I'm going to be helping my sister sell her G5 1.6 in a month or two, and wanted to run a few things by all you kind folks here on the forum before embarking on the task.

First of all, her processor has given her problems in the past, and the repair shop that she took it to a month or two ago confirmed that it will probably die at some point soon. It's been working for the last month or two just fine, but that is something we need to consider.

So...given the condition of the processor, do you all think it better to sell the whole unit as a whole, or should we part it out to an extent to avoid any possible problems with the processor and just sell that "as-is"?

It is still pretty much a stock machine--256 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, 64 MB NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra AGP card, Combo CD(record)/DVD (read only) drive, etc.

Looks like a comparable (100% functional) machine is going for something in the neighborhood of $600-$800 on ebay right now, but I don't really know what to expect for a machine such as hers given it's issues with the processor.

any thoughts?

Didn't "stock" on all G5s include a Superdrive?

As for selling it, I know there are a lot of people who would sell the thing and wish the buyer luck. I probably wouldn't go that route myself for the sake of karma, but then I've never had a machine w/a bad processor... I don't even know how you detect that, Techtool?

Too bad G5 processor upgrades are non existent.

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I think you should list in the description that there may be problems with the processor. These machines are incredibly expensive to fix. Put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Wouldn't you want to know something like that?

I have been lucky so far buying from eBay. Things worked the way they were expected to. Thank my lucky stars because the only reason I buy off eBay is being on a tight family budget trying to save some money. A bum G5 is not going to save anyone any money.

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I sit on a man’s back, choking him and making
him carry me, and yet assure myself and others
that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his
lot by all possible means — except by getting off
his back. - Leo Tolstoy, novelist and Philosopher
(1828-1910)

No Combo G5's, all SuperDrives according to MacTracker, maybe BTO?

Also, what is wrong with this Mac?
And how can the repair shop predict a failure?

BGnR

it was a BTO G5 (my sis wanted to save $100 at the time cause she didn't need the superdrive).

she took it to an apple certified repair shop after I tried everything in this forum post:
[forums.dealmac.com]

at first, they thought they would have to replace the processor (big $$$), but then they somehow got it to boot up normally, and they left it on overnight, and it has been working correctly ever since (the trip to the repair shop happened in Jan.).

I wasn't really asking about whether I should be forthcoming in the auction description--of course I'll let people know that the processor is questionable. The bigger question was whether you all thought I should sell it as a complete unit with the bad processor, or whether I should part it out, thereby avoiding potential hassles with the processor by either not selling it, or offering it as-is with complete disclosure of the problems we've experienced?

any more input is welcome!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2006 06:42PM by clay.

Well those parts don't sound close to $6-800 esp. considering the extra hassle of selling in that fashion. Still not sure on assuming the processor is bad (having sailed through the past 4 months as it has).

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Part out what? The video card is bottom of barrel, the hard drive sells for $30 new, the memory is worthless as is the combo drive. What exactly did you have in mind selling other than the CPU, the case and the mobo?

a replacement processor would run $325 or more plus labor, figure $100.

consider a refurb single 1.8 is $1099 straight from Apple.

a single G5 1.6 doesn't hold much appeal unless it's dirt cheap. i'd rather spend $600 for a dual 867 G4.

I would prefer to pay $300 if possible on the
G4 DP 867. Please send it Fedex now I will run some
tests and then send U a USP Money Order and a Pineapple

You can trust me I am sure *(:>*
haikudawg

If you sell it on eBay, then just list the issue that you've had with the processor. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it will fail soon, as you don't know that, it has been running fine for 4 months. Then let the chips fall as they may. You might be surprised with eBay, you may get more than you think. Then again you may only get $100.00 bid.

If listing it on Craigslist or a classified ad, take the above posters info and cut the going ebay price by about the repair price, which would mean asking $300-$400 or so for it.

Agree with above,

-Sell it on e-bay as one unit, parting it out won't get you more money

-Also be honest about processor problem but do not say it will fail soon.

Heck when I look at e-bay, it often seems that people pay more for questionable as-is systems than they do for guaranteed ones.

Simply list that the processor has been to the shop in the past but unit has been working well for the last month. Then say you still just don't feel comfortable enough to provide warranty with system and so are selling it as-is.

Also, from my own experience I'd rhighlight that theitem is being sold "as-is" a few times in the listing. I once sold a camera as-is that was working when I sent it, and was working when it arrived, but within a month or two it died and the seller wanted me to pay for repair. I refused and pointed out item was sold as-is. They claimed I didn't make that clear enough in the auction and gave me negative feedback. It's been the only negative feedback I've gotten in my e-bay history. What drove me mad was that since this was a Super 8 camera there was no way they could buy the camera new, and the repairs they wanted me to pay for cost more than the camera.

The only issues you have to struggle with is do you want to warrant the item against being Dead on Arrival? If you do (which would be gracious of you) make sure you list that item can only be returned within a set amount of time (3 days after arrival) and only sent back on the buyer's dime. Otherwise you'll get claims of the computer arriving but not being tested for six months and now that they got around to testing the computer it does not work and they want a return.

-Shawn