Weird question, does the Apple Store ever sell returned units as new?

[mikethebigo]

Just picked up the base i9 16" MBP today from the Apple Store. I checked on Coconut Battery and expected a manufacture date of late Nov or Dec. Instead, it shows the battery was built in Sept, and the computer was manufactured Oct 7. Isn't that like, one of the very first production runs of this model? How is it possible that a computer assembled 80 days ago is still in inventory? It's from a busy Los Angeles Apple Store that I know moves a ton of product. It came with 2 cycles on the battery and I'm really curious if there's any way it was an open box return that they repackaged as new, or something like that?

 

[cmaier]

Just picked up the base i9 16" MBP today from the Apple Store. I checked on Coconut Battery and expected a manufacture date of late Nov or Dec. Instead, it shows the battery was built in Sept, and the computer was manufactured Oct 7. Isn't that like, one of the very first production runs of this model? How is it possible that a computer assembled 80 days ago is still in inventory? It's from a busy Los Angeles Apple Store that I know moves a ton of product. It came with 2 cycles on the battery and I'm really curious if there's any way it was an open box return that they repackaged as new, or something like that?

No, they don’t sell returned units as new.

 

[redheeler]

The most plausible explanation is that it was simply sitting in the stock room despite this being a busier store. Apple stores move a lot more iPhones than Macs, especially expensive and high-end Macs like the i9 MBP which are more of a niche item by comparison.
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Two cycles doesn't seem out of the ordinary for a new MacBook Pro either. Mine only had one, but it can vary slightly.

 

[jpn]

Just picked up the base i9 16" MBP today from the Apple Store. I checked on Coconut Battery and expected a manufacture date of late Nov or Dec. Instead, it shows the battery was built in Sept, and the computer was manufactured Oct 7. Isn't that like, one of the very first production runs of this model? How is it possible that a computer assembled 80 days ago is still in inventory? It's from a busy Los Angeles Apple Store that I know moves a ton of product. It came with 2 cycles on the battery and I'm really curious if there's any way it was an open box return that they repackaged as new, or something like that?

only 2 cycles? these were done at the manufacturing facility during testing before shipment.
apple never sells customers buying a new device any 2nd hand/reburbished/once returned device for any product.
however, after/if you take yr device in for repair, then that's a different story: if apple replaces yr device you may very well get a refurbished device in return.

 

[Sanpete]

Not legal if it was opened.

 

[jerryk]

Just picked up the base i9 16" MBP today from the Apple Store. I checked on Coconut Battery and expected a manufacture date of late Nov or Dec. Instead, it shows the battery was built in Sept, and the computer was manufactured Oct 7. Isn't that like, one of the very first production runs of this model? How is it possible that a computer assembled 80 days ago is still in inventory? It's from a busy Los Angeles Apple Store that I know moves a ton of product. It came with 2 cycles on the battery and I'm really curious if there's any way it was an open box return that they repackaged as new, or something like that?

The store does not keep large amounts of stock on hand for theft reasons. Apple has regional depots. They bring stock to stores based on need.

 

[sat24]

Depends on your spec. When I exchanged my 32GB/2TB version they sell in store (the one that retails for $3899), the unit I got was manufactured on 10/14/2019 which was the same date as the first unit I got. That was 3 weeks after I bought the first unit! My hope was dashed as I thought I'd get a newer unit as well. So ... yeah. My thought process is that they dont sell very many of that pretty high end computer and have multiple units still left from the very first batch they (over)stocked. Definitely new unit tho.

 

[nicho]

The most plausible explanation is that it was simply sitting in the stock room despite this being a busier store. Apple stores move a lot more iPhones than Macs, especially expensive and high-end Macs like the i9 MBP which are more of a niche item by comparison.

I don't imagine they're under much pressure to "rotate" stock either - it's probably not like a convenience store where they fill from the back of the fridge and stuff is taken from the front.