I am looking to replace my 2011 iMac and have been looking at the offerings on the Apple Refurbished Store. I have found a 2019 i9 that suits my needs well with a nice amount of savings offered over a factory new iMac, but I have been a little hesitant to order. I have never bought a refurbed product from Apple. For those who have purchased through the refurb store, how has your experience been? Was Apple thorough in repairing whatever caused the item to be returned? I plan on buying Apple Care, so I should be covered there. I just don’t want to have to deal with an iMac that is problematic or is just an out right lemon.
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Refurb Store Experience
- Thread starter 28Gauge
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I've purchased several things from the Apple refurbished store over years. My two most recent experiences have been with an iPhone 7 Plus, ordered a few weeks ago, and a 13" Retina MacBook Pro, from back in 2016. Both items were in flawless condition. They were also packaged as if they were 100% new, with plastic wrap and what not (albeit with a different box that made it clear the item was refurbished).
All in all, I personally check the Apple refurbished store all the time for whatever deals are happening there. It's a great way to save money and it offers some peace of mind considering its coming right from the source.
Best of luck!
Refurbs are just great but Im suggest you not invest in a Fusion Drive model, particularly the 1TB Fusion which only has a 24GB Blade Drive.
The fact that Apple gives you a one-year warranty with an option to extend the warranty with AppleCare - the same as you'd get with a new product - tells you all that you need to know about how confident they are in their refurbishing process. Most companies massively cut the warranty on their refurbished products. I've been burned with a few refurbished products from other companies, but I've bought a few from Apple now and aside from the boxes being a little different, it's like buying a brand new item. In many cases they do replace many internal components with new ones. I'd say to buy with confidence, and if you're really worried, buy AppleCare on top of it.
Apple's refurbs shouldn't have any cosmetic damage like a dent. Are you sure that didn't occur in shipping?
Refurbs are fantastic. I got a 2013 refurb and it was in pristine condition, never had an issue with it.
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You should NOT be getting a dented anything from the refurb store. This needs to go back.
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You should NOT be getting a dented anything from the refurb store. This needs to go back.
I just bought an Apple-refurbished 2018 Mini a couple of months' back. No problems.
BUT... as others have posted above... DON'T get a fusion drive model.
Get one with an SSD inside instead.
512gb is "the best compromise" between price and capacity.
Even 256gb will do the job.
BUT... as others have posted above... DON'T get a fusion drive model.
Get one with an SSD inside instead.
512gb is "the best compromise" between price and capacity.
Even 256gb will do the job.
I purchased a refurb iMac Pro recently. The device has worked flawlessly - if you are ever purchasing hardware that is not absolutely new, you're likely to get the best deal in the refurb store. It's totally worth the savings. Plus, if there is anything wrong with it, they will replace it with a new one of the same spec. You can't lose.
I've heard mostly positive reviews from people who refurbs. In one sense you should get a higher degree of peace of mind since each machine is reviewed to ensure its running as it should
As most of the others have stated, I've had no issues with refurbs from the Apple site. Over the years, I have purchased refurb iPods, iPads, Mac Minis, iMacs ... not a problem to be had with any of them.
Was it a refurbished Apple product from the Apple refurbished store, or just a refurbished product sold by someone else? There are "Apple-certified refurbishers" (or so I've seen them claim) but the process and expectations are likely different compared with Apple's own process and standards. I'm not sure if "refurbished" Apple products not sold through Apple directly still have the same warranty, either.
no, from Apple.
has a dent on the top part of the front right side, which you can't even see, really
& the box it came in
Attachments
I have bought a number of iMacs and MacBook Pros via the refurb store and they have all been indistinguishable from the retail box units in terms of aesthetics and performance.
Besides actual refurbished Macs—those returned for any reason at all—the Refurb store is used to unload discontinued product. Sometimes "last year's model" isn't such a bargain when specs are better for the same (or even lower) on new. It happens.
Also (Apple's dirty little secret), slower moving current models are sold for less in the RFS to keep the lines moving. They can't offer BTO iMac Pros and 2018 Minis if they aren't making them. You will notice that the base models of both never run out in the Refurb Store—ever.
Back to the OP. Right now, there are 17 different i9 configurations including 1TB and 2TB SSD models with 32GB RAM and V48 over a thou$and less than BTO. If you want an i9, this is your opportunity. Something's going to ring your bell, I bet.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/2019-27-inch-imac
Add $169 for AppleCare and remember that it will cover accessories in case you want to add the Magic Trackpad 2.
If an actual refurb, there may be only one unit available. Be ready to pounce if you see the right one. In those cases, he who hesitates (or asks if a particular one is priced tight) may find it unavailable 15 minutes later. Been there...
Also (Apple's dirty little secret), slower moving current models are sold for less in the RFS to keep the lines moving. They can't offer BTO iMac Pros and 2018 Minis if they aren't making them. You will notice that the base models of both never run out in the Refurb Store—ever.
Back to the OP. Right now, there are 17 different i9 configurations including 1TB and 2TB SSD models with 32GB RAM and V48 over a thou$and less than BTO. If you want an i9, this is your opportunity. Something's going to ring your bell, I bet.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/2019-27-inch-imac
Add $169 for AppleCare and remember that it will cover accessories in case you want to add the Magic Trackpad 2.
If an actual refurb, there may be only one unit available. Be ready to pounce if you see the right one. In those cases, he who hesitates (or asks if a particular one is priced tight) may find it unavailable 15 minutes later. Been there...
You do know that if there isn't enough RAM, you can just buy more at OWC, right?
What I like is that, often, a BTO in the Refurb Store will have the amount you want—or even more and it's still a bargain. I don't complain when that happens.
If you qualify for EDU discounts, buy AppleCare and accessories there to save a little $$. You can combine that with ARS purchases on the same invoice (there's no EDU savings on items in the Refurb Store). It's a little tricky online but doable. Call the toll-free number if you need help with that (as I had to in 2010).
What I like is that, often, a BTO in the Refurb Store will have the amount you want—or even more and it's still a bargain. I don't complain when that happens.
If you qualify for EDU discounts, buy AppleCare and accessories there to save a little $$. You can combine that with ARS purchases on the same invoice (there's no EDU savings on items in the Refurb Store). It's a little tricky online but doable. Call the toll-free number if you need help with that (as I had to in 2010).
I just do not need to replace my 2017 5K, but damn that i9/Vega 48 looks so nice for $3400.
I am finding that out. I found a couple of units that were almost exactly what I was looking to buy. I hesitated buying for a few hours only to find out that they were gone when I finally decided to order.
How often is the return store inventory updated? Is there a set time of day or maybe certain day(s) of the week when the store is updated?
Not possible. Alone the box is showing that this is not possible. The box would be identical with one of a new device but with the words "Apple Certified Refurbished" on the outside. Apple would never sell a refurbished product in a box like the one on your photo.
Every single Apple Mac refurb I have purchased (and I have purchased a fair share) has come in a plain white box that looks exactly like that. Only my "new" purchases have come in a full-color box.
Real time. If something is sold while you are looking, it will become grayed out as you add it to shopping cart. Once you add it to your cart, it appears that you might have about 15 minutes to complete the purchase so, if you need help, call ASAP.
There doesn’t seem to be a set time when inventory is added. When looking for something specific, refresh often.
Exactly. Overstocks and closeouts may come in the Retail (full color) or white box. Actual refurbished units always come in a plain white box. Apple mentions this on the refurb site.