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Apple Introduces New Apple Watch Recycling Program Offering Gift Cards Up To $175

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Apple today updated its Renew and Recycling program for the Apple Watch, offering Apple Store gift cards for older Apple Watch devices that are in good working condition through a partnership with Brightstar.

Apple previously allowed customers to recycle the Apple Watch through its recycling program, but there were no gift cards offered. Gift cards received from recycling products can be put towards new devices purchased from the Apple Store, either at retail locations or online.

applewatchrecyclebrightstar-800x522.jpg

Gift cards are available for original Apple Watch models, Apple Watch Series 1 models, and Apple Watch Series 2 models, with Apple offering between $50 and $175 depending on device. For a 42mm stainless steel Apple Watch Series 2 in full working condition, for example, Apple is offering $175, which is the highest payout available.

For an original 42mm Apple Watch Sport model in good working condition, Apple is offering $50, the lowest payout. These prices are lower than what you might get attempting to sell a device on your own, but higher in some cases than the prices available through other trade-in programs.

Working condition means the device powers on, the enclosure is in good condition, there are no obvious signs of liquid damage, the display is in good condition, and the buttons are operational. Apple does allow for normal wear and tear when it comes to the display and the enclosure, however.

applewatchrecyclingbrightstar2-800x558.jpg

Apple is only offering money for Apple Watch devices that meet all of the above restrictions. For devices that are damaged in some way, Apple offers free recycling through Brightstar, but no gift card.

When recycling an Apple Watch through Brightstar, the company will allow you to use your own shipping or it will send a free shipping box. Customers must make sure the Apple Watch is free of all faults, all data has been wiped, and that the battery is fully charged. It does not appear that charging cables nor Apple Watch bands need to be sent with the Apple Watch.

Apple, in partnership with Brightstar, also offers gift cards when recycling a range of older iPhones, iPads, Macs, PCs, and smartphones from third-party manufacturers.

Article Link: Apple Introduces New Apple Watch Recycling Program Offering Gift Cards Up To $175
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/12/04/apple-watch-recycling-program-gift-cards/
Might be a bad deal for SS S2, but its a good deal on a S0 Sport. $50 and you get to keep the charging cable. Gazelle and NextWorth were offering $40 and you had to give them the charging cable and brick.

With that being said, I'm keeping my S0 for an emergency because of my move streak. But for those that don't care about it, its a good deal.
 
Be careful with Brightstar, they're well known for scamming people.

Recently got a quote for $145 for my wife's iPhone 6. Sent it in in full working order (had always been in a case with a screen protector). They tried to send back pictures showing light coming from the edge of the display, as if the glass had been pulled from the screen. They then offered $0 for it.

I refused and told them it wasn't in that shape when shipped to them and they told me to file a claim with UPS. I told them I'd just take them to court. They called and left a message offering the full $145 then but said I first had to accept the $0 amount online and they'd process it manually.

I called back about it and they didn't know anything about the new offer but said if someone told me that then I should do it and they'd note it for their customer support guys. I did it and didn't hear anything for a week or get the card so I called back again. This time they told me that they didn't see anything on it but when I told them the story they "looked into it" and "Oh yeah, now I see that's the case." They then said the card had been emailed the week before. We hadn't received anything so they said it'd be another few days to re-issue it.

Eventually we got the gift card but it took a ton of work and it was clear they were trying to do anything they could to avoid paying and keep the phone.

Check out the reviews of Brightstar. Lots of people have been scammed and had Brightstar keep their device too. Be VERY careful.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.brightstar.com
 
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OldSchoolMacGuy said:
Be careful with Brightstar, they're well known for scamming people.

Recently got a quote for $145 for my wife's iPhone 6. Sent it in in full working order (had always been in a case with a screen protector). They tried to send back pictures showing light coming from the edge of the display, as if the glass had been pulled from the screen. They then offered $0 for it.

I refused and told them it wasn't in that shape when shipped to them and they told me to file a claim with UPS. I told them I'd just take them to court. They called and left a message offering the full $145 then but said I first had to accept the $0 amount online and they'd process it manually.

I called back about it and they didn't know anything about the new offer but said if someone told me that then I should do it and they'd note it for their customer support guys. I did it and didn't hear anything for a week or get the card so I called back again. This time they told me that they didn't see anything on it but when I told them the story they "looked into it" and "Oh yeah, now I see that's the case." They then said the card had been emailed the week before. We hadn't received anything so they said it'd be another few days to re-issue it.

