Would you buy used ipod as a gift?

[disney_5]

My daughter wants an ipod for her bday. A new one costs about $235. An almost new one on craigslist costs about $150. Would it be ok to buy her a used one instead of a new one? Or would you just get the new one? If I get the new one I would like to take her into the apple store and let her pick it out which I know she would think was fun. Its too late to buy one online so I don't think I can get it any cheaper buying it anywhere else.

thanks, Jen.

 

[DisneyCher]

Eh, for family, I don't really have a problem with giving a used one, even if it is a birthday gift.

I got DH a refurbed one from the online store for his birthday back in the spring. Looked and worked like new.

I just am leery of craigslist in general, personally.

 

[mrudman]

imo, I would be hesitant to buy it off of craigslist...

Not sure what Ipod you're looking at (tried to find a $235 on apple.com, was unable to), but you could possibly get a refurbed one for less.

Depending on when her birthday is, look on Amazon.. they always ship super fast for me.

 

[luvmy3]

Are you talking about the Ipod Touch? Is it the current generation?

 

[msmayor]

I'd buy a refurbished one before buying a "used" one from a third-party seller.

Remember that the word "refurbished" does not always mean 'this item was used and cleaned up/fixed". Anytime a piece of electronics is sold and the seal on the box is broken/item removed from the box and then returned to the store, they have to sell it as "refurbished". Its why many stores charge a re-stocking fee on open box electronics...to recoup some of the loss they will take on the lower price they have to charge.

Often, a refurbished item IS brand new.

 

[disney_5]

Are you talking about the Ipod Touch? Is it the current generation?

Sorry it would be ipod touch (wifi only) or maybe ipod classic. The bday is this weekend and I know she realy wants one. I can go one state up and not pay sales tax so maybe I wil do that.


thanks, Jen.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I have purchased a used ipod for DD before. It's not the used part I am concerned about it where you are buying it. If it doesn't work you are out of the money. We bought our at a pawn shop (they are pretty mainstream around here...not seedy at all) and we did have a 15 day guarantee.

 

[TnTWalter]

they are happy to have the item....that's how 2 of them got DSs and gameboys and they all got the old shuffles when they were wee ones...

My DS just asked for a USED PSP for his coming birthday. Ebay delivery coming today!!

Craigslist is great because you can try the product out first. Make sure you try it out...if it's not charged and they say it works fine...pass.

I sell things on craigslist / ebay that are in great working order but we don't need.

I keep reminding my kids who are all about being 'green'....

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

 

[mrudman]

Sorry it would be ipod touch (wifi only) or maybe ipod classic. The bday is this weekend and I know she realy wants one. I can go one state up and not pay sales tax so maybe I wil do that.


thanks, Jen.

I'd talk to your daughter about this... since you're looking at the ipod touch, it's rumored (and likely) that the 5th generation is going to be coming out in the next 2-3 weeks.

The prices on the 4th generation have already started dropping at places like target, etc.

I would see if she'd want to wait, see what the 5th generation is going to offer, that the 4th gen doesn't, then go from there.

If she doesn't want to wait, you can get the 4th gen. 8 gb one for $204 right now, brand new.

 

[luvmy3]

Sorry it would be ipod touch (wifi only) or maybe ipod classic. The bday is this weekend and I know she realy wants one. I can go one state up and not pay sales tax so maybe I wil do that.


thanks, Jen.

If its not the current generation (the one with Face Time) I wouldn't buy it, you can find better deals on a refurb current generation. Unfortunately with your time frame you may not be able to. if it were me I would go new, or refurbished current gen over a used one that you don't know if it is, but that is just me. My dd's older generation Ipod is having issues now updating and her battery doesn't stay charged like it used to. Thats not to say all older Touch's will have that issue but if you test it from the buyer there is no way to tell if something like that is going on, and you have no warranty if it does have issues. You can purchase one from Squaretrade if you buy a new product or used on ebay, I'm not sure what their terms are if you buy from an individual on CL. It might be worth checking if you go that route.

 

[mjkacmom]

How old is your dd? I'd just get a refurbished one from Apple, and if it comes after her birthday, just let her know it's on the way. I've bought many refurbished ones, they look brand new, come packaged, and we haven't had any problems.

