I'd count that as slightly different, more akin to selling privately than what you do with Apple where the price is just knocked off your new purchase.
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Apple Called Out for 'Brutal' Mac Trade-In Values Following Launch of New Models
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I was quoted $450 for a 2TB fully spec’d i7 2020 macbook pro 13. Will most likely net $700-800 on eBay. Apple is letting eBay eat their lunch.
I traded in an iPhone 13 Pro Max ($1,099 retail) after a year for $740-760 through Apple to purchase the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The fact that a maxed out 2019 Mac Pro retailing at $50k+ gets the same trade in is absolutely absurd.
The fact that a maxed out 2019 Mac Pro retailing at $50k+ gets the same trade in is absolutely absurd.
They also have to consider the market for it. Who is going to buy that Mac Pro from them? Whatever it cost to buy initially, if they can't sell it at a profit, why would they do it? And with all the Mx Macs out there, is there a huge market for a maxed out Mac Pro that is used vs a new one?
I'm pissed now too.
Planning on buying a new mini and was hoping to offset most of the cost by trading in my late 2012 mini but Apple says they won't give me dime for and want to recycle it. That's BS. I should be entitled to at least 50% of its original value. /s
Planning on buying a new mini and was hoping to offset most of the cost by trading in my late 2012 mini but Apple says they won't give me dime for and want to recycle it. That's BS. I should be entitled to at least 50% of its original value. /s
Yeah, I have never been a fan either, however the convenience of just turning in my iPhone to Apple was a plus for me.
It seems not anymore, this is ridiculous, I also own a fully-specd M1 MBP 16" and there is not way I will accept ~$700 for it.
The only thing Apple’s trade-in program was ever good for was finding a published CHEAP price to charge extended family who wanted my old gear.
Nothing new about this. Apple has had the worst trade in value for as long as I can remember. It is odd that in doing so it appears they think their older devices have so little worth. It’s like they’re saying, “Hey we’re doing you a favor giving you anything for that one year old MacBook Pro.”
Not surprising Apple gives people a bad deal on trade-ins, after all Tim Cook's got some losses to recoup. 
The trade in values are historically much lower now than what Apple used to give. I've traded MacBooks for newer versions many times over the years and I'd get mid $1000s for them directly from Apple. Slowly over the years they've lowered and lowered and lowered the trade in values.
You're absolutely right, they do NOT want people to trade in the devices. They are making the value as unattractive as possible to deter people from exchanging their devices.
The number of people on MR who think Apple is a married bride who will never let you go is astonishingly high!
I got an insanely good offer for my 16" 2019 MBP base in fall of 2021 when I picked up my MBP 2021 16" M1 Pro 1TB.
This is a bad move and will likely hurt them in the end.
A move to a google connected world is looking more enticing everyday.
This is a bad move and will likely hurt them in the end.
A move to a google connected world is looking more enticing everyday.
The trade in system is designed as a recycle program and not a market to sell a working Mac for its market value. It's a safe and hassle free system to get a discount on a new Mac. Sometimes that discount can be a good 15-25% off the purchase of a new Mac.
I think people need to shift their expectations of what the trade in program is designed for. It's not always going to be the best value. Especially for newer fully operational Macs that could still have a lot of resale value with users wanting a good performing Mac.
Custom upgrades are not going to hold much value for a trade in either. Added ram and storage is worth nothing as a trade in since it's all tossed in the garbage. You don't add more storage and ram to increase the trade in value. You add it because you need it at that time and you got great use out of it. The higher the ram and storage upgrades the less ROI value a trade in will have and rightfully so if its just recycled and thrown away.
The higher end the machine the less trade in value it has as well. It's really a recycle program so the value is the materials use in the machine and not so much what the performance or cost was at the time. I traded in a M1 MBA a year later to upgrade to the M1 Pro 14" MBP and the trade in value was really good. Yeah I could have maybe got an extra hundred or two bucks finding a buyer but I just didn't want to deal with the scam artists out there. I traded in the M1 MBA and a 2018 I7 Mac mini and paid 1/2 for the 14".
The trade in system is a way to recycle computers and give some value back to users. Vs people just throwing out computers in the trash. It's also a loyalty discount program for those that do want to upgrade frequently. I never suggest people upgrade every year however. That never has much value at all unless you find a person to sell it to for a good amount.
