Apple Launches In-Store Mac Trade-In Program in the U.S. and Canada

[MacRumors]

Apple has officially launched its Mac trade-in program across retail stores in the United States and Canada.

The new program, which was reported last week, allows customers to exchange a Mac for credit that can be put on a gift card or used to cut the cost of a new computer.

Apple has long allowed Mac trade-ins on its website, but previously has not accepted Mac trade-ins in its retail store locations. The new Mac trade-in option joins existing in-store trade-in programs for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman spotted that Apple has removed the previous wording on its Apple Trade In webpage that said Mac trade-ins were online only.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1273367854771924994

With the new trade-in program, customers will no longer need to hassle with doing a trade-in by mail, and can get an immediate credit when making an in-store purchase.

Article Link: Apple Launches In-Store Mac Trade-In Program in the U.S. and Canada

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The trade-in prices are so bad, even an Apple rep. told me to sell mine elsewhere haha.

 

[nfl46]

Ridiculous prices!

They’re offering me $590 for my base 2019 MBP in great condition with accessories. Wtf!

 

[amartinez1660]

Ridiculous prices!

They’re offering $590 for a base 2019 MBP in great condition with accessories. Wtf!

Yeah, I find that abusive... I would be willing to shave off let’s say 15% from the selling price on eBay, if I were going to receive $1K then fine have it at $850 for saving me the hurdles, posting, checking user, etc... but 50% or more from the current “street” trade price is crazy.
I also don’t get how it works exactly, with the supported online third party ones the specs don’t seem to change prices that much... example, having 4GB or 32GB of RAM will yield you back the same $350, faulty screen on a 1TB, 32GB, etc can yield you "thanks for playing, we can dispose it for you free of charge"... what about fixing the screen?
Whereas someone on eBay or craigslist will find value in the components and the specs themselves, Trade-In programs seem to not find that much value on those things (understandable since it’s not a person that will start using it for themselves) which begs the question, what do they do with these traded devices.

 

[simonmet]

Apple is not a $1.5 T company for being generous, or even fair necessarily.

They're ruthless, money-hungry capitalists where no amount of wealth is enough.

 

[Machead2012]

I was offered 590.00 USD for a late 2016 MBP 2.9 256k Touch Bar in excellent condition. I passed.

 

[simonmet]

How much will it cost to upgrade my 16” with the latest 5600M?

 

[Loxen88]

trade in is for just your average consumer, if you can always sell on ebay or something you will always get more money.

 

[repoman016]

This just goes to show how much apple knows people love them for their ecosystem and not their generic hardware. They rape you on the front end so you can get in the eco system, and once you're there they rape you on the back end because "that hardware is old now" or something...

 

[Doomtomb]

Well I am in the process of getting scammed by a buyer on ebay over my perfectly working AirPods so trading in a computer and not getting scammed doesn't sound half bad.

 

[Wanted797]

The trade-in prices are so bad, even an Apple rep. told me to sell mine elsewhere haha.

Yeah I like to think it’s why Apple never hired me haha. I knew too much that I likely would have done this. But it’s better for the customer.

I worked ina phone store though and was honest about trade in programs and when models where coming out.

Sales people think it’s bad for business but it’s so much better. You build trust and long term customers and they recommend their friends.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I wonder if I could get a good discount by trading in my PowerBook Wallstreet PDQ?

 

[amartinez1660]

Yeah I like to think it’s why Apple never hired me haha. I knew too much that I likely would have done this. But it’s better for the customer.

I worked ina phone store though and was honest about trade in programs and when models where coming out.

Sales people think it’s bad for business but it’s so much better. You build trust and long term customers and they recommend their friends.

Exactly this, not to mention less money and time waste... transparency and honesty is at low for some reason.
All this secrecy behind new Macs and Co in the next days? That will trigger a barrage of returns that fall inside the 15 days window.

 

[macbanjo]

I don’t know but I did a quote on apple and got a 160.00 more offer than what best buy offered,

 

[dysamoria]

Well I am in the process of getting scammed by a buyer on ebay over my perfectly working AirPods so trading in a computer and not getting scammed doesn't sound half bad.

eBay is a hell hole of abuse and scams.

 

[aaesta]

Media: Can you explain to us why you price your products so aggressively?
Apple: At Apple, we put a lot of work and detail into our products. We believe in the best customer experience and we believe it is worth it at that particular price point
Trade In program: Apple Watch Series 4 - $150
13in Macbook Pro w/ touch bar 2019 - $590

 

[vjevtic]

I really hope this becomes the trend and Apple stops working with that crap company Phobio, which is clearly mocking and ripping off customers with so called internal benchmarking!

Such a bad experience, don’t even bother doing it online until phobio is taken out of the game!!!

 

[BigMcGuire]

Having been scammed on Ebay and actually lost $ - I won't touch that place with $100+ ever again.

I'm curious to see the estimates. I looked at the website last night but couldn't find anything. I guess one has to go "in store" because all the website links offering estimates are the third party.

 

[mvdw84]

The Canadian store still only lists online trade-in - not sure if in person still missing because of COVID-19 restrictions (Best Buy here is only taking Mac for trade in in a very limited number of stores for that reason).

 

[jicon]

Well... I've got a Mid 2009 Macbook Pro... given it is likely just at an age that's good for recycling, at least they get it off my hands(?) I'll just keep the stick of RAM, and HDD, because you never know, might come in handy.. and they're easily removable.

 

[acole4VT]

Ridiculous prices!

They’re offering $590 for a base 2019 MBP in great condition with accessories. Wtf!

I “traded” in my 2017 mbp for $790 for an ipad Pro with the education discount and free air pods that I Upgraded. I consider it fair. I still have my laptop bc you get instant credit and they mail a return box.

 

[Slothosaurus]

Yeah I like to think it’s why Apple never hired me haha. I knew too much that I likely would have done this. But it’s better for the customer.

I worked ina phone store though and was honest about trade in programs and when models where coming out.

Sales people think it’s bad for business but it’s so much better. You build trust and long term customers and they recommend their friends.

As someone who has also worked in multiple stores where you could trade in phones and tablets, I was alway up front that you could get more money if you sold it online.

Most people still chose the convenience of trading it in to me because they did not want to deal with the hassle of posting the item and shipping it.

I think it's great that Apple is offering the option now, like they have for iPhones and iPads in the past.

Best part about options is this - you don't have to chose it!

 

[fhopper]

My metro area only has 500,000 residents so we do not have an Apple store... and of course the independently owned stores are long gone. The GEEK SQUAD is Apple's foot print here.

 

[RalfTheDog]

It will be a year to a year and a half until it is safe to go into a store. I think it is a bit early to be talking about this.

 

[0128672]

Having been scammed on Ebay and actually lost $ - I won't touch that place with $100+ ever again.

I'm curious to see the estimates. I looked at the website last night but couldn't find anything. I guess one has to go "in store" because all the website links offering estimates are the third party.

The quotes you receive from the online Apple tool are what you'll get in store as well. The trade-in quote tool is on Apple's site, not a third party. I've done this many times with iOS devices. It's only the mail-in evaluation of devices that's done by Phobio (which you want to avoid at all costs). That Apple is now offering in-store trades is a very positive step, and I hope it also means they're considering a different mail-in partner.