Eventually we got the gift card but it took a ton of work and it was clear they were trying to do anything they could to avoid paying and keep the phone.

Check out the reviews of Brightstar. Lots of people have been scammed and had Brightstar keep their device too. Be VERY careful.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.brightstar.com
Click to expand...
Holy crap! I will definitely not be using them in the future. That's an insane amount of people. I'd be better off risking Craigslist.
 
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Labeno said:
Hmmm, I wonder...
Gold Edition up front: $17,000
Apple's Recycle price; $150?
Click to expand...

That is ice cold if that's really true. I still can't believe the gold watches didn't come with a lifetime upgrade for the internals of the watch. $17k for a watch thats now worth $150, meanwhile a $17k Rolex will eventually be worth more than you paid for it.
 
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Recycling part works with this company. The money you receive will be half to nothing of their calculated online value. Set your expectations accordingly.
 
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vertsix said:
seems like a slap in the face and a terrible deal

pretty sure the stainless steel apple watches are worth more than $175 just based on raw materials and the silver they use

someone prove me wrong though
Click to expand...
You couldn’t be more wrong. Silver is only about $16/ounce and this has waaay less than 1oz of silver...lol. More like a gram or 2, meaning $1 in scrap value.

The raw materials are probably worth $5-$10. What makes them valuable is how they work together. Truly a sum is great than the parts proposition.
[doublepost=1512434155][/doublepost]
Westside guy said:
I may just be me... but I can't really see how paying Apple some additional fee just to have the latest version of the watch is particularly compelling.
Click to expand...
Why? New features are added every year. You don’t have to like it or buy it, but pretty easy to see whand it’s compelling for some. This year was lte...pretty big upgrade.
 
Craigslist definitely offers a better deal for someone who wants to sell one.
[doublepost=1512434543][/doublepost]
Westside guy said:
I may just be me... but I can't really see how paying Apple some additional fee just to have the latest version of the watch is particularly compelling.
Click to expand...
Not just you. I have the Nike edition series 2. I have no reason to upgrade since I don't care about LTE. Maybe series 4 at the end of 2018. We'll see
 
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SS 42mm Series 0 are selling for around $100 on eBay. I get to keep the ($29) charging cable and ($50) band if I trade it in to Brightstar. Seems reasonable to me.
I traded in an iPhone 6+ at the Apple Store for $175 I think. They use Brightstar. Got the trade-in value subtracted from the cost on my iPhone 7 immediately.
 
OldSchoolMacGuy said:
Be careful with Brightstar, they're well known for scamming people.

Recently got a quote for $145 for my wife's iPhone 6. Sent it in in full working order (had always been in a case with a screen protector). They tried to send back pictures showing light coming from the edge of the display, as if the glass had been pulled from the screen. They then offered $0 for it.

I refused and told them it wasn't in that shape when shipped to them and they told me to file a claim with UPS. I told them I'd just take them to court. They called and left a message offering the full $145 then but said I first had to accept the $0 amount online and they'd process it manually.

I called back about it and they didn't know anything about the new offer but said if someone told me that then I should do it and they'd note it for their customer support guys. I did it and didn't hear anything for a week or get the card so I called back again. This time they told me that they didn't see anything on it but when I told them the story they "looked into it" and "Oh yeah, now I see that's the case." They then said the card had been emailed the week before. We hadn't received anything so they said it'd be another few days to re-issue it.

Eventually we got the gift card but it took a ton of work and it was clear they were trying to do anything they could to avoid paying and keep the phone.

Check out the reviews of Brightstar. Lots of people have been scammed and had Brightstar keep their device too. Be VERY careful.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.brightstar.com
Click to expand...

It works both ways too. I sent them a non-bootable iPad 2 and they still send me a $75 gift card.

I find they're a good last resort for people with really old devices.
 
$75 for a first gen 38mm stainless. Wife bought it when series two and one hit market discounted to $200. Not an awful return for a hassle free exchange. But I think I could do better selling privately.
 
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Try Amazon Trade-In, I got $155.00 for my 42mm space gray aluminum G2 watch and I'll take an Amazon card over an Apple card any day. Almost zero extra value in stainless models, I consider watches almost toss away, so aluminum for me and roll annually with Amazon trade-in program. Apple "should" offer better trade-in than anyone, but no, just yet another thorn in my relationship with the borg.
 
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