I wouldn't either but some sellers might. Sometimes, it more a cat and mouse game in that the seller wants to sell, buyer wants to buy but only after checking the contents of the box.
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Private seller used, but BNIB (sealed w receipt) ~ Warranty?
- Thread starter DieBeachballDie
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I'm not doubting you, but after spending a week on ebay, hours a night sometimes, i'm seeing that most of these 'top sellers' have 100% positive feedback, most with thousands of sales over many years. Not 99%, not 99.5%, but utterly perfect. Thats not even statistically possible. Something's up. Call me paranoid... but i dont necessarily trust those ratings, or the system perhaps. I've also heard of people (who did have a bad transaction) trying to get some justice from these sellers, but Ebay (who adjudicates) typically sides with the sellers due to the awesome ratings.
Am i wrong?
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I might ask to open it after i pay for it, and do it there. That way if something's obviously up... like super shady, i can physically just take my money back. I would also think that if the seller sees the full cash amount, and still says no... something's probably up.
Doesn't the warranty on Apple devices STAY with the product, and not the original buyer?
The warranty moves with the product, not with the original owner/buyer. It doesn't matter who bought the product or whether or not you have the receipt, as long as there's warranty on the device anyone can claim it (speaking by experience from buying used Apple devices with warranty remaining, no questions asked by Apple).
The warranty moves with the product, not with the original owner/buyer. It doesn't matter who bought the product or whether or not you have the receipt, as long as there's warranty on the device anyone can claim it (speaking by experience from buying used Apple devices with warranty remaining, no questions asked by Apple).
No, the warranty is from the date the device was originally sold.
From https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/accessory-warranty-english.html
Nope, from my experience I can tell that the above is not true. For devices bought not directly from Apple they do not know when they were purchased and they never ask for any proof. And even for devices bought directly from Apple, the warranty period always was displayed from day I actually started using them.
Physically taking the money from the seller could be construed as robbery? Not a good idea in my mind.
I have sold some high-dollar items and always meet in a public place like a Starbucks or McDonalds.
I'm not saying you're wrong, also not calling you paranoid
I know it's not easy. Sometimes you just search in a right time but sometimes you can't find anything for a long time. I for example, spent literally an hour to find and negotiate a good price for my last iPhone but looking for iPad took me a month. I usually look for good sellers, with good feedback but not business seller, I mean not ones who sell 100's or 1000's of random items every month.
But sometimes you need to wait and wait. If you have to buy something "now", then the best option is to buy from a safe source (Apple Refurbished perhaps?)
I have had to submit proof for warranty when it was in the gap between when Apple thought it was sold and when it was actually purchased, so they do ask for proof at least occasionally, so I'll trust personal experience and Apple's warranty terms here.
My advice is to STAY AWAY from them, particularly online sales.
If you want something you KNOW is good,
and
If you want something that you KNOW has an Apple warranty,
and
If you want something that you KNOW that you can buy AppleCare for...
then
Either "buy new" from a "known good" dealer or buy from the Apple online refurbished store.
Otherwise, you may end up very disappointed.
You described yourself as:
"I'm pretty shrewd, and paranoid. Even if Apple never used a tab, most scammers would wrap it with cheap plastic anyways. I think you'd tell if something was up."
In that case, why are you even considering what could be "dodgy deals"...???
If you want something you KNOW is good,
and
If you want something that you KNOW has an Apple warranty,
and
If you want something that you KNOW that you can buy AppleCare for...
then
Either "buy new" from a "known good" dealer or buy from the Apple online refurbished store.
Otherwise, you may end up very disappointed.
You described yourself as:
"I'm pretty shrewd, and paranoid. Even if Apple never used a tab, most scammers would wrap it with cheap plastic anyways. I think you'd tell if something was up."
In that case, why are you even considering what could be "dodgy deals"...???
Interesting. Perhaps it also depends on how big the problem is. Worth remembering anyway.