 

[mrseace711]

I'd talk to your daughter about this... since you're looking at the ipod touch, it's rumored (and likely) that the 5th generation is going to be coming out in the next 2-3 weeks.

The prices on the 4th generation have already started dropping at places like target, etc.

I would see if she'd want to wait, see what the 5th generation is going to offer, that the 4th gen doesn't, then go from there.

If she doesn't want to wait, you can get the 4th gen. 8 gb one for $204 right now, brand new.

5th generation?!!? I KNEW it!! lol every year they get better and better! I was just searching online trying to see when the upgrade would come since I thought previously they were always revealed in September?? or November?? We are planning on buying 2 ipod touches for DD9 & DD7 if I can get a great deal on the 4th generation we are ALL for it!

 

[disney_5]

If she doesn't want to wait, you can get the 4th gen. 8 gb one for $204 right now, brand new.

I must ask where do they have them at this price? I am now leaning towards just getting her a new one. So if anyone knows a place with better prices right now than the apple store for the ipod touch, please let me know.

thanks, Jen.

 

[allison443]

Like others have posted, I would buy a refurbished one rather than one off Craigslist...depending on my dd's age I might even show her how buying a refurbished one leaves more money for buying itunes cards.

 

[YO's Mom]

My daughter wanted an iPod touch for her 8th birthday last year. She knew I was NOT going to spend over $200 on an item that she could easily lose or destroy, so when I suggested either a cheaper, more basic iPod or a used touch, she said, "Let's check eBay." I was able to get her a very nice used touch for well under $100. She loves it. It will be going to Disney with us.

BTW, she had asked for a wii for Christmas before her birthday. I was able to get a used, but with all the boxes included set up off of eBay with the wii Fit board (for Mommy!) and 2 wii-motes, extra games, a dance pad, 2 nunchucks - everything she needed to get started for less than the price of a new system with 1 wii-mote. And she still doesn't know that was used!

 

[bjscheel]

I must ask where do they have them at this price? I am now leaning towards just getting her a new one. So if anyone knows a place with better prices right now than the apple store for the ipod touch, please let me know.

thanks, Jen.

Last night I saw them on Amazon and on Best Buy at that price. Was looking because DD10 is saving her money for one. I too realized last night that a new generation is due to come out, so maybe 4th gen will drop a little more shortly.

 

[bjscheel]

And I saw last night that the refurbs on the Apple site are $199, so at the moment, not a good deal compared to new ones at $204.

 

[luvmy3]

And I saw last night that the refurbs on the Apple site are $199, so at the moment, not a good deal compared to new ones at $204.

I would argue that buying a refurb directly from Apple is as good as buying new anywhere. They come with the same 1 yr warranty as a brand new one does.

 

[mrudman]

I must ask where do they have them at this price? I am now leaning towards just getting her a new one. So if anyone knows a place with better prices right now than the apple store for the ipod touch, please let me know.

thanks, Jen.

Here ya go,

I'm getting older dd one for Christmas, but I'm holding out till the 5th gen. one comes out, just to make sure it's not going to have "can't live without" features, lol... but most likely, I'll be getting this 4th generation one for her.

Don't forget to use a cash-back program too (I use U-Promise) for a couple % back.

New ones:
http://www.target.com/p/Apple-iPod-...uch-Screen-Wi-Fi-Black-MC540LL-A/-/A-12990622 If buy from here, get 15% off any accessories also.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-touch-G...1O0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316706250&sr=8-1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple&#...18062715447&skuId=9225377&st=itouch&cp=1&lp=1


Refurbed:
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1155671&CatId=3578

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/iPod&#1...18320404745&skuId=2315076&st=itouch&cp=1&lp=5

 

[puffkin]

Ask on facebook too if anyone has one they want to unload. One of my neighbors bought my old iPod Nano off me that way...she posted that she was looking for one and I had one gathering dust (since I have an iPhone) so I sold it to her cheap.

With new generations coming out of the touch and iPhone, a lot of people will probably be looking to unload theirs soon.

I bought DS5 a used DS on Ebay a few years ago for Christmas and it was great. Saved myself about $70 off a new one and there was no way I was buying a brand new one for a 3.5 year old.