Tomorrow I am meeting a guy local to me off of Craigslist. He is selling a 2016 Mbp 15inch with 2.9ghz and 1tb ssd for $2200 which seems like a really good price. He says it it new sealed and never used. He said he purchased in June for $3800. Talked to him via text and seems legit but wasn't sure what else to look for when buying. I am meeting him tomorrow at his sons football practice at a local park. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What to look for when buying a MacBook off CL?
- Thread starter mag2001
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Make sure you pay cash, and come by yourself, sellers on CL can be a bit shy. For the same reason, probably best to choose a quiet location for the handover, away from prying eyes.
That sounds a bit too good to be true. It is sealed, so I doubt he wants you to open it, but what if he hands you an empty box? What if it's stolen? I'm a bit weary of buying big ticket items off craigslist, and I usually keep my CL purchases to under 750. eBay is where I go since there is buying protection. Think of it this way; if you bought a computer for 4k, would you sell it for half that amount 2 months later?
True, makes me kind of wonder. I'll have to make sure and test it out before actually handing over money.
Why would someone buy a computer for $3,800, leave it unopened for 2 months and then sell it $1,600 below the purchase price? Sounds strange. 
If you would still like to check the item out, insist on meeting at an Apple Store. There must be at least one in San Antonio. Ask the seller to bring the receipt (very important) so you know he's the legitimate owner/purchaser. Then, have the store verify the laptop including warranty. Once everything checks out, only then and then, hand over the money. Absolutely, do not meet the guy at some random football field!
If you would still like to check the item out, insist on meeting at an Apple Store. There must be at least one in San Antonio. Ask the seller to bring the receipt (very important) so you know he's the legitimate owner/purchaser. Then, have the store verify the laptop including warranty. Once everything checks out, only then and then, hand over the money. Absolutely, do not meet the guy at some random football field!