If one wants the most value for their fairly new and expensive Mac do not use the trade in program. Be smart. It's not a one size fits all solution nor should it be. If a Mac still has market value sell it instead. If a Mac will be harder to sell then use the trade in program vs throwing it in the garbage. It's not just about the sale price either but actually finding one to buy it. Some machines will have zero interest from people to buy it. In those cases the only option is to use the trade in program. Some money is better than no money if the market value or need just isn't there anymore.
I think people need to shift their expectations of what the trade in program is designed for. It's not always going to be the best value. Especially for newer fully operational Macs that could still have a lot of resale value with users wanting a good performing Mac.
Custom upgrades are not going to hold much value for a trade in either. Added ram and storage is worth nothing as a trade in since it's all tossed in the garbage. You don't add more storage and ram to increase the trade in value. You add it because you need it at that time and you got great use out of it. The higher the ram and storage upgrades the less ROI value a trade in will have and rightfully so if its just recycled and thrown away.
The higher end the machine the less trade in value it has as well. It's really a recycle program so the value is the materials use in the machine and not so much what the performance or cost was at the time. I traded in a M1 MBA a year later to upgrade to the M1 Pro 14" MBP and the trade in value was really good. Yeah I could have maybe got an extra hundred or two bucks finding a buyer but I just didn't want to deal with the scam artists out there. I traded in the M1 MBA and a 2018 I7 Mac mini and paid 1/2 for the 14".
The trade in system is a way to recycle computers and give some value back to users. Vs people just throwing out computers in the trash. It's also a loyalty discount program for those that do want to upgrade frequently. I never suggest people upgrade every year however. That never has much value at all unless you find a person to sell it to for a good amount.
If one wants the most value for their fairly new and expensive Mac do not use the trade in program. Be smart. It's not a one size fits all solution nor should it be. If a Mac still has market value sell it instead. If a Mac will be harder to sell then use the trade in program vs throwing it in the garbage. It's not just about the sale price either but actually finding one to buy it. Some machines will have zero interest from people to buy it. In those cases the only option is to use the trade in program. Some money is better than no money if the market value or need just isn't there anymore.
Mint runs beautifully on my 10 year old MacBook Pro.
Everything. Just. Works.
Honestly, I was shocked in a good way. I did a clean install to see about 3 months ago.
try it!
Everything. Just. Works.
Honestly, I was shocked in a good way. I did a clean install to see about 3 months ago.
try it!
Apple and all trade in companies use the parts for recycling, they don’t resell them.
Years ago, Apple gave me $250 to trade in my iPhone 6S+ for an iPhone XR, at a time when the 6S+ configuration I had was going for $200 on eBay. And recently, T-Mobile gave me $800 to trade in my XR for a 14 Pro Max. I have to stick with T-Mobile for two more years, but I'd planned to do so, anyway. Those were the exceptions, though. I normally keep my tech devices for as long as they're useful to me, and then I either pass them on to family members or sell them for whatever I can get on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
Apple and other trade-in providers have similar offers, which is why I never use them. I always sell my devices myself. Sure, it can take a lot longer, but you can get quite a bit more than what they offer you in trade-in. You're giving up value with the convenience of handing it to them, them inspecting and fixing/replacing parts, and, most importantly, adding a warranty to the item and offer AppleCare when they sell it as a refurb.
I sold my iPhone 12 Pro for $450. Apple offered up to $330, which I'm sure was for the highest storage option. I also just sold my 2018 iPad Pro for $350. I initially asked for $450, but settled because I needed the money. Apple offered up to $445, which again is probably for the 12.9" and highest storage option. I have my cellular series 5 watch for sale too for $175. Apple is only offering $75 and selling refurbs for $450...
I sold my iPhone 12 Pro for $450. Apple offered up to $330, which I'm sure was for the highest storage option. I also just sold my 2018 iPad Pro for $350. I initially asked for $450, but settled because I needed the money. Apple offered up to $445, which again is probably for the 12.9" and highest storage option. I have my cellular series 5 watch for sale too for $175. Apple is only offering $75 and selling refurbs for $450...
Apple is the only one who offers that. Should be a legal requirement for all tech companies