Any of ye buy a refurbished iPad?

waynegalway

Just wondering what your experience has been. They're definitely worth the money given the good discount and apple warranty, but has anyone anything good/bad to say about theirs? What condition was it in when you got it? Did it look used/have any software issues from previous owner?

rivalius13

They are wiped clean, whatever issue it has is fixed and it gets inspected. Apple aren't going to inspect an iPad and send out a dodgy one.

dingding

Where do you get them?

rivalius13

http://store.apple.com/ie/

Refurbs are in the bottom right hand corner.

Danbo!

rivalius13 wrote: »

http://store.apple.com/ie/

Refurbs are in the bottom right hand corner.

The other right

the whole year inn

Clearly Stage right,which is texas left and you would know that as your down.

Blazer

€50 off isn't much for a refurbished product...I'd prefer to spend the extra and get a brand new one..or am I missing something here..
New ipad- €499 refurb- €449?

Frank Grimes Jr

My 16GB refurb arrived last Friday. Apart from the box, I couldn't tell it apart from a new one. Everything was packaged as new in the Apple clingy cellophane. The description on the site says it gets a new shell and battery, warranty is the same for refurb and new.

The refurb box is different from retail, in that it has the words 'Apple refurbished product' printed in small type on the front of the box.

rivalius13

Danbo! wrote: »

The other right

...I'm posting from Australia, yea, that's it.

Raiser

Sc@recrow wrote: »

€50 off isn't much for a refurbished product...I'd prefer to spend the extra and get a brand new one..or am I missing something here..
New ipad- €499 refurb- €449?

Yeah - Wouldn't consider buying one refurbed at this price point as a point of principle.

rivalius13

Raiser wrote: »

Yeah - Wouldn't consider buying one refurbed at this price point as a point of principle.

That's one of the stupider stands to take.

Raiser

rivalius13 wrote: »

That's one of the stupider stands to take.

Genius stuff.

Thanks for taking time to record and share your massively persuasive opinion.

- Best of luck paying Steve Jobs 50 quid off the full retail price for a high end consumer product that someone has already paid full whack for, dropped down their toilet, microwaved and returned before then being barely patched up by some 10 year old in China who is paid a dollar for every 12 hour shift.

rivalius13

Raiser wrote: »

Genius stuff.

Thanks for taking time to record and share your massively persuasive opinion.

- Best of luck paying Steve Jobs 50 quid off the full retail price for a high end consumer product that someone has already paid full whack for, dropped down their toilet, microwaved and returned before then being barely patched up by some 10 year old in China who is paid a dollar for every 12 hour shift.

And has been repaired, inspected and is as good as a new one, if not better since it was individually inspected. Oh no, you deserve more off, 10% is not enough of a discount, I demand more! What's good enough for you? Would 20% off be good? Hell, why not 50%? I mean someone else has touched it!! EWWWW!!!! Get off your high horse, you're getting a product as good as new with a 10% discount, quit your bitchin'.

alastair

Raiser wrote: »

Genius stuff.

Thanks for taking time to record and share your massively persuasive opinion.

- Best of luck paying Steve Jobs 50 quid off the full retail price for a high end consumer product that someone has already paid full whack for, dropped down their toilet, microwaved and returned before then being barely patched up by some 10 year old in China who is paid a dollar for every 12 hour shift.

tbh - I buy refurbs in preference to the regular products. Cosmetically they're identical (or have been for anything I've bought to date) to their full whack siblings. They also come with the advantage of having had a second pass through quality control. I doubt many of them have made it out to a punter in the first place, but are mostly turnarounds late in the production process. Sure the savings may not be always great, but it's an opportunity to save something on a product that's got a smaller chance of breaking post-purchase than a normally-priced retail product. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I've bought refurb and regular mac pros, powerbooks, and now (as a pressie for my parents) a refurb ipad. If I thought that there was anything iffy about the refurb, I'd blow the extra fifty euro, but the reality is that it's just as good as the alternative, so the money goes solely towards a different box.

daithi2011

I used to work for a company that did actual refurbs on certain electronic goods. I can assure you all that a refurb is NOT like new.
Sometimes the fault isnt even found and the item comes back later only to be refurbed and go out again.

I just searched for some of the reports in my old emails but couldnt find them.
I cant remember the exact stats, but from memory they are roughly these.
After a year, Most (>60%) faulty products back in were ones that went out on refurb already.
And if an item was refurbed twice there was a >50% chance it would be back within a year. Im sure a lot just got thrown in the bin, or that would be higher.

Having been there, I would never ever trust a refurbed product.

Of course I know whats coming - "But Apple are the bestest and their refurbs are the bestest too."

elgriff

alastair wrote: »

tbh - I buy refurbs in preference to the regular products. Cosmetically they're identical (or have been for anything I've bought to date) to their full whack siblings. They also come with the advantage of having had a second pass through quality control.

