( 
)Choosing your next Apple product on eBay is very similar to buying a used car: the savings can be great, the warranty can be extended - but you need to know how to spot a lemon.
There are several benefits to buying Apple products on eBay:
iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS: Buying from eBay will allow you to avoid signing a contract directly with you carrier. Keep in mind that if you are adding a line in the U.S., AT&T will most likely still require a 2 year contract. If you are upgrading a current line, you will be charged an "upgrade fee" which runs about $18 USD. Keep in mind that AT&T will detect when you have added the iPhone and will automatically enroll you in the $30 USD/ month data plan (you will not be able to circumvent this even if you are using an "unlocked" iPhone on AT&T.) More common is buying an iPhone on eBay to unlock the phone to another carrier. A common method is called "TurboSim."
WARNING to iPhone 3G/ 3GS sellers: If you are upgrading to an iPhone on AT&T with the hopes of simply selling the phone on eBay, you will most likely be charged a penalty as part of the contract agreement. Since you purchased a subsidized phone, AT&T expects you to "pay back" the subsidy through using their service.
WHEN BUYING: Ask the seller for the phone's serial number. Enter the number on the following: https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do this will verify that the phone has a clean (not stolen) serial, and show when the warranty expires. An iPhone factory warranty runs out 1 year from the DATE OF PURCHASE. By purchasing an Apple Care package on eBay (which is usually cheaper than at the retail store) you can extend the warranty to 2 years from the ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE. Entering the serial number on the Apple website is the only way to verify the expiration of the warranty. You MUST add the AppleCare plan within the first year (while it is still under the original factory warranty.) This is very similar to extending the a car's warranty.
After you purchase your AppleCare on eBay, you must register the plan on the site included in the original packaging. Once you get the confirmation of coverage, you can leave feedback for the seller. I would not recommend leaving feedback until you verify that the AppleCare code was accepted, as it is very easy for sellers to provide stolen or used serials. Note: to save on shipping you might have the seller simply email you the registration code as you really don't need the packaging.
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Apple TV
WHEN BUYING: Consider the fact that the technology of the Apple TV relies on STREAMING media to your TV. It is universally accepted that the hard drive space on the Apple TV is negligable if you plan on having your computer handy (or if you have a desktop.) You can save upwards of $100 if you opt for the smaller 40 GB model. Also, be careful of buying "modded" Apple TVs. Any hard drive modification (320 GB, etc) have voided warranties and will not be serviced by Apple. The only HDD sizes released by Apple are 40 GB and 160 GB.
Apple Care for the Apple TV is similar to that of the iPhone. The original manufacturer's warranty covers 1 year from the DATE OF PURCHASE. Apple Care will extend this to 2 years and must be added while in the 1st year. Again, ask the seller for the serial # and verify it on Apple's website.
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iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
WHEN BUYING: Beware of fradulent sellers. As a high-cost item, never pay via any method other than Paypal.
The AppleCare works differently for the computer lines. The manufacturer's warranty will cover the first year, however purchasing AppleCare will extend the coverage to 3 years. If you plan on having your Mac for longer than one year, you should consider extending the warranty. It is very crucial that you ask the seller for the serial in this case, because if you buy a computer that is out of warranty, you will be unable to add the 2 years of extra coverage.
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iPod
The same guidelines apply from the section about the iPhone. Note: buying Apple Care for an iPod shuffle is generally considered a waste. The depreciated cost of the device is rarely ever worth paying upwards of 50% of the cost of the device to extend the warranty.
I will add more information to this guide as I think of it - I hope this helps at least a few people!
There are several benefits to buying Apple products on eBay:
iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS: Buying from eBay will allow you to avoid signing a contract directly with you carrier. Keep in mind that if you are adding a line in the U.S., AT&T will most likely still require a 2 year contract. If you are upgrading a current line, you will be charged an "upgrade fee" which runs about $18 USD. Keep in mind that AT&T will detect when you have added the iPhone and will automatically enroll you in the $30 USD/ month data plan (you will not be able to circumvent this even if you are using an "unlocked" iPhone on AT&T.) More common is buying an iPhone on eBay to unlock the phone to another carrier. A common method is called "TurboSim."
WARNING to iPhone 3G/ 3GS sellers: If you are upgrading to an iPhone on AT&T with the hopes of simply selling the phone on eBay, you will most likely be charged a penalty as part of the contract agreement. Since you purchased a subsidized phone, AT&T expects you to "pay back" the subsidy through using their service.
WHEN BUYING: Ask the seller for the phone's serial number. Enter the number on the following: https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do this will verify that the phone has a clean (not stolen) serial, and show when the warranty expires. An iPhone factory warranty runs out 1 year from the DATE OF PURCHASE. By purchasing an Apple Care package on eBay (which is usually cheaper than at the retail store) you can extend the warranty to 2 years from the ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE. Entering the serial number on the Apple website is the only way to verify the expiration of the warranty. You MUST add the AppleCare plan within the first year (while it is still under the original factory warranty.) This is very similar to extending the a car's warranty.
After you purchase your AppleCare on eBay, you must register the plan on the site included in the original packaging. Once you get the confirmation of coverage, you can leave feedback for the seller. I would not recommend leaving feedback until you verify that the AppleCare code was accepted, as it is very easy for sellers to provide stolen or used serials. Note: to save on shipping you might have the seller simply email you the registration code as you really don't need the packaging.
---
Apple TV
WHEN BUYING: Consider the fact that the technology of the Apple TV relies on STREAMING media to your TV. It is universally accepted that the hard drive space on the Apple TV is negligable if you plan on having your computer handy (or if you have a desktop.) You can save upwards of $100 if you opt for the smaller 40 GB model. Also, be careful of buying "modded" Apple TVs. Any hard drive modification (320 GB, etc) have voided warranties and will not be serviced by Apple. The only HDD sizes released by Apple are 40 GB and 160 GB.
Apple Care for the Apple TV is similar to that of the iPhone. The original manufacturer's warranty covers 1 year from the DATE OF PURCHASE. Apple Care will extend this to 2 years and must be added while in the 1st year. Again, ask the seller for the serial # and verify it on Apple's website.
---
iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
WHEN BUYING: Beware of fradulent sellers. As a high-cost item, never pay via any method other than Paypal.
The AppleCare works differently for the computer lines. The manufacturer's warranty will cover the first year, however purchasing AppleCare will extend the coverage to 3 years. If you plan on having your Mac for longer than one year, you should consider extending the warranty. It is very crucial that you ask the seller for the serial in this case, because if you buy a computer that is out of warranty, you will be unable to add the 2 years of extra coverage.
---
iPod
The same guidelines apply from the section about the iPhone. Note: buying Apple Care for an iPod shuffle is generally considered a waste. The depreciated cost of the device is rarely ever worth paying upwards of 50% of the cost of the device to extend the warranty.
I will add more information to this guide as I think of it - I hope this helps at least a few people!
Guide created: 07/02/09 (updated 11/18/09)
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