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Just bought black macbook and its out of date
- Thread starter enigma373
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Even if your Macbook came with 1024mb of shared memory, it is still ****.
Sorry, that just has to be said. Boohoo. Sad for you not to do like, erm, basic research before you buy something.
Sorry, that just has to be said. Boohoo. Sad for you not to do like, erm, basic research before you buy something.
You do realize that the student was ripping Apple off by buying a MacBook at a student price just for the purpose of selling it for profit? Apple products sold to students at a discount are intended for personal use only, not for resale.
"I disagree entirely. The college student he spoke with told him it was a brand new machine. It clearly isn't if the CPU is 2.16. I say he takes it back to the "nice" girl and get his money back.
As far as I see it, there are two possibilities:
1. She intentionally sold the OP a previous gen notebook to make more money, or
2. She is ignorant and bought a previous gen notebook thinking it is a current gen, in which case she doesn't deserve as much money as the OP gave her."
Uh... no. That's pretty paranoid.
More likely, she walked in and bought it, or her parents did. It absolutely was brand new, sealed, new. Not used. I'm sure she didn't know to ask "Is this the latest most current model? Tell me about the VRAM.". We can still buy brand-new 2006 cars (OK, maybe they are gone by now... but there are brand-new 2007's parked next to the brand-new 2008's, and both are brand-new when sold.).
The OP didn't do the obvious... look at the clearly printed part number on the box and find out what he was buying. Really lame to try to foist that off on the honest girl or the honest store, let alone calling her and the store liars or ignorant when (sorry to say) it was the OP's responsibility to glance at the box and see what was being sold.
OP made a mistake and won't make it again. Good decisions come from experience, experience comes from bad decisions.
As far as I see it, there are two possibilities:
1. She intentionally sold the OP a previous gen notebook to make more money, or
2. She is ignorant and bought a previous gen notebook thinking it is a current gen, in which case she doesn't deserve as much money as the OP gave her."
Uh... no. That's pretty paranoid.
More likely, she walked in and bought it, or her parents did. It absolutely was brand new, sealed, new. Not used. I'm sure she didn't know to ask "Is this the latest most current model? Tell me about the VRAM.". We can still buy brand-new 2006 cars (OK, maybe they are gone by now... but there are brand-new 2007's parked next to the brand-new 2008's, and both are brand-new when sold.).
The OP didn't do the obvious... look at the clearly printed part number on the box and find out what he was buying. Really lame to try to foist that off on the honest girl or the honest store, let alone calling her and the store liars or ignorant when (sorry to say) it was the OP's responsibility to glance at the box and see what was being sold.
OP made a mistake and won't make it again. Good decisions come from experience, experience comes from bad decisions.
If you're going to quote me, at least have the audacity to do it!
Now, as to your point:
I don't see any paranoia. I'm simply putting forth two possibilities, one of which must be true. I'm not implying that the OP ought to call in the BBB or something!
The question of whether or not the store (student store or Apple Store, but I believe this seller bought hers from a student store on a college campus) provided the wrong package to the student isn't really relevant to the OP. The fact is, this "nice" girl attempted to pass on the computer as a "brand new" machine when in fact it was not. If she was going to try to sell something, the least she could have done is verify its edition and make to those sold as "new" by Apple. Remember, we live in the age of caveat venditor.
Yes, this was the OP's mistake. He should have done this before handing over any money. However, it doesn't alleviate the burden in anyway on the girl.
You can vouch for the honesty of this store? That intrigues me. How can you do so?
Yes, he's probably (hopefully) learned a valuable lesson from all this, but it should have been unnecessary. A little more prudence would have gone a long way in this case I think.
To sum up:
1. Either the "nice" girl was lying about the make/model of the macbook, or
2. The store she bought it from sold it to her incorrectly (either through mislabeling or other inventory error) and the girl didn't bother to check up on her own purchase, which makes it her ignorance. She could have checked the UPC as easily as the OP could have (and in her case it was a requirement on her end if she wished to sell said item).
Check your math.
The OP stated that the original purchase receipt for his BlackBook was $1300 plus tax. That's about $200 less than a "brand new" BlackBook. My guess is that it reflects both an education discount (which is normally $100 for this machine), plus a $100 old stock discount.
Also, the girl laid everything out in front of the buyer for him to see.
No shadiness here. No need for the overanalysis and pedantry.
I don't think the girl who sold the machine is at fault, I think that the OP should have asked to boot the machine up and check things out before he gave her the cash. In the end if he paid $1000 he didn't get a bad deal and if I was him I would turn around and sell the machine for around $1200 I am sure he could make the profit and then get a new SR MacBook.
If you're going to quote me, at least have the audacity to do it!
Way too much work to type in tags. They have this " symbol that is universally recognized as quoting someone.
"Now, as to your point:
I don't see any paranoia."
