Apple eBay Store: Apple Turns to eBay to Sell MacBook Pros and iPads

Apple eBay Store: Earlier this month, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) lowered prices for its MacBook Pro with Retina display notebooks. While this was a big surprise to some, we have more news for you. The Cupertino-based company is using eBay to sell quite a few refurbished MacBook Pro notebooks and iPad tablets.

Apple is actually the smart money’s second favorite publicly traded company (see why it’s important to pay attention to hedge fund activity).

This may be a surprise to some, but it is not the first time the company has taken to this practice. By using eBay power sellers, Apple knows it is able to sell the products in a fast and efficient manner.

Here is what AppleInsider had to say:

“It’s no secret that Apple maintains a somewhat unofficial refurbished outlet on eBay, where this week dozens of new refurbished Macs and iPads turned up at significant discount. Each product sold on the store passes through Apple’s quality inspection, and each comes with the same full one-year warranty. Additionally, all iPads and iPods include a brand new battery.”

“But separately, the company is also believed to be quietly working with eBay power sellers, like Johny641 to unload thousands of its most popular MacBooks at below wholesale costs. As was the case several weeks ago, shoppers for the next couple of hours can pick up Apple’s $1,199 2.5GHz 13-inch MacBook Pro (MD101LL/A) for just $999. That’s the lowest price we can find by over $66.”

As exciting as this may be for those who are in the market, if you didn’t act fast the opportunity passed you by.

The same AppleInsider article goes on to explain:

“As expected, the $999 MacBook Pro offer was limited and ended with the sale of the 500th unit in less than an hour.”

If you were lucky enough to catch this sale as it started, you may have been able to purchase one of the 500 units that were able for $999. Most people agree that this is one heck of a deal.

What do you think about this strategy by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)? Was it necessary even with a 17 percent drop in Mac sales during the company’s 2012 holiday quarter? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

Check back here for more updates on Apple eBay Store.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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