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Question about Bestbuy open box

S

swy05

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 9, 2008
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I just ordered an open box 2015 MBA 13 (8gb of ram). Not the geek squad open box. Just the regular open box. Came out to roughly $638.

I've never purchased open box items before from Bestbuy.

How is the condition? I'm worried about premature wear on the battery as well issues with the screen.

Also, how long is the warranty valid for? Do we still have whatever is left of the 1 year? Could we get a Squaretrade warranty for this open box?

Sorry for the million questions.

Thanks.
 
swy05 said:
I just ordered an open box 2015 MBA 13 (8gb of ram). Not the geek squad open box. Just the regular open box. Came out to roughly $638.

I've never purchased open box items before from Bestbuy.

How is the condition? I'm worried about premature wear on the battery as well issues with the screen.

Also, how long is the warranty valid for? Do we still have whatever is left of the 1 year? Could we get a Squaretrade warranty for this open box?

Sorry for the million questions.

Thanks.
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Used to work for Geek Squad. The condition will be new/like new. Anything less than that can't be sold as open box. Warranty functions as if you were buying the product new, so you will have a full year, unless your purcahsed applecare or best buys protection plan. Can't really speak to the square trade question. Hope this helps.
 
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pth231 said:
Used to work for Geek Squad. The condition will be new/like new. Anything less than that can't be sold as open box. Warranty functions as if you were buying the product new, so you will have a full year, unless your purcahsed applecare or best buys protection plan. Can't really speak to the square trade question. Hope this helps.
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Thank you for the details.

I've heard instances where the purchase date doesn't match what Apple has in their system. In some instances people have had to send Apple their proof of purchase date to have the warranty date reset. But it seems like in cases of Open Box, Apple doesn't always honor those requests. Seems to be hit or miss.
 
pth231 said:
Used to work for Geek Squad. The condition will be new/like new. Anything less than that can't be sold as open box. Warranty functions as if you were buying the product new, so you will have a full year, unless your purcahsed applecare or best buys protection plan. Can't really speak to the square trade question. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Not to sound condescending or anything, but Geek Squad doesn't know anything besides changing the RAM/HDD and reinstalling the OS while charging outrageous amount of money.
 
I'm looking at this exact model. Can you let us know when it comes in what you think?

I'm hoping also to get something around the $600 mark. The Open Box - Excellent Certified seem to be available but the "regular" Open Box Excellent aren't in stock anywhere near me.

From reading the descriptions between the two, it seems the certified variant is cleaned and also "certified" by the techs, whatever that means. I'm not sure that's worth the extra $100 and I'm hoping I can find the cheapest open box model before the edu coupon expires.

Is there a squaretrade warranty available for open box products? Can you consider the open box as "new"?

I've also read many instances on Slickdeals where people only get the remainder of the warranty, which is some cases is 7-8 months.
 
heckofagator said:
I'm looking at this exact model. Can you let us know when it comes in what you think?

I'm hoping also to get something around the $600 mark. The Open Box - Excellent Certified seem to be available but the "regular" Open Box Excellent aren't in stock anywhere near me.

From reading the descriptions between the two, it seems the certified variant is cleaned and also "certified" by the techs, whatever that means. I'm not sure that's worth the extra $100 and I'm hoping I can find the cheapest open box model before the edu coupon expires.

Is there a squaretrade warranty available for open box products? Can you consider the open box as "new"?

I've also read many instances on Slickdeals where people only get the remainder of the warranty, which is some cases is 7-8 months.
Click to expand...

"Certified" doesn't mean anything.

BestBuy's "GeekSquad" are potatoheads that don't know much about computers.
 
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There is a reason that Best Buy is known as "The place to try out things I will buy on Amazon or Ebay". Amazon, Ebay, and most other online stores have very customer friendly return policies (specifically if you buy with something like PayPal) that protect you as a consumer. Best buy does not and is notoriously difficult when it comes to returns. I would never trust anything that is open box, especially from a horrible company like Best Buy.

Also, the Geek Squad is garbage.
 
Wow, my experience is exactly the opposite. I buy things at Best Buy just because of their return/exchange policy. Never had any problem whatsoever. Got my iPhone 6s plus there at a very good price last winter (promotion that included two gift cards that could be applied to the purchase). I also got a case that I ended up disliking and exchanged two of them until I found one I was happy with. No questions asked.