If you saw it... oh never mind!!!
"I'm simply putting forth two possibilities, one of which must be true."
Ah... no. Two possibilities, both of which can be true or false, with third through N possibilities unstated. In this case... likely both that you present are false since they defy common sense.
"The fact is, this "nice" girl attempted to pass on the computer as a "brand new" machine when in fact it was not. "
Words mean things. The machine was brand-new, not previously owned. There is not a "Mac Fanatic" special definition of the word "brand new" that causes a machine to become old when Jobs opens his mouth at a keynote.
"Yes, this was the OP's mistake."
We can move on!
"She could have checked the UPC as easily as the OP could have (and in her case it was a requirement on her end if she wished to sell said item)."
Again, words mean things. This is not a requirement. A Craiglist post of "Brand new black macbook never opened $1,000 have receipt" says EVERY she is required to say.
"caveat venditor" can roughly translate to "It must be someone else's fault not mine!". It's a horrible way to live your life. OP can be the guy who always blames the girl, the store, her parents, others on this forum for not warning him, Craigslist for not having a UPC verifier, etc., etc. or he can accept the responsibility for his minor mistake.
One builds character. The other builds dependency.
Once you understand that the machine was brand new, this is moot. Until you understand that, you've just got to keep reading.
Very well put IMO
I think the OP is fortunate have gotten the previous generation macbook for $1000. Using Craigslist to shop when you don't know what you want to buy is a recipe for disaster
Agree with the posts above mine. Getting a 2.16 blackbook for $1000 is a deal -- particularly when Apple is still selling these for $1250 on their website. There's virtually nothing the SR books can do that the 2.16 can't, and it sounds as if the only reason the OP is complaining is because he didn't get The Latest Thing. That's no way to be happy. Either sell the machine or use it; there are plenty of people who'd readily pay more for a working 2.16.
He should have confirmed what the specifications were so that he knew he was getting the latest ones. Thats what I did when I bought mine.
Check your math.
The OP stated that the original purchase receipt for his BlackBook was $1300 plus tax. That's about $200 less than a "brand new" BlackBook. My guess is that it reflects both an education discount (which is normally $100 for this machine), plus a $100 old stock discount.
Also, the girl laid everything out in front of the buyer for him to see.
No shadiness here. No need for the overanalysis and pedantry.
The EDU discount from Apple is usually $1400 on a new Blackbook, but since this was a uni store, the pricing could easily have been $100 below this for no other reason than it's what the uni charges its students.
However, the interesting note is the date: 12/11/07. Since the girl did buy it on that date, there are only two things I can think of:
1. She knowingly bought an old stock machine and put it up on Craigslist as "brand new." Considering the fact that the OP had to see the ad after 12/11, I think any normal person would have assumed it was going to be an SR macbook.
2. The student store mislabled the macbook, and the regular Blackbook's pricing is indeed $1300 for that school's students. If so, this girl failed to read the UPC (just as the OP did) and then sold it as "new" without verifying the facts.
Yes, but you're normally required to cite your source.
I'd like a common sense explanation that doesn't fit the two hypotheticals I've already presented.
Ok, we are disagreeing over the definition of "new" in this case. I think that if you are selling any electronic, "new" not only means "unopened" but also alludes to the latest edition/version of the product. "New" usually does refer to items that have been relatively recently introduced or haven't had much time to "age" as it were. You wouldn't describe a 6 month-old, unopened loaf of bread as "new" would you?
Perhaps it's not a requirement on Craigslist, but on the whole, sellers are required to post the exact specifications of their products. Even in MR's own marketplace, you must state the make of your machine. It's a common courtesy and uses "common sense" which you seem fond of.
Remember, I'm not saying that we ought to call in the authorities and have this girl arrested or something. My point is that she didn't do a good job of representing what she actually possessed.
No, it means that people shouldn't attempt to defraud you (not saying this girl did, before you accuse me of that!
). Consumers can't be expected to research every possible fact for every possible product. However, because the seller is expected to know the limitations of his/her product, we can place responsibility on the seller to ensure that certain things are as they seem, and correct labeling is certainly one of those. I don't want to go into a discussion about whether or not you think caveat venditor is a good idea or not (or how it relates to character building, because you'll find I do agree with you in certain areas), but I do blame both the OP and this girl. Both could have done something to verify the product. However, my natural inclination is to blame the girl more because she was selling the product. It's bad when a customer doesn't know what they're buying, it's even worse when the seller doesn't know what they're selling!
There really isn't anything to "understand" here because dictionary definitions will not spell this out one way or another. This is a personal perception, and we'll likely never agree, so I think it's best if we move on.
Yes, it's what he should have done, but she should have also done it. Blame needn't be exclusively on one party.
Calboy said:
Then by all means, provide us with the price list from the university in question. You are, afterall, making the accusation that there is some sort of wrongdoing.
