Interesting I just had my first negative experience with Maxback, which was a lot like what is described with Phobio
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Apple's Trade-In Partner Phobio Has Reportedly Faced an 'Alarming Uptick' in Complaints
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In 2013, Apple was partnered with PowerOn, who similarly scammed me on my iMac trade in. Quoted $139.50 for a 6 year old iMac, then only offered $87.00 claiming the iMac had a “defective microphone”, which it absolutely did not. As Apple’s trusted trade-in partner, I gave them the benefit of the doubt that maybe somehow the microphone was damaged in transit, but I doubt it.
In before sexual misconduct allegations directed at the this poor guy by ““former female employees”” (CEO of Phobio)
For those curious what I mean with this comment. Often, public hit pieces of companies or public figures (even if criticism is warranted & justified) is a well orchestrated series of events executed by figures within the media for reasons that are beyond us to understand (perhaps bad dealings?)
It usually follows a pattern, in my opinion, and what started as a Verge article criticising the companies return value for trade-ins might go on to become much bigger and focus on something or someone different than when it started. I could be wrong...
For those curious what I mean with this comment. Often, public hit pieces of companies or public figures (even if criticism is warranted & justified) is a well orchestrated series of events executed by figures within the media for reasons that are beyond us to understand (perhaps bad dealings?)
It usually follows a pattern, in my opinion, and what started as a Verge article criticising the companies return value for trade-ins might go on to become much bigger and focus on something or someone different than when it started. I could be wrong...
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They were/are handling the trade ins during the COVID thing. While the stores were closed that was the only trade in option that Apple had (you could still go third party, but with Apple it had to go through them).
+1 on Phobio being terrible. They lowered my $140 to $25 due to so-called damage. I then took them up on their offer to return it to me, because I know it’s worth more than $25. Six weeks go by, multiple email unanswered emails sent and phone calls to these people—just terrible customer service. Then randomly, 2 months later and with no communication, I received the full $140. Why?? Is it because Phobio is a shady company? Me thinks. So, I won’t be doing business with them ever again if I can avoid it. I have since sold several MacBooks on www.cashforyourmac.com and absolutely no issues with them.
I sent my damn near perfect 8 Plus (Product Red edition) to them, they had offered 250 I believe. Then dropped it to 25. Worn paint, and a broken volume switch. I said BS. they sent me pics of a black phone. I told them that's not my phone I sent a Red. Nothing, tried calling, nothing. About a week later I get a black 8 in the mail. Called Apple, Long 2 weeks go by... It was lost they claimed. Sent the black phone to Apple. LOL. I ended up with 350 bucks credit on the Apple Store.
Any trade-in or 'recycling' program is just there to drive new sales. It is better for your wallet to sell privately, you will routinely get at least twice as much.
Even if the device is broken, there are plenty fo good parts that can be used to repair other devices.
Most recycling programs just crush and shred any devices to recover the paltry amount of precious metals that might be able to be retrieved. Not great for the environment either.
Even if the device is broken, there are plenty fo good parts that can be used to repair other devices.
Most recycling programs just crush and shred any devices to recover the paltry amount of precious metals that might be able to be retrieved. Not great for the environment either.
If there are this many bad responses here, imagine how many in the wider community. This program is a rort and rip-off.
Going by the bulk of comments in this thread, I don’t think accusations against this guy are needed. It seems that this company is doing enough damage to itself already.
The $200M company behind device trade-in programs - Business Podcast for Startups
I used to think if I went to the store to buy a new phone and traded in my old phone that my phone was going back to the manufacturer to be refurbished and resold. It turns out that is not at all true. Turns out whoever you got your phone from is actually using another company to handle all...mixergy.com
Andrew: All right. The name, Phobio, what is it?
Stephen: Man, officially, it doesn’t really mean anything. It’s just kind of made up nonsense word. Drew, my co-founder, and I had worked in a lot in a . . . We’ve done a lot of marketing, freelance marketing and help people with branding and stuff. And we basically had this very cynical view of branding that it, like, totally doesn’t matter. And we’ve dealt with so many people that were like, “I need an awesome website and my business card needs to be like amazing. Like, as soon as you give it to people they need to be like shocked with how good it is.”
And we were like, “Okay, that’s awesome. What do you guys do?” And we’re like, “We haven’t figured out what we’re doing yet.” Okay. So we just like we resisted this idea that we needed to, like, have an awesome brand or whatever. So we waited as long as possible. I think it was like we had already kind of set up most of the kind of like 3PL stuff, and we had like arrangements in place to do pretty much everything, and it was the last possible minute, we needed to call this something.