Many similar experiences… Exchanged an Android tablet after about a week with no questions. Several years ago I got a Windows laptop and exchanged it after a couple weeks with no problems. If you purchase a certain amount at Best Buy, you are eligible for their "gold rewards" (or something like that) program, which gives you a longer window for returns.

Since they are local, this can all be done quickly with no shipping charges. I don't really have any experience with their "open box" stuff though.
 
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tubeexperience said:
Not to sound condescending or anything, but Geek Squad doesn't know anything besides changing the RAM/HDD and reinstalling the OS while charging outrageous amount of money.
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You definitely sound condescending and ignorant. I was trying to help the guy out with info from the source. You felt the need to make a blanket statement that isn't true. Constructive, thanks.
 
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tubeexperience said:
Geek Squad is full of pushy salesmen.

The only one that does real repairs is Louisville/Brooks, Kentucky.

That's just the truth.
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Another blanket statement, but this time, you've included an opinion you spout as fact without anything to back it up. You're battin' a thousand today.
 
pth231 said:
Another blanket statement, but this time, you've included an opinion you spout as fact without anything to back it up. You're battin' a thousand today.
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Okay.

How many times have you replaced the logic board, MagSafe board, LCD, Clutch Hinge, top case, speakers, airport board, etc. on laptops while working in the backroom at Best Buy?
 
tubeexperience said:
Okay.

How many times have you replaced the logic board, MagSafe board, LCD, Clutch Hinge, top case, speakers, airport board, etc. on laptops while working in the backroom at Best Buy?
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Never did clutch hinges, magsafe or airport boards while there, everything else absolutely.
 
Boyd01 said:
Wow, my experience is exactly the opposite. I buy things at Best Buy just because of their return/exchange policy. Never had any problem whatsoever. Got my iPhone 6s plus there at a very good price last winter (promotion that included two gift cards that could be applied to the purchase). I also got a case that I ended up disliking and exchanged two of them until I found one I was happy with. No questions asked.

Many similar experiences… Exchanged an Android tablet after about a week with no questions. Several years ago I got a Windows laptop and exchanged it after a couple weeks with no problems. If you purchase a certain amount at Best Buy, you are eligible for their "gold rewards" (or something like that) program, which gives you a longer window for returns.

Since they are local, this can all be done quickly with no shipping charges. I don't really have any experience with their "open box" stuff though.
Click to expand...

My experience is like Boyd01's. That gold status you're referring is Elite status -- get there, and your return window goes from 14 days to 30 days. I've taken to buying my electronics there instead of Amazon to try to maintain the Elite level each year. Returns are smooth and without questions, and I get my hardware right away. I too, have returned a Windows laptop without any problem at all. Bought Macbook Airs around Black Friday at decent discounts, etc. And since they match online prices, paying too much is not a concern. I've been noticing Amazon matching the sale prices in their weekly ads (timed to the minute) more often that I've had to have them match an Amazon price.
 
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Geek Squad is like a sleazy car salesman purporting to be a car mechanic and trying to sell you extended warranty and other useless services for your car.

He might be able to fool Joe Blow, but he certainly can't fool a real mechanic.
 
tubeexperience said:
Okay.

How many times have you replaced the logic board, MagSafe board, LCD, Clutch Hinge, top case, speakers, airport board, etc. on laptops while working in the backroom at Best Buy?
Click to expand...

I guess you've replace all the things above? You work for a repair store?
 
gngan said:
I guess you've replace all the things above? You work for a repair store?
Click to expand...

I came from a rural town (before going to college).

There was not any repair shop nearby that repair Apple products (except for iPhone screen replacements).

I cashed in by renting a backroom in a local shop and repair Apple products.
 
I bought many open box Macs from Best Buy. What I found is that the Certified Open Box are often time brand new units (ship to you from their distribution centers). The open box units at the stores are returns that are in like new condition.

I prefer to buy electronics from Best Buy in the past year due to their aggressive price match and coupons. Elite Plus also gives you 2 day shipping, 45 day return, and 6% back in gift certificate.
 
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