Great idea! Wonder what they offer for 'one generation back' iPhones? And how much does the physical condition affect the price. If they're going to replace the shell anyway, it might not matter. It certainly saves the hassle of a private sale.
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Apple Looking to Boost iPhone Sales With New Retail Store Trade-In Program
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You craigsist people crack me up. OF COURSE you can get more on craigslist, go do it. It's like the people coming to a pawn shop and telling the owner 'I can get XXX amount more selling it on ebay!". No crap, go do it. You brought the phone to me, I didn't call you. This is my offer, if you don't like it or are offended, leave. Some people don't have the time or inclination to sell to people in parking lots, they will take a hit and save themselves the hassle. Now quit paying full retail for underwear and go to Salvation Army....
This is a great idea, I'm in Egypt and only the ELITE can afford an iphone (which is almost $1000 here). Many would snap up an older refurbed one for a couple hundred.
AT&T Offer
My contract just expired and AT&T offered to give me the iPhone 5 for free if I traded in my 4S, valuing it at $199. This seems to be a better option for those who are already eligible for an upgrade and not averse to signing another contract with AT&T.
My contract just expired and AT&T offered to give me the iPhone 5 for free if I traded in my 4S, valuing it at $199. This seems to be a better option for those who are already eligible for an upgrade and not averse to signing another contract with AT&T.
Nonsense. AAPL is down today b/c 1) the entire market is down, 2) The uncertainty of the ITC ruling on Apple's bottom line and 3) no one expects any new exciting products to emerge from WWDC. AAPL has basically been stagnant since the big drop in Jan but it's chart is improving, not deteriorating further.
An iPhone trade-in program is hardly novel. Apple is just copying what it's carriers and some resellers already do. It may affect direct sales, but it has zero effect on total sales.
Exactly!
I often use my original iPhone and 3GS as iPod touch's and at least they still work with my 'older' 30 pin AV equipment and accessories. Trade in price would not be worth it, if you wanted an extra iPod or back-up phone.
I have had some sort of issue with scammers on the last three eBay auctions I've done. Craigslist is probably better if you deal in person in a public place, but I'd never be 100% sure I properly wiped my phone, so the Craiglister would end up watching my Photo Stream. (This actually happened when I sold an AppleTV to a buddy of mine. I logged out of all accounts on the AppleTV, reset all the data, did a factory reset, and it still had my AppleID signed in.)
If Apple can properly wipe the phones (and they'd know how), then I'd be happy to take the overhead hit. Craigslist and eBay are a giant PITA.
If Apple can properly wipe the phones (and they'd know how), then I'd be happy to take the overhead hit. Craigslist and eBay are a giant PITA.
Amen.
This is so true. High School and college students have the time to post messages on craigslist, ebay, and sit in a parking lot to make a deal, and take the risk of being robbed, just don't understand that to other people, the cost-and-benefit, and the time to do this is not worth it.
The CONVENIENCE of Apple doing this IS worth it to many people.
The same as the CONVENIENCE of Apple's iOS actually working is worth it to many people vs. screwing around learning all sorts of geek stuff to get Android to work.
Or some guy who makes $80 per hour working his "day job" and does not want to hassle with Crags list for the extra $25 he'd get. It all depends on what your time is worth.
A nice solution for getting some lower cost iPhones into emerging markets... sell the same phone twice. Nice. 
Smart move... trade-in price aside. This may help Apple address a huge hole in their market that other phones are quickly addressing.
Smart move... trade-in price aside. This may help Apple address a huge hole in their market that other phones are quickly addressing.
THANK YOU
Remember how iTunes got popular? It was because it was easier than piracy despite costing $1 per song more! Convenience is worth money to people. Not all people, obviously, but to some. It's good to have options.
Even knowing I could get more on Craigslist I'd still consider this trade-in. I'm sick of having to respond to a dozen scammers for every legitimate offer I get. (And then it takes 3 or 4 legitimate offers before I find one who didn't buy something else first. It's a lot of work.)
How would this affect your upgrade pricing? The upgrade price is between you and the your carrier.
I would do this. Craigslist probably gets me more but I have to spend TIME (which isn't free) to communicate and meet up. Plus, there's the safety concern which varies and such depending on your location. I only use Craigslist to sell my MBA or iPhone because Apple doesn't already have a trade-in program.
A business "doesn't understand" and seeks to make the margin rather than handing it off to you? DUUUUURRRRRRRR!!!!
A business "doesn't understand" and seeks to make the margin rather than handing it off to you? DUUUUURRRRRRRR!!!!
Lol clearly I phrased my statement. They obviously understand it... ha.
Yes but Apple sells phones too right? They could be in the middle. Let's say carrier wants $199 for iPhone 5S (assuming your 2 year contract is up) and Apple offers you $199 for your existing iPhone 5. For most people, it's a "free" upgrade. What were they going to do with their existing phone? Carriers don't have to get involved. Apple will pay the carrier the $199. And customer gives Apple their existing iPhone 5, takes home iPhone 5S. In terms of cash, Apple is down $199 but they also have the traded-in iPhone 5 which they can then sell, use for parts, refurbish, etc. and sell for $300 or something in a poorer part of the world. And voila, they've made back their $199.
iPhone Flip
I, for one, have had great success with the eBay flip every two years.
My wife and I both got the 3G, waited for the 4, sold our phones on eBay and covered the cost of the upgrade (with new 2yr contract of course). We did the same thing with the 5 last year and actually made a $75 profit on the upgrade. I can only imagine this trend will continue.
I, for one, have had great success with the eBay flip every two years.
My wife and I both got the 3G, waited for the 4, sold our phones on eBay and covered the cost of the upgrade (with new 2yr contract of course). We did the same thing with the 5 last year and actually made a $75 profit on the upgrade. I can only imagine this trend will continue.
