Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Called Out for 'Brutal' Mac Trade-In Values Following Launch of New Models

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,488
37,766


Apple is facing criticism online for offering poor Mac trade-in values following this week's launch of new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models.

apple-silicon-mac-lineup-wwdc-2022-feature-purple.jpg

Yesterday, MKBHD researcher David Imel tweeted that Apple offers just $970 in trade-in credit for a Mac Pro configuration that it still sells for $52,199. The viral tweet caused an uproar among Twitter users towards Apple's trade-in program: "That's a slap in the face," said one user. "Apple trade-ins have always been boo boo. I'm surprised you thought you would get even 1/5 of the price," another one said.











On Reddit, users also piled on, sharing their past experiences with Apple's trade-in program and the "low value" returned for their Macs. "My base model M1 Pro trades in at $725. 63.7% drop in value in a single generation. Not great," one Reddit user said. Another user, on the flip side, shared how Apple gave them $700 last year for an Intel-based 2016 MacBook.
I got $700 for my 2016 i7 last year using Apple trade in. Blew my mind I was able to get anything for it. Used it to buy a M1 Pro. Only deprecating 60% in 6 years for a machine that's basically at the end of its life, was pretty good. Looks like Apple doesn't really need used Apple Silicon, so the price is a lot lower.
Click to expand...
On the MacRumors forums, users are also sharing their thoughts about Apple's trade-in program regarding Macs after the launch of new models. One user said Apple quoted them the same $970 value for a 14-inch M1 MacBook Pro, while a third-party offered almost $1,100.

The credit Apple will give you for trading in an old Mac depends on several factors, including its specific configuration and condition. On its website, Apple offers a list of estimated trade-in values for its Mac lineup, quoting up to $670 for the MacBook Pro and up to $1,250 for the Mac Pro.

Article Link: Apple Called Out for 'Brutal' Mac Trade-In Values Following Launch of New Models
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/18/apple-customers-complain-trade-in/
  • Angry
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: compwiz1202, J.J. Sefton, Moyapilot and 3 others
tadasZ said:
i thought you trade in your old device, not because you want to buy new device for half the price, but because device you trade in will be properly recycled and you're filthy rich, otherwise you sell your old gear on craigs list
Click to expand...
No, the reason to do it is that you may get a lower but still somewhat decent amount and don't have to deal with weird buyers, friends who complain that the item you sold them is now defective and so on.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: George Bailey, bobcomer, bkaus and 40 others
MacRumors said:
Apple is facing criticism online for offering poor Mac trade-in values following this week's launch of new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models.
Click to expand...
Yes Apple is literally are fleecing consumers that utilize the current trade-in estimates if you use that online trade-in valuation. Couple of years ago they weren't as bad.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: beginnersview, nordique, AlexMac89 and 2 others
Craigwilliam said:
Maybe it's just me but if I had spent $50k on a Mac Pro in 2019 I wouldn't be trying to trade it in just because they launched a new Macbook Pro. A machine that is as high spec'd as that one has either already earned its cost or is destined for a long service life. Until the software stops supporting it at least.
Click to expand...
The discrepancy is in the fact that this exact model is still being sold new for that price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: beginnersview, Tim Apple’s Glasses, RuralJuror and 8 others
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: StumpJumper, gusmula, Rockondevil and 6 others
I'm guessing that apple uses a trade in company to do this for them. Most of those companies dont resell the computers but just strip them for useable parts and dispose of them or sell them in developing countries etc. If the machine is in perfect condition they could refurbish and resell those. But these companies dont all go and put every computer back on eBay or something.

They are also hedging. If they get 100,000 machines, the time to process them each etc.. and only 5% can be resold as is, then they will probably work out a price that covers it all.

All the above is probably why the prices have nothing to do with whatever was paid for them originally or their usefulness to potential buyers. Also, eBay has become so scam ridden for some sellers people dont want to go through the hassle of it all. Which can drive people to these trade in things.

Trade in's are just another marketing exercise by apple. How much does it cost to acquire an extra customer? If they give you $700, maybe they split it with the company that does it for them, Apple got you to buy a $1500 item and it cost them maybe $300 to get you. Not bad business...

They could just discount the cost on their products like other companies do but then apple will lose its perceived value. Which is why it never officially discounts (although you can get them through amazon a bit cheaper). They act like a high end fashion label. It works.
 
  • Like
Reactions: beginnersview
Smartuser said:
The discrepancy is in the fact that this exact model is still being sold new for that price.
Click to expand...

So what, it's probably an arbitrary number based on a number of set factors. Apple is expecting people to trade in their old iPhones, not their 3-year-old Macs Pro. If the number is too low, nothing and no one is forcing anyone to accept it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drumcat, Ankaa, Yonizzle and 1 other person
unsynaps said:
Sounds like some people better not buy a car and try to resell it.
Click to expand...
Sure, let's look at some data:

www.lendingtree.com

Car Depreciation: How Much Is My Car Worth?

New cars lose around 20% of their value in the first year, and they’ll be worth about 40% of what you paid after five years. This process is called depreciation.
www.lendingtree.com www.lendingtree.com
www.ramseysolutions.com

Car Depreciation: How Much Is Your Car Worth?

Car depreciation can be a real drag on your car when you try to sell it. Learn more about car depreciation, how it works, and what you can do to slow it down.
www.ramseysolutions.com www.ramseysolutions.com
www.omnicalculator.com

Car Depreciation Calculator

The car depreciation calculator allows you to find the market value of your car after a few years.
www.omnicalculator.com www.omnicalculator.com

According to these, the average car is worth roughly 50% after four years.

Not 2% like the Mac Pro according to Phobio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bearygoodfries1, zapmymac, IG88 and 11 others
grundgedanke said:
Sucks. Yes. But. There wasn't a time when Apple Trade In was good. Just ignore it as done in the years before.
And other companies are not necessarily better here.
Click to expand...

But there was a time when they offered a higher percentage.

Craigwilliam said:
So what, it's probably an arbitrary number based on a number of set factors. Apple is expecting people to trade in their old iPhones, not their 3-year-old Macs Pro. If the number is too low, nothing and no one is forcing anyone to accept it.
Click to expand...

Sure, but then it's ridiculous to constantly advertise trade-ins on their site. There is an expectation that if Apple offers something, that it'll live up to some standards of quality and fulfillment of expectations and not be just a joke.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RuralJuror, macsforme, Bearygoodfries1 and 4 others
Smartuser said:
According to these, the average car is worth roughly 50% after four years.
Click to expand...
It would be amazing if a consumer got the same for a apple trade-in, but that example is sad.
This is brutal: MacBook Pro M1 Max 10-Core CPU and 24-Core GPU 16" (Late 2021) 4TB SSD Apple trade-in: CAD 720 (USD 540)
Click to expand...
Apple can easily accept the trade in and sell it more then double that price as a refurb.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RuralJuror, zapmymac and maccymac42
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back