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Is a refurbished Alu imac 24" a good buy?

P

ps3hacker

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 20, 2007
5
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After considerable reading, I'm thinking of buying the refurbished 24" Alu imac from Apple online. I've read that maybe the refurbished models are better than new ones because they go through extra quality scrutiny.

But do you think the refurbished models would likely be the ones returned to apple because of the gradient display problems? And if Apple does *not* think it's a problem, I'm afraid that they won't do anything to fix it but try to pass it off to an unsuspecting customer.

Has anyone bought a refurbished Alu Imac 24", and how was the display?

My PC died so I thought it's time I make the jump to a Mac. I thought this was a slam dunk but the imac display issue is making me think this out much more than I like.

Thanks.
 
Apple refurbs are always a good buy - and, in my experience, tend to be less likely to have problems.

I'm staring at a refurb 24" iMac right now (at work - we bought a couple of iMacs recently) it's a beautiful machine =]
 
Refurbished Macs are the only way to go.

They have been checked over by Apple and come with the same warranty for less cost...the only thing you don't get in the new white box...not a big deal to me.
 
Have purchased several refurbs from Apple

ps3hacker said:
After considerable reading, I'm thinking of buying the refurbished 24" Alu imac from Apple online. I've read that maybe the refurbished models are better than new ones because they go through extra quality scrutiny.

But do you think the refurbished models would likely be the ones returned to apple because of the gradient display problems? And if Apple does *not* think it's a problem, I'm afraid that they won't do anything to fix it but try to pass it off to an unsuspecting customer.

Has anyone bought a refurbished Alu Imac 24", and how was the display?

My PC died so I thought it's time I make the jump to a Mac. I thought this was a slam dunk but the imac display issue is making me think this out much more than I like.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

2-iBooks, and 1-PowerBook, NO issues whatsoever. "Passing off" issues to an unsuspecting customer is your opinion only, this is not an Apple practice and besides there is enough info online for any 'unsuspecting customer' to research, and besides this is against the law in most states, just as reselling returned goods as new!

You will be very very happy with your refurbished iMac.
 
You can buy a factory sealed iMac on ebay for the same price... seems like a waste to spend the same amount on a used iMac...
 
je1ani said:
You can buy a factory sealed iMac on ebay for the same price... seems like a waste to spend the same amount on a used iMac...
Click to expand...

1) Some of us don't trust ebay.
2) A factory-sealed iMac is more likely to come with some defect than a refurb iMac that's been looked over. Not worth the risk to get a DOA "factory sealed" unless you buy it directly from Apple.
 
I'd really be interested to get some feedback from someone thats bought a refurbished alu iMac. They have just shown up on the UK store and its very tempting to just buy one. However I'm so worried its almost guaranteed to have the gradient issue, as I guess its maybe the most common complaint against them.

I bought my MacBook from the refurbished store and was very impressed with it, so it feels like the most sensible option if they really do class the gradient as a problem.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
1) Some of us don't trust ebay.
2) A factory-sealed iMac is more likely to come with some defect than a refurb iMac that's been looked over. Not worth the risk to get a DOA "factory sealed" unless you buy it directly from Apple.
Click to expand...

1) That's why you check feedback. If you use a credit card with paypal you have 1000% protection becasue you will win a chargeback no matter what..
2) DOA Factory sealed? LOL again refer to point number 1

A refurb has a higher chance of being scratched or some light cosmetic damage which they won't replace and anything that goes wrong you will assume it's because it's a refurb as opposed to the peace of mind knowing its factory sealed.
 
Thanks for the endorsement on refurbed products. I believe in their value and
quality.

My only concern is with the possible gradient display issue with the 24" Alu imac since it is somewhat subjective.

Supposed I get one with the problem, how easily is it to get an exchange from Apple. I hear that Apple is good with exchanges but does this also apply to refurbed imacs?

Has anyone had any experiences getting an exchange for refurbed items?

Thanks again.
 
je1ani said:
1) That's why you check feedback. If you use a credit card with paypal you have 1000% protection becasue you will win a chargeback no matter what..
2) DOA Factory sealed? LOL again refer to point number 1
.
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough, you can use that same card at the Apple refurb store. Plus, Apple has a return policy. If you do happen to buy a refurb, and it has a problem, feel free to make use of the return policy that is faster and simpler than chargeback policies on credit cards.

