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Did amazon send me a previously returned macbook?

P

PDE

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 16, 2005
2,484
18
I just received a macbook I ordered from amazon for my sister's birthday. I noticed that there were two layers of tape on both the outside brown box and also on the actual computer box itself. When I looked closely I saw that the piece of tape that had been covered was clearly cut open and then covered with new tape of the same size and shape.

What should I do? I can't believe that Amazon would send me an opened item as new, but that's what it looks like to me. Is there any possibility that Apple could have opened this to add or change something in the box at the last moment? the date sticker on the box (factor ship date?) is 07/03/28. Am I just being paranoid? I've never had any problems with amazon before.

Any advice appreciated - thanks.
 
Well, a user account on the machine when you boot it up would be one indication...;)

Check Applecare to see if the serial has already been registered.

Look for the cables to be neatly wrapped with tight twist ties on them, and for the AC adaptor and any accessories to be bagged or clingwrapped. Take photos of you unboxing it, if you are concerned.

It is not legal to sell a used product as new without disclosing the fact.
 
CanadaRAM said:
Well, a user account on the machine when you boot it up would be one indication...;)

Check Applecare to see if the serial has already been registered.

Look for the cables to be neatly wrapped with tight twist ties on them, and for the AC adaptor and any accessories to be bagged or clingwrapped. Take photos of you unboxing it, if you are concerned.

It is not legal to sell a used product as new without disclosing the fact.
Click to expand...

I didn't open it because of this, thinking that it would be easier to return and prove that it had been previously opened if I didn't cut the tape. I suppose that is not evidence, but just seemed like a good idea.

Maybe I should go ahead and, as you suggested, take pictures....
 
CanadaRAM said:
Well, a user account on the machine when you boot it up would be one indication...;)

Check Applecare to see if the serial has already been registered.

Look for the cables to be neatly wrapped with tight twist ties on them, and for the AC adaptor and any accessories to be bagged or clingwrapped. Take photos of you unboxing it, if you are concerned.

It is not legal to sell a used product as new without disclosing the fact.
Click to expand...

Good advice on every point. Look at the serial on the side of the box. Then, go to apple.com/support and towards the middle/bottom right of the page there is a place to enter your serial. Among other things, it will give you an approximate purchase date of your 'book. If it's off by 1-4 days, don't worry about it. But if its off +5 days, then make some calls. Photo-document the whole thing, and make sure that there is a layer of foam between the keyboard and display when its opened.

Oh, and there is a pretty easy way to return the computer to it's factory default status (i.e., you start it up and you get the OS X setup assistant.) so I'm not sure lack of a user means anything :)
 
NuDarwin said:
Good advice on every point. Look at the serial on the side of the box. Then, go to apple.com/support and towards the middle/bottom right of the page there is a place to enter your serial. Among other things, it will give you an approximate purchase date of your 'book. If it's off by 1-4 days, don't worry about it. But if its off +5 days, then make some calls. Photo-document the whole thing, and make sure that there is a layer of foam between the keyboard and display when its opened.

Oh, and there is a pretty easy way to return the computer to it's factory default status (i.e., you start it up and you get the OS X setup assistant.) so I'm not sure lack of a user means anything :)
Click to expand...

I entered the serial number and it says April 28 as the date of sale...which is obviously not right. I think I'll call apple and ask if it's been registered before. Hmmm, we'll see. Seems unlikely that Amazon could have received it from their distributer, sold it, received it back and resealed it when it only shipped from China to the distributer (and then amazon) on March 28, but maybe that is possible...
 
amazon has the best cs i know of. let them know and send it back...they'll accept it....i love amazons cs
 
jayeskreezy said:
amazon has the best cs i know of. let them know and send it back...they'll accept it....i love amazons cs
Click to expand...

I know! I buy all expensive items from them because they're so great. I sent them an email. I'm sure it's not a problem and I'm sure they'll pay return shipping too.

Thanks for the advice...
 
This happend with me, I orderd a PS3 for amazon UK, and when it arrived there was tape holding the PS3 box top part close. I thought it was a used one but then i thought about it and i think they just put that there so the box dosent open.
 
Nicolasdec said:
This happend with me, I orderd a PS3 for amazon UK, and when it arrived there was tape holding the PS3 box top part close. I thought it was a used one but then i thought about it and i think they just put that there so the box dosent open.
Click to expand...

With this one the tape underneath had been clearly cut open and that was the actual macbook box. the brown protective box also had two layers of tape....

I've decided to just send it back.
 
PDE said:
With this one the tape underneath had been clearly cut open and that was the actualy macbook box. the brown protective box had also two layers of tape....

I've decided to just send it back.
Click to expand...

good choice. just hope that the new one gets back for your sister's birthday!
 
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