These days I would rather spend more and get a computer directly from Apple or at least a major retailer. Too many ways for these sales to go wrong. To me spending even hundreds of dollars more is worth it for peace of mind.
I had purchased a BNIB cellular Air2 from Best Buy a few years ago. I had to activate in order to see the warranty expiry date. The date that appeared after activation was only 10.5 months after my purchase date. I had to submit a copy of my receipt in order for them to correct the expiry date for the original purchase and AppleCare+.
Also not a good idea is selling a piece of junk you somehow sealed in a new box with a fake (or void) receipt. I'm not out to rob anyone, but i'd not be spending over three K on something thats not what is advertised or doesnt work. If someone tried to do that it would not matter if we were meeting in a busy business, or locked away in the seller's torture dungeon. I'd be leaving with my money.
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I'm not saying you're wrong, also not calling you paranoid
I know it's not easy. Sometimes you just search in a right time but sometimes you can't find anything for a long time. I for example, spent literally an hour to find and negotiate a good price for my last iPhone but looking for iPad took me a month. I usually look for good sellers, with good feedback but not business seller, I mean not ones who sell 100's or 1000's of random items every month.
But sometimes you need to wait and wait. If you have to buy something "now", then the best option is to buy from a safe source (Apple Refurbished perhaps?)
I agree. Finding a private seller would be nice. I guess when you have 200 laptops for sale in a year, you get sick of writing detailed descriptions. I'm surprised people buy complicated delicate things like this on the lame, horribly vague descriptions i see.
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I wouldn't touch dodgy. I wont even email/call anything that doesn't look perfect. For a grand, maybe, for over three? Nope. I dont come into this kind of money... ever. Never at one time anyways.
I understand your point, i just saying is not a good idea to hand over any money until you are satisfied.
How much are you saving by purchasing the MacBook? I'm always suspicious of sellers with sealed, bnib, high-priced items with proof of purchase who are willing to sell at a loss.
I would if i had it man. I dont. Piece of mind IS worth good money... but thats another $500.
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You know normally? I would be too. But suddenly a LOT of people are hurting for money. Its both a good time and a bad time to need a computer. Especially where i live, where everyone was broke even before business shut down.
I see the base 16" 2.6GHz's advertised anywhere from 2800-3100. 2850 average. Providing they dont negotiate (and they almost always do), thats $500-ish off... yet still sealed in box. Again, assuming they dont let me know 1-200 bucks off.
I’m going to have to agree here with what another poster said. Paranoid and shrewd are incompatible traits in this context. If you’re shrewd, you think you can weed out any scammers. That’s the opposite of paranoid, who’s certain they’re getting screwed by everyone.
I live by my computer too, just finished my first book - they’re finishing proofs at the publisher now, and starting a new one. I can’t afford to be down either, I have deadlines to meet. I just don’t have 4k lying around without having to overstretch financially.
In your case, it sounds to me like the only way you’ll be able to sleep at night is to buy a new one on sale from a reputable retailer, or refurbed from Apple. That’s a perfectly reasonable position to take. Don’t get caught up in trying to save a couple hundred bucks, if it will stress you out.
One last thing, I don’t know how many MacBook pros you’ve had, but I’ve used AppleCare for every one I’ve bought new, the 2015 I have now is the first one I haven’t bought either refurbed from Apple, or from a campus store. I’ve had to get displays repaired, new logic boards, entire machines replaced.
I live by my computer too, just finished my first book - they’re finishing proofs at the publisher now, and starting a new one. I can’t afford to be down either, I have deadlines to meet. I just don’t have 4k lying around without having to overstretch financially.
In your case, it sounds to me like the only way you’ll be able to sleep at night is to buy a new one on sale from a reputable retailer, or refurbed from Apple. That’s a perfectly reasonable position to take. Don’t get caught up in trying to save a couple hundred bucks, if it will stress you out.
One last thing, I don’t know how many MacBook pros you’ve had, but I’ve used AppleCare for every one I’ve bought new, the 2015 I have now is the first one I haven’t bought either refurbed from Apple, or from a campus store. I’ve had to get displays repaired, new logic boards, entire machines replaced.
