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Apple's Trade-In Partner Phobio Has Reportedly Faced an 'Alarming Uptick' in Complaints
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I traded in an iMac that Phobio processed. Thankfully, no issues. This trade-in was about 4 months ago.
I’ve had mixed experiences, similar to what was described in the story. Maybe I will go back to using eBay.
Would it be unreasonable to assume that Phobio employees are incentivized with bonuses to lower the trade in value as much as possible of everything they receive?
I use macmeanoffer.com or just trade in at the Apple store. Never a problem with either one.
Not surprised about Phobio though. Apple need to cut ties with them.
Not surprised about Phobio though. Apple need to cut ties with them.
I was set to trade in my 2017 MacBook when purchasing my 2020 MacBook Pro. I got the Phobio box and was confused. I googled them and saw terrible reviews and decided not to trade it in. I had called Apple and asked about reassurances with using Phobio and I wasn't pleased with their responses. It was not a risk I was willing to take.
I had a similar experience. I traded in an iPhone 11 Pro that was originally was quoted for a $450 trade-in value and was re-quoted for under $100. They said the device had one large crack across the display. The proof was a low quality picture under harsh direct lighting, where they tried to make a minor scratch in the display (around 1/2 inch long) look like a crack.
I called Phobio, and they said that since they don't repair the phones that the phone had to be in "pristine condition" to be eligible for trade in, despite nothing being mentioned about this on Apple's website.
I brought it in to the Apple Store and they said they didn't see any damage and had no idea why it was requoted. They said as long as the device doesn't show full cracks or major damage to the enclosure, normal wear does not affect trade in value. I ended up receiving full trade-in value at the store, but the experience rubbed me the wrong way.
I called Phobio, and they said that since they don't repair the phones that the phone had to be in "pristine condition" to be eligible for trade in, despite nothing being mentioned about this on Apple's website.
I brought it in to the Apple Store and they said they didn't see any damage and had no idea why it was requoted. They said as long as the device doesn't show full cracks or major damage to the enclosure, normal wear does not affect trade in value. I ended up receiving full trade-in value at the store, but the experience rubbed me the wrong way.
I was going to trade in my Intel 2020 Macbook Pro through Phobio to trade in for an M1 Macbook, but read the reviews and opted against it, and ended up selling it through Sellmymac.com. Got the exact amount promised and had it within 5 days of sending it out.
They pulled this on me in January 2020. iPad Air 2 in nearly spotless condition, having been in a case since day 1. Quoted $70, sent it in, then get the revised quote of $0 due to one alleged white spot on the screen. I'd never once noticed it before I sent it in, so I declined the new price and got it shipped back. It seemed sketchy at the time, and now even more so.
Thanks for the heads up.
Will avoid them.
Are these guys where devices go to recently, when you do a trade-in with Apple, and Apple sends you a box or envelope?
I have not had an issue the couple times I mailed in a mint / gently used iphone, which had been in a rugged case from the day it arrived, to Apple ... but I don’t recall what name was on the label, maybe something abbreviated.
Will avoid them.
Are these guys where devices go to recently, when you do a trade-in with Apple, and Apple sends you a box or envelope?
I have not had an issue the couple times I mailed in a mint / gently used iphone, which had been in a rugged case from the day it arrived, to Apple ... but I don’t recall what name was on the label, maybe something abbreviated.
Add me to the list that this company has scammed. Turned in a perfectly functional MacBook Air recently to buy a new on from Apple. Was quoted an amount and then they halved it upon arrival claiming the body was scratched. Since the Air had a full cover around it for the entire time I owned it I knew this was a lie. At that point was I really going to ask them to ship it back to me? I went with the trade-in amount they offered, but vowed to never do a trade in with Apple again and told others to stay away. I was blaming Apple for the scam but it sounds like it was this company that is scamming us and Apple.
It sounds like the Apple Repair Centers. I was going to hand my iPhone X down to my daughter, but it needed a battery, according to the battery health analyzer in Settings. The thing worked fine (except that it said I should replace the battery) and had always been in an Otterbox Defender case. So, I opened a support case, paid $69 plus tax and shipping, and had a box sent to me. I sent the phone in to the repair center, then the next day I'm notified the repair is on hold.
They tell me that after disassembly, there's a problem with the connection to Wi-Fi, and now it'll be $549 to repair, or, they can send back my now-worthless phone, unrepaired, or recycle it. I had them call me, then then spent 45 minutes on the phone with an agent, then their supervisor, asking asking how my phone that had worked great for three years was mysteriously broken after they took it apart. Finally, they granted a one-time exception to repair the phone, and only charge for the new battery (I wonder how often they have to do that?).
A couple days later, a box shows up from Pennsylvania (I sent the phone to Fort Worth), with what I assume was a refurbished phone in it (a different serial number from the one I sent them).
They tell me that after disassembly, there's a problem with the connection to Wi-Fi, and now it'll be $549 to repair, or, they can send back my now-worthless phone, unrepaired, or recycle it. I had them call me, then then spent 45 minutes on the phone with an agent, then their supervisor, asking asking how my phone that had worked great for three years was mysteriously broken after they took it apart. Finally, they granted a one-time exception to repair the phone, and only charge for the new battery (I wonder how often they have to do that?).
A couple days later, a box shows up from Pennsylvania (I sent the phone to Fort Worth), with what I assume was a refurbished phone in it (a different serial number from the one I sent them).
One of my daughters has been talking about trading in her two-year-old MacBook Air for a M1 MacBook Pro. Sounds like she should just sell it privately.
This story gives me a phobia about Phobio.
This story gives me a phobia about Phobio.
Yet apple continues to support them. Only have apple and Timmy to blame
Probably on the verge of bankruptcy or just closing and going all out to get what can while it can and not care about any repercussions.
I sent them my 2017 iMac a couple years back, they said they could not give me the full 1200+ amount and offered 240 or something like that due to some dots on the screen when they ran the test. I said F:That, they sent it back to me and the entire screen was cracked. The box was sealed and no shards of anything in the box.
They ultimately gave me the full 1200+, but still.
IE: they dropped the thing, sent it to me broken so I had to send it back and they could collect on insurance. Thats my theory. F:Them, wasted weeks of my life.
They ultimately gave me the full 1200+, but still.
IE: they dropped the thing, sent it to me broken so I had to send it back and they could collect on insurance. Thats my theory. F:Them, wasted weeks of my life.
Why haven't we closed the thread? This is THE joke for this story.
Thread closed; moved to PRSI
Glad to say I haven't had that problem when trading in in the UK. I make sure I take copious photographs in good lighting conditions of every surface and with the screens fully illuminated so I have evidence should the trade in company start to make false claims about the condition of the device.
Do you have to do anything to prepare your devices before hand? I've been thinking about trading in my 2019 MBA for an M1 MBA.