And still they offer me over 1k less than retail. They are certainly making a nice profit.
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Apple Increases Mac Trade-In Values to Up to $2,500
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And still they offer me over 1k less than retail. They are certainly making a nice profit.
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Apple today increased its trade-in values for select Mac models released in 2009 and later. In partnership with buyback company Phobio, Apple now offers customers up to $2,500, compared to up to $1,500 previously.
![mac-trade-up-800x380.jpg]()
The new trade-in values in the United States are as follows:
o MacBook: up to $1,110
o MacBook Air: up to $430
o MacBook Pro: up to $2,500
o iMac: up to $2,500
o Mac Pro: up to $1,560
To determine how much credit you can receive, visit the Phobio website, enter your Mac's serial number, and answer a few questions about its current condition. Phobio will then provide an estimate based on the information provided.
If you accept the quote, you'll receive payment after your Mac has been inspected and its condition has been verified. The payment can be in the form of an emailed Apple Store gift card, PayPal deposit, or a virtual prepaid Visa card.
A maxed-out 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in good condition, for example, has a trade-in value of $2,510. A maxed-out 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in good condition is eligible for $1,460 credit.
![macbook-pro-trade-up.jpg]()
Apple's trade-up program is convenient, but customers can get better resale value by selling their Mac on eBay or listing it in classifieds such as Craigslist or the MacRumors Marketplace, so long as you adhere to our rules and requirements.
Apple also offers up to $500 for select PCs. Meanwhile, Macs released earlier than 2009 are eligible for Apple's free Renew and Recycling program only.
Article Link: Apple Increases Mac Trade-In Values to Up to $2,500
Reminds me of buying a car where the dealer tries to screw you on both the purchase price AND the trade-in....
I've sold a number of Mac laptops over the years through eBay and haven't had any trouble. Vetting buyers by previous feedback helps. And of course it also helps to post lots of good, clear pictures and info so people know exactly what they're getting and there's no miscommunication.
Depending on your tax situation, I guess you could also donate it to an charitable org and write a fair market value off your taxes.
Depending on your tax situation, I guess you could also donate it to an charitable org and write a fair market value off your taxes.
Not that I would anyway but fun fact: 2010 Mac Pro models don’t work even though it says 2009 or newer. Serial comes up with nothing and selecting manually only offers 2012 and 2013 models.
Also, my 2011 iMac is apparently only worth $180. While I wouldn’t expect a 2011 to be worth a ton I can sure as hell get more than that on the used market. These trade in values are kinda a joke.
Also, my 2011 iMac is apparently only worth $180. While I wouldn’t expect a 2011 to be worth a ton I can sure as hell get more than that on the used market. These trade in values are kinda a joke.
I usually sell on craigslist and have sold on the forums here before as well, but I recently attempted to use Phobio to just avoid the hassle since the offer seemed reasonable (gold Macbook). However after an amazingly terrible experience with that transaction I will never use a service like that again, especially Phobio.
There are a few discussions out there online about what seems like their scamming practices (quoting one price then mysteriously claiming item was received as damaged and lowering offer, and other shady practices). If anyone wants more details, I'll provide.
But without a doubt it was that absolute worst customer service experience I've ever had. From my one experience and some others I've read online, they are a garbage company. Just wish I had read a few of those before sending them my computer. However since Apple had recently partnered with them I foolishly extended them the same trust.
Its funny some people still think of Apple as little monkey and penunts company. Its time to smell reality folks. Why would a giant - powerful multi-national empire corporation like Apple give you any of their pretty little pennies on a trade in? They got to where they are in economic hierarchy -- by being tricksters in the market, socially, fashionably, non-ethically, politically and economically.
There are two kinds of people who take advantage of the "trade in", those who are massively in debt and use it as one of many ways to slowly pay off debt, or those who have more money than they know what to do with and it's like getting a small "tax return" or "pocket change" to give to a homeless person.
There are two kinds of people who take advantage of the "trade in", those who are massively in debt and use it as one of many ways to slowly pay off debt, or those who have more money than they know what to do with and it's like getting a small "tax return" or "pocket change" to give to a homeless person.
Ha, ok but then it should be depreciating on apple’s shelves. They are charging the same for 3 year old tech.
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I will glad take anything off your hands, since Apple screwed me by selling refurbished ones with faulty GPUs, & they refused to honor their own Refurbished Store 1-year "warranty" 
Wasted $3,000 for a laptop for school/work & its useless... I can't even trade it or sell it for parts!!!
Now new ones start at $5,000?!
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/imac-pro
...$8,000 for 1 new laptop & 1 doorstop is a little pricey for a poor unpaid student intern lol
Wasted $3,000 for a laptop for school/work & its useless... I can't even trade it or sell it for parts!!!
Now new ones start at $5,000?!
