Johnny9938
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: macbook bought on eBay

Hi!

I bought a 12'' new macbook from a trusted seller on eBay. When i got the package i saw a completely white box with no caption on it at all. the only thing was on the back of the box and it was the serial number sticker. also the power adapter wasn't wrapped in nylon as it should be.

then i checked the battery cycle counts and it was 7 which is usually above the normal. i talked to the seller and here is their response:

 

"Please note the unit is 100% guaranteed NEW, we buy them as new and we sell them as new, this are purchased through major distribution center which they deal directly with APPLE and they purchase in bulk quantity and sold in the market through resellers like us, the price is offered $300 less than what you find in store because of the box they come in which is bulk pack, that is how distributor receives lower price from manufacturer and therefore we get the option to buy it low and sell to users at special price. Please do not turn on the unit or used it for any return, make sure you have it packed in the same condition will be sending a label for return."

What do you think? is there is any chance the macbook isn't new and\or refurbished?

 

IMG_5913.JPGIMG_5911.JPG

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 2, 2016 10:15 AM

Close
Johnny9938

Q: macbook bought on eBay

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine May 2, 2016 10:18 AM in response to Johnny9938
    Level 7 (25,823 points)
    iCloud
    May 2, 2016 10:18 AM in response to Johnny9938

    It looks like a ripoff. Apple only provides its products to be sold through Apple Stores and through Authorized Apple Resellers. There is no "Distribution Center" that sells new Apple equipment to someone on eBay.

     

    Also, take a look at the syntax in the description. This is not an English speaker....

     

    Best of luck,

     

    GB

  • by Tech198,

    Tech198 Tech198 May 2, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Johnny9938
    Level 1 (48 points)
    Apple Pay
    May 2, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Johnny9938

    I dunno about a rip off...  Apple wouldn't charge $300 off the price, *but* this laptop is not new...

     

    You said the cycle count on the battery was 7....  so its used (charged and discharged)

     

    Plus u can't gauge on the "distribution center" part... That's how allot of ebay sellers do business, for bulk buying and i wouldn't call that a rip off...

     

    But the laptop is "like new" .. when branded on ebay "new" that doesn't mean its not been open or even used.... That is a difference.

     

    However if everything works as expected, and no issues, then i would keep it personally....  But if Apple users have that feeling as never buy of ebay because of this and that they do not understand ebays conditions, then buy from Apple..

     

    I would go either way,,   but $300 off a Mac is not a rip off......  its below what Apple would charge because its used *and that's expected*

     

    Now, i wouldn't just buy a Mac of ebay, but its personal choice.

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine May 2, 2016 10:47 AM in response to Tech198
    Level 7 (25,823 points)
    iCloud
    May 2, 2016 10:47 AM in response to Tech198

    It is not new and it is not from Apple as the paragraph from the seller claims. I would call that a ripoff, since the information is patently false....

     

    GB