iPhone 14 Pro Apple's Trade-In Company is an Absolute Scam

[TheRoxyTheatre]

Anyone else run into an issue with Apple's trade-in partner seemingly trying to rip people off?

I sent in a perfect condition iPhone XR (always protected with a case and screen protector) to upgrade to the 14 Pro. The phone had zero chips or zero scratches, the LCD screen was in perfect working order, etc. I even took pictures of it prior to returning because I was suspicious of this process. I traded this phone in for $140. Today I get following email from Apple:

Revised trade-Refund
$55

Reason:
LCD streaks or screen bleeding.

It never had streaks or screen bleeding in the screen, ever. Of course they didn't send a picture to verify this. What a rip off and waste of time using their service. I guess lesson learned and I should have trusted my gut. Apple should be embarrassed and look into the company they've paid to handle returns.

FWIW: I denied the refund, now I just hope it comes back in the same condition as when I sent it in.

 

[davedvdy]

There are lots of complaints reported using Phobio:

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/14/apple-trade-in-partner-phobio-complaints/

 

[TheRoxyTheatre]

There are lots of complaints reported using Phobio:

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/14/apple-trade-in-partner-phobio-complaints/

Thank you for posting the link. I wish I had seen this prior. Either way, it looks like I won't be the first or last person screwed by this company.

 

[davedvdy]

Thank you for posting the link. I wish I had seen this prior. Either way, it looks like I won't be the first or last person screwed by this company.

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. I'd recommend only trading in to the Apple Store directly if you have one in your area, as they take them and credit your card right there. You did the right thing rejecting the trade in, maybe they count on people settling for their scummy bait and switch offers.

 

[sadude39]

I too had the same problem. I sent in my 13 Pro for trade in for a 14 Pro, with a trade-in value of $600. I got an email from them saying it had "multiple cracks, chips, and scratches" and was worth only $240. I know for a fact that my phone was in good condition when I sent it in, with no dings, scratches, etc. I called Apple on it but they could care less and said to reject the offer if I didn't like the revised offer. I did reject it and am now awaiting my phone to be returned. I am anxious to see what they perceive as multiple cracks, chips, and scratches. Thanks for posting this. Glad to see it did not just happen to me.

 

[Jackbequickly]

There might be complaints but I have used the Apple trade in program for 3. Years now and every time I got the top amount offered. This year the credit arrived back in my bank account in record speed.

No complaints her, will do it again next year as it cuts the cost of my new phone about in half!

 

[TheRoxyTheatre]

There might be complaints but I have used the Apple trade in program for 3. Years now and every time I got the top amount offered. This year the credit arrived back in my bank account in record speed.

No complaints her, will do it again next year as it cuts the cost of my new phone about in half!

I wish I had that experience. Such is life, but next time I'll follow the advice of others and go into an apple store or sell it prior privately.

 

[VineRider]

Traded in my 13 Pro via mail in to Apple Trade In partner. No issues, got the full $600 with no issues. Phone was in like new condition.

 

[bevsb2]

I paid for my new Apple Watch with a combo of credit card, Apple gift card and trade in with my Series 7. I got the return box for the 7 at the same time my new 8 arrived. I sent the 7 back next day and today got another Apple gift card for the amount quoted. I was expecting a refund to my credit card for that amount. I might as well just have paid for the whole thing with my credit card. The explanation was that is if part of your payment is made with an Apple gift card you may get the refund by gift card. Next time I'll take my gift cards to the Apple store and use them as cash.

 

[TheRoxyTheatre]

Traded in my 13 Pro via mail in to Apple Trade In partner. No issues, got the full $600 with no issues. Phone was in like new condition.

Glad it worked out for you. Maybe it's older phones they do this to because the margins aren't as big, but they flat out lied about the condition of my phone. Hopefully this thread will bring more awareness to this issue, in addition to the other articles on the topic. It's clear I'm not the only one.

 

[theanimala]

That trade in credit is horrible! Not sure where you live but in the US you could have traded in to your carrier and received $800 for the XR. Of course that’s over 3 years with bill credits but with someone using an XR you don’t seem to be someone who upgrades every year.

 

[VineRider]

Glad it worked out for you. Maybe it's older phones they do this to because the margins aren't as big, but they flat out lied about the condition of my phone. Hopefully this thread will bring more awareness to this issue, in addition to the other articles on the topic. It's clear I'm not the only one.

