Apple trade-in for old mac w/ Phobio?

[mm1250]

Hello all, we bought a new MacBook M1 and trading in an older 2015 Macbook 12" using Apple's trade-in program. The offer was $250. I just shipped out the old laptop back. It appears Apple is contracting Phobio for this service.

I took photos prior to shipping, there were some scratches here and there, after all it's 5yr old laptop. I do trade-in w/ AT&T eery year for iPhone and never have a problem. I'm curious how lenient the Apple trade-in program is. Anyone have experience?

 

[jerryk]

I don't know how lenient the trade-in program is, but it has to be economically viable for both parties. So if they cannot sell a computer for much, they cannot offer you much.

Personally, I try to keep my computer pristine. I have the original boxes and even the original paper protector for the screen. I wrap them so the paint is flawless. Also, I don't over clean the screens and create stains and swirls.

I used to trade-in to Apple and always got their estimate. But there are plenty of other people that have gotten 1/2 of what the original estimate was. These days I use MacOfAllTrades or other places and get close to 75% on a 1-2-year-old system.

 

[dinobear]

I initially was excited to learn about apple's Mac trade in program (I've always sold my old computers on CL). When I looked into the service last year I read so many horrible reviews of people getting $1000 offers through the website, mailing the computer in, and then having them change the offer to $200 for something seemingly trivial. The problem with the offer website is they don't provide many details about how to quote the computer. The questionnaire asks about 3 questions which pretty much include a vague,"does it turn on?", "is it damaged?", "does it come with power brick?". There's no way to differentiate damage and pricing between a small scratch or a large warping dent. So they see a scratch and call it damaged and re-price the offer to 20% of the original offer.

I read all these stories and just decided to sell my laptop for more than the offer price on my own. Laptop sold quickly, no issues about the scratches on it as I took accurate photos and listed the item accurately (which isnt something you can really do with apple's trade in program).

If your computer or device is in mint condition, you may (hopefully?) have better luck with apple's trade in program. I didnt want to waste time with it though.

 

[ght56]

They are often not lenient at all, and it's not unheard of for them to come back with a $0 appraisal for relatively minor cosmetic defects. I think it depends on who you get and what mood they are in that day. If you're sending them a computer that is otherwise extremely functional (i.e., OS wiped and reinstalled), extremely clean, has good condition and clean components, it's potentially a strong incentive for them to accept your system as it is potentially less work to resell.

 

[arche3]

Phobios sells the tradeins. They have a standing mandate I am sure to screw you. How else can they turn a profit?

 

[minik]

I did Apple trade-in twice, one in March-April 2019 and one in Dec 2020. The fist time was positive but the second time was a total fraud. The system cancelled my trade-in and claimed they didn't receive my old MacBook Pro within 14 days. In fact, the item was in transit and still within the 14-day period. My Apple Card was charged immediately. I called them and explained the situation. They promised to follow up on the following weeks, I received a bogus email with no explanation. I called them days later and re-told the entire story again. They simply said I have to wait for another 2 weeks for things to process. Today supposes to be that day, no email or phone call from Phobio. Since they still have my MacBook Pro, I plan on just tap the 'report an issue' on my Apple Card and open a dispute.

 

[Fred Zed]

Phobios sells the tradeins. They have a standing mandate I am sure to screw you. How else can they turn a profit?

Yep good old Phobia. Because that’s what happens when you use them.