So you're on eBay and you see this GREAT Titanium Powerbook for sale, but it's listed for "parts or repair". But it's so cheap! You could get a 1GHz Powerbook for $150 what a deal!!!


....Or is it?

I've been buying these parts laptops on eBay for over a year and I have encountered a vast array of different sellers on here, I'll share my experiences with you to help you with your eBay experience.

The "Untested" laptop.
Think about it - These sellers are power sellers and they have over 10 of these "Untested" laptops for sale, yet they "Don't have a power adapter for it."
Really?
Really now...
Think about it - They buy these laptops (Especially iBooks and Powerbooks) in bulk from schools and corporations who simply don't need them anymore and you're going to tell me that in the 20 or so laptops you get, there isn't a power adapter? Okay fine...Why wouldn't you just purchase a cheap $7 power adapter? Think of how much MORE those laptops would sell for if they were tested and in good working condition!
Example:
A good working condition 1GHz Titanium Powerbook sells for about $350 on eBay whereas an untested one sells for about $150...Well look at that! That's a difference of $200! You're telling me that you couldn't spend a whole $7 and test it? The result is getting completely dead laptops.
So you buy a 400MHz Titanium powerbook for $100 in "Untested condition" only to realize that it doesn't boot up because the motherboard is fried and is missing the hard drive which always seems to be "Removed for confidentiality reasons".
...Riiiggghhhttt.....
The fact of the matter is listing the laptop as "Untested" is a loophole for the seller to physically test the item and if it works, to swap out the working parts with dead ones and put their arms up in the air and say "I TOLD YOU IT'S UNTESTED!" when you get a dead heap of junk
I would vehemently suggest staying away from these "Untested" laptops as they really are quite the "grab bag" in regards to what you're getting. But hey, if you get one that's "Untested" and you get it, plug it in and it works great, email me and let me know.
Watch one of those powerbooks/ibooks on eBay, come back in a week after that laptop is sold and they'll have even more still in "Untested" condition. It's a farce.

The "Stock picture" laptop.
I cannot stress this enough : STAY AWAY FROM THESE. You will more than likely get a broken, beaten up heap of junk where the seller can cover their arses by saying "Hey I said it was AS-IS". Ask for a real picture of it or WALK AWAY FROM IT.

DO:
-Your research on Apple Laptops:
If a seller says "The laptop does not boot up but it's more than likely the AC adapter port."
Do NOT take their word for it!
Look it up on google.com about ibook/powerbook/macbook, etc not booting at all - you will find that it is more than likely a montherboard that is no longer functioning.
-Expect the seller is WRONG on their diagnosis! Just because they say it's something doesn't always mean it's true, just like a used car!
-Look for laptops that show a functional screen with OSX in the backround. Those are the true steals!

If you have any questions about buying/selling laptops on eBay let me know! I love to talk about Macs!
AFatTarantula@Yahoo.com