Calboy said:
You've already been given one. The edu discount for the BlackBook is $100. Since the OP's receipt says $1300, the most reasonable explanation is that it included the edu discount, plus a further $100 discount because it was a previous model revision.
That's a perfectly reasonable explanation. But for some reason, you continue to make accusations of wrongdoing without anything to back it up.
I read this forum everyday religiously and have never even registered until now because of this thread! Come on people....to me and 90% of people think that "brand new" is brand new still in the box unopened! It doesn't matter if it is two month old or out of date! Go look at your "brand new" Sony LCD's or other electronics you purchase at Best Buy. Do most people know to look at the manufactured date on the back of the tv???? Of course not! All they know is they bought a brand new tv! I am very analytical person myself but to set around and come up with all of the conspiracy theories against the girl that sold the computer is freaking ridiculous!
He still got an amazing deal....just look on Craigslist here in Nashville! I personally agree that he should return it to the store, go to Apple and try, or whatever but only because I am a tech geek and love to have the latest of anything. Plus the new Macbooks have much better specs. I built PC's for the last twelve years and I upgraded my personal computer every six months but only because of the geek part in me. I never NEEDED the upgrades but I just wanted to because it kept my OCD brain occupied! I say this and I am typing it out on my Powerbook G4 12" 1.5 ghz but I am still waiting for another 12" before I upgrade.
It just amazes me at how many people judge other peoples' characters by something they read! Have you ever tried to understand someone's sarcasm or sincerity through a text message? I have and it doesn't work so why would it work when you're just reading text on a forum??? Let OP enjoy his Macbook or get himself a new one. They are both great computers!
He still got an amazing deal....just look on Craigslist here in Nashville! I personally agree that he should return it to the store, go to Apple and try, or whatever but only because I am a tech geek and love to have the latest of anything. Plus the new Macbooks have much better specs. I built PC's for the last twelve years and I upgraded my personal computer every six months but only because of the geek part in me. I never NEEDED the upgrades but I just wanted to because it kept my OCD brain occupied! I say this and I am typing it out on my Powerbook G4 12" 1.5 ghz but I am still waiting for another 12" before I upgrade.
It just amazes me at how many people judge other peoples' characters by something they read! Have you ever tried to understand someone's sarcasm or sincerity through a text message? I have and it doesn't work so why would it work when you're just reading text on a forum??? Let OP enjoy his Macbook or get himself a new one. They are both great computers!
I don't know the university in question, and you know that was directed at quotations.
From Apple, but many universities offer special pricing if you buy through their store.
I'm not questioning the nature of the original purchase, I'm questioning the "nice" girl's intent. She bought a machine, didn't open it, and then sold it online while leaving out the most critical details (make/version?). Like I said, either she was ignorant about the macbook (which I think is the winning theory) or she intended to leave that info out.
How many college students bother to buy computers only to turn around and sell them? I honestly believe her sole goal was to sell the notebook. What I can't figure out is why she did it. She didn't use it, bought it very recently, and took a loss on it? Something doesn't smell kosher.
That's a perfectly reasonable explanation. But for some reason, you continue to make accusations of wrongdoing without anything to back it up.
It isn't a very reasonable explanation. Something isn't fitting correctly in this story.
In either case, I'm done with this topic because there's no point in arguing about something that's already come to pass.
OP, enjoy your macbook!
Something's fishy here. Does the part number/serial number listed on the receipt match the part number/serial number listed in About This Mac?
Does the price on the receipt match the current retail price of the newer MacBook or match the price of a refurb/overstock?
--Chris
99% of people don't study computers or anything else for that matter so why blame her for being a human even if she was trying to prosper on profit oriented decision? Does anyone want to speculate on her life's circumstances while you're at it? Again, very sad that people have nothing better to do. Use your intellects for writing programs or something besides this! Yes I know it is a "rumor" forum but I think that is meant for Apple's innovations!
Everyone is NOT out to get you! Leave your paranoia behind and hum goooossss fraaabbbba!
So Calboy, if this "nice" girl did intend to make a profit on a purchase what makes her any different than any other entrepreneurial person of the U.S.? The fact is that the she did NOT make any profit but lost money. Where's the theory in that? She experienced her first loss in the economy?
AGAIN!!!!....good God people get this please....in our economy brand new is an item unopened!!!!! Who the freak is geeky enough to go scan a barcode label to be sure it is the latest item? That's pathetic and it's even more pathetic to attack a person's character because they weren't as much of a a geek as you to read the serial number on a barcode!!!! I personally would and I know everything about everything I purchase and many things that I don't but I am the exception to the rule of the typical consumer.
Everyone is NOT out to get you! Leave your paranoia behind and hum goooossss fraaabbbba!