Also, 1000% doesn't add up very well. Unless you are claiming Visa or AmEx will pay you back $20,000 for a problem with a $2000 iMac. I'm thinking....no.

Personally, I've bought many things on Ebay, and with Paypal. But in this case the refurb store is a safer, better buy. I've bought 3 things there, all indistinguishable from brand new. (except for the box color) And with computers sometimes you get freebies. Extra RAM or something.
 
JAT said:
Personally, I've bought many things on Ebay, and with Paypal. But in this case the refurb store is a safer, better buy. I've bought 3 things there, all indistinguishable from brand new. (except for the box color)
Click to expand...

I wouldn't spend too much time trying to convince the doubters, since that means more choices and great deals for the rest of us :D

--Chris
 
"A factory-sealed iMac is more likely to come with some defect than a refurb iMac that's been looked over. Not worth the risk to get a DOA "factory sealed" unless you buy it directly from Apple."

Keep in mind that you're looking at a "one in N" chance of getting a sealed defective machine, and N is a HUGE number. And maybe "one in a little more than N" chance of getting a defective refurb.

Kind of like eBay/PayPal. Very, very few problems... communicated far and wide.
 
Refurbished Imac

I agree with others....a refurb Imac would probably be subjected to more scrutiny than those coming from China. Although, I just picked up my 24" Al 2.8 ghz today from the Apple store and it is perfect. During my 14 day return period, I exchanged my original 24" Al 2.4 ghz for the 2.8 ghz w/500 gig hard drive. Like many others on this forum, I suspect there are more folks posting issues than those that are completely content with their purchase. It appears the pricing for the refurb units is attractive and since these are probably return units, I suspect Apple has put forth extra efforts to make sure they ship with no issues.

24" Al 2.8 ghz
 
I finally put in the order for a refurbed 24" Alu 2.4GHz!
Will have to wait for 2-3 weeks. I'll use the time to read up
and prep myself for the "conversion" :D

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
 
ps3hacker said:
I finally put in the order for a refurbed 24" Alu 2.4GHz!
Will have to wait for 2-3 weeks. I'll use the time to read up
and prep myself for the "conversion" :D

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Click to expand...

That's great news! Please post back here with a review of your refurbished iMac.
 
WhiteNoiseMaker said:
That's great news! Please post back here with a review of your refurbished iMac.
Click to expand...

My refurbed 24" Alu arrived today, 5 days after ordering and 2-3 weeks before the original quoted date. So it was a pleasant surprise to get it so quickly.

Everything in the plain cardboard box was as noted by most people who have bought refurbed imacs. Everything looks (and smells) brand new.

The setup was quick and easy, and got it up and surfing the web within 15 minutes. This was my first set up with a mac and I'm impressed with the out of the box experience.

My only concern with the Alu imac was the potential gradient screen problem. So far, I see no issues with the screen. It is simply a beautiful monitor.

Even with the limited testing so far, I have to say I'm a very satisfied customer. I wonder why I waited this long to get mac ...
 
lucky you...congrats on ur new buy...isnt it the best thing u ever bought?

I ordered a refurbed macbook pro in June n unlike the stories above, I took it out, turned it on and immediately wondered where the start up sound was..

Someone please explain to me how a macbook pro passed all of there so called "quality testings" without ever having any sound? I took it into the genius bar where they "officially" pronounced it DOA...sent it back to apple, got my money back, and waited till leopard came out...

Now I have a 24" newalu imac and I have to say, its the best thing I ever bought...

So congrats on getting a refurbished mac that worked...I still dont understand how something like sound wasnt detected...
 
ps3hacker said:
I'm a very satisfied customer. I wonder why I waited this long to get mac ...
Click to expand...

That's awesome. I myself am buying a refurbished 24" imac and im so excited to get it. Unfortunately because of an unexpected bill I have to wait til the begining of next month to get it. But I think it will be worth the wait :D

Everything would be better the Mac way :D
PC's =[
 
Dont worry, just upping my post count too!


this thread is more than a year old and much newer ones on the same subject have been made.
 
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