Nice to hear about positive experiences with the refurbs. As iamthedudeman has said, there should be technically fewer (if any) issues with the refurbs since each one needs to be tested, rather than the small sample that gets tested on the assembly line. Anyone had bad experiences with refurbs?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Late 2009 iMac refurb's - info on refurb process!
- Thread starter MJD Dawg
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Nice to hear about positive experiences with the refurbs. As iamthedudeman has said, there should be technically fewer (if any) issues with the refurbs since each one needs to be tested, rather than the small sample that gets tested on the assembly line. Anyone had bad experiences with refurbs?
I too picked up a refurb 24" when the new ones came out. I went for the 8800GS prior model (less money), perhaps I should have spent the extra $200 for the GT130 model. I might've received a nice surprise!
I'll look for refurb 27" systems next fall and pass this 24" to my wife.
Cheers,
It's all about customer service, and keeping you happy. When that happens they keep you as a customer.
The main reason for the rigorous testing of the refurbs is that is usually what you get when you hand in your computer for a replacement. That is on purpose. They don't want you to have another bad experience and want to make sure you're happy. The experience has to be as smooth as possible.
If you get another bad computer when you just handed the brand new one you just bought two months ago, you're not going to be a happy camper, and Apple knows this.
What is sad is a lot of companies don't.
I missed the 21.5 with the bigger hard drive and ATI card. When one comes available i am going to snap one up.
I'm leaning that way too, but still worried about spending good coin on a "used" computer. I still can't find any info verifying that refurbs have brand new housings, keyboards & mice. Apple's web site only talks to the thorough testing they do.
This is what I'm worried about. Sure they give refurbs a thorough once over, as they should, but are they testing for problems they have actually yet to acknowledge exist (yellow tinge, screen flicker, noisy hd...etc.)?
You can get new iMacs for a substantial discount from Mac Connection and other online outlets.
$1049 21.5 iMac from MacConnection. ASsume it will be $999 from the refurb store.
Refurb store charges tax for most. No tax MacConnection at least for most.
MacConnection involves a $100 rebate though.
Basically new from Macconnection for same price as refurb except you have to do a $100 rebate.
$1049 21.5 iMac from MacConnection. ASsume it will be $999 from the refurb store.
Refurb store charges tax for most. No tax MacConnection at least for most.
MacConnection involves a $100 rebate though.
Basically new from Macconnection for same price as refurb except you have to do a $100 rebate.
Am I missing something here? Where are the 21.5" and 27" new iMacs in the refurb store? Can't seem to find them.
Damn! How soon is soon enough? I'm planning on buying one either this weekend or early next week. Does anybody know how long it takes for items to return to the refurb store after selling out? Thanks!
EDIT: Also, can anyone tell me what the price of the standard 21.5" iMac was? Thanks again.
Much appreciated! Back to my first question, if the new iMacs were recently being sold in the refurb store, is there a good chance these iMacs will pop back up in the refurb store in next week or so?
I would imagine so. However, do expect them to be snatched up quite soon as well. Not many can resist the temptation of getting a good deal on these "thoroughly" tested machines.
I guess we won't know unless some of the people who buy these units post on the forums etc. I will be keeping a sharp eye out for these users in the next few weeks/months. I have been bitten, buying a new iMac and facing these issues, and seems the logical and more canny thing to do is: wait a while and buy refurbs.
Refurbished units...
Just wanted to say once again, both of the refurbished units I bought looked like and have acted like new computers. I went over them with a fine tooth comb when I received them. I could not even find any extra "erased" data on the hard drive. It was a very good experience. I even got the upgraded ATI card when I thought I was going to get the GT 130. It does happen every once and a while that you get "free" upgrades because they do not remove extra ram or graphics cards. They never "down-grade" you. I agree Apple stuff is a bit more expensive, but my experience has been great and saved me tons of time fixing things.
With regards to when new batches of refurbished units come online, I have had good luck in the early afternoon hours (PST). That is when I would check for a new batch.
Good luck on your new or refurbished purchases.
Just wanted to say once again, both of the refurbished units I bought looked like and have acted like new computers. I went over them with a fine tooth comb when I received them. I could not even find any extra "erased" data on the hard drive. It was a very good experience. I even got the upgraded ATI card when I thought I was going to get the GT 130. It does happen every once and a while that you get "free" upgrades because they do not remove extra ram or graphics cards. They never "down-grade" you. I agree Apple stuff is a bit more expensive, but my experience has been great and saved me tons of time fixing things.
With regards to when new batches of refurbished units come online, I have had good luck in the early afternoon hours (PST). That is when I would check for a new batch.
Good luck on your new or refurbished purchases.
Because it isn't to the average consumer; when you have stuff like breaking GPUs or hinges and complaints from the average consumers, is when Apple commits to the problem; otherwise it's all up to spec.
Don't forget Apple doesn't pay for the problems with the panels… the panel manufacturers do, so if Apple doesn't have enough evidence to get a replacement the manufacturers, hell they won't recognize it as a global issue.
I totally get your point. However, for the purposes of a refurb unit, if they aren't looking for it, they won't solve it, or perform QA on that aspect. Which is why I asked earlier, whether the refurb units would show the same screen symptoms. By the looks of it, they probably would.
