Macbook to ebay or not to ebay

This is a simple question, and may appear rather silly, but would appreciate the replies of other people who may have had this experience or not. I'm thinking of buying a Macbook online thru ebay, and just wondered whether that was a good move or not. Has anyone done it, or have any experience with it? Or better yet know someone who is looking to sell to a student?
I'm really eager, looking to buy 2 macbooks by the end of the month and don't think I can afford 2 brand new out the store, hence the ebay option.
Any advice?

The fact that you're asking would indicate that you have some reservations... and rightly so. Computers are very complicated devices... notebook computers even more so. You have no way of knowing what may have happened to it during the time the original owner had it (assuming that there has been only one previous owner). Even if they treated it very very well... you would still have only the remaining time left on the original warranty (if any)... unless they purchased AppleCare for it before the expiration of the initial first year. Even with that, if you encounter problems that require service... the Apple determines were user related, it won't be covered.
With a refurbished machine from Apple, you get the peace of mind of having a full one year warranty (same as new)... which you can extend by an additional two years with AppleCare:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=AA9 C1548&nclm=CertifiedMac
Their inventory for refurbs changes regularly. So, if they don't have what you're looking for today... they may tomorrow (or soon). Notebooks tend to be VERY expensive to get repaired... even for minor things. You may find that the few hundred dollars that you save by going through eBay would be lost on a single repair.
Of course the other possibility is that the MacBook could be stollen. Apple notebooks are among the most popular to steal due to their excellent resale value.
I would really just stay away from notebooks in general on eBay. If you were just looking for something to browse the web or something like that... and you were looking at notebooks that were 4-5 years old... that would be another story as you'd be looking at prices that would take into consideration how old it is and it's limited functionality in comparison with current machines.

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I do not have the apple id for the macbook pro which i bought off ebay

I bought a macbook pro model A1278 off of ebay. I got the dreaded flashing folder with question mark. After trying to repair the disk after booting using command r. I then tried to make a new startup disc with and external hd. I got to the point where I have to enter a apple id associated with the operating system I purchased. I used my own which of course is not the one of the original owner. Is there a way around this?

The first thing to do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.
How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.
It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.
1. If you don't own another Mac
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received those media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
Some models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you may not be able to reinstall 10.6 even from the original discs, and Internet Recovery may not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.
2. If you do own another Mac
If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.
3. Partition and install OS X
a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.
b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.
c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:
OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner
The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault
You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)
In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.
d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.
4. Other issues
a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.
c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

Roll over balloons in eBay searches not poping up w/ Safari 2.0.4

Is there a setting or a technique to once again allow roll over balloons to pop up on eBay search listings? I'm referring to the "Enlarge" roll over link in the Gallery picture of search results. This is a "paid for" option that some sellers use.
I do not have "Block Pop-up Windows" checked off in the Security Preference window.
Firefox still allows this, but on both a Powerbook G4 and a iMac Dual Core using Safari Version 2.0.4 (419.3) this feature is no longer working for me. (It had worked in Safari until three days ago...could I have inadvertaently changed something?)
For an example of a roll over balloon try searching eBay for an item of interest, and then scan down the resulting list. Typically a few items in large search results will have the "Enlarge" roll over below the gallery picture of an item being sold.
24" iMac 2.16 Dual Core Mac OS X (10.4.8) Also, Powerbook 17" G4 & Powerbook G3

Thanks again.
BTW... I just received this from eBay in regard to my questioning them about this problem. As you said, they seem to be disregarding Safari.
Dear eBay Member,
Thank you for writing eBay in regard to the problem you are experiencing
while trying to list your item using the Safari browser.
If you are using OS X 10.2.x or higher, I would like to suggest using
the Firefox browser. This browser seems to be the most compatible format
for Macintosh users for eBay Picture Services.
If you don't already have this browser installed on your computer,
please visit the following page to download the Firefox browser:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/all
Once the page loads, please select which language you would like to
download, and click on the link under the Mac OS X column.
If you are using OS X 10.2.8 or older, I would then recommend using the
Netscape browser. If you don't have this browser installed on your
computer, please visit the following page:
http://browser.netscape.com/ns8/download/archive72x.jsp
Thank you for being a valuable member of the eBay community. Have an
enjoyable time shopping and selling on eBay!
Sincerely,
Adam
eBay Customer Support
Powerbook 17" G4 & 24" iMac 2.16 Dual Core Mac OS X (10.4.8) Also, Powerbook G3 250 / OS 9

EBay does not recognize new security feature requiring security number in Firefox but works with IE

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== URL of affected sites ==
http://ebay.com

