Refurbished 3rd generation iPod Touch 8GB - What do You Get?

The Ipod Touch is the holy grail among portable music players. Everyone wants one but with the price tag people are often steered away.

I wanted one for multiple reasons. First this last year was super busy, and especially the last semester. I realized I had three schedule books. One for work in my phone, one for classes in a schedule book, and one for training in my training diary. I very rarely use my phone other then schedules anyway. So I went ahead and put my work schedule into the calendar on the Touch. I found a good way to make a ToDo list and that seems to work well. The training schedule will obviously stay in the diary mainly, but I can still put a run or bike on the calender. 

Another reason was that getting into the summer I will be doing longer runs and bikes. The same few hundred songs get old really fast! I have been listening to some podcasts lately but on the iPod Shuffle I have it is a bit difficult. My favorite podcast right now is from www.Zentriathlon.com. You can download them for free at the iTunes store. Also the Zencast ones are free from the store as well and very good. I would also like to start listening to audiobooks while out training, but those cost cash. If I can find some for free somewhere that would be super cool.

At www.Walmart.com they list the third generation 8GB model at 178.54 with free site to store shipping to your local Walmart. Now with that you get earphones and the data cable. You are going to want a case as well, which run $15 to $20 dollars, and screen protectors that are around $6. 

That totals about $200. This is interesting because if you walk into a Walmart the unit alone will be $199. But if you are willing to wait a week, it's twenty dollars less online! 

Now if 200 is still a bit much for you, the next go to is www.Ebay.com. I had an initial goal to get a refurbished 8GB Touch for $120. After some time I realized that this would be a great challenge. I decided that upping my limit to $130 would be acceptable since the cost of a new one is still $200. 

This ended up working out very well as I won a third generation iPod Touch 8GB for $127.50 from Electronic-Seller-1. This seller has nearly 22,000 feedback with a positive rating of 99.7%. Now purchasing any not new electronic item (or any item really) is a bit of a risk. These are listed as not used, but refurbished. They claimed 

"This is a 3rd Generation Apple iPod Touch (The Newest Model Touch) in Grade A Condition (This means that the Screen is in Perfect Condition with no Scratches or Marks at all, Back may have some very minor Marks) Comes in the Original Apple Acrylic Case"

And this is exactly what I received. The back was just slightly scratched, as you can see from the picture below:

The front is the important part though, and the seller claims there were no scratches. True to their word the front screen was flawless. Any of the marks you see are from the screen protector. 

Now along with the unit itself, you need the essentials. 

• Screen Protector
• Case
• Charger
• Earphones

And this came with the data cord and 2nd generation earbuds in the original Apple case, which all units come with. However it also came with a screen protector and a rubber case which would have to be bought separately. 

So overall I cannot say anything wrong with this auction and unit. I won the iPod on a Sunday and it arrived Wednesday! Wow! Excellent packaging and shipping speed. 

I also jumped on www.Amazon.com and picked up some accessories for the iPod. 

Now I have not received this yet, but the first order was:

For $5.00 shipped! That's another case, an arm band, a screen protector, earphones, data cord, car adapter, and wall adapter! 

Also since the earphones that came with the iPod are not the ones with the mic and controls on the cord I wanted my own just for the mic. I have heard horror stories about how the new Apple earphones freeze up and stop functioning during to sweat. I picked up these: 

They have many good reviews and for seven dollars you can't beat that. 

In review, for $139.5 I got:

• 3rd Generation iPod Touch
• 3 sets of earphones
• 2 screen protectors
• 2 cases
• 2 data cords
• 1 arm band
• 1 car charger adapter
• 1 wall charger adapter

At Walmart that would all cost....oh boy I'm going to make a rough guess and go with $300.00 minimum. 

So if you are looking to upgrade or want something new and the price scares you away, don't be scared away from a refurbished iPod Touch!