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Why is the headline so dramatic? Slashes! Overnight!

They cut prices, and what were they supposed to do, cut prices a dollar per day instead of overnight?
 
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It used to be the case that Apple products had very low depreciation, which was tied closely to the fact that their products were priced high and they restricted authorized resellers from discounting their products much. They're still at the top-end compared to devices from other manufacturers, but about a year or so ago they've clearly (albeit quietly) introduced various changes which have resulted in more resellers discounting even brand-new devices in various ways (e.g., buy a new iPhone, get another iPhone for 1/2 price). And that naturally trickles down to have an impact on the resale value of older devices. While it's unfortunate for all of us looking to get a better price for a trade-in or when reselling, it's just the new reality.
 
Their trade in program is crap. I've had nothing but terrible and 'device is damaged and worth nothing' responses with no recourse or evidence other than 'we said so'.

I've sold many things to Gazelle and been happy and they not once said I valued the thing wrong, three things now I've sent to Apple (MacBook, and 2x iPad) a fully functional and perfect device has 'cracked screen, missing pixels' or some other lie and I get nothing.
 
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Not sure why this is news. Of course trade in prices go down over time.

I've used the trade in program a couple of times in store, and the ease of use has made it worthwhile. The genius gives it a cursory look, and as long nothing is egregiously broken they give full value.

If I didn't trade in the device I would likely keep it. I don't have the time or patience to deal with the scams to sell stuff online or meet people over Craigslist.
 
It's surprising that the MacBook Pro trade in values hasn't dropped with all the issues it has had (2016-2019),
I had a 2011 MBP 17” with the endemic bad GPU. Apple recently paid me $250 (store credit) for it lol. My guess is they are using these duds for repair parts in their service centers.
 
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Are you okay? Serious question.

iPhone XS Max
Launch Price - $1099 + Tax
Trade In - $500

I understand how you feel.. but it's a normal depreciation because Xs Max is obviously an older phone nowadays.

In all fairness you can also get a discount for the new iPhone 11 series nowadays. So what's the fuss about..?

You're saying Apple being cheapskate? Look what's your Xs Max worth to Samsung?
samsungtradein.PNG



And of course you're obliged to trade your phones in for Samsung craps. Good luck with that LOL.
 
I'm not finding it in Search, but I'm certain there was an MR article sometime in September or October about increased trade-in rates that noted the new rates were a promotion.

The thing about promotional rates is that they do expire once the promo has done its job.

Promotional trade-in offers are an alternative to offering a cash discount on the selling price. One difference is that the discount is not available to each and every buyer, but only those who have a qualifying device to trade-in. Sometimes trade-in offers are targeted to models of competing brands, to encourage brand-switching. Sometimes these offers are targeted to existing owners of the same brand. Sometimes they offer similar incentives regardless of brand. It's all marketing, it's all intended to encourage consumers to do something they may not have otherwise done, or to do it sooner.

Basically, this is part of the standard marketing handbook. It's hardly an example of Apple doing something out of the ordinary.
 
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I have never used Apple's trade-in. How do they value a device (iPad air specifically) with a cracked screen, in UK?
 
Some of the comments here make me wonder if people realize that trading in is not about getting fair market value; it's about simplicity for the consumer, and profit for the company (whether they refurb it or just melt it for materials). If you want fair market value you have to put some work into it and sell it on Swappa or Ebay or wherever. But otherwise there's going to be a convenience discount for simply handing it over to a company (whether it's Apple or Best Buy or whoever).
 
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Given the nature of consumer electronics, I would think that, after one year of use, 50% drop in value for no hassle trade-in is pretty typical. Of course, you can always sell it yourself to a third party.

It‘s the same with cars. You always get more money selling to a third party rather than trading-in with a dealer.
 
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Their trade in program is crap. I've had nothing but terrible and 'device is damaged and worth nothing' responses with no recourse or evidence other than 'we said so'.

I've sold many things to Gazelle and been happy and they not once said I valued the thing wrong, three things now I've sent to Apple (MacBook, and 2x iPad) a fully functional and perfect device has 'cracked screen, missing pixels' or some other lie and I get nothing.

In-store trade-ins direct through Apple are fine, but their 3rd party trade-in partners who handle mail-ins are pretty poor. Brightstar especially is just a scam organization.
 
I'm not surprised Apple lowered the trade-in value which coincides with the news of increased sales in China.

When the sales of iPhones go down, you will see Apple take steps to increase sales just like what we saw at the beginning of 2019. It's simple economics. When demand exceeds supply, consumers can expect less and vice versa.

With that said, keep your phone longer or keep the existing as backup if you plan to buy a new one.
 
