Apple’s eBay store offers significantly better deals on Apple.com refurbs (and that’s before tax+payment advantages)

Élyse Betters | Mar 8 2013 - 10:06 am PT

9to5Mac first broke the news that Apple sold refurbished merchandise through its own eBay store last year, equipped with the same price tags, full warranties, and approved inspections, and now the company has dropped prices on many of those items below what it offers at store.apple.com.

9to5Toys and eventually Dealnews recently noticed a $100 price cut for Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air with 1.8GHz i5 and 128GB of storage (now over). It costs $100 more at store.apple.com for the same refurbished unit.

An even better eBay deal has emerged today: Apple’s 11.6-inch MacBook Air with 1.8GHz, 4GB SDRAM and 256GB SSD is only $949. It’s certified refurbished unite, while the same refurb model goes for $1,059 on Apple.com, and the 256GB MacBook Airs start at $1,299 new. All items come with free standard shipping, and eBay adds sales tax for only a few states at purchase and allows folks to pay with PayPal and BillMeLater.

While it is unknown why Apple is selling its refurbished products at different prices on eBay, it is possible that Apple is testing different price points, trying to move refurbished products in bulk, or even giving eBay power sellers products to sell at a discount and increase sales.

We continue to list all exceptional deals at eBay and other retailers at 9to5Toys.com.

Additional refurbished products on sale at the official Apple eBay store include $30 and $50 off the fourth-generation iPod touch in respective 32Gb and 64GB capacities, $15 off the third-generation Apple TV, and $50 off the Verizon 3G Pad 2 in 32GB and 64GB capacities.

Locations where Apple’s eBay store charges tax:

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