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Borddeleau54

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 30, 2010
59
33
Since I got a new 2017 Air from home insurance (spilled beer...) I wanted to know what my mid 13" 2012 Air is worth on the market (works perfectly except for 4 keys not working) and was stunned by the asking prices in Canada: from $600 to $700 on average! Really? For a 2012 13"? Looked at eBay Canada and prices are about the same.And about the same on eBay US also. So after 4 years the Air is still worth... 50%? I wouldn't have thought....
 

Tazoawake2016

macrumors member
Apr 13, 2016
57
36
Deep Space 9
Here in the US, Best Buy currently has the 2015 base model on sale for $800 (plus tax). So, paying $400-$500 for a used 2012 model sounds unwise. To me, the long battery life of the MBA is its primary strength. Who knows how many battery cycles those 4-5 year old Airs have gone through.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,745
1,625
Destin, FL
Yep... that's why I buy MBPr top of the line every three years. Sell the old one to a very happy person ( I maintain my tools very well ) and get a new MBPr for about half, after the cash from the sale. Try that with a Windows box.... three years later.
 

tentales

macrumors 6502a
Dec 6, 2010
771
1,184
Victoria, BC
Since I got a new 2017 Air from home insurance (spilled beer...) I wanted to know what my mid 13" 2012 Air is worth on the market (works perfectly except for 4 keys not working) and was stunned by the asking prices in Canada: from $600 to $700 on average! Really? For a 2012 13"? Looked at eBay Canada and prices are about the same.And about the same on eBay US also. So after 4 years the Air is still worth... 50%? I wouldn't have thought....
asking price != sale price.
Worth is always what a buyer is willing to pay for it. eBay is a good ref, but only the SOLD listings.
People ask wishful thinking prices. Personally I wouldn't pay $700 for a 2012 13".
For a tad more, you can buy Apple's refurbs from 2015 and be protected by 1 year warranties.

4 year old Airs to me should be around %35% not 50. 3 years is 50% for the higher spec'd version.
Lower specs, more inventory/market availability so price pressure downwards.

I keep seeing various iPhone 5S on a Canadian used website advertised for $375 and more, but market price is around $150-$200 ( I know coz we just picked one up as a backup phone).
 
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Ajsam

macrumors newbie
Mar 12, 2013
9
4
Georgia
I spent a little time watching Craigslist and eBay for a good deal on a MBa13, but the prices were always high to me. I know they are in that range because someone is paying that price, But not me!
For only a couple hundred more than a used 2-3 year old model, I just went to Best Buy and bought new with the current $200 off special. I couldn't be happier that I chose this route.
 

Pugly

macrumors 6502
Jun 7, 2016
411
403
A used mac is a hard purchase because the refurb macs aren't that much more expensive. Are the airs more expensive than other kinds of used Macs? Macs keep their value pretty well, but they are usually pretty reliable for a long time though.

I have a used 2006 white MacBook that still works...
 
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WishIWasHere

macrumors regular
May 26, 2008
194
8
I spent a little time watching Craigslist and eBay for a good deal on a MBa13, but the prices were always high to me. I know they are in that range because someone is paying that price, But not me!
For only a couple hundred more than a used 2-3 year old model, I just went to Best Buy and bought new with the current $200 off special. I couldn't be happier that I chose this route.


I did exactly the same thing and I also couldn't be happier.
 

monkeybongo

macrumors regular
Sep 13, 2007
160
76
Canada
I think the OPs prices are CDN dollars. The only factor would be to consider that Canadian prices for Apple products have increased about 35% compared to 2012 to 2017 due to exchange rate. So the same $1000CDN laptop would be $1350CDN today.

So some people are selling for 450-500 about 50% of the original 2012 price while other are people are pricing 50% off the current price for $650-700. I picked up a good deal on a used 2013.
 
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