said they do have stock, but on iBooks they only have the bone stock ones. (30GB HD=POOP). So, when I asked about a 60GB HD and said I wanted that she said she was on the Apple store configuring it up.

I highly doubt she was really just ordering it from a normal online apple store. Tomorrow's Monday, so I will call and ask!

One thing I'd check if I were you would be if they could do a custom config with a 5400RPM drive. I assume they could install it for you. That would be worthwhile.