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Am I dumb? (applecare)

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Don't answer that.

But please answer this:

I bought a macbook pro 13" late 2011 with refurbished screen off ebay for just under $800 including shipping, which seemed fair as it has 2 years of applecare also. Laptop came just as described except it has tamper proof seals all over the bottom case which look like ugly apple stickers. It's a shame as the bottom has one minor scratch & the rest of the case would be flawless.

These seals were not shown in the description's photos, but it was mentioned there would be seals applied (I am dumb & made an assumption...I thought they'd be clear &/or very small & unnoticeable). Seller claims they are part of the warranty & must remain so as to not void applecare.

Is it standard for apple to apply tamper proof stickers on the case after work on a product? Or is this seller just bs-ing me? The seller's description said the seals were to prevent "foul play" (ie. a buyer messing with it & then returning it dishonestly..?). It didn't say they were part of the applecare warranty.

The seller says he'll give a full refund if I choose to return it. Just wondering if I'm making a fuss over nothing...

If I were to buy a new back case (I see I can get an excellent condition used one for $25) will it affect my applecare warranty &/or would I have to have apple replace it? I know I should call (& will), but thought I'd ask while I'm here.

Thanks.
 

Raz0rEdge

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Can you please post a picture of these stickers? My refurbished 2013 15" rMBP didn't come with any stickers at all. So on that part, the seller is lying. They may have put the sticker to avoid buyer misbehavior..
 
OP
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Yes, here is a photo:



I suspect the stickers are to prevent buyer misbehavior also, but they are now saying they are necessary for the warranty. If not, I was going to look into if I could replace the back without affecting applecare & have the seller refund me the $25-50 or so to cover it, which they may or may not be open to.
 

Raz0rEdge

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Yeah that's not for AppleCare, that's all the sellers own doing. Is this the kind of sticker that isn't going to come off without messing up the case?
 
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To me it looks like it would leave residue & not come off clean. That's probably why seller is lying & saying it must stay on.

I'm going to contact applecare to verify this when I get home later.

Thanks for the fast response though.
 
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As already stated, those stickers/tape have nothing to do with Applecare. What did the seller mean by 'refurbished screen' ? If the display has been repaired by a third party and it's obvious, any future problems with it won't be covered by Applecare. Same if the hard drive has been replaced or upgraded, as only parts applicable to the original spec as built would be warrantied under Applcare.
 
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OP
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The seller says applecare replaced the top lid/screen assembly - not the screen, sorry. So the seller had it fixed under applecare (which I suppose I can call to verify when I get home later - don't have it on me now).

There is no mention or evidence of a hard drive replace or upgrade.
 
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Suggest checking it out with Apple to make sure the repairs have been recorded in case of further problems.
 

Slydude

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Even if the repairs were done by Apple I don't think the stickers would be there. No need for Apple to do that since they would have a record of the repair if it is done by them.

I think those were added by the seller in case a customer did something like remove the hard drive then try to get a refund.
 

pigoo3

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And just to throw out a possibly crazy theory. If this tape wasn't applied by Apple...I wouldn't put it past some eBay sellers to do this to make things LOOK-LIKE Apple worked on the computer.

eBay seller (according to the OP) said that Apple did do some work on this computer. Can we believe this eBay seller?...I don't know. Yes the computer does still have Applecare on it (according to the OP)...but exterior "stuff" succeptable to damage is not covered by Applecare.

Computer may have been bumped or dropped...causing damage. Seller did the work themselves. Then put that tape on there to look like Apple did something.

Why would someone do this?? So they could still get top dollar selling the computer. The theory/psychology (from the buyers perspective)...is if Apple did all repairs...then everything should be like new...and buyers won't feel like there is anything to worry about. Thus the computer still commands full used market value.

Just a theory.;)

- Nick

p.s. To OP (orangeappled). I'm not necessarily saying that there is anything wrong wth this computer...just throwing a theory out there to explain the tape.:)

p.p.s. Just saw Slydudes theory (some theory similarities regarding the Apple tape)...possibily "seller-applied".
 

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