And I think we had like 25 text messages going back and forth on like, “Okay. What are we going to do?” And we came up with this like method where we were going to just like, at a random time, one of us was going to assign the other to come up with a name. And so the next time I saw Drew, I was like, “Okay, dude, you have 30 seconds. Give me a name and then we’re never going to talk about it again.” And so he said . . . We gave him 30 seconds and he said, “How about Buzz Saw?” He was like, “You have 30 more seconds,” and like bunch of names came out, like Phone Heap and Phone Hole. And then one of us was like, “Well, why don’t we just make it like nothing? Let’s just call it like Phobio or something.” And like, I don’t even think we agreed on it. It’s just, like, somebody ran with it and, like, that’s just the way it.
Do people really talk like that?
I’m not even a native speaker of English and this really grinds my gears...
As good as Apple sells this idea to the public of recycling devices, companies are making money off the back of it, I shall as always stick to cutting out the middle man and sell either via eBay or local via Facebook Marketplace. At least with eBay you know exactly how much eBay is going to cream off the top of the transaction.
Besides these recycling devices companies end up selling on eBay in the end too right?
Besides these recycling devices companies end up selling on eBay in the end too right?
Yep. I just received an email today about this. First time Apple had ever questioned a trade-in. My MacBook Air was in pristine condition. Their excuse was wrong product? But they would still take it for less?!
Attachments
Obviously there are people in those partners intentionally stealing iphones for refurbishing or parts. It's not new since there are a ton of iphone resellers in emerging markets like mine selling used/refurbished iphones in a fake box with fake accessories at tempting prices. Those phones gotta come from somewhere.
With Apple keeping track of iphone serial numbers registered with icloud accounts, I'm sure Apple has the power to enforce proper sop. But it seems Apple is lacking focus here.
With Apple keeping track of iphone serial numbers registered with icloud accounts, I'm sure Apple has the power to enforce proper sop. But it seems Apple is lacking focus here.
Apple has placed increased emphasis on device trade-ins in the last few years, with the company largely relying on third-party partners for its trade-in program, including Atlanta-based outfit Phobio in the United States.
While many customers are satisfied with their trade-in experience, The Verge today reported that there has been an "alarming uptick" of online complaints about Phobio in the last few months. The report claims that many of these complaints have a common theme: a MacBook or iPhone that appears to be in perfect working order, only for the device to have an unexplained issue after being mailed in to Phobio for inspection.
In particular, the report claims that numerous customers have been told by Phobio that their MacBook's display has "three or more white spots," resulting in a significantly lower trade-in offer than Phobio originally quoted.
The report shares one customer's story:The Verge said it inspected McGloin's MacBook in person after he rejected the trade-in offer and could detect no such white spots or any discernible damage.
While any company is likely to have its fair share of customers complaining online, the report says "that doesn't explain the mystery of the white spots," resulting in some "perfectly functional" MacBooks having their trade-in value cut by half or more. The Verge said Phobio would not comment directly on the white spots issue, but the company said it strongly believes in "giving full and fair value" to customers for trade-ins:As mentioned in the statement, Phobio does allow customers to decline a revised trade-in offer, and they even ship the device back to the customer at the company's expense.
All in all, it's hard to quantify an "alarming uptick" in online complaints against Phobio, since many customers with positive experiences do not speak up. Nevertheless, all of this information is worth keeping in mind if you are considering a trade in.
Article Link: Apple's Trade-In Partner Phobio Has Reportedly Faced an 'Alarming Uptick' in Complaints
I had a complaint too. I kept my iPad Pro perfect and shiny, and then I sent it over for trade in only to reduce my trade in value to zero because of multiple white spot on screen. I was like what the ...? That ain’t my fault. Fortunately, Apple gave me the trade in refund after some type of investigation, but I just lost faith in the trade in process. I think the box they send is unsafe for the shipping process. Apple shipments for new products are so great, I wondered why their trade in stuff is so unsafe.
Apple has placed increased emphasis on device trade-ins in the last few years, with the company largely relying on third-party partners for its trade-in program, including Atlanta-based outfit Phobio in the United States.
While many customers are satisfied with their trade-in experience, The Verge today reported that there has been an "alarming uptick" of online complaints about Phobio in the last few months. The report claims that many of these complaints have a common theme: a MacBook or iPhone that appears to be in perfect working order, only for the device to have an unexplained issue after being mailed in to Phobio for inspection.
In particular, the report claims that numerous customers have been told by Phobio that their MacBook's display has "three or more white spots," resulting in a significantly lower trade-in offer than Phobio originally quoted.
The report shares one customer's story:The Verge said it inspected McGloin's MacBook in person after he rejected the trade-in offer and could detect no such white spots or any discernible damage.
While any company is likely to have its fair share of customers complaining online, the report says "that doesn't explain the mystery of the white spots," resulting in some "perfectly functional" MacBooks having their trade-in value cut by half or more. The Verge said Phobio would not comment directly on the white spots issue, but the company said it strongly believes in "giving full and fair value" to customers for trade-ins:As mentioned in the statement, Phobio does allow customers to decline a revised trade-in offer, and they even ship the device back to the customer at the company's expense.
All in all, it's hard to quantify an "alarming uptick" in online complaints against Phobio, since many customers with positive experiences do not speak up. Nevertheless, all of this information is worth keeping in mind if you are considering a trade in.
