Apple Looking to Boost iPhone Sales With New Retail Store Trade-In Program

[The Deepness]

The CONVENIENCE of Apple doing this IS worth it to many people.

Convenience is the thing I forgot to mention. The recycling program was super easy. They even provided shipping boxes. It was totally hassle-free. I'm glad Apple is doing this.

I bought my 3rd-gen iPad (new iPad) a little over a year ago and it's still great (though I'm cramped at 16 GB). If the next generation iPad is significantly improved, I'll definitely look into trading up!

 

[GoCubsGo]

Yeah, just like all those lazy clods that actually *trade in* their cars when they get a new one.

No. Trading in a car cannot be compared to a phone. Historically, you get more if you sell either to the public but the chances of selling off your 2nd hand car to a private party (not a dealer) are much slimmer than selling off your iPhone to a private party. I will always make more selling my iPhone to someone else than I would trading it in. With a car, it is the same idea, but the risk is gone the second they take it. A private party can take the car then start to claim there is crap wrong. Dealers usually inspect and that is the end. I've never had a dealer come back to me for anything.

This program will cater to the people who walk into Apple, look at the shiny new phone and ask how to get one. These aren't people you see on this site regularly.

 

[brand]

Those damn pervy phones I tell you!

pervy ≠ pervious

 

[ericinboston]

Exactly. Apple or any business doesn't understand this and tries to seek the biggest margins. The only people would trade-in are completely oblivious people.

Right...or just do what I did with my 3GS (and will with my 4S someday) : keep it! Come on...it's not really a phone...it's 99.99% personal handheld computer and .01% phone.

Why would I sell my $400 64GB unit for peanuts when it will be a fantastic iPod-Touch-But-Better device.

 

[notjustjay]

This is not exactly a new principle. Look at it from the opposite perspective:

You see something you want in the store for $100. You want it. You buy it. Done.

You see something you want in the store for $100. You want it, but you want to save some money. You shop around, look for coupons, decide to order it online for $75. A week later, a package arrives.

You can work a bit harder and wait a week to save (earn) an extra bit of money, or you can get it right then and there if you're willing to take a small hit.

We do it all the time; this is no different.

 

[TouchMint.com]

Still will be a rip like most trade in services but I am in the middle of selling my iphone 4s on craigslist and its mega annoying.

Will you take $100?

Will you trade for a microwave

etc...

 

[chadley_chad]

If apple want to boost iPhone sales they should bring out a decent model to compete with all the new entries ... Not sit around resting on their laurels!!!!

 

[kas23]

Exactly. Apple or any business doesn't understand this and tries to seek the biggest margins. The only people would trade-in are completely oblivious people.

Not only that, an iPhone sold on Craigslist is one less new iPhone sold. Right there Apple's out profits from a new sale.

 

[wkadamsjr]

Exactly. Apple or any business doesn't understand this and tries to seek the biggest margins. The only people would trade-in are completely oblivious people.

Ironic that you are the one who is oblivious. Apple's prices have everything to do with convenience. Think you can sell it for more? Go ahead. Create the eBay listing, answer stupid questions, wait for payment (hope it's not fraud), pack and ship. Or create a craigslist ad, answer stupid questions, meet up with someone in a parking lot, hope you don't get robbed, etc. Oh, and hope you know how to make sure all your data is erased (the average consumer doesn't).

Just because you wouldn't use the service doesn't mean the people who do are oblivious.

 

[Orlandoech]

Ironic that you are the one who is oblivious. Apple's prices have everything to do with convenience. Think you can sell it for more? Go ahead. Create the eBay listing, answer stupid questions, wait for payment (hope it's not fraud), pack and ship. Or create a craigslist ad, answer stupid questions, meet up with someone in a parking lot, hope you don't get robbed, etc. Oh, and hope you know how to make sure all your data is erased (the average consumer doesn't).

Just because you wouldn't use the service doesn't mean the people who do are oblivious.

Read my other statement. K Thanks.

Stop taking comments, life, and the internet so seriously.. .mmmk pumpkin.

 

[Madhuboy]

Damn I'd get way more money on craigslist.

I've always had the latest Iphone since iPhone Gen 1. Each time I have upgraded I have made a profit of $100 at least (yup $100 in pocket and the newest phone in hand). One word Craig's List...

