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Anyone with online Trade-in experience: how picky are Apple about "physical condition"

Internet Enzyme

Internet Enzyme

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 21, 2016
999
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I am trading in my 2019 MacBook Pro for an M1 MacBook Air. Would be nice to hear an anecdote or two about how the process goes. My MacBook is a space gray one and there are some minor spots where you can see through the gray paint and the A key does have some wear to it. I just wonder how picky they are, because if they think that it's inadequate, that will take like $500 off of the trade-in value.
 
It would be helpful to know which trade-in vendor you're considering doing this deal with.
 
I've only ever done Apple trades in-store and always gotten what the online estimate tool quoted. Doing it in-store, if that's an option for you, is a good way to find out face-to-face without waiting. You have the option to decline the trade-in.

There are a few threads here on MR about Apple's mail trade-in partner Phobio about lowered offer prices based on seemingly minor condition (or in some cases non-existent, but who knows). Other people have had no issues. Search here for Phobio and you'll find plenty to read.

There are other trade-in vendors to consider as well. MacMeAnOffer.com and CashForYourMac.com are both well respected (based on multiple posts) here on MR. But again, any trade-in vendor will offer less for good condition versus flawless.
 
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I recently traded in my 7th gen iPad on a new iPad Pro. I turned it in at the Apple store when picking up my new stuff and they gave it a quick check and did not seem to be particularly picky.

If you go through their online trade in questionnaire, link below, and correctly represent your device as you answer the questions, then I don't think you would have any difficulties. They are more concerned with the device functioning correctly, and with no major issues such as cracked screens. For example, one relevant question to what you've said about your laptop is:

Is your Mac in good physical shape?​

See what this means
Is the screen free of cracks, pixel loss, and lines? Is the body free of major scratches and dents? And are all the keys where they should be?

www.apple.com

Apple Trade In

Trade in your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, or any other device for credit toward a new one, or recycle it responsibly for free with Apple Trade In.
www.apple.com
 
Agree with doing the trade in in-store. This way you can decide to keep the Pro if the trade in offer is less than what you expect.
 
thadoggfather said:
aren't apple stores (physical ones) not accepting trade ins right now, its only mail in?
Click to expand...
I traded in my iPad at the Apple Store just over a month ago. If the store is open for limited service (picking up, and so forth) then I expect they would also be able to handle trade-ins. Check with your closest store to see what they are allowing right now, recognizing that it could change from day to day until the situation improves significantly.
 
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Phil77354 said:
I traded in my iPad at the Apple Store just over a month ago. If the store is open for limited service (picking up, and so forth) then I expect they would also be able to handle trade-ins. Check with your closest store to see what they are allowing right now, recognizing that it could change from day to day until the situation improves significantly.
Click to expand...

I don't see why they wouldn't if the store has Genius Bar appointments.

Whats the difference between that and taking back equipment to apply a credit?

Maybe I'll do that, I prefer in person to mailing off my laptop and being beholden to third party's approval if possible

When I bought my M1 this week though, live chat told me they didn't but when I look to a store it has 'pick up' and 'modified Genius Bar' as services and there is a trade in banner for old phone.
 
Apple_Robert said:
Apple accepts in store Mac trade-ins. The problem is not all stores are open. And not all of the ones that are still open are accepting trade-ins at this time due to the Pandemic.
Click to expand...

Thanks I just called and they said they did (Apple support) for the store I have a 5 pm Genius Bar appointment for.

Wiping my i5 2020 Air now. Would MUCH prefer to get this over with and no ambiguity
 
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thadoggfather said:
I don't see why they wouldn't if the store has Genius Bar appointments.

Whats the difference between that and taking back equipment to apply a credit?

Maybe I'll do that, I prefer in person to mailing off my laptop and being beholden to third party's approval if possible

When I bought my M1 this week though, live chat told me they didn't but when I look to a store it has 'pick up' and 'modified Genius Bar' as services and there is a trade in banner for old phone.
Click to expand...
I did an iPad Pro trade-in today via a shopping session, so it doesn't have be a Genius Bar session. In-store is the way to go if it's available. It's so much easier and faster.
 
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Namara said:
I did an iPad Pro trade-in today via a shopping session, so it doesn't have be a Genius Bar session.
Click to expand...

They don't take walk-ins, so that's what I thought to do was Genius Bar but maybe ill see if you can schedule a shopping session
 
thadoggfather said:
How did you schedule a shopping session? Just showed up and they tried to set you up with a specialist?

Cause I don't think my store does walk ins.
Click to expand...
Right, you have to schedule it online. Go to https://www.apple.com/retail/ to find your store, and then you'll see links to schedule different types of sessions (shopping, Genius Bar, order pickup). If it shows No Availability, just keep trying later today or tomorrow. My store is only scheduling 2 days in advance.
 
Namara said:
Right, you have to schedule it online. Go to https://www.apple.com/retail/ to find your store, and then you'll see links to schedule different types of sessions (shopping, Genius Bar, order pickup). If it shows No Availability, just keep trying later today or tomorrow. My store is only scheduling 2 days in advance.
Click to expand...

ugh, it looks like my stores only doing online pick up orders and Genius Bar but ...

no shopping sessions. this sucks, I really don't want to mail it in
 
I'll add that while in line this morning, there was a woman who just showed up. Said she drove 2 hours to get there and didn't know she needed an appointment. They said they'd take her if there was a lull or a cancellation if she was willing to wait (which she was). But this was when they first opened in the morning so the chances of getting in are higher.
 
thadoggfather said:
ugh, it looks like my stores only doing online pick up orders and Genius Bar but ...

no shopping sessions. this sucks, I really don't want to mail it in
Click to expand...
Can you schedule a Genius Bar without going through support/issue prompts?
 
Namara said:
I've only ever done Apple trades in-store and always gotten what the online estimate tool quoted. Doing it in-store, if that's an option for you, is a good way to find out face-to-face without waiting. You have the option to decline the trade-in.

There are a few threads here on MR about Apple's mail trade-in partner Phobio about lowered offer prices based on seemingly minor condition (or in some cases non-existent, but who knows). Other people have had no issues. Search here for Phobio and you'll find plenty to read.

There are other trade-in vendors to consider as well. MacMeAnOffer.com and CashForYourMac.com are both well respected (based on multiple posts) here on MR. But again, any trade-in vendor will offer less for good condition versus flawless.
Click to expand...
All of the Apple Stores in my area are closed, so online is my only option really. Based on some of the stuff I’m seeing here, I’m feeling ambivalent about it. The three things I'm worried about are the A key and some scuffing on the corner and a hole in the paint on the lid. Otherwise, it's pretty much pristine, if in need of a bit of cleaning.
 

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Internet Enzyme said:
All of the Apple Stores in my area are closed, so online is my only option really. Based on some of the stuff I’m seeing here, I’m feeling ambivalent about it. Maybe I could attach some images of the machine in question.
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I don't think attaching images is going to help you all that much here. It's either going to meet the criteria for the trade-in amount you'd like, or it's not. None of us can say whether it would based on images. What you'd like is for someone with a very similar scenario to tell you what their trade-in assessment was, and maybe that person will respond in this thread.
 
Namara said:
Can you schedule a Genius Bar without going through support/issue prompts?
Click to expand...

false alarm. got the appointment, confirmed directly w the store they'll do it. whether or not they typically do, or it's a conventional thing, is another thing but REALLY don't want to deal with mailing AND third party
 
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