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Is there a reason why Apple doesn't breakdown the trade-in prices depending on model/spec level?

For example, I have an Apple Watch Series 5 now (wife's job gave her two for free) so I wanted to trade-in my Series 4 (Stainless steel) for a Apple gift card but...Apple is only offering $100.

I paid over $800 for this watch in 2018 but Apple only offers $100 now? I guess I'II just buy the base model going forward so I don't lose that much doing a trade-in but I'm shocked it's a set price no matter which version you own?

I now have a co-worker that's willing to buy it for $350 haha so I'II go that route but I'm never buying more than the base mode Apple Watch ever again plus I wasn't super impressed with the stainless steel anyway.
 
Its simple.
The more value I lose owning a piece of apple device, giving its high initial price, the more risk I take making a purchase.
Riskier a purchase is, less likely I will buy one.
Apple devices are known for their higher resale price.
But keep in mind that is pretty much private market. Trade is are usually much worse. Just research used cars vs trade in’s. Seriously, is anyone serious with their whining, or just whining? Can’t say I ever heard of used dells brining huge trade in values, or samsungs
 
I think the most surprising thing for me is the Apple Watch. Up to $70 for a series 3?

I expect to get at least another two years out of my SS series 3unless they really wow me with some feature I somehow can't live without. If I sold it today I wouldn't expect anything less than $200 for it, based on going rates. Though I do have to wonder what happens with all of these traded devices. Maybe it's break even/lossfor Apple.
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But keep in mind that is pretty much private market. Trade is are usually much worse. Just research used cars vs trade in’s. Seriously, is anyone serious with their whining, or just whining? Can’t say I ever heard of used dells brining huge trade in values, or samsungs
In my example of my Apple Watch I'd get at most $70 for an SS series 3 whereas I could sell for $200-230.
You're not wrong about the used car market but a private sale typically doesn't net you 3x trade in value. It's usually a difference of 15% or so.
 
Massive depreciation for the Apple Watch. :(
So on point. I bet you take a car you bought new into the dealer after a year and expect your money back. For a lesson in economics, if you sell a product to an end user, you get a better price than if you sell to someone who will resell it. The reseller will need to pay for refurbishment costs, selling costs, and make money on it. Seriously, whiners on this post can’t understand that?
 
I understand how you feel.. but it's a normal depreciation because Xs Max is obviously an older phone nowadays.

In all fairness you can also get a discount for the new iPhone 11 series nowadays. So what's the fuss about..?

You're saying Apple being cheapskate? Look what's your Xs Max worth to Samsung?
View attachment 887850


And of course you're obliged to trade your phones in for Samsung craps. Good luck with that LOL.
The value of trade in phones at Samsung always goes up when they launch a new phone. When the S20 comes out, everything will go up by at least $100.
 
Is there a reason why Apple doesn't breakdown the trade-in prices depending on model/spec level?

For example, I have an Apple Watch Series 5 now (wife's job gave her two for free) so I wanted to trade-in my Series 4 (Stainless steel) for a Apple gift card but...Apple is only offering $100.

I paid over $800 for this watch in 2018 but Apple only offers $100 now? I guess I'II just buy the base model going forward so I don't lose that much doing a trade-in but I'm shocked it's a set price no matter which version you own?

I now have a co-worker that's willing to buy it for $350 haha so I'II go that route but I'm never buying more than the base mode Apple Watch ever again plus I wasn't super impressed with the stainless steel anyway.

Yeah, I honestly feel like this is a scam by all phone manufactures and the industry at large. Like how can you charge extra on the front for certain storage capacities, but then on the back end "choose" not to distinguish any longer. Very unfair...

I've actually thought about filing a lawsuit.
 
Never used Apple to trade in any of my old iPhone's as I either used Swappa, and currently I'm on IUP.

But this isn't like it's shocking news. Devices depreciate in value over time.
 
By "most" do you mean 2 year old iPhones or any phone? Are you talking used or new? The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a little less than 2 years old and it goes for about $350 new on eBay and mid $200s used ("refurbished"). 2018 Google Pixel 3 phones are about the same price.

The Xr goes for $350 to $500 used but it's just over 1 year old. The X goes for about $400. The iPhone 8 (2 years old) is <$300 on eBay. The 8 Plus is around $300 (and higher for a new one).

Those are just high-end phones. Considering the estimated global average price of smartphones is under $300 (https://www.statista.com/statistics/484583/global-average-selling-price-smartphones/), there's no way "most 2 year old phones are worth $4-500".
I see prices significantly higher than those for good quality ones on eBay. The last phone I sold was my 7 where I bought my XS. it was 2 years old and worth like $450 at the time
 
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