To Engrave or Not Engrave?

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Level 1

5 points

To Engrave or Not Engrave?

When I received my iPad for Christmas, my husband had it engraved. I thought it was a nice, thoughtful touch. I'm getting him one for his 40th bday and I am having second thoughts on getting it engraved. Mainly because of what I read about it here:

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/26/apple-now-offering-ipad-engraving/

Has anyone got engraving done and had regrets? Or vice versa? I know it's a good way to show it belongs to you, but the link points out the negative aspects too.

Thanks

Posted on Mar 17, 2011 12:05 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

red555

Level 4

2,581 points

Mar 17, 2011 12:10 PM in response to trlyka

If you think he'll return it don't get it engraved. Personally, I doubt he will want to return it. Also, if I was going to buy a used iPad, engraving wouldn't stop me unless it was something really awful.

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Answer 2

trlyka Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 17, 2011 12:43 PM in response to red555

It would just be a little saying/quote on line one and 'Property of NAME' on line two. So it would have his name on it. I would assume if he would ever give it up, it would go to someone in the family.

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Answer 3

rimshaker

Level 3

520 points

Mar 17, 2011 1:06 PM in response to trlyka

I know it's the thought that counts but... personally i wouldnt be permanently engraving names on "new" tech toys... they get obsolete too quick.

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Answer 4

WBmacUser

Level 2

164 points

Mar 17, 2011 1:52 PM in response to trlyka

It "may" hurt the resale value if you ever plan on selling it on eBay. I skipped the engraving for that reason, but if you think you'll always hold onto it, then go for it.

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Answer 5

red555

Level 4

2,581 points

Mar 17, 2011 2:01 PM in response to trlyka

I'd say go for it. If it goes to a family member, they will always remember where it came from.

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Answer 6

Mar 17, 2011 2:37 PM in response to trlyka

Go for it... Nobody sells a gift... especially a husband.... And 40 too

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Answer 7

pvonk

Level 6

13,851 points

Mar 17, 2011 2:38 PM in response to WBmacUser

Yes, my wife has just gone through that issue. She decided to sell a number of items on eBay, a few ipods among them. Since I have traditionally engraved the email address (in case it's lost and someone wished to return it), but now, she had to remove the engravings. From now on, I'm not engraving.

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Answer 8

Mar 17, 2011 3:05 PM in response to trlyka

For me, engraving positively impacts my user experience. I'm very glad I had my iPad 2 engraved.

As for resale, there's a market niche out there (raises hand!) who would buy a used (and engraved) item in a heartbeat if you just knock something off the price to compensate.

But then, I've never ever purchased an Apple product thinking about resale. Or had any problems selling one.

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Answer 9

trlyka Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 17, 2011 6:45 PM in response to Elizabeth Ingraham

Thanks for all the replies 🙂

I ended up canceling my original order and re-ordered a 64G with engraving. I figured I'd go all out this time. My iPad is the 16G model, so the new one will be that much better. The only downside is that the shipping wait time changed from 3-4 weeks to 4-5 weeks. Bummer!

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Answer 10

red555

Level 4

2,581 points

Mar 22, 2011 11:08 AM in response to trlyka

64gig iPad2.... Lucky guy.

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Answer 11

trlyka Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 22, 2011 12:16 PM in response to red555

Yeah. He is spoiled 😝

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Answer 12

thauxley

Level 1

65 points

Mar 24, 2011 9:09 AM in response to pvonk

pvonk wrote:
Yes, my wife has just gone through that issue. She decided to sell a number of items on eBay, a few ipods among them. Since I have traditionally engraved the email address (in case it's lost and someone wished to return it), but now, she had to remove the engravings. From now on, I'm not engraving.

Good point. I also opt for NOT engraving, unless the engraving is in the form of text graphics. For example, the only Apple device I've ever engraved was my iPod shuffle with the symbols:
\(^,^)/
which is an emoticon.

I think in that case, it's okay because there is no words attached and is just a "picture". Other than that, don't engrave. In any case, the font Apple has chosen for engraving is rather ugly.

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Answer 13

trlyka Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 24, 2011 10:27 AM in response to thauxley

It's all personal preference I guess. I asked him if he wanted because we had plenty of time to change things and he said yes. So we're getting it engraved. It's likely going to have a cover on it anyway.......

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Answer 14

Feb 1, 2013 9:26 AM in response to trlyka

"Please don't steal me!" I engraved. Not too personal if I should sell it one time.

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