Yes, there are people that have had the same issue you did, and also those that had no issues. Must depend on who checks out the device....Sorry you had such a bad experience...

 

[theliellama]

I paid for my new Apple Watch with a combo of credit card, Apple gift card and trade in with my Series 7. I got the return box for the 7 at the same time my new 8 arrived. I sent the 7 back next day and today got another Apple gift card for the amount quoted. I was expecting a refund to my credit card for that amount. I might as well just have paid for the whole thing with my credit card. The explanation was that is if part of your payment is made with an Apple gift card you may get the refund by gift card. Next time I'll take my gift cards to the Apple store and use them as cash.

That customer rep is trying to fool you for their mess up. I've used gift cards several times and always got the trade-in as a refund.

 

[russell_314]

I’ve did the trade-in by mail twice with no issues so far. I would rather do it in person but when I bought the phone on pre-order day, that option wasn’t given.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

What do you think about Apple offering me $525 for a mint 16" MacBook Pro with 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, and 8GB AMD 5500M graphics, bought March 2020?

It's a joke. The machine was $3899 before AC+ and tax when new, and had a 1 day old battery and top case.

 

[ChasBrew]

Anyone else run into an issue with Apple's trade-in partner seemingly trying to rip people off?

I sent in a perfect condition iPhone XR (always protected with a case and screen protector) to upgrade to the 14 Pro. The phone had zero chips or zero scratches, the LCD screen was in perfect working order, etc. I even took pictures of it prior to returning because I was suspicious of this process. I traded this phone in for $140. Today I get following email from Apple:

Revised trade-Refund
$55

Reason:
LCD streaks or screen bleeding.

It never had streaks or screen bleeding in the screen, ever. Of course they didn't send a picture to verify this. What a rip off and waste of time using their service. I guess lesson learned and I should have trusted my gut. Apple should be embarrassed and look into the company they've paid to handle returns.

FWIW: I denied the refund, now I just hope it comes back in the same condition as when I sent it in.

I, too, experienced this! Knowing for a fact that the alleged screen imperfections did not exist, I declined the adjusted offer, choosing to receive the unit back. It arrived yesterday and true to expectations the alleged imperfections were not present. Clearly Apple has chosen to outsource this trade-in process to a to a company which apparerentky believed they can make money by hoodwinking consumers!

 

[ChasBrew]

Anyone else run into an issue with Apple's trade-in partner seemingly trying to rip people off?

I sent in a perfect condition iPhone XR (always protected with a case and screen protector) to upgrade to the 14 Pro. The phone had zero chips or zero scratches, the LCD screen was in perfect working order, etc. I even took pictures of it prior to returning because I was suspicious of this process. I traded this phone in for $140. Today I get following email from Apple:

Revised trade-Refund
$55

Reason:
LCD streaks or screen bleeding.

It never had streaks or screen bleeding in the screen, ever. Of course they didn't send a picture to verify this. What a rip off and waste of time using their service. I guess lesson learned and I should have trusted my gut. Apple should be embarrassed and look into the company they've paid to handle returns.

FWIW: I denied the refund, now I just hope it comes back in the same condition as when I sent it in.

I, too, experienced this! Knowing for a fact that the alleged screen imperfections did not exist, I declined the adjusted offer, choosing to receive the unit back. It arrived yesterday and true to expectations the alleged imperfections were not present. Clearly Apple has chosen to outsource this trade-in process to a to a company which apparerentky believed they can make money by hoodwinking consumers!

 

[RRC]

Trading in anything is usually the worst option, selling private is always a better return but you have to factor in risk, convenience etc…

 

[barnyard]

Traded in 2 iPhone XS Max phones through Apple for $210 each with no issues.

 

[Mikeske]

I either gone to the a nearby Apple Store or the cell company store and traded in my iPhones. I did it in my iPhone 11 Pro and got the maximum allowable amount offered when I got iPhone 14 Pro. I never have nor will I ever do the mail in trade in, it seems to be that the companies that take them in are just trying to hard to screw the consumers.

I realize that a private sell is the best but being older I prefer not to.

 

[aurora_sect]

Yeah, I got $100 trade in revoked on my old iMac earlier this year for a reason that seemed questionable to me. And what could I do about it? Not a lot.