I don’t think the problem is that carrier deals aren’t prominent enough; I think the problem is that they’re plain awful. The savings you’d get from trading-in would be eaten up by needing to move to an unlimited plan.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple More Prominently Highlighting iPhone Trade-In Deals From Carriers
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yup, but I'd rather not carry any debt and be able to have a clear forecast of what I can do, then to have problems rise up and have to consider that X00, or worse, X000 brick that I need to clear out.
It’s a great deal as long as you have enough savings to cover it if need be, plus stable income for the foreseeable future… Then it’s great because factoring in inflation, you pay less over time.
I am keeping my iPhones as collectors items. These are objects that hold some special place in my life experiences. Besides, I don't upgrade like a YouTuber. For those who need to have the latest and greatest, this seems like a good deal. I know when I do upgrade though, I am doing it through my carrier.
These trade in programs are a full blow SCAM. You fill out the process online, they approve you for the highest amount. Then when your return window expires on the NEW device, they send you a notice saying the phone did not qualify for the full amount and they give you the lowest amount there is. This has happened to me and SEVERAL other people in the past few months. FULL BLOWN BS.
This makes sense... but also are you on MVNO's and hopping every 12 months, or a different carrier every year?
I agree, not being bound is always preferable, but I've been on AT&T for like oh I dunno, like 17 or 18 years (back when it was Cingular) if I really think about the exact timeframe.
The opposite happens when you trade-in with Apple. If your device doesn’t qualify for the full amount, they notify you and can choose to have the phone returned.
had the absolute worst trade in experience with T-MOBILE couple years ago, the "CLAIM" they lost 3 of the iphone 6 i traded in AFTER 4 months of the initial deal. took MONTHS of back and forth and almost went to small claim court but at the end reached a settlement. when the 2 year agreement reached i went right back to verizon.
Either way, you’re not getting rich on those 0% iPhone dollars and the habit is bad. People like to do finance 101 with this argument, but it generally doesn’t play out in reality.
The people chasing 0% on iPhones, TVs, and furnitures aren’t the rich people.
And most people underperform the market, so they certainly don’t know how to invest.
even rich people take advantage of favorable loans. It was widely reported a few years ago that mark zuckerberg, yes the mark zuckerberg with all the billions, had a mortgage.
Why Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg Has A Mortgage | Mortgage Rates, Mortgage News and Strategy : The Mortgage Reports
The ultra-rich get mortgages for one reason: to get a bigger return on investment elsewhere. The typical homeowner can benefit from this strategy.
now, as you suggest, you have to do something with the money in the meantime for it to be worth anything, and too many people don‘t. But there’s nothing wrong with the *concept* of taking a favorable loan even when you could pay cash up front.
I actually think this is a real concern
But go to a corporate carrier store where a human being takes the device, and vouches for it. As a layer of protection and accountability
Worked well for me, getting $800 in credits for an iPhone 8 I got from eBay for ~$200
because I didn't want to trade in my se2020 128gb (which I got for $250 after paying off credits immediately, from Walmart + unlocking the device)
I don't think they'd offer this if it weren't profitable. "Free" phone in exchange for paying at least ~$70+ a month (single line) for 30 months, with the expected behavior that most subscribers aren't going anywhere after that... I think the dealer wins. Pricey service is where the real revenue is!
Again, these people aren’t Mark Zuckerberg or anything close to it. Mark can pay off his mortgage whenever he wants. Others can’t. Slimy as he is, Mark is also smarter than 99.99% of people.even rich people take advantage of favorable loans. It was widely reported a few years ago that mark zuckerberg, yes the mark zuckerberg with all the billions, had a mortgage.
Why Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg Has A Mortgage | Mortgage Rates, Mortgage News and Strategy : The Mortgage Reports
The ultra-rich get mortgages for one reason: to get a bigger return on investment elsewhere. The typical homeowner can benefit from this strategy.themortgagereports.com
now, as you suggest, you have to do something with the money in the meantime for it to be worth anything, and too many people don‘t. But there’s nothing wrong with the *concept* of taking a favorable loan even when you could pay cash up front.
Again, for the average person, trying to Buy everything at 0% is a BAD habit. I do finance for a living and all you have to do is look at the state of American credit, savings, and spending habits. I’m right and the data proves it.
The only “clear” evidence was their last quarter earnings, which were part of the best quarter in corporate history which included AMAZING iPhone results.
Lets wait on real numbers before we call anything “clear.” The last report showed incredible iPhone performance, beating every expectation.
I don’t pretend to be rich and I don’t pretend to “invest my savings”, but if I’m going to be with a carrier for 2 years (I’m averaging 12 years per carrier right now), taking advantage of 0% is a no lose situation.
It is if you can’t manage your money...and most people can’t. If you don’t see it, you’ve entirely missed the point.
Let's be clear, trade-in "deals" introduced by T-Mobile (America's most dishonest carrier) as monthly bill credits payouts that have infested the entire industry are scams and reverse 2-year contracts in disguise.
If you want a good deal look to trade-in promos with one-time, guaranteed minimum payouts (e.g. Trade any iPhone 6 and higher, get $XXX gift card on the spot). Same thing with discounts, carriers used to give one-time price reductions and they still do, those that survive do so at national retailers (Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, etc.)
If you want a good deal look to trade-in promos with one-time, guaranteed minimum payouts (e.g. Trade any iPhone 6 and higher, get $XXX gift card on the spot). Same thing with discounts, carriers used to give one-time price reductions and they still do, those that survive do so at national retailers (Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, etc.)