Sold Old MacBook As New.

Parky135

Hi all,

October 2016, I purchased a new MacBook Pro from the Apple Store Online. Recently its been performing terribly and I couldn't understand why, checked the 'About This Mac' and the laptop was built in 2012! Tech support said they'd never heard of this happening and that it shouldn't have been sold to me. There was nothing on the website that hinted at being sold a 4 year old laptop as new. Didn't buy used or refurbished either. Currently in talks with Customer Relations but unsure as to how to proceed.

Please advise on my rights with respect to this. Ideally, I'd like to be able to trade in the laptop for the 2016 model I bought originally.

Any questions please fire away.

Thanks in advance!

TadleyBaggie

What exactly is the model number, I believe the non-retina MacBook Pro wasn't refreshed for a number of years and though the model might say a year that doesn't necessarily mean it was produced in that year.

TadleyBaggie

As a an example, if you buy the current mac Mini (produced recently) it will say "Late 2014" in About This Mac.

TadleyBaggie

To get an idea when the machine was built, if you install an app called "Battery Health". This will tell you when the battery was built, which if it is the original battery will be very close to the date that the machine was put together.

sharpe106

I would think if apple actually did sell you a 4 year old laptop as new by mistake they would happily exchange it, I doubt you would need to worry about your rights. But as others have said it might the year of the model rather then when it was actually built.

Caz3121

my "about this mac" shows "Early 2015" I received it a brand new sealed box in August 2016...having been to the mac store recently with an issue, when they look up my machine serial number and they can see August 2016 as the date (not early 2015)

ssparks2003

There is a chance that the laptop is new, and for some reason has been sat at the back of some warehouse. Still new just not fresh; luckily it's not a loaf of bread

Fosterdog

Does it physically fit the description of 2016 model or a 2012 model? They cancel them all recently and anything 2015 or newer is slimmer and lighter than the earlier models. Obviously if it is the slimmer type it can’t be almost six years old as the slimmer casings didn’t exist back then.

Parky135

Hello all,

Thanks for the responses, I have checked the date of the battery and it is from June 2016 as suggested might be the case.

Interestingly enough I've had 4 phone calls with Apple so far and no one has even mentioned checking the date of manufacture, even though they were given the serial number on the very first call.

As it is the MacBook Pro without Retina display I believe all is well with the sale. Thank you all.