Want a Mac laptop and want to save some money? We outline some tips on how to avoid scams and find the best deals, including risk factors and important things to watch out for.

Buying used

Buying used equals to you saving money but can be a very risky proposition. That certainly applies to eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace purchases. With eBay purchases, you generally won’t be able to see the unit (or units) until they arrive at your door. The potential for outright scams is very high.

The scam potential is there as well for Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, but since you’re likely to be able to put your hands on the device before you part with your hard earned dollars, you stand a better chance. Of course, in these days of the pandemic, going face-to-face with a seller, even if you’re both masked, carries its own additional risks. Furthermore, you have to be very comfortable with your ability to validate product model year and features, and the seller has to be willing to let you spend time with the machine.

To be quite honest, though, I’d avoid those channels. The risk of spending a lot (especially for MacBook Pros) and not getting what you need or expect is quite high.