Laughable

Dman001

If they are cosmetically in good condition, and come with 12 month Warranty, I don't see why you wouldn't buy a refurb.

alastair

elgriff wrote: »

Laughable

The joke's on you, if you're happy to pay more for an identical product that hasn't been through the same degree of testing.

alastair

daithi2011 wrote: »

Having been there, I would never ever trust a refurbed product.

There? Unless you're talking about Apple, what can we take from that experience? I'm basing my opinion of my history of buying Apple products - and that experience is that there's no difference. Nada. Never had to return a refurb under warranty - in fact the only warranty return I've ever had on an Apple product was on a failed PSU on a non-refurb tower. Started buying Apple stuff back when the ci was the box to have, so have been through more than a few candidates to judge.

whiterebel

daithi2011 wrote: »

I used to work for a company that did actual refurbs on certain electronic goods. I can assure you all that a refurb is NOT like new.
Sometimes the fault isnt even found and the item comes back later only to be refurbed and go out again.

I just searched for some of the reports in my old emails but couldnt find them.
I cant remember the exact stats, but from memory they are roughly these.
After a year, Most (>60%) faulty products back in were ones that went out on refurb already.
And if an item was refurbed twice there was a >50% chance it would be back within a year. Im sure a lot just got thrown in the bin, or that would be higher.

Having been there, I would never ever trust a refurbed product.

Of course I know whats coming - "But Apple are the bestest and their refurbs are the bestest too."

No, more like "If you haven't done it for Apple, you can't really comment"

StanMcConnell

I agree about Apple refurbs. I'm on my fourth iPhone in just over a year.
The first I sent back six months in cause of dirt under the screen. After about 6/7 months. The second, the microphone failed a couple of months later. A few days later the dock connector failed on the third.

Certainly, the returns are more prone to faults.

Binder

Same here...first 3GS had issues with screen. Got replacement, that had dead pixles out of box. Second replacement the sound toggle did not work, third replacement I sold


iPhone 4: 1st ip4 had pixel issues, 2nd refurbed one the back cover wasn't on right so I sent it straight back and now my 3rd one is ok touch wood

alastair

StanMcConnell wrote: »

I agree about Apple refurbs. I'm on my fourth iPhone in just over a year.
The first I sent back six months in cause of dirt under the screen. After about 6/7 months. The second, the microphone failed a couple of months later. A few days later the dock connector failed on the third.

Certainly, the returns are more prone to faults.

Was the first one a refurb or not?

Macintouch, who ought to know something about Apple product problems, have fairly consistently found that the reliability/warranty return stats on Apple refurbs have been much the same as those for non-refurbs.

banquo

Some people are just doomed to have iPhone issues I think. My girlfriend was the same. She got an iPhone 4 and it was nearly a month and 3 phones before she got one that worked.

First one there was no mic/sound during calls (music, Skype etc worked fine, just on cell calls), second was the same, third camera didn't work. And they fought her every step of the way. Terrible user experience with Apple.

But the one time there was a problem with my mam's iPad they were _unbelievably_ helpful to her. So it seems to be hit and miss.

Raiser

I'm glad some facts have ben put forward to back up the obvious on this thread - But the point is that a mere €50 off a product that they are crossing their chubby little fingers and hoping isn't going to fcuk up again and again is greedy and opportunistic and taking advantage of innocents.....

Also nobody has asked yet - If refurbs are so brilliant and in fact, as stated, even better and more rigorously inspected than normal Apple products then why don't they charge you more for the absolute privilege of buying them?

- I think they should be advertised as: Apple iPad, dropped in the Shítter by some total Dope but we really think we may have fixed it - €550

whiterebel

Raiser wrote: »

I'm glad some facts have ben put forward to back up the obvious on this thread - But the point is that a mere €50 off a product that they are crossing their chubby little fingers and hoping isn't going to fcuk up again and again is greedy and opportunistic and taking advantage of innocents.....

- Also nobody has asked yet - If refurbs are so brilliant and in fact, as stated, even better and more rigorously inspected than normal Apple products then why don't they charge you more for the absolute privilege of buying them

Because having being returned they can't be sold as new. There may be nothing at all wrong with them, they may have been returned under the 14 day policy - again, can't be re-sold as new.

Raiser

whiterebel wrote: »

Because having being returned they can't be sold as new. There may be nothing at all wrong with them, they may have been returned under the 14 day policy - again, can't be re-sold as new.

Thats by law - There should also be a law stating that you can't resell botched, defective and hastily patched up products at close the original full market price.....

whiterebel

Raiser wrote: »

Thats by law - There should also be a law stating that you can't resell botched, defective and hastily patched up products at close the original full market price.....

10% off, I don't see anyone forcing you to buy it.....

Chris P. Bacon

I'm probably going to buy one of these today,it says 24hrs shipping,would i still get it on NYE does anyone know?

alastair

Raiser wrote: »

Thats by law - There should also be a law stating that you can't resell botched, defective and hastily patched up products at close the original full market price.....

