[Mac Buying Tip] BUY USED! I saved over $750 buying a very gently used 14" MBP with AppleCare+ until Fall 2024.

[izzy0242mr]

Just a brief plug for buying used Macs.

Obviously, do your research. If you buy something older or with noticeable damage, you'll get what you pay for. Personally, and hopefully I don't jinx myself, I have yet to have a bad experience buying a used Mac.

The same 14" base MBP with AppleCare+ for 3 years comes out to about $2700~ after tax. The same exact model (used, excellent condition, 14 power cycles on the battery) with AppleCare+ until Fall 2024 (so, a little over 2 years) was about $1915. That's a HUGE savings for what is essentially little to no drop in condition quality.

Again, do your due diligence, but you shouldn't be afraid to get something used just because it's not new. And if you buy from somewhere like Swappa, eBay, Amazon, you can inspect the computer and make sure it's exactly as described without hidden issues and return it if not.

Benefits:
a) Saves money
b) Faster (especially with supply-chain issues)
c) Better for the environment (reuse things rather than contributing to additional waste)

 

[Student of Life]

As long as you can find one with Apple care + it makes sense because you have a sense of security, that if something goes wrong you are covered by Apple. On the other hand to save a few bucks and get an item that doesn't have Apple care + just makes little sense to me.

 

[izzy0242mr]

As long as you can find one with Apple care + it makes sense because you have a sense of security, that if something goes wrong you are covered by Apple. On the other hand to save a few bucks and get an item that doesn't have Apple care + just makes little sense to me.

I have honestly never bought a Mac with AppleCare+ before. It seems like a really nice benefit, and the deal I found seems really good, but it'll be the first time I've gotten a Mac with AC+ and I've honestly never needed it before on any of my last 3 used Macs.

 

[cygy2k]

I have a 14" M1 Pro (8 core) 16gb / 512gb with AppleCare+ through Oct 2024 that I need to try and sell as it's way more than I need (only used maybe 10 times since I got it as I always pick up the iPad). Always just hate the prospect of selling on eBay with the risks.

 

[mikedis]

I bought my M1 Air at the back to school sale with the airpods deal, but I sold the airpods, and I think in total i got it for $750 or so. If I were to sell mine now, I'd let it go for like $600 or even less because it's got some chips in the glass (in the bezel.)

So yeah. definitely hit eBay for your next mac. or even the marketplace here on the forums. $400+ off a similar macbook is a pretty good deal.

 

[izzy0242mr]

I have a 14" M1 Pro (8 core) 16gb / 512gb with AppleCare+ through Oct 2024 that I need to try and sell as it's way more than I need (only used maybe 10 times since I got it as I always pick up the iPad). Always just hate the prospect of selling on eBay with the risks.

I buy and sell a good bit. Check out Swappa.com. It's very reputable for used electronics. And just document things really well. Get insurance when you ship stuff. Take pics of the internals and the serial number. I honestly have yet to have a bad experience selling on ebay and Swappa.

 

[widEyed]

I have a 14" M1 Pro (8 core) 16gb / 512gb with AppleCare+ through Oct 2024 that I need to try and sell as it's way more than I need (only used maybe 10 times since I got it as I always pick up the iPad). Always just hate the prospect of selling on eBay with the risks.

what risk to sellers does eBay provide?

 

[Student of Life]

I bought my M1 Air at the back to school sale with the airpods deal, but I sold the airpods, and I think in total i got it for $750 or so. If I were to sell mine now, I'd let it go for like $600 or even less because it's got some chips in the glass (in the bezel.)

So yeah. definitely hit eBay for your next mac. or even the marketplace here on the forums. $400+ off a similar macbook is a pretty good deal.

Forgive my ignorance but where is the marketplace here, I can't seem to find it?

 

[chown33]

Forgive my ignorance but where is the marketplace here, I can't seem to find it?

The Marketplace forum is only available to members with 250 posts or more, and 180 days of membership.

Marketplace Rules

Jump to: Can't Find the Marketplace? | General Rules | Rules for Sellers | Rules for Buyers The Marketplace forums are provided as a service to qualified MacRumors members, allowing them to buy/sel...

macrumors.zendesk.com

You're currently below the post-count threshold, but have met the membership duration requirement.

 

[Student of Life]

The Marketplace forum is only available to members with 250 posts or more, and 180 days of membership.

Marketplace Rules

Jump to: Can't Find the Marketplace? | General Rules | Rules for Sellers | Rules for Buyers The Marketplace forums are provided as a service to qualified MacRumors members, allowing them to buy/sel...

macrumors.zendesk.com

You're currently below the post-count threshold, but have met the membership duration requirement.

That explains it, thank you.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

you are aware that the seller may cancel apple care and **** you up at any moment right ?

 

[The1Biz]

I bought a "satisfactory" grade M1 base model Macbook Air from a Best Buy the next state over for $650 last year. I thought it would be banged up or scratched, and figured being the first model it would have a shorter lifecycle but I didn't care, I wanted something to replace my 2012 Macbook Pro. It must have been a floor model, or old and returned. It had 2 battery cycles on it, and was in mint condition with all accessories. There was a problem with out of date firmware that clashed with other updates, but once I fixed that with Apple's Configurator it's been fine.

You can't even get a refurb for that price now. Sometimes it's worth it to take chances.