 

[Mike Valmike]

$199 for a 5???

I can get a lot more on Craigslist.

And all you have to do is be willing to take your chances with flakey meth-heads on Craigslist. Seems like a fair tradeoff.

 

[Patriot24]

And all you have to do is be willing to take your chances with flakey meth-heads on Craigslist. Seems like a fair tradeoff.

eBay is superior:

• Don't get jerked around by people just trying to rip you off
• You ship it out, no awkward/unsafe meetings required
• The transaction is covered by eBay/PayPal's terms and protections
• Feedback scores let you know who is shady/legit

A small transaction fee is worth the convenience and safety that eBay affords you over something like CL.

 

[wkadamsjr]

Read my other statement. K Thanks.

Stop taking comments, life, and the internet so seriously.. .mmmk pumpkin.

Didn't catch the sarcasm. Next time use the emoticon.

No need for the derogatory comments and name calling. Sans sarcasm, the statement can easily be construed as extremely uninformed or narrow-minded.

 

[Orlandoech]

Didn't catch the sarcasm. Next time use the emoticon.

No need for the derogatory comments and name calling. Sans sarcasm, the statement can easily be construed as extremely uninformed or narrow-minded.

Will do next time.

 

[lordofthereef]

Unless you're (in general) dumb enough to meet some place shady, I have been selling on craig for years. 1) Always meet in public places like Mcdonalds, starbucks. 2) never give address. 3) if the person insist of coming in, obviously say no, and it's best to meet at day time. And of course Cash only. I dont know why there are tons of people who say the got scammed? really? do some research, find out how to check for IMEI, check serial number, never buy an item that is sealed, always open it and check if working condition. To save time, always tell the seller you know a lot about that product and will check to see if every thing is working. If they don't reply, well yeah they were trying to scam. It's common sense to tell whether the person will scam or not.

I was being a little bit sarcastic about personal safety concerns. That said, you hear of people getting their iPhone snatched right out of their hands on the subway. In fact, they were warning people not to ise their smartphones in plain site on te T (metro) recently because of this. Here in Boston, theft is rampant, even at retailers. People will pick up things that aren't tied down and walk right out. My wife is manager at best buy and they just today had a district meeting discussing what measures can be taken to reduce theft. The stores here are among the top on the nation. I point this out because, general safety is all relevant on location. Even if I met you at McDonald's, I could just take your phone when I'm having a look and walk away. You might say you'll fight me for it, but I can guarantee you most people wouldn't.


It's pretty easy to get scammed especially now that carriers are blacklisting phones in the US. I can have a completely legit phone, even in the carriers eyes, the day I buy it on Craigslist, and a week later have the owner report it stolen. Hell, I could sell you an iPhone 4S with all of those things i memtioned today. It's a working phone with clean IMEI. Then, just to be a d*** I call AT&T tomorrow and report it stolen. Bam. You just bought an iPod touch from me. Congrats! Granted, the scam lies on the buyer at that point, but it doesn't change the fact that there isn't much you can do about it. I always recommend people get a phone where the seller has a box with marching serial. If at all possible, get a receipt too. This greatly reduced the chance of the phone you're buying being stolen merchandise.

At the end of the day, the fact of the matter is there is more risk selling to a stranger than walking into an apple store and handing over your phone. The level of risk may change based on your location, and your street smarts, but there is more f a risk involved. The trade in program is for those who don't want to risk it. For that matter it's the same with vehicles. People trade in vehicles to the car dealer all the time to get a new one. They could get a couple thousand more from a private buyer, but they are interested in the quick, hassle free, zero risk option.

 

[carmenodie]

Read between the lines people. Apple folks keep their sh** longer and the markets can't deal with us keeping our swag too long. I had my flower power iMac for around 6 years. Not a virus and hell to the fu** no did I ever experience the blue screen of death.

 

[WhiteIphone5]

I was being a little bit sarcastic about personal safety concerns. That said, you hear of people getting their iPhone snatched right out of their hands on the subway. In fact, they were warning people not to ise their smartphones in plain site on te T (metro) recently because of this. Here in Boston, theft is rampant, even at retailers. People will pick up things that aren't tied down and walk right out. My wife is manager at best buy and they just today had a district meeting discussing what measures can be taken to reduce theft. The stores here are among the top on the nation. I point this out because, general safety is all relevant on location. Even if I met you at McDonald's, I could just take your phone when I'm having a look and walk away. You might say you'll fight me for it, but I can guarantee you most people wouldn't.


