Fake rMBP?

Hello all,

Having finally decided to pick up an rMBP in lieu of another Windows machine to replace my busted MSI, I'm having another problem.

As someone who plans on booting dual-booting and using Windows exclusively for games, having enough space to install said games is very important to me. Sadly, Apple has cunningly decided to charge a ridiculous premium for flash storage upgrades, making the choice a little harder for me.

Yesterday, I found an ad on Dubizzle (a site for classifieds in Dubai) for a new rMBP, on sale for the equivalent of $2722. The price likely seems normal to most of you--but the same configuration (2.6GHz, 512GB) will set you back about $3130 in Dubai.

While the price is certainly very attractive, I'm afraid of the product being a fake, especially since the seller works in a hotel and claims that the laptop is an 'unwanted present'.

There are no pictures up of the laptop on the site, but that on its own isn't an issue. Here's the thing: while I can meet him, see the box, and carry out the transaction in person, I doubt he'll let me open the (still-sealed) box before paying for it.

Is there any way for me to determine its authenticity on the box--a seal, or something of the sort? I'd really appreciate as much help as you all can give me, since the transaction will either end with me saving $400 on an excellent laptop, or with me lining some crook's pocket with $2700.

Thank you, as always, for your time.

 

if you can look inside the box, you can verify that it is legitimate.

if you can't look inside the box, then you wont be able to verify its contents.

the box itself could be legitimate with the laptop removed / replaced with a brick / whatever

 

My own guess: the computer is genuine, the method used in acquiring it however was not.

 

"unwanted gift" means... I took someone else's laptop and gifted it to myself but i don't want it anymore because I don't want to get caught and get arrested.

If he won't show you the exact laptop... but only the box... then its a scam. Anyone selling anything with no return policy and won't actually show you what your buying is trying to scam you.

 

Classified ads on Dubizzle tend to be of poor quality; I've actually bought legitimately-acquired used things whose ads used stock photos before. Having said that, I'd definitely be more suspicious if I had to pay electronically, but I'm meeting the guy to take a look at it.

I'm arranging a date for the meeting tomorrow, and will ask him to bring the receipt or some sort of document signifying the laptop's purchase. If he's actually reselling a present, he'll be able to ask whoever gave it to him for a receipt. I am, of course, wary of the offer right now, but still think it's worth a look. If he shows me a receipt that matches the date he claims it was purchased on, with the correct model number, store name, and so on, I'll be able to trust him a little more. I don't intend to haggle, so asking to open the box shouldn't be too big a problem (if he knows I intend to buy it, should it turn out to be legitimately-acquired and the real thing).

Let's see how this goes; I'll get back to you all after meeting the man.

 

I don't know about you.. but if I was selling a gift, there is no way I'd EVER go to the person who gave it to me and ask them for a receipt... that would be beyond rude.

 

...everything, from hardware to software to service.

 

Actually Mac Os X is $19.99 hehe. But yes they charge a premium for hardware.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

 

this is apparently true and news to me. but like you said, it ought to be when the cheapest machine to run it (the way it's designed to run) costs $600.

 

The ad's been taken off Dubizzle today; he evidently found another buyer. I checked on another person selling another 'unwanted gift', and found out he was importing machines from the US and selling them here. I assume the first man was pulling a similar stunt. While selling on used products seems to be alright by Apple, buying them for the purpose of resale isn't. I'm going to try getting a student discount from the store, as I should be eligible for one, and saving a little bit--the 512GB configuration costs $2880 here with the discount, which isn't too massive a mark-up.

Thank you all for your advice

 

I'm not sure why you feel this way (assuming I'm understanding you correctly). Apple doesn't care who buys or sells used hardware.

 

Strange--I could've sworn I'd read it in the Terms and Conditions of Sale when checking out education pricing.

I wouldn't put it past UAE law to have something in place against importing for the purpose of resale, though. The markups on consumer goods are ridiculous--phones, for example, cost at least $200 over the US unlocked price as a rule--and the law tends to protect the monopolies/oligopolies which are overcharging, since wealthy locals tend to have some sort of stake in all of them.

Still, the order's been placed, thanks to the education store.

 

buying under an education sales has different rules.... to be eligible for the discount as an end user you have to be personally using the machine, not selling it. Apple isn't the only company to say that for certain purchase types.

 

In any case, after you buy it, you have the right to resell it in the USA and the EU. Apple cannot remove that right from you via terms of service.

 

They limit how many you can buy at that price. They are not sold for resale so the warranty applies when you buy it, not from when you sell it, so it's basically like selling personal used property even if you never opened it.

 

sounds correct (and reasonable)