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You can't compare the two. The AT&T figure in an inflated trade-in value tied to a long-term plan commitment. The actual (not inflated) AT&T trade-in value for an iPhone XR is $45 (64GB) to $50 (256GB) which is less than half of Apple's iPhone XR trade-in value of $110.
Sure I can. I would be using them anyway so the better trade-in value is real to me.
 
They price gouge you on storage and then ignore it when assessing your trade-in value.

Yeah, this particular detail you brought up is frankly unforgivable and enraging

🤬


They are stealing from both sides here ... it's just plain old, bare naked in broad daylight, ripping people off
 
Yeah, this particular detail you brought up is frankly unforgivable and enraging

🤬


They are stealing from both sides here ... it's just plain old, bare naked in broad daylight, ripping people off
How much do you get in a trade-in from Google or Samsung?
 
Sure I can. I would be using them anyway so the better trade-in value is real to me.

It's not a fair comparison because one (AT&T) requires a long-term commitment while the other doesn't. You didn't actually get almost three times Apple's trade-in value, you got about half Apple's trade-in value plus bill credits spread over 36 months i.e., essentially a month to month discount on a 3 year premium plan commitment.
 
Makes sense. Overall those are *very* modest reductions.

Apparently some people believe used tech prices shouldn't decrease with time.
 
Didn't they already reduce these a few months ago? What gives
Values decline over time. Loss aversion is also at play when people try to sell tech. The “I paid xxx” and thus think stuff is worth far more than they paid for it.

One thing I find ironic is how people think Apple overcharges for older tech and then think they are unreasonable when the offer a low trade in value.
 
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It's not a fair comparison because one (AT&T) requires a long-term commitment while the other doesn't. You didn't actually get almost three times Apple's trade-in value, you got about half Apple's trade-in value plus bill credits spread over 36 months i.e., essentially a month to month discount on a 3 year premium plan commitment.
Doesn’t really matter. I would be using them for the two years regardless so I might as well get more money for my iphone.
 
I would be using them for the two years regardless so I might as well get more money for my iphone.

Yes, I understand. I was more speaking to how carriers market phones and plans. It used to be that carriers would offer discounts for signing up for long-term plan contracts but when contract became a "bad word", they shifted to spreading discounts over multiple years in the guise of an (inflated) trade-in value. Again, the reality is that your trade-in value was about half what Apple offers and you are getting a monthly discount for sticking with AT&T for three years.
 
Yes, I understand. I was more speaking to how carriers market phones and plans. It used to be that carriers would offer discounts for signing up for long-term plan contracts but when contract became a "bad word", they shifted to spreading discounts over multiple years in the guise of an (inflated) trade-in value. Again, the reality is that your trade-in value was about half what Apple offers and you are getting a monthly discount for sticking with AT&T for three years.

True, but at the ned of the day what counts is how much do you have to pay; which is why it is important to look at the TCO. If you plan to stick with a carrier then a carrier offer is might be a better deal since the total price is less than an outright buy, or not if you want to go to a cheaper carrier in the future. I would use them but my grandfathered plan is about half of what a new plan would be with my carrier so any savings in phone price quickly gets eaten up by the higher plan price. As always, YMMV.
 
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Values decline over time. Loss aversion is also at play when people try to sell tech. The “I paid xxx” and thus think stuff is worth far more than they paid for it.

One thing I find ironic is how people think Apple overcharges for older tech and then think they are unreasonable when the offer a low trade in value.
I see your point
 
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Keep your old device and NEVER trade it in with Apple.

Sell it. - Donate it (it’s worth more in a tax write-off than any cash or credit you receive). Repurpose it.

THIS!!!!!

DO NOT trade ANY device in to Apple. The trade-in program exists ONLY to screw up the used market, devices traded in are shredded, not refurbished. It's an incredibly irresponsible scam.
 
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