How do I know a refurbished laptop isn't stolen?
It's a fair question, and one reason to avoid anonymous second-hand deals.
Signs you're buying from a legitimate source
- A GST invoice from a registered business, showing the serial number
- Clean activation: no iCloud Activation Lock on Macs, and no BIOS or supervisor password on Windows laptops
- No company management: the laptop shouldn't boot into a corporate login or show "This device is managed by your organisation"
- A seller who can explain the source, such as corporate lease returns or IT asset disposal
Red flags
- No bill, or a handwritten one
- An Apple ID or password prompt from a previous owner
- A price far below market
- A seller who won't give you a physical address
Reputable refurbishers source from corporate refresh cycles and IT asset disposal. At Whynew we check every device for account locks and management profiles before it's listed, and the serial number goes on your invoice.