Lets say then... 'workably paranoid'. Heh heh...
I dont have 4K either, but... the few things i do own, are all top of the line, and you NEVER regret buying the best... even if it means a short-term suffering. I'll survive. Also, 4K over say, 5 years of use is peanuts, especially considering the mileage i put on computers.
I am leaning towards new yeah... thats another $400, and perhaps the most galling thing about that, is that it's tax given to my government. That really galls me... But yeah, seems kinda destined regardless.
I've owned, in the past 20 years, an eMac ('new' floor model), a 2008ish iMac 21" (new), a 2013ish iMac 27" (refurb, from Apple), and an iphone 5s and 6 (both new). I've never needed Applecare. Perhaps the MBP units are more prone to issues? given their maxed-out nature? Or maybe i got lucky. I've never owned a laptop. I'd buy Applecare if i could afford it.
Also, last time i bought (2015) Applecare was $300. Now its $420. Seems to me like their covering their ass by pricing it out of reach for more people every year. That galls me too.
I’m glad you’re coming to a decision, and I think you’re on the right track.
While I feel your short term pain about higher taxes, at least you don’t get turned away from a clinic for not having health insurance! Sales tax is pretty problematic, but you do get some notable benefits.
While I feel your short term pain about higher taxes, at least you don’t get turned away from a clinic for not having health insurance! Sales tax is pretty problematic, but you do get some notable benefits.
I'm an elite level athlete, so i have my gripes about our wonderful healthcare system... but i'll absolutely admit we're doing way better here than most other places. One look at the Vancouver Covid stats vs the Seattle stats (two VERY similar cities otherwise) is a pretty stark indication of what healthcare is worth.
I think the 2.3GHz/1Tb 16" MBP is the one. Now just gotta find a sale in Canada. Any place that has ANY sort of deal is out of stock.
Yes.
I was telling him that the packaging didn’t look factory. It looked pretty loose compared to how Apple packages products.
Long story short, his laptop was actually not new as Amazon stated, but a repackaged refurb machine.
“Sealed” doesn’t mean jack squat. That isn’t wording that says “brand new Unopened direct from Apple” as it Could imply.
I have found similar ads near NYC. I wrote them, because price was 20-25% discount for sealed Apple product.
The problem was after i have received reply.
Seller said: "I want to get rid of it, because that is $300 on a new stuff laying around, which i don't use".
Me: Then why you just don't give it back, where you've bought it. You have your return window.
Seller: It won't work. The receipt is not for me, but for other person who paid for it. So when i return, money will be refunded to another person, who initially bought it. And it will be a long story for me to reach that person to proceed with him to Apple store.
After last message, i just didn't speak to the seller further. It seemed too shady for me.
The problem was after i have received reply.
Seller said: "I want to get rid of it, because that is $300 on a new stuff laying around, which i don't use".
Me: Then why you just don't give it back, where you've bought it. You have your return window.
Seller: It won't work. The receipt is not for me, but for other person who paid for it. So when i return, money will be refunded to another person, who initially bought it. And it will be a long story for me to reach that person to proceed with him to Apple store.
After last message, i just didn't speak to the seller further. It seemed too shady for me.
Heh... yeah, something definitely smells with that one. He would have been better off to just say "Hey, as is, where is. Whats the discount worth to ya?" Rather than trying to grease his way out of it. Most of these scammers are easy to spot.
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Couldn't you just report him to Amazon? Do they care?
Just to clarify, the guy with the loose packaging is the buyer I was responding to. He bought the computer with non factory wrapping.
As far as reporting to Amazon?
Don’t know what it takes to get booted from Amazon, but they definitely have been shutting down CV-19 gougers.
By looking at your message i had only one idea: if someone bought a present with a discount before some holiday/event. For example grandfather bought Mac laptop for his grandson, but presented only after 15 days on the birthday party. After that they concluded it was a miss and the boy needs Alienware kind of machine.