Written by Susan
Thursday, 28 May 2009 09:34
Buying on eBay is a great way to get a cheap MacBook and the process should be problem-free as long as you do your research beforehand. Here are some tips to make your MacBook buying experience a pleasant one.
1. Is it the MacBook deal for you? Avoid buying on impulse. Take your time and do your due diligence before finalizing the purchase. Buy in haste and repent at leisure!
2. Does the seller have good feedback? Check the seller's history and feedback rating. Be wary of sellers with nil or low feedback or a history of bad sales. If in doubt, contact them through eBay's 'Ask seller a question' link - your query will go through to the genuine account owner
3. Is there enough detail in the description? Check the description with care. You need to know the specs as well as the condition of the MacBook you're thinking of buying. If there isn't enough information, ask the vendor for more. It's quick and easy with the 'Ask seller a question' link and good sellers are prepared to offer more information.
4. Is the photo adequate? Photos are the only visual detail you get to judge the condition of the MacBook, and good sellers use good pictures. If you're looking at a listing but the photo's inadequate, don't be afraid to ask for more. Again, good vendors are quite prepared to send you more info.
5. What does the sale include? Ideally you should get the MacBook with all its bits - charger and cord, remote, display adapter, install disks and manual, all in the original packaging. If it's not clear in the description, ask.
6. Is the original receipt available? This is useful to prove ownership and also in the event of hardware problems if the MacBook is still under warranty.
7. Is the MacBook still in warranty? If you buy one that's under 12 months old you still have the option to purchase AppleCare for another two years' protection.
8. What are the shipping costs? A deal may look like a good price 'til you see the shipping fees. Don't wait until after you've made the purchase to find out you're being cheated. If shipping is not declared, ask. If shipping insurance is offered, get it. If it's not, ask for it. The small extra charge is worth it for your peace of mind while your MacBook is in transit.
9. How is payment to be made? Pay by credit card or use PayPal as they offer another layer of protection in the event of a deal going wrong.
10. A last word of warning! Be wary of really cheap offers. Lots of eBay accounts get stolen every year and you could be dealing with a fraudster. As a rule of thumb, if it seems too good to be true, the chances are it probably is.
To sum it all up Don't bid on impulse, do your due diligence and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Thursday, 28 May 2009 09:34
Buying on eBay is a great way to get a cheap MacBook and the process should be problem-free as long as you do your research beforehand. Here are some tips to make your MacBook buying experience a pleasant one.
1. Is it the MacBook deal for you? Avoid buying on impulse. Take your time and do your due diligence before finalizing the purchase. Buy in haste and repent at leisure!
2. Does the seller have good feedback? Check the seller's history and feedback rating. Be wary of sellers with nil or low feedback or a history of bad sales. If in doubt, contact them through eBay's 'Ask seller a question' link - your query will go through to the genuine account owner
3. Is there enough detail in the description? Check the description with care. You need to know the specs as well as the condition of the MacBook you're thinking of buying. If there isn't enough information, ask the vendor for more. It's quick and easy with the 'Ask seller a question' link and good sellers are prepared to offer more information.
4. Is the photo adequate? Photos are the only visual detail you get to judge the condition of the MacBook, and good sellers use good pictures. If you're looking at a listing but the photo's inadequate, don't be afraid to ask for more. Again, good vendors are quite prepared to send you more info.
5. What does the sale include? Ideally you should get the MacBook with all its bits - charger and cord, remote, display adapter, install disks and manual, all in the original packaging. If it's not clear in the description, ask.
6. Is the original receipt available? This is useful to prove ownership and also in the event of hardware problems if the MacBook is still under warranty.
7. Is the MacBook still in warranty? If you buy one that's under 12 months old you still have the option to purchase AppleCare for another two years' protection.
8. What are the shipping costs? A deal may look like a good price 'til you see the shipping fees. Don't wait until after you've made the purchase to find out you're being cheated. If shipping is not declared, ask. If shipping insurance is offered, get it. If it's not, ask for it. The small extra charge is worth it for your peace of mind while your MacBook is in transit.
9. How is payment to be made? Pay by credit card or use PayPal as they offer another layer of protection in the event of a deal going wrong.
10. A last word of warning! Be wary of really cheap offers. Lots of eBay accounts get stolen every year and you could be dealing with a fraudster. As a rule of thumb, if it seems too good to be true, the chances are it probably is.
To sum it all up Don't bid on impulse, do your due diligence and don't be afraid to ask questions.