Except they don't sell 'hastily patched up products'. Apple refurbs are demonstrably as reliable/unreliable as non-refurb products. They carry the same warranty for good reason. I'd suggest you refer to the various Macintouch surveys over the years to see that the stats for refurb failures are no different to non-refurbs. And no-one is disguising the nature of refurb sales.

daithi2011

whiterebel wrote: »

No, more like "If you haven't done it for Apple, you can't really comment"

No we didnt do refurbs for apple. But we did refurbs for numerous companies and product lines. You wouldnt believe how many companies outsource their refurbs to the same company, but you would never know. All the broken parts are shipped into a warehouse and then taken apart for the parts. When items are refurbed a part is just taken off a shelf, given a quick look, to see if it looks new, if its visible. If its not visible its not even checked for damage. As long as it works, it goes in.

A lot of the time you'll even get a whole branded machine rebuilt and put into an unbranded/made up brand case. The reason being that they have not passed QC, but still work and the original manufacturer doesnt want their name on them. Ask power city about those

In case people arent aware. Apple outsource refurbs too and do them in exactly the same way, aprt from rebranding them.

Raiser

daithi2011 wrote: »

No we didnt do refurbs for apple. But we did refurbs for numerous companies and product lines. You wouldnt believe how many companies outsource their refurbs to the same company, but you would never know. All the broken parts are shipped into a warehouse and then taken apart for the parts. When items are refurbed a part is just taken off a shelf, given a quick look, to see if it looks new, if its visible. If its not visible its not even checked for damage. As long as it works, it goes in.

A lot of the time you'll even get a whole branded machine rebuilt and put into an unbranded/made up brand case. The reason being that they have not passed QC, but still work and the original manufacturer doesnt want their name on them. Ask power city about those

In case people arent aware. Apple outsource refurbs too and do them in exactly the same way, aprt from rebranding them.

Ouch..... Seems that blind, optimistic hunches and a misplaced fervent belief in branding/corporate ethos is no substitute for actual facts.

- Anyway a stingy €50 off a sellotaped-back-together iPad is even worse value for money when you factor in the arrival of the new iPad 2 which is due shortly.

whiterebel

daithi2011 wrote: »

No we didnt do refurbs for apple. But we did refurbs for numerous companies and product lines. You wouldnt believe how many companies outsource their refurbs to the same company, but you would never know. All the broken parts are shipped into a warehouse and then taken apart for the parts. When items are refurbed a part is just taken off a shelf, given a quick look, to see if it looks new, if its visible. If its not visible its not even checked for damage. As long as it works, it goes in.

A lot of the time you'll even get a whole branded machine rebuilt and put into an unbranded/made up brand case. The reason being that they have not passed QC, but still work and the original manufacturer doesnt want their name on them. Ask power city about those

In case people arent aware. Apple outsource refurbs too and do them in exactly the same way, aprt from rebranding them.

Case closed.

whiterebel

Raiser wrote: »

Ouch..... Seems that blind, optimistic hunches and a misplaced fervent belief in branding/corporate ethos is no substitute for actual facts.

- Anyway a stingy €50 off a sellotaped-back-together iPad is even worse value for money when you factor in the arrival of the new iPad 2 which is due shortly.

Or having worked in Apple and spoken to engineers about refurbs, I know the facts. Maybe you just prefer to believe the guesswork above, it seems to help you get even more bent out of shape about something you don't even want.

daithi2011

I'll just say that you should never believe someone who is trying to sell you something. Ever.

For proof go into Currys and listen to the idiots answering questions about TVs and laptops. Theres hours of entertainment right there. Im convinced they hire people who have been hit with the thick stick.

alastair

daithi2011 wrote: »

I'll just say that you should never believe someone who is trying to sell you something. Ever.

Macintouch user surveys aren't trying to sell you anything. Nor am I. What we learn from your experience is that varied companies that aren't Apple employ below par refurb processes. That really doesn't tell us anything about the standard of Apple refurbs - so I'll place my faith in my own experience, and the impartial feedback of owner surveys.

daithi2011

alastair wrote: »

Macintouch user surveys aren't trying to sell you anything. Nor am I. What we learn from your experience is that varied companies that aren't Apple employ below par refurb processes. That really doesn't tell us anything about the standard of Apple refurbs - so I'll place my faith in my own experience, and the impartial feedback of owner surveys.

No?
Reading back over your posts. Sorry, dont believe you.

vertigo1976

I've just returned my refurb ipad to apple. I received it on the 23rd Dec and it has been a nightmare. Totally unstable, constant crashing and freezing, and no improvement with a wipe and factory restore. Apple support were helpful, but I didn't fancy sending it to them for repair and being without for at least 10 days. I also don't fancy owning a twice repaired/refurbed product for only a 10% saving.
Last time for me buying a refurb product...

alastair

daithi2011 wrote: »

No?
Reading back over your posts. Sorry, dont believe you.

Ah well, can't help you there. I'm curious where I advised anyone to buy anything - because I missed it myself.