I prefer to buy major electronics like AirPods or Apple Watch only from apple. My main concern is device issues that I cannot verify for instance - impact damage, water damage, tampering with internal components. The device may appear to operate normally while purchase from a user on FB Marketplace, but might start throwing trouble later. So I wish to know if there is any community, site, 3rd part seller or marketplace that anybody has purchased multiple devices from and have had a good experience whether it be device quality, support, ease of use, etc.
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Where to buy trusted used apple products?
- Thread starter sidwade
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For most peace of mind I'd second the official Apple Certified Refurbished store - I've bought multiple devices from here before (iMacs and iPods). The only difference you'd notice compared to buying brand new is the plain packaging they use rather than the normal retail boxes.
Low priced devices such as iPods I have bought from Facebook marketplace as not so much to go wrong there. It might be helpful to list your country as there may be other reputable stores you can purchase refurb devices from. In UK for example MusicMagpie sells used devices (though I can't comment in comparison to Apple's service as haven't bought used tech from them, but plenty of DVDs/Blu-rays).👍
Low priced devices such as iPods I have bought from Facebook marketplace as not so much to go wrong there. It might be helpful to list your country as there may be other reputable stores you can purchase refurb devices from. In UK for example MusicMagpie sells used devices (though I can't comment in comparison to Apple's service as haven't bought used tech from them, but plenty of DVDs/Blu-rays).👍
I'm also a fan of Apple's refurb store and have bought many things there over the years, they all looked and worked just like new. Personally, I would not call these "used products" though, since they've been "renewed" and include the same warranty as new. The problem is, however, the prices don't keep up with current marketplace reality sometimes. For example, I got a new m4 Mini on a Black Friday sale for the same price as an Apple refurb m2 Mini. About the best you can do with Apple's refurbs is 15% less than new.
For used, have had good luck with MacSales (also known as OWC - Other World Computing). Their stuff is used, but it's been inspected and carries a limited warranty. Still using a 2012 Mini Server that I got from them in 2016, it looked new when I got it and has been trouble-free. Don't think I'd buy a used laptop from them (or anyone), but that's just me.
For used, have had good luck with MacSales (also known as OWC - Other World Computing). Their stuff is used, but it's been inspected and carries a limited warranty. Still using a 2012 Mini Server that I got from them in 2016, it looked new when I got it and has been trouble-free. Don't think I'd buy a used laptop from them (or anyone), but that's just me.
I've had good experiences buying from eBay -- but that's because I'm careful about what I buy. You can usually tell if the person is techy or not from their description; and the photo will show if they are fastidious and tidy, or more casual. If it's got dents in it, then forget it.
Some sellers claim "Refurbished" -- but 9 times out of 10, that just means they've erased the disk and given the screen a wipe. They haven't changed the battery or done anything else.
Ultimately, you can't really know how a secondhand piece of kit has been treated -- and that's part of why you're paying less for it.
Some sellers claim "Refurbished" -- but 9 times out of 10, that just means they've erased the disk and given the screen a wipe. They haven't changed the battery or done anything else.
Ultimately, you can't really know how a secondhand piece of kit has been treated -- and that's part of why you're paying less for it.