It's pretty easy to get scammed especially now that carriers are blacklisting phones in the US. I can have a completely legit phone, even in the carriers eyes, the day I buy it on Craigslist, and a week later have the owner report it stolen. Hell, I could sell you an iPhone 4S with all of those things i memtioned today. It's a working phone with clean IMEI. Then, just to be a d*** I call AT&T tomorrow and report it stolen. Bam. You just bought an iPod touch from me. Congrats! Granted, the scam lies on the buyer at that point, but it doesn't change the fact that there isn't much you can do about it. I always recommend people get a phone where the seller has a box with marching serial. If at all possible, get a receipt too. This greatly reduced the chance of the phone you're buying being stolen merchandise.

At the end of the day, the fact of the matter is there is more risk selling to a stranger than walking into an apple store and handing over your phone. The level of risk may change based on your location, and your street smarts, but there is more f a risk involved. The trade in program is for those who don't want to risk it. For that matter it's the same with vehicles. People trade in vehicles to the car dealer all the time to get a new one. They could get a couple thousand more from a private buyer, but they are interested in the quick, hassle free, zero risk option.

correct me if I'm wrong, but they're not allowed to report it stolen if its not under their account. Every time i buy a cell phone, i always have either a rep on the other line or my laptop to activate it online. Never do i take the sellers word for it. And i think people should start doing the same. I've worked all day and was tired so i couldnt pick up the sarcasm lol

 

[lordofthereef]

correct me if I'm wrong, but they're not allowed to report it stolen if its not under their account. Every time i buy a cell phone, i always have either a rep on the other line or my laptop to activate it online. Never do i take the sellers word for it. And i think people should start doing the same. I've worked all day and was tired so i couldnt pick up the sarcasm lol

Ok, then this is me correcting you. It doesn't matter what account you register it on. It's linked to your upgrade date. If I still have x amount of months left on my upgrade, I sell the phone, and I skip the bill, the carrier could care less how you came into possession of my phone, it will be banned. Same goes for a lost phone. Think about it. I find a phone, quickly register it on my account, and all of the sudden the person who lost it can't report it stolen because its already been registered on a new account? Making a blacklist at all would be pointless. The stupid think is that it's supposed to thwart theft. As far as I can tell, it doesn't really.

 

[brand]

One word Craig's List...

Um, no.

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Ok, then this is me correcting you. It doesn't matter what account you register it on. It's linked to your upgrade date.

Ok, then this is me correcting you. The phone is not tied to the upgrade date, the line of service is.

 

[Jaro65]

Hey Apple, try boosting sales instead by better competing with Samsung. How about an iPhone with a bigger screen? Have you thought about that one? Samsung seems to be selling millions of those.

 

[Nightarchaon]

I am betting that Ebay will offer a better price for your "old" model than an in-store trade in, probably by +50%

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The only people would trade-in are completely oblivious people.

Which are the people apple are marketing aggressively at

 

[infinitech]

there's no hope it will be comparable to craigslist. direct sales will always trump resale thru a 3rd party! this will be targeted to folks who want convenience, avoid hassle of craigslist, in exchange for lower $$

I was totally on board with the bashing of the guys who sold their phone through craigslist because that's not what the article was about and I thought it would at least be balanced but I'm not seeing that.

It takes a skill set to sell on craigslist and not everyone has it. No judgement.

If you want to take the bigger risk you'll get a bigger reward and a private sale is the way to go. Apple or AT&T or whoever can offer this service but they have to cover the overhead to have a shop and inform people about the deal so they can't afford to offer the best deal.

My advice to the potential private seller/potential trade-in customer is as follows:
Use common sense and Don't be discouraged by bad stories on either side of the tracks.

 

[M-O]

Yeah, just like all those lazy clods that actually *trade in* their cars when they get a new one.

actually, yes. you lose thousands by trading in, but you don't have to deal with the hassle of selling a used car.

 

[Elbon]

actually, yes. you lose thousands by trading in, but you don't have to deal with the hassle of selling a used car.

That's exactly my point.