Dang. Just had a look and their gone. Going to have to check back regularly and have my trigger finger ready on the mouse to try and get a hold of one. If it wasn't for my job getting in the way of my checking every 30 minutes, I'd have one by now!
It is not used. It is refurbished. Not the same. I am not lying to you nor do I have any reason too. I own and operate a marketing firm so I know more than a little of what companies do and do not do and how they market those products.
When you hand in your computer for a various problem, Apple gives you a refurb. Not a used computer. Nor do they give you a brand new one. For the reasons I stated.
Well if you don't want to take my word on it, just do a search on here verifying what I am saying here. And how many people have problems with refurbs on this site alone.
Or better yet, get one you can always return it. You have nothing to lose.
That should give you a bigger picture of what I am talking about.
All machines that are being refurbished go though the same checks regardless of what they were handed in for.
iamthedudeman, don't get me wrong. I'm in no way questioning you or thinking that you're lying. On the contrary, your posts have been very helpful as I'm now actually considering a refurb when I wasn't even thinking about one only a few days ago. I've just been trying to get as much info as possible in order to make an informed decision. Through your posts and others on this thread, I now have a better understanding of the refurb process.
I realize that refurb doesn't always equal used. I don't consider an imac that's been opened then returned for any of the various issues after a couple of weeks "used". So my mistake for using that term. But what about an imac that's been returned under AppleCare after one year of useage. Yes the problem component would swapped out, but every other component would remain if it passed their testing would it not? I'd classify the year old imac as "used" because of this. This isn't a bad thing since you do save $$$, and still get to buy AppleCare.
I found the following info on tuaw to be an interesting read on this issue:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/01/think-those-warranty-parts-are-new-think-again/
Cheers.
No problem.
And no offence taken. Yes you are correct. If every component passed their testing and they just replaced the one that did not and that happened to be the one that was handed in for. Yes the inside components would be a year old. The outside case is changed regardless, as is the mouse and keyboard.
But the factor you have to consider is that the computer that has some old parts are not actually old. Imacs are produced in batches. Thousands upon thousands at a time through out the year. So even in brand new machines after that model has been out a year, the parts are most likely as old as the one that was replaced in the refurbished mac. The only difference is that the one put in the refurb was actually checked.
You can buy a brand new imac in Dec that was produced in Jan.
Also you can have a brand new part that is actually newer than a part in a brand new mac since the brand new mac was produced in a batch over twelve months ago.
You can buy a brand new 24"inch imac today that was actually manufactured a year ago. Have a problem with it, and receive a refurb with parts newer than the "brand new' 24 inch imac that you just handed in.
It can go either way.
The main factor is that they(the parts) were actually tested, and working. Where a brand new one may have not. You are more likely to have problems with a brand new machine than with a refurb.
Also since the new model of macs just came out. The refurbs now will all have new parts. Probably newer than the new ones since there are not enough bad ones now to repair parts. The new ones were probably produced over six months ago.
The refurbs now of the new models are probably going to have all new parts, since they have not been on the market that long, and the existing parts are as old as the new ones on the shelf. So within the first six months of a new product release, such as the new imacs, you most likely will get the best of both worlds, a machine with all new parts, that was actually checked and rechecked. And cheaper to boot.
As with anything refurbished. As the model line gets older, the more used parts will go into that model. That is why it is best to get a refurb within the first six months of a products life cycle. Even though I see nothing wrong with a re-manufactured part. If you do have a problem with them, your best bet is to get a refurb within the first six months to guarantee all new parts in your machine.
If you get a refurb now of the new models, you will not have that problem.
No problem.
And no offence taken. Yes you are correct. If every component passed their testing and they just replaced the one that did not and that happened to be the one that was handed in for. Yes the inside components would be a year old. The outside case is changed regardless, as is the mouse and keyboard.
But the factor you have to consider is that the computer that has some old parts are not actually old. Imacs are produced in batches. Thousands upon thousands at a time through out the year. So even in brand new machines after that model has been out a year, the parts are most likely as old as the one that was replaced in the refurbished mac. The only difference is that the one put in the refurb was actually checked.
You can buy a brand new imac in Dec that was produced in Jan.
Also you can have a brand new part that is actually newer than a part in a brand new mac since the brand new mac was produced in a batch over twelve months ago.
You can buy a brand new 24"inch imac today that was actually manufactured a year ago. Have a problem with it, and receive a refurb with parts newer than the "brand new' 24 inch imac that you just handed in.
It can go either way.
The main factor is that they(the parts) were actually tested, and working. Where a brand new one may have not. You are more likely to have problems with a brand new machine than with a refurb.
Also since the new model of macs just came out. The refurbs now will all have new parts. Probably newer than the new ones since there are not enough bad ones now to repair parts. The new ones were probably produced over six months ago.
The refurbs now of the new models are probably going to have all new parts, since they have not been on the market that long, and the existing parts are as old as the new ones on the shelf. So within the first six months of a new product release, such as the new imacs, you most likely will get the best of both worlds, a machine with all new parts, that was actually checked and rechecked. And cheaper to boot.
As with anything refurbished. As the model line gets older, the more used parts will go into that model. That is why it is best to get a refurb within the first six months of a products life cycle. Even though I see nothing wrong with a re-manufactured part. If you do have a problem with them, your best bet is to get a refurb within the first six months to guarantee all new parts in your machine.
If you get a refurb now of the new models, you will not have that problem.