Article Link: Apple's Trade-In Partner Phobio Has Reportedly Faced an 'Alarming Uptick' in Complaints
The in store trade-in for my location is no longer available because of the pandemic, so I had to use Phobio. I’ll never use them again though. They operated at the speed of an elderly snail using a walker! I had to get Apple to intervene to get the trade-in completed, and it still took over three weeks. They are a crappy company without a conscience. I’m surprised Apple allows them to get away with all of their rip-offs.
Yep this happened to me too.
2015 MBP excellent condition, no issues at all, looked great. It was just time for a new one late last year. Bought a new mbp with trade in done on apples site, quoted $500, expected was solid because I knew it was good. Based my purchase on that trade in. Laptop got to trade in company, and they tell me the screen has delaminated with pictures. Whatever they were showing me IDK but the machine was perfect. They revised down to $250. I had them return it to me. First apple purchase in 20 years where I was disgusted and thought they were getting Scammy with customers. I have been bothered ever since. I’m glad this report popped up. I totally believe it.
2015 MBP excellent condition, no issues at all, looked great. It was just time for a new one late last year. Bought a new mbp with trade in done on apples site, quoted $500, expected was solid because I knew it was good. Based my purchase on that trade in. Laptop got to trade in company, and they tell me the screen has delaminated with pictures. Whatever they were showing me IDK but the machine was perfect. They revised down to $250. I had them return it to me. First apple purchase in 20 years where I was disgusted and thought they were getting Scammy with customers. I have been bothered ever since. I’m glad this report popped up. I totally believe it.
Yes, I want to add my own displeasure in dealing with this company.
My trade-in experience left me with a really bad impression of Apple, until I realized it was a different company handling trade-ins.
I was quoted a paltry sum for an older iPhone, sent it in, in impeccable condition, and they said it was worth $0 because the LCD didn't work.
I had it returned to me. The LCD worked fine--they were mistaken--although now it had a sort of sappy glue all over it that even chemical cleaners wouldn't dissolve. I had to use a much stronger astringent to get rid of whatever adhesive was plastered all over my iPhone's LCD after their lame inspection and return shipment. (I suspect they reported the LCD not working because the battery had suddenly lost power and might've gone dead by the time they received it, which is the reason I was trading it in to begin with and I believe is something Apple addressed previously with free battery replacements. But I did not have the time to avail myself of that battery replacement opportunity as I was traveling and far from an Apple Store.)
So, I cleaned it off after they sent it back to me in worse condition than I sent it in to them, and donated it.
Overall, I felt wronged and somewhat appalled. I know some people abuse their gear and misrepresent it, but I do not.
The trade-in experience reflected very poorly on Apple. I did some research and found out it wasn't Apple doing this nonsense, and so then I got over it.
No harm, no foul. But, Apple would be wise to reconsider their dealings with lackluster businesses like this one.
My unpleasant experience made me decide not to trade in some old Apple computers for new ones on Apple's website.
My trade-in experience left me with a really bad impression of Apple, until I realized it was a different company handling trade-ins.
I was quoted a paltry sum for an older iPhone, sent it in, in impeccable condition, and they said it was worth $0 because the LCD didn't work.
I had it returned to me. The LCD worked fine--they were mistaken--although now it had a sort of sappy glue all over it that even chemical cleaners wouldn't dissolve. I had to use a much stronger astringent to get rid of whatever adhesive was plastered all over my iPhone's LCD after their lame inspection and return shipment. (I suspect they reported the LCD not working because the battery had suddenly lost power and might've gone dead by the time they received it, which is the reason I was trading it in to begin with and I believe is something Apple addressed previously with free battery replacements. But I did not have the time to avail myself of that battery replacement opportunity as I was traveling and far from an Apple Store.)
So, I cleaned it off after they sent it back to me in worse condition than I sent it in to them, and donated it.
Overall, I felt wronged and somewhat appalled. I know some people abuse their gear and misrepresent it, but I do not.
The trade-in experience reflected very poorly on Apple. I did some research and found out it wasn't Apple doing this nonsense, and so then I got over it.
No harm, no foul. But, Apple would be wise to reconsider their dealings with lackluster businesses like this one.
My unpleasant experience made me decide not to trade in some old Apple computers for new ones on Apple's website.
I've reported this to Apple on Twitter, zero feedback on it so far.
Was sending in a perfectly fine iPhone 6, which was declared faulty with scratches or white pixel spots, offered to be kept with 0 trade-in value. This is an very obvious scam, as many people would accept to get rid of the device.
I'm glad I had it returned to me and will keep waiting for the situation to improve.
Was sending in a perfectly fine iPhone 6, which was declared faulty with scratches or white pixel spots, offered to be kept with 0 trade-in value. This is an very obvious scam, as many people would accept to get rid of the device.
I'm glad I had it returned to me and will keep waiting for the situation to improve.