Trading In/Selling Old MacBook Pro

[benboy12]

Hi All,

I think I am getting close to taking the plunge and purchasing a new MacBook Pro. I currently have a late 2013 13 inch model. What are some suggestions on the best way to trade or sell it with minimal hassle. It looks like Best Buy has a trade in program and will give me approx. $350 for it. I don't want to sell it on Craig's List because that has the additional hassle of meeting up with people. What about eBay? It looks like my model is selling for $500+. Has anyone ever sold a laptop or computer on eBay? I know I would have to be extra careful with packing, but are there any additional risks I am not thinking of?

 

[Audit13]

I always do in person deals in a public place for cash when I buy or sell electronic items. This gives the person a chance to try it out and it will maximise the sale price with minimum hassle imho.

Selling via eBay with PayPal can cause problems in the buyer files a dispute.

 

[LarryJoe33]

I always do in person deals in a public place for cash when I buy or sell electronic items. This gives the person a chance to try it out and it will maximise the sale price with minimum hassle imho.

Selling via eBay with PayPal can cause problems in the buyer files a dispute.

I second this. I used to use ebay a ton to support my electronic upgrade addiction. eBay has become such a hassle and unreliable. I think I sold my iPhone 6 three times last year because of people bidding and not paying, wanting a refund because of something minor and consistent with a used item, etc. Then the kicker is the people that backed out give you negative feedback. eBay provides zero protection to sellers. I have been a member of ebay since 1999 and I won't buy or sell from them anymore. Amazon rocks.

In terms of selling, have you tried the new Facebook Marketplace? Still need to meet with people to transact but you can limit your posting area to your town and surrounding towns. I am always checking out the MBP's listed and there are lots.

 

[baypharm]

I would steer clear from fleabay especially for electronic items. They are in bed with Paypal (which has its own set of skeletons). Ebay was a fun and happy place in the late 90's. No more. It has evolved into a little shop of horrors. Criminals have figured out how to game the system by filing false reports of damage, not as described, etc. Paypal still freezes accounts and you know what? It is just not worth it.

 

[LarryJoe33]

I would steer clear from fleabay especially for electronic items. They are in bed with Paypal (which has its own set of skeletons). Ebay was a fun and happy place in the late 90's. No more. It has evolved into a little shop of horrors. Criminals have figured out how to game the system by filing false reports of damage, not as described, etc. Paypal still freezes accounts and you know what? It is just not worth it.

Ahmen! Well said.

 

[GadgetMang]

I would steer clear from fleabay especially for electronic items. They are in bed with Paypal (which has its own set of skeletons). Ebay was a fun and happy place in the late 90's. No more. It has evolved into a little shop of horrors. Criminals have figured out how to game the system by filing false reports of damage, not as described, etc. Paypal still freezes accounts and you know what? It is just not worth it.

This is true but I only experience 5% of this and have been selling on eBay for years.

 

[Patcell]

Wow... that makes me nervous. I guess I have been lucky. I just sold my 2014 15" Pro on ebay a couple weeks ago and got $1400 for it. Zero issues; very pleasant buyer. Maybe I'll think twice in the future now.

 

[LarryJoe33]

Maybe it's a phone thing. With every release of a new iPhone, I sell mine, my sons, daughters and girlfriends phone on eBay. This time around (iPhone 7 release, iPhone 6 sales) I had issues with EVERY buyer/transaction. It ended up costing me money in fees. I ended up going with the Apple sponsored program (can't remember the name). It bothered me mostly that eBay showed no loyalty to me and my perfect 18 year track record.

Now I am doing the Apple annual upgrade program. Done with fleabay. It's a shame, they were one of the first internet commerce experiences I had back in the day.

 

[Patcell]

Maybe it's a phone thing. With every release of a new iPhone, I sell mine, my sons, daughters and girlfriends phone on eBay. This time around (iPhone 7 release, iPhone 6 sales) I had issues with EVERY buyer/transaction. It ended up costing me money in fees. I ended up going with the Apple sponsored program (can't remember the name). It bothered me mostly that eBay showed no loyalty to me and my perfect 18 year track record.

Now I am doing the Apple annual upgrade program. Done with fleabay. It's a shame, they were one of the first internet commerce experiences I had back in the day.

That is too bad...

I have been using the iPhone upgrade program since it launched and it has been very easy. Nice to get new phone every year. Seamless process and they reserve phones for people on the program.

 

[LarryJoe33]

That is too bad...

I have been using the iPhone upgrade program since it launched and it has been very easy. Nice to get new phone every year. Seamless process and they reserve phones for people on the program.

Good to know. I am a first timer and am up in October. How do you go about reserving one when the new ones are in high demand? Is it all in the system that I am in the program so when I pre-order the iPhone 8 it's all in there?

 

[Totally]

Maybe it's a phone thing. With every release of a new iPhone, I sell mine, my sons, daughters and girlfriends phone on eBay. This time around (iPhone 7 release, iPhone 6 sales) I had issues with EVERY buyer/transaction. It ended up costing me money in fees. I ended up going with the Apple sponsored program (can't remember the name). It bothered me mostly that eBay showed no loyalty to me and my perfect 18 year track record.

Now I am doing the Apple annual upgrade program. Done with fleabay. It's a shame, they were one of the first internet commerce experiences I had back in the day.

I would say that I have sold a dozen or so iPhones on eBay in the past bunch of years and I have NEVER had an issue at all on eBay. So I find it surprising that you have had an issue EVERY time.

Just to mention that some people have not had issues there

 

[jettie1767]

I sell my phones and macbooks on Swappa. Give that a shot.

 

[chipchen]

Use the marketplace forum or swappa.com if you wanna sell it online. Ebay is too risky.

I generally prefer CL because you meet someone at Starbucks, get cash in hand, and that's it. Nothing to ship, they see it in person to check it out so they know what they are getting, no refunds, go home and sleep.

 

[LarryJoe33]

I would say that I have sold a dozen or so iPhones on eBay in the past bunch of years and I have NEVER had an issue at all on eBay. So I find it surprising that you have had an issue EVERY time.

Just to mention that some people have not had issues there

I see plenty of people in this thread leery of eBay. I am certainly soured, I will give you that. I am not making this stuff up. I won't even begin to bitch about the buyers with 0 feedback asking you to end the auction and take it offline using some shady payment method.

I used to be you. Bragging to everyone about how great eBay is an how much money I get for my phones. Recommending it to everyone. I am sure I have been a member longer than you.

 

[jettie1767]

Early on I was nearly scammed on eBay selling a cellphone. But that was just once and I've been selling stuff on eBay for over 10 years. With iPhones and Macbooks, I do prefer to sell on swappa because the fees are much less than eBay.

 

[GadgetMang]

Use the marketplace forum or swappa.com if you wanna sell it online. Ebay is too risky.

I generally prefer CL because you meet someone at Starbucks, get cash in hand, and that's it. Nothing to ship, they see it in person to check it out so they know what they are getting, no refunds, go home and sleep.

CL was great for me when I lived in San Diego but not so much where I live now, way too many lowballers and/or broke folks LOL!