Why am I getting high bids on an EMPTY BOX?

[tapswagato]

I am receiving bids on an EMPTY MACBOOK PRO USED BOX. This is empty box. And, it clearly states on the description as well as in the title. I was not expecting much bids. However, current bid has went as much as $192. What the heck is going on? Why would anyone wanna buy an empty box for $192?

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@tapswagato wrote:

I am receiving bids on an EMPTY MACBOOK PRO USED BOX. This is empty box. And, it clearly states on the description as well as in the title. I was not expecting much bids. However, current bid has went as much as $192. What the heck is going on? Why would anyone wanna buy an empty box for $192?

eBay used to disallow the sale of empty boxes ... they reversed that decision recently (within the past year or so).

Ask yourself who wants an empty MacBook Pro box, hmmm?

Answer: The person selling a used MacBook Pro (or knockoff) that doesn't have a box.

"In original box" is worth more ... and it subtly implies that the computer is unused or barely used ... even if it's a POC.

On the other side ....  with the holidays coming, a gift of a MacBook is more impressive in the box if someone wishes to "regift" their used one LOL

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[gadgetryz]

what peguins_dont_fly said or

bidder didn't read correctly and assumes they're bidding on an actual macbook.... wouldnt put this past them since more than half of buyers don't finish reading listings. or don't read at all.

[coolections]

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@tapswagato wrote:

Why would anyone wanna buy an empty box for $192?

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Why would anyone want to SELL an empty box ? If it was a collectable I could see it. What has Ebay become.

[siayan]

You are in the scam catagory. It will be payment pending. They don't even read. Come back when it's over and let us know.

[gadgetryz]

i was selling a imac and didn't have the box anymore and I desperately needed the box packaging with the cut out foams (and not to mention the box is oddly shaped to accomodate the computer). I rather have it packaged properly than attempting to box it myself with boxes not made to fit a 27 inch imac. 

if an macbook is in a macbook box, it appeals more to the buyer attempting to buy a used macbook. 

[retrose1]

OP, what is happening is the scammers are seeing cheap and computer in the listing and are bidding on it knowing that ebay's got their back if they don't read the listing.

At least when they SNAD you and send back an empty box, it won't be a scam.

[siayan]

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@gadgetryz wrote:

i was selling a imac and didn't have the box anymore and I desperately needed the box packaging with the cut out foams (and not to mention the box is oddly shaped to accomodate the computer). I rather have it packaged properly than attempting to box it myself with boxes not made to fit a 27 inch imac. 

if an macbook is in a macbook box, it appeals more to the buyer attempting to buy a used macbook. 

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So you would pay $200 for the box? Maybe I better keep my eyes open for boxes. I would do a little search work and buy the $15 box instead.

[readabouthorses]

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@retrose1 wrote:

OP, what is happening is the scammers are seeing cheap and computer in the listing and are bidding on it knowing that ebay's got their back if they don't read the listing.

At least when they SNAD you and send back an empty box, it won't be a scam.

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I'm guessing the scammers are seeing it because isn't it in the wrong category? So they just search the category and don't read the listing?

[luckythewinner]

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@tapswagato wrote:

 Why would anyone wanna buy an empty box for $192?

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LOL.

Knowing what we know about eBay, why do so many people automatically assume that a bid is going to result a payment? Or that a payment is not going to result in a refund? 

I see four possibilities: 

1) the buyer is confused and thinks it is a computer

2) the buyer is never going to pay

3) the buyer is going to file a SNAD and get the box for free

4) the buyer really, really wants that empty box

Which number comes up in eBay roulette this time around is anyone's guess. 

The first sentence of your listing is "I bought the MacBook Pro very recently."  I see that as an invitation for confusion for shoppers on a mobile device.  

[penguins_dont_fly]

If I was making a business of selling empty boxes of hot Apple items ...

1) The title would START with "Empty Box"

2) The Condition Description Field would START with "EMPTY BOX"

3) The gallery photo would include a sign in front of the box, with big letters "EMPTY BOX ONLY"

4) The Description would START with "EMPTY BOX" ... and I would not be mentioning anything about the product that used to be in the box  😞

• EMPTY BOX
• This is the box for xx
• The auction is for the BOX only
• The box is cardboard and includes original foam packaging materials (if it does).
• The product is not included in the box
• This box is in good condition.
• NO COMPUTER OR PHONE IN BOX.
• EMPTY BOX.
• BOX ONLY

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NO HAY COMPUTADORA O TELÉFONO EN LA CAJA. CAJA VACIA. CAJA SOLAMENTE

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PAS D'ORDINATEUR OU DE TÉLÉPHONE EN BOITE. BOÎTE VIDE. BOITE SEULEMENT

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KEIN COMPUTER ODER TELEFON IN KASTEN LEERE BOX. BOX NUR

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NESSUN COMPUTER O TELEFONO IN SCATOLA. SCATOLA VUOTA. SOLO SCATOLA

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ボックス内のコンピュータや電話はありません。 空箱。 BOXのみ

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箱子里没有电脑或电话。 空盒子 仅限BOX

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NAC YDW CYFRIFIADUR NEU FFÔN YN Y BLWCH BLWCH GORCHYMYN. BLWCH YN UNIG

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НЕТ КОМПЬЮТЕРА ИЛИ ТЕЛЕФОНА В КОРОБКЕ. ПУСТАЯ КОРОБКА. ТОЛЬКО ДЛЯ КОРОБКИ

[gadgetryz]

no, i would NOT pay $200 for a box. if you read my previous reply to the OP, I stated the buyer more than likely did NOT read the listing and thinks he's bidding for a macbook. 

Ironic you didn't read my posts too. 

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@gadgetryz wrote:

no, i would NOT pay $200 for a box. if you read my previous reply to the OP, I stated the buyer more than likely did NOT read the listing and thinks he's bidding for a macbook. 

Ironic you didn't read my posts too. 

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Let's say a seller has a MacBook, iPhone or other product that has somehow cost him pennies or nothing to acquire (I will not go into the HOW or WHY). This item has no box.

The seller would be willing to pay $200 for a box .. because In original box" can be worth MUCH more than without a box. Search for sales of "used" and "refurbished" MacBook Pros. Note the difference in pricing between with and without box.

[gadgetryz]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

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@gadgetryz wrote:

no, i would NOT pay $200 for a box. if you read my previous reply to the OP, I stated the buyer more than likely did NOT read the listing and thinks he's bidding for a macbook. 

Ironic you didn't read my posts too. 

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Let's say a seller has a MacBook, iPhone or other product that has somehow cost him pennies or nothing to acquire (I will not go into the HOW or WHY). This item has no box.

The seller would be willing to pay $200 for a box .. because In original box" can be worth MUCH more than without a box. Search for sales of "used" and "refurbished" MacBook Pros. Note the difference in pricing between with and without box.

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I know macbook values increase with its model box. I am not questioning that at all. Personally, for me, if the box doesn't match the mac address and original imei etc, then I am put off by it.

The most I paid for an empty box was $50. The imac box is huge and weirdly shaped for it to go in ANOTHER box to be shipped. Poster @siayan assumed that I would pay $200 for an empty box without doing previous research on other sellers that might be selling the same product.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@gadgetryz wrote:

what peguins_dont_fly said or

bidder didn't read correctly and assumes they're bidding on an actual macbook.... wouldnt put this past them since more than half of buyers don't finish reading listings. or don't read at all.

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Agreed.