So Calboy, if this "nice" girl did intend to make a profit on a purchase what makes her any different than any other entrepreneurial person of the U.S.? The fact is that the she did NOT make any profit but lost money. Where's the theory in that? She experienced her first loss in the economy?
AGAIN!!!!....good God people get this please....in our economy brand new is an item unopened!!!!! Who the freak is geeky enough to go scan a barcode label to be sure it is the latest item? That's pathetic and it's even more pathetic to attack a person's character because they weren't as much of a a geek as you to read the serial number on a barcode!!!! I personally would and I know everything about everything I purchase and many things that I don't but I am the exception to the rule of the typical consumer.
There's nothing geeky about verifying that a very expensive product you are purchasing on Craigslist is indeed the product you believe it to be. That's just sensible.
There's also nothing paranoid about checking the serial number of a very expensive product that you buy from a non-retail source to ensure that it hasn't been stolen/reported damaged/etc because if you end up with a stolen computer, NO ONE reimburses you, not even insurers. In most cases you lose the item and the money, period, end of story.
I don't believe this is the case here, but either way it's fiscally smart (not geeky) to check these things.
--Chris
Probably far higher than that, but when you are looking to lay off some of the responsibility for your mistake, definitions get very squishy! It IS a character thing, you see it in children.
"Did you put away your bike?" "You didn't remind me to put away my bike!".
Note that the child is disclaiming full responsibility.
Similarly:
"If video ram or specific part number is important to you, did you ask for the video ram or part number?" "No! She should have said 'Now I must tell you that this part number A7834A/1 and it has been replaced by A7835A/3 which has twice the video ram. As an education major, I know that this means that the performance on graphics-intensive programs won't be as good as the newest model. And when I said this was brand-new in a sealed box, don't misunderstand and think that I meant that Apple still ships this model. I meant that THIS laptop is brand-new, never used, and in a sealed box. I used the common U.S. commerce definitions of 'brand-new' and 'sealed box', I am unfamiliar with the specific internet forum definitions of 'brand-new' meaning 'the model Apple would ship tomorrow if they shipped another one' and 'sealed box' meaning uh... 'sealed box'." It's her fault!!! And she confused me by providing the receipt, that caused me to not look at the part number on the receipt, the part number on the box, the description on the box, etc.! Providing so much documentation was actually part of her deception! Like a EULA, who reads these things? She's like a combination of Bill Gates and Patti Hearst! Did I mention she had on a low-cut blouse at the time, that ain't right! It's people like her who let the RIAA run rampant on our music! Attica! Attica! Attica!"
Someone else ALWAYS should have a minor or major portion of the blame.
(Most grow out of the need to shift the blame, thankfully!)
I'm not going to address the rest of the post because I've grown tired of this whole argument (and I remain suspicious-something is amiss, precisely because the girl "lost" money). However, you needn't scan the UPC in order to know what computer you've got. I can tell you've never paid attention to this, but the labeling on the box clearly tells you the CPU speed of the computer. That's usually how you can discern between the various makes.
Instead of accusing a girl that actually sold a brand new macbook you should ask yourself how stupid you are for not checking what you bought.
She lost $$ on that sale so I do not see a conspiracy over here and trying to say there is one - somebody here has got to be retarded.
When will people stop blaming others for their own lack of knowledge and stupidity??
She lost $$ on that sale so I do not see a conspiracy over here and trying to say there is one - somebody here has got to be retarded.
When will people stop blaming others for their own lack of knowledge and stupidity??
I don't think the purchaser ever made such an accusation -- it was some other people in the thread, including myself, wondering why she would sell the notebook at such a loss, "new in box," only a few weeks after purchasing it.
This suspicion somehow got translated into character judgment, personal responsibility, whatever... which is unfortunate because it has nothing to do with the question posed.
The question remains: why did the girl sell the notebook at such a loss so quickly after buying it without ever removing it from the box? Maybe she had a sick aunt and needed a quick fundraiser, who knows? Maybe she's a perfect angel doing a public Craigslist service, or a perfect demon trying to rip off the world, who knows? The point is, the question still remains!
And the second part of the question, of course: does the part number/serial on the box match that on the receipt? Perhaps there was a simple mistake somewhere along the line, perhaps the OP simply didn't read the details on the box, but the questions still remain.
--Chris
If she was past the 14-day return limit, she wouldn't have been able to take it back without a 15% restocking fee. Do the math--for a $1500 (before taxes) laptop, that's a $275 fee (before taxes). She might have thought she'd have a better chance of recovering her money through Craigslist. As for why she'd return it at all? Buyer's remorse, need for cash, change of mind...the possibilities are endless. What's clear is that the only we she'd have a hope of getting her money back without going through Apple would be by selling it to someone else, which is what she did. If she wasn't past the 14-day limit, she might not have been aware of it (not many people are, to be honest), which could also have driven her to explore other options. At any rate, the deed is done. Time to move on, no?