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Thisismattwade

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 27, 2020
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Not gonna lie, I’ve been waiting to see Apple’s price on these refurbs. For a product so (relatively) long in the tooth, why have there never been refurbs on Apple’s site??

Is Amazon a good place to buy refurbs? I’ve read that they’re not eligible for AppleCare, should one be into to purchase that kind of thing.
 
Too early. Unlike Macs, for iPhones and iPads, Apple only sells refurbs when the new model is released.

Amazon refurbs are either used or have gone through 3rd party repairs so personally, I wouldn't buy. I do buy Best Buy open-box though.
 
I buy mine off of swappa usually. I look for ones that have applecare + =I have had good luck and have never bought a new ipad but I have bought several used as the years go by -right now I have a 2021 ipad pro 11 I got off of swappa that is doing great.
 
Not gonna lie, I’ve been waiting to see Apple’s price on these refurbs. For a product so (relatively) long in the tooth, why have there never been refurbs on Apple’s site??

Is Amazon a good place to buy refurbs? I’ve read that they’re not eligible for AppleCare, should one be into to purchase that kind of thing.
I’ve heard others say some good things about ‘Amazon Renewed’ but I’ll probably never do it again. Bought one of their MacBooks described as ‘like new’ multiple times in the listing. When the thing came it looked like it had been in a car accident. It was so far from like new I can’t even tell you—more like ‘roughly used.’ Was able to return it, but what an annoying disappointment that was. Maybe I was just unlucky.
 
Too early. Unlike Macs, for iPhones and iPads, Apple only sells refurbs when the new model is released.

Amazon refurbs are either used or have gone through 3rd party repairs so personally, I wouldn't buy. I do buy Best Buy open-box though.
This. Or check out Swappa.com ‘s listings under MINT condition. I have used swappa for many many years.
 
Apple only sells refurbished iPads that are previous gen model. No refurb M1 model until the M2 iPad Pros come out.
 
This. Or check out Swappa.com ‘s listings under MINT condition. I have used swappa for many many years.
I didn’t have any idea about Swappa till this thread. The prices are awesome.

It’s interesting, but I can’t buy AppleCare+ for those devices, right? Are there are warranty services that can be purchased for second-hand devices?
 
I didn’t have any idea about Swappa till this thread. The prices are awesome.

It’s interesting, but I can’t buy AppleCare+ for those devices, right? Are there are warranty services that can be purchased for second-hand devices?
If you check often sometimes you can find an item that has applecare+ and sometimes one is new enough to add AC+
 
I’m not sure what your opinion of Best Buy is, but I’m seeing a LOT of open box iPad Pros all over southern california. I picked up an iPad Pro 11 open box yesterday (100% perfect) for almost $200 off.

When I turned it on it said it had 22 days left for AppleCare+ so I purchased an AppleCare+ subscription. I am not 100% sure about your question of whether or not AppleCare+ can be used for devices that have sat returned for more than a month or so.
 
Was just about to post the same thing. i had been waiting on the M2 to replace my 2016 Pro, but jumped on the chance to get the M1 for $200 off (possibly $300 if the M2 is priced higher). M1 is overkill for my needs, so it was a no-brainer to snag an M1. Even if Apple start listing the M1 refurbished, I doubt that they will go for less than $599.
 
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Too early. Unlike Macs, for iPhones and iPads, Apple only sells refurbs when the new model is released.

Amazon refurbs are either used or have gone through 3rd party repairs so personally, I wouldn't buy. I do buy Best Buy open-box though.
Just look who the distributor is. I grabbed an amazon iphone renewed recently, came from Verizon direct. It's mint other than the battery is at 89%.
But it was also 170-180 less than the apple refurb's that were non existant. I could still do a battery upgrade and come out ahead on it, -time spent. I'd still rather an apple refurb any day... but when there is no availability... there are acceptable other options.
 
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