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/imac-pro
...$8,000 for 1 new laptop & 1 doorstop is a little pricey for a poor unpaid student intern lol
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My MacBook Pro: 2016 15" Space Gray, 2.6GHz Core i7(-6700HQ), 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, AMD Radeon Pro 460 GPU
For laughs, I put in my SN to Phobio, expecting a quote of at least $1,500 (this 2.9/1TB/460 model is $2,199: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-MacBo...153381?hash=item213762f6e5:g:7gQAAOSw~vpaP~Rc, mine has minor scratches and more cycles as well as a 2.6 GHz processor but that shouldn't knock off a ton of value):
Value: (incorrectly identified as a 2.6/256GB/450 model): $1,090
Whoa, that's a price MUCH lower than I was expecting, considering I paid $3,199 (actually $2,949 due to education discount) for this laptop a year and a month ago.
I retry again, using the drop-downs to correctly identify my MBP (to do that, submit a blank serial number and click "Search Device"):
Value: $1,100
That's crazy! What was a $700 option at retail is now worth... $10?!
And finally, testing the retail of a 2017 model that is identical as possible (2.8/1TB/560, basically the same computer with a bit faster parts):
Value: $1,945
That's BS.
For laughs, I put in my SN to Phobio, expecting a quote of at least $1,500 (this 2.9/1TB/460 model is $2,199: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-MacBo...153381?hash=item213762f6e5:g:7gQAAOSw~vpaP~Rc, mine has minor scratches and more cycles as well as a 2.6 GHz processor but that shouldn't knock off a ton of value):
Value: (incorrectly identified as a 2.6/256GB/450 model): $1,090
Whoa, that's a price MUCH lower than I was expecting, considering I paid $3,199 (actually $2,949 due to education discount) for this laptop a year and a month ago.
I retry again, using the drop-downs to correctly identify my MBP (to do that, submit a blank serial number and click "Search Device"):
Value: $1,100
That's crazy! What was a $700 option at retail is now worth... $10?!
And finally, testing the retail of a 2017 model that is identical as possible (2.8/1TB/560, basically the same computer with a bit faster parts):
Value: $1,945
That's BS.
I want to thank everyone who chimed in about Phobio. I'm looking to upgrade my Macbook Pro 2013 to double the memory and storage.
since it isn't easily user-upgradable, it looks like I have to sell my current laptop and buy one with the specs I want.
It also looks like I'll continue to sell my used gear on Craigslist since Phobio and the like rip customers off. I've had a good experience there though sometimes it takes a year or more to find a buyer.
since it isn't easily user-upgradable, it looks like I have to sell my current laptop and buy one with the specs I want.
It also looks like I'll continue to sell my used gear on Craigslist since Phobio and the like rip customers off. I've had a good experience there though sometimes it takes a year or more to find a buyer.
I found out today that Apple has asked its trade-in partner Phobio to stop accepting 2017 MacBook Pros. So forget getting anywhere near $2500, you can't even trade-in your 2017 models. Looks very suspicious to me that Apple is secretly blocking this on one hand and marketing this on the other.
![Screen Shot 2018-04-03 at 1.43.40 AM.png]( "Screen Shot 2018-04-03 at 1.43.40 AM.png")
![]()
Apple today increased its trade-in values for select Mac models released in 2009 and later. In partnership with buyback company Phobio, Apple now offers customers up to $2,500, compared to up to $1,500 previously.
![mac-trade-up-800x380.jpg]()
The new trade-in values in the United States are as follows:
o MacBook: up to $1,110
o MacBook Air: up to $430
o MacBook Pro: up to $2,500
o iMac: up to $2,500
o Mac Pro: up to $1,560
To determine how much credit you can receive, visit the Phobio website, enter your Mac's serial number, and answer a few questions about its current condition. Phobio will then provide an estimate based on the information provided.
If you accept the quote, you'll receive payment after your Mac has been inspected and its condition has been verified. The payment can be in the form of an emailed Apple Store gift card, PayPal deposit, or a virtual prepaid Visa card.
A maxed-out 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in good condition, for example, has a trade-in value of $2,510. A maxed-out 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in good condition is eligible for $1,460 credit.
![macbook-pro-trade-up.jpg]()
Apple's trade-up program is convenient, but customers can get better resale value by selling their Mac on eBay or listing it in classifieds such as Craigslist or the MacRumors Marketplace, so long as you adhere to our rules and requirements.
Apple also offers up to $500 for select PCs. Meanwhile, Macs released earlier than 2009 are eligible for Apple's free Renew and Recycling program only.
Article Link: Apple Increases Mac Trade-In Values to Up to $2,500
You'll get a better return than if you sold it to Phobio.
Apple computers are well-known to hold their value and depreciate slowly compared to other electronics. this is one reason people feel it's justified that Apple doesn't hold fire sales or similar promotions where it sells it's computers at deep discounts. We know Macs hold their value and it follows that even after several years Apple doesn't lower prices by a significant amount.
It seems like you are new to the Apple ecosystem since you didn't know that.
Phobio must be new as well, as their offers have gotten Apple aficionados to raise their eyebrows at their laughably wrong vakuarion of used Apple computers.