OlyGeek

OlyGeek sells refurbished and rebuilt computer equipment. the products they sell are not manufacturer supported– if you purchase a MacBook from OlyGeek, and anything goes wrong with it, you cannot simply take it to the AppleStore (whether you buy an AppleCare warranty or not) and expect them to repair it. Apple will refuse to service the equipment, as the warranty is broken the moment OlyGeek begins tampering with the device.
Further, you will not be eligible for any OS updates or upgrades of any kind. Even if there are serious flaws with the OS installed on the equipment by OlyGeek, you cannot replace that OS.
OlyGeek themselves make you sign a contract upon purchase, stating that you cannot return the product for a full refund once you complete the purchase. You can receive a partial refund for a few days, and then after that, nothing at all. Further, OlyGeek is in no way obligated to repair the device if anything goes wrong with it. OlyGeek also does not accept credit or debit, and only deals in cash. This prevents you from buying the machine, taking it home and plugging it in, discovering that it isn’t what you really wanted, and then calling your bank or credit card company to stop the payment before it goes through.
If you buy a dual-​core product, do not expect them to have actually installed both operating systems. Nor should you expect to be able to install Windows. Sure, you’ve paid for a dual core processor, and you’ve got it, but you’ll never be able to make use of that functionality. Also, the battery may not function properly. Any software built specifically for Mac– say, the Microsoft Office Suite for Mac– may or may not function at all– I installed it on mine, only to have it crash my machine until I removed it.
That said, what OlyGeek sells is much cheaper than anyplace else anywhere An actual MacBook will cost you close to a thousand dollars retail. OlyGeek will sell it to you for $ 400. Most of the functions a MacBook is used for are functional– you can still download apps from the App Store, you can still use iTunes, and you can still access a portable memory device. John has encyclopedic knowledge about how the computers they sell work. You can’t rely on that entirely– I begged him to solve a battery problem and left my newly purchased equipment with him for 2 weeks, during which time he didn’t even bother to look at the thing– but he does know what he’s doing when you can motivate him to do it.
This is neither a rip off nor is it top of the line. You’re getting what you pay for, and you’re not paying much. If you’re low-​income, a student, or just need a throwaway machine for whatever reason– this is the place to go. If you’re looking for something with a warranty or full compatibility or product support or any kind of a return policy, this is not the place to go. OlyGeek is good for getting over an economic barrier, that’s their purpose and what they excel at.

Local computer recyclers. Local source of cheap parts and repairs.
Goodwill takes technotrash for free and RE-​PC Tukwila has a bigger selection of parts. Both have more regular hours than OlyGeek. Olygeek wins for convenience, skill, and mission. Check them out and think of them at donation time. They are right around the corner from the Bread Peddler.