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I have been using eBay for over 10 years and have never had an issue with receiving mail from eBay.
Since Lion, I am not receiving the messages from eBay, none of the : New listings, ending bid notice or messages from other eBay customers.
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Here is what is happening :
(1)
When I list a new auction the wheel in my MAC mail account spins but the email from eBay does not show.
It does not show up in JUNK mail either.
(2)
When I log onto the server occasionally one of the auctions will appear in my inbox highlighted in yellow saying :
Mobile Me thinks this is junk, when I try and say it is not junk nothing happens as the wheel (on the server) keeps spinning.
Eventually it disappears and doe not go into junk.
(3)
At no time did I change any settings either in my computer mail or server settings.
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I use ATT and continue to receive emails into my MAC account from other accounts that I subscribe to.
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If you are referring to SMS text messages that is a cell carrier feature over their voice network. If they are successfully leaving your iPhone then it is nothing you can do about it. It is not common but if the carrier is having issues with their server and/or repeaters in can happen.

Ebay will not load on safari, firefox or camino, but all other sites load without any problem. Can anyone help?

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In the last couple of months, suddenly I am no longer able to access the "EBay" website while working on my wireless router. I have 3 personal computers, a laptop, 3 android smartphones & 2 ipod touch's. They all work fine, from my wireless router.
I have the WRT54GS ver. 6.
The problem started with not being able to access EBay. I called the EBay people. Then, I called my local Internet Service Provider. There were at least 10 phone calls, to each. Then, I called the Linksys people. The lady told me that I had an outdated router and that I needed to get a new one. Well, I had previously bought the most expensive one I could get, said it was for "optimum" movie & gaming from Cisco. I used it for a few days, and finally quit with it and took it back to the store BECAUSE IT DID NOT WORK NEAR AS WELL AS MY OLD OUTDATED WIRELESS G ROUTER WITH SPEEDBOOSTER!!
The Linksys/Cisco lady told me my equipment was old. But, the newest stuff can't hold a candle to my old one, according to my location, service, etc. My old one works like a CHARM!!
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When I take my android phones off of using my wireless, and they use strictly the AT&T data, I can get on EBay fine. But, when I switch the phone back to using my wireless router, it won't pull up EBay at all.
Please help!!

Pearliepix wrote:
I hope I am doing this right. I called EBay I don't know how many times. They said they have not had any one else calling with that issue.
I called my local internet provider. Loads of times. Finally called Linksys/Cisco. The lady told me that I had to pay her to talk. II can't do that. But, she would at least listen. She told me & my local internet provider assured me & still claim it's problematic from my Webroot security stuff.
Today, I decided that I would just turn off the Webroot stuff, just to see. So, I turned it completely off, and it still won't access EBay. I have access for an XBox 360, a PS3, 3 PC's, a laptop, and they all are doing this. The 3 Android phones we have do this as well. You can take the phones off of using the wireless router, and they will go to EBay. Put them back on using the wireless, instead of using data, and they can't pull up EBay. And, now, another website, I think it's www.islandimportsandmore.com - it won't pull it up either. So, I'm hoping that one by one, it's just going to start not accessing sites. The Linksys/Cisco lady told me my stuff was outdated and that's why it wouldn't work. But, it works awesome. Just will not bring up EBay.
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Administrator>tracert www.islandimportsandmore.com
Tracing route to islandimportsandmore.com [174.36.103.150]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms E4200 [192.168.1.1]
2 32 ms 25 ms 39 ms THIS IS YOUR IP ADDRESS (After this would be outside your network!)
3 13 ms 11 ms 14 ms te-5-4-ur01.ogden.ut.utah.comcast.net [68.87.220
.229]
4 9 ms 9 ms 11 ms te-5-1-ur02.ogden.ut.utah.comcast.net [68.86.180
.34]
5 15 ms 10 ms 11 ms te-9-1-ar02.saltlakecity.ut.utah.comcast.net [68
.87.170.29]
6 72 ms 44 ms 28 ms te-0-1-0-4-cr01.denver.co.ibone.comcast.net [68.
86.94.117]
7 24 ms 28 ms 120 ms xe-0-0-0.bbr01.cf01.den01.networklayer.com [75.1
49.228.102]
8 * 47 ms 37 ms ae12.bbr02.eq01.dal03.networklayer.com [173.192.
18.138]
9 38 ms 76 ms 39 ms ae0.dar02.sr01.dal01.networklayer.com [173.192.1
8.213]
10 43 ms 38 ms 38 ms po2.fcr03.sr04.dal01.networklayer.com [66.228.11
8.190]
11 38 ms 152 ms 37 ms fw5.bigcommerce.com [67.228.2.2]
12 37 ms 37 ms 37 ms 174.36.103.150
Trace complete.
C:\Users\Administrator>
Member of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists Union!

My ebay toolbar and the ebay logo that was in my system tray at the bottom have both disappeared when I installed FireFox??? How do I get them back? Please help.

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Macbook to ebay or not to ebay

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