would AppleCare+ replace a screen with three scuffs on it?

[ryubyss]

I've seen FS on eBay a cheap MacBook which has three scuffs marks on the screen, as shown in the ad. It has AppleCare+ until next year. If I brought it in, would AppleCare+ cover most of the cost of replacement? (Based on my research, I'd have to pay $99 for any repairs involving damage. I think that this would qualify.)

 

[Fishrrman]

My advice:
DO NOT BUY any Mac (on ebay or elsewhere) that has "known defects".
I don't care HOW GOOD the price seems to be.
You may end up with it and find there are more defects than "meet the eye".
Consider yourself as having been duly warned by reading this post.

If you're looking for a used Mac, the best source is the Apple online refurbished store.
That way you KNOW you're getting something that is "good and usable" right out-of-the-box...

 

[RUQRU]

I've seen FS on eBay a cheap MacBook which has three scuffs marks on the screen, as shown in the ad. It has AppleCare+ until next year. If I brought it in, would AppleCare+ cover most of the cost of replacement? (Based on my research, I'd have to pay $99 for any repairs involving damage. I think that this would qualify.)

If you want a straight answer call APPLE. Ask them if they would cover your repair and how much. You do not have to tell them you don't yet own the machine.

 

[Graham Caracas]

My advice:
DO NOT BUY any Mac (on ebay or elsewhere) that has "known defects".
I don't care HOW GOOD the price seems to be.
You may end up with it and find there are more defects than "meet the eye".
Consider yourself as having been duly warned by reading this post.

If you're looking for a used Mac, the best source is the Apple online refurbished store.
That way you KNOW you're getting something that is "good and usable" right out-of-the-box..

Exactly. Why would you buy a defective product from an unknown source, send it to Apple and pay again to have a cosmetic blemish repaired? How do you know the battery isn't about to die or if the keyboard is fully functional or a hundred other problems to be discovered? To me, an Apple refurb is the only way to buy used.

 

[ryubyss]

If you want a straight answer call APPLE. Ask them if they would cover your repair and how much. You do not have to tell them you don't yet own the machine.

I hadn't spoken to an Apple representative as I dislike dealing with customer service. but I did do it and got my answer: AppleCare+ wouldn't take care of it.

 

[HDFan]

the best source is the Apple online refurbished store.

Yes. Too many people have posted here about losing all of their money with ebay scams.

 

[Saturn007]

There‘s even an issue about whether the Apple Care+ would transfer!

It varies by country and whether you are paying monthly or not.

”For some AppleCare plan types, and in some countries or regions, you might not be able to transfer an AppleCare plan to a new owner.“

”If you pay monthly

If you make monthly payments* for your AppleCare plan, the plan is linked to your Apple ID and can't be transferred to a new owner.

* In some countries and regions, you might have the option to pay monthly for your AppleCare plan. This option is not available for all AppleCare plans or all countries and regions.​

​

See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202712

Of course, caveat emptor applies, too! Does the seller actually have AC+? Can you confirm it?

 

[ryubyss]

Of course, caveat emptor applies, too! Does the seller actually have AC+? Can you confirm it?

yes, well, I did talk with support and they said they wouldn't cover scuffs, anyway.

 

[theorist9]

If you're looking for a used Mac, the best source is the Apple online refurbished store.

Yes. Too many people have posted here about losing all of their money with ebay scams.

Not sure if I'd buy a Mac on eBAY but, to my mind, buying at the refurb store pretty much defeats the purpose of buying used, since the prices are so close to new as to not make much of a difference. That's not to say the refurb store isn't a good deal for those who want an essentially indistiguishable-from-new product at a modest discount, since that's what the refurb store offers.

But if you're buying used to get a serious discount, your best bet is probably to buy locally on Craig's List (if you're in the US), or something equivalent. Of the 5 Macs I've had, four were new and one was bought used on Craig's List (for about half of what it was going for on the refurb store, even though it was in mint condition and came with AC+), and they've all been great. The way to do it is to tell the seller you're serious, negotiate a price on the phone (so the seller knows they're not wasting their time), and tell them you'll need about 20 minutes to do an inspection and run some tests (you'll want to download the aftermarket apps they mention onto a USB stick):

How to test a used Mac before you buy it | AppleInsider

There's plenty of life left in second-hand computers, especially if you happen to be shopping for an affordable student computer before the school year begins. With many districts implementing remote learning, the student computer is more important than ever, but how do you know if what you're...

appleinsider.com

In fact, to be completely up-front (and test the seller to see if they'd balk), I emailed the seller that article beforehand so they'd know the tests I'd be running before I got there. If they're someone you want to deal with, they'll have no problem. If they give you a hard time, look elsewhere. Ideally, if it's a late-model Mac, you'll want to get one with AC+ so you're protected against any unseen defects.

 

[ryubyss]

But if you're buying used to get a serious discount, your best bet is probably to buy locally on Craig's List (if you're in the US), or something equivalent. Of the 5 Macs I've had, four were new and one was bought used on Craig's List (for about half of what it was going for on the refurb store, even though it was in mint condition and came with AC+), and they've all been great. The way to do it is to tell the seller you're serious, negotiate a price on the phone (so the seller knows they're not wasting their time), and tell them you'll need about 20 minutes to do an inspection and run some tests (you'll want to download the aftermarket apps they mention onto a USB stick):

I have only ever bought Macs used and via Craisgslst up until now. thank you for the advice and the links. with that said, coincidentally, I went to eBay and found a cheap 2020 M1 MacBook with AppleCare+ expiring in August 2025, so I went for it. the seller had prior sales, so I took a chance and went for it.

to make it clear, though, I did not go for the MacBook with the scuff marks.

sincerely, though, thank you for that information! you can all feel schadenfreude if this turns out a disaster for me!

 

[HDFan]

I avoid Craigslist after a rather bad experience. At least with ebay you have some protections.

 

[okkibs]

For AC+ you need functionality impaired, otherwise customers would exchange their devices with good-as-new refurbs anytime they drop their device and don't like the scratches.

Make sure the seller transfers AC+ ownership to you, they will be required to contact Apple and give them your name, e-mail address and I think the phone number to do the transfer. Automatically renewing monthly/yearly plans cannot transfer, and no plan can transfer across countries. If the owner cannot or does not transfer the plan to you Apple is not obligated to fulfill any AC+ repairs/requests and can deny them if you cannot prove that you are the owner. So if you request AC+ repair and they get in contact with the owner on file, you are relying on them to pick up their phone and confirm it with Apple.

Also, if not transferred the previous owner can cancel AC+ for a partial refund at any point in time without your consent or knowledge.

Some people accept that and assume that the seller will be available later if necessary, just pointing out that legally unless transferred it's not your AC+ coverage and you are not entitled to it.

 

[ryubyss]

@okkibs: thanks for the info. it does give the stated AC+ date in "About My Mac" and I haven't had any trouble with getting secondhand Macs serviced before. perhaps I have just had good luck? at any rate, the next time I buy a secondhand Mac (and I always get them secondhand... have never bought a new one) I will make sure that they do that.

@HDFan: they can bypass those protections with eBay, though. at any rate, I've had pretty good luck with both Craigslist and eBay. up until now I have only used Craigslist with Mac purchases. I do think that the last MacBook I got via Craigslist (the one I had before the current tone) I had had a nonfunctional Touch ID, though. I had them replace the logic board and keyboard and when I got it back, the Touch ID still didn't work. perhaps a software issue? at any rate, they did (in theory) take care of it from a hardware end but Touch ID still didn't work on it.

honestly, I thought it had to do with me, but now that I have this new MacBook I've had no trouble.