Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Refurbished a good idea?

D

dante959

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 22, 2018
16
4
I'm one of the folks who were waiting for a new base-model iPad upgrade and didn't get it. I'm not a fan of the Air, so I'm considering going either for the 6th Gen iPad or the 10.5" Pro refurbished.

What conditions do the refurbished models normally arrive in? I know Apple checks that they work, but is there a risk of getting one that's scratched up/damaged on the outside? I take very good care of my tech, so getting a damaged one would be very annoying!
 
You won’t be able to tell it’s been used before. If the configuration you want is in the refurb store there’s no risk involved and is an excellent choice.
 
Last edited:
Especially because of the white spot business with the 10.5 Pro, I imagine that springing for AppleCare+ would be advisable.
 
Just got my refurb pro 10.5 thanks to all the recommendations here - so far it’s great and I’d definitely also recommend.

AppleCare+ sounds like pretty much a must to hedge against the bright spot issue though.
 
I buy all my Macs and iDevices with an American Express card. This allows warranty extension for an extra 1 year, including on Apple refurbished items. In other words, I get a two year warranty on all of my Apple hardware without having to get AppleCare.

https://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/credit-cards-with-the-best-extended-warranties/

That said, sometimes I do still get AppleCare when it is relatively inexpensive relative to the cost of the item.
 
EugW said:
I buy all my Macs and iDevices with an American Express card. This allows warranty extension for an extra 1 year, including on Apple refurbished items. In other words, I get a two year warranty on all of my Apple hardware without having to get AppleCare.

https://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/credit-cards-with-the-best-extended-warranties/

That said, sometimes I do still get AppleCare when it is relatively inexpensive relative to the cost of the item.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for that. I always use my Amex when I can but never knew about that. With new items I invariably buy from John Lewis in the UK which tends to provide two years as a matter of course (on Apple products sometimes three). But for refurbs from Apple I would otherwise have been forced to buy AppleCare+. Here's what Amex offers in the UK:

  • When the manufacturer's warranty expires on your favourite new purchase, we'll give you a year's Extended Warranty up to £1,500 per item
  • Enjoy Refund Protection on eligible items. If the UK retailer won't refund or replace the eligible item, we will, up to a maximum of £200
  • You also get Purchase Protection. If you bought it on your Card and it's stolen or damaged within 90 days, we'll replace or repair it, or refund you up to £2,500 per eligible item
----------

Update:

I have just checked the above with American Express in the UK and the extended warranty must be registered with Amex within 90 days of purchase. One does this by phoning Amex and then asking to speak to the Travel Claims department, a small section of which deals with extended warranties.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Macpiglet
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back