Apple's All-in-One Gift Card Now Available in Canada and Australia

[SegNerd]

Curious to hear more about this because I'm due to trade in my current iMac 5K once my m1 iMac arrives next month. Is Phobio the company who evaluates the trade-in?

Yes, Phobio is the trade-in company.

I actually did try to confirm this, but it looks to me like you have to actually initiate a purchase and trade-in to see the specifics.

I could be wrong, but I do remember having the option to wait and send in my trade-in after receiving my new machine - and I also remember being glad I didn’t take that option, because Phobio ripped me off.

 

[ignatius345]

Yes, Phobio is the trade-in company.

I actually did try to confirm this, but it looks to me like you have to actually initiate a purchase and trade-in to see the specifics.

I could be wrong, but I do remember having the option to wait and send in my trade-in after receiving my new machine - and I also remember being glad I didn’t take that option, because Phobio ripped me off.

How did they rip you off specifically?

I traded in a MacBook Air just recently, to get an M1 Air, and did it in person at the Apple Store while I was picking up my new one. It went great, super easy. The guy did a few basic checks of the old machine and then I was on my way with the full credit they'd quoted on the website. This was an easy one too because it was a super new machine.

Now I'm replacing my old 2014 iMac 5K with one of the new iMacs and asked specifically on Apple's text support chat if I could do the same thing. Since the new iMac has a few upgrades (RAM and SSD) it's "custom ordered" and they said I have to do the trade in in the mail after I receive my new one -- which I guess opens me up to having to send it to "Phobio".

 

[SegNerd]

How did they rip you off specifically?

I traded in a MacBook Air just recently, to get an M1 Air, and did it in person at the Apple Store while I was picking up my new one. It went great, super easy. The guy did a few basic checks of the old machine and then I was on my way with the full credit they'd quoted on the website. This was an easy one too because it was a super new machine.

Now I'm replacing my old 2014 iMac 5K with one of the new iMacs and asked specifically on Apple's text support chat if I could do the same thing. Since the new iMac has a few upgrades (RAM and SSD) it's "custom ordered" and they said I have to do the trade in in the mail after I receive my new one -- which I guess opens me up to having to send it to "Phobio".

I provided complete and accurate specs of the machine, and Phobio offered me $700 for the trade in. It took weeks for them to send me the shipping materials and receive my computer, and when they did, the trade in value "magically" changed to $0. I obviously refused this offer, but I still had to pack up my computer and go without it for weeks.

When I got the computer back, the issue Phobio cited was so minor that Apple fixed it for free out of warranty.

It really felt like a sort of "reverse bait and switch" scam and I think they were hoping I would be so frustrated that I would just give them my computer for free.

 

[ignatius345]

I provided complete and accurate specs of the machine, and Phobio offered me $700 for the trade in. It took weeks for them to send me the shipping materials and receive my computer, and when they did, the trade in value "magically" changed to $0. I obviously refused this offer, but I still had to pack up my computer and go without it for weeks.

When I got the computer back, the issue Phobio cited was so minor that Apple fixed it for free out of warranty.

It really felt like a sort of "reverse bait and switch" scam and I think they were hoping I would be so frustrated that I would just give them my computer for free.

That stinks. I read a story on this site a while back that Apple was addressing widespread issues with their trade-in vendor, so hopefully it's being looked at?

They've offered me $400 for my iMac, which seems fair given its age. If they do the same to me as they did to you, I guess I'll just put it on eBay or Facebook and probably get more than that anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[reubs]

Not sure if this answers your questions...if trade-ins can be converted to Apple Cash then it looks possible.

How to Use Apple Cash to Help Pay Off your Apple Card

If you've set up Apple Cash and verified your identity, you can use Apple Cash to help make an immediate one-time payment to your Apple Card. If...

www.macrumors.com

Oh, that's great! Thanks for this; need to find out if that's an option.

 

[ignatius345]

That stinks. I read a story on this site a while back that Apple was addressing widespread issues with their trade-in vendor, so hopefully it's being looked at?

They've offered me $400 for my iMac, which seems fair given its age. If they do the same to me as they did to you, I guess I'll just put it on eBay or Facebook and probably get more than that anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Turns out my trade-in went just as I'd hoped. The iMac was in OK shape, though there was some weird discoloration (looked like a bruise) in one corner of the display, and I'd opened it up last year to replace the Fusion Drive with an SSD. I was worried they'd flag that stuff, but I got the $400 they promised, no issues.

 

[jenelemond]

No i

So presumably this is the end of discounted gift cards? I can't imagine the 15-20% off that we regularly get (in Australia anyway) will continue..

No its not! They must have come up with something more exciting!