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Carrier AT&T Trade In... $800 bucks?

Let’s say I want to upgrade my kid‘s iPhone X but they won’t be home from college until Christmas. The fine print says I have 30 days to turn in the old phone after activation. So is there any harm in buying the iPhone 12 now and just waiting to activate?

I’m just worried the phones will get back ordered and the deal might go away.
 
bpeeps said:
Surprised so many people are going for this considering your phone is LOCKED to ATT for 30 months.
Click to expand...

For MOST people, this isn't an issue. The people who this may be more of an issue for, while paying the phone off, is people who want to use the one of the sim (eSim or Phys) slots w/ another carrier. Obviously cannot do that while paying off the phone. Outside of that, if someone buys a phone w/ their carrier, good chance they're not carrier hopping back and forth.
 
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I'm going with the $800 promo with ATT, but I already know I'm going to get a new phone after 24 months. I'll swap the SIM card at that time.
If they stop the credits, I'll pay off the iPhone 12, get it unlocked, then sell it. I'd lose only $160 of the $800 credit.
If they keep the credits going, I'll sell the iPhone 12 six months later when it's paid off.
 
I picked up a google pixel 3xl 128gb perfect condition on Facebook marketplace for $150 just for this reason. Easy flip to att for $800.

I’m gonna to make off like a bandit.
 
aneftp said:
I picked up a google pixel 3xl 128gb perfect condition on Facebook marketplace for $150 just for this reason. Easy flip to att for $800.

I’m gonna to make off like a bandit.
Click to expand...

Pixel 3 XL yields $90 trade in. has to be $95 + to qualify for $800

so I think you'll get $350 in credits


sorry to break it to you

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $800/700 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a minimum trade-in value of $95.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple: iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
    • Samsung:A71, A71 5G, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+, Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, Z Flip
    • Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL
    • LG:V50 ThinQ, V60 ThinQ
    • Motorola:razr
    • Other:Asus ROG Phone2, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, 7T, 7T Pro 5G McLaren, 8 5G, 8 Pro

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $350 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a trade-in value of $35-94.99.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple:iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus
    • Samsung:Galaxy A11, A20, A20s, A30, A50, A50s, A51, A70, A8+, A9, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy 8, Galaxy 8 Active, Galaxy 8 Duos, Galaxy 8+, Note 5, Note 8
    • Google Pixel2, 2XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL
    • LG:G7 ThinQ, G7+ ThingQ, G8 ThinQ, G8X ThinQ, K51, Stylo 6, V35, V40 ThinQ
    • Motorola:Z4
    • Other:RED Hydrogen One, Razer Phone, Razer 2, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T, OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T, OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei P20 Lite, Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2


--





This code TRADEIN20 - do we have to enter that at preorder checkout on Apple's website when preordering too?
bit confused by that piece
 
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five40josh said:
Also, they tell me that if you do decide to order your iPhone 12 online tomorrow, you will need to send in your phone (cannot drop it off at a store). If you hold off and preorder in person at a store, then you can trade your old iPhone in at that time in person.

This all seems to be overly complicated moments before preorders go live!!
Click to expand...

Typical misinformation from an AT&T employee. When I worked at the store, we were absolutely able to handle trade-ins even if someone didn't buy the phone from our channel. The online terms and conditions also confirm that this is possible.

The reason they don't want you to bring it into the store is that it takes several minutes to process the paperwork, and they gain nothing from doing it. It's also extra work for the inventory person in the back to then process all these trade-in phones. At my store, I made sure we processed them daily, but there were some stores that waited days or longer. The audit rules stated that they had to be processed within a certain number of days.

Bring it to a store (a corporate-owned one) and you will be fine. I'll be doing the same.
 
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thadoggfather said:
This code TRADEIN20 - do we have to enter that at preorder checkout on Apple's website when preordering too?
bit confused by that piece
Click to expand...

You enter it on AT&T's trade-in website if you are processing the trade-in via mail. Or if you bring it into the store, the store rep will enter it as they process the trade-in.

I, too, was initially confused by the wording, but the promo code has nothing to do with the actual ordering of the phone.
 
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iFan said:
You enter it on AT&T's trade-in website if you are processing the trade-in via mail. Or if you bring it into the store, the store rep will enter it as they process the trade-in.

I, too, was initially confused by the wording, but the promo code has nothing to do with the actual ordering of the phone.
Click to expand...

makes sense thanks - are you guys just trading in your eligible device or hunting for a good used iPhone 8 deal?
 
MrLatte said:
Let’s say I want to upgrade my kid‘s iPhone X but they won’t be home from college until Christmas. The fine print says I have 30 days to turn in the old phone after activation. So is there any harm in buying the iPhone 12 now and just waiting to activate?

I’m just worried the phones will get back ordered and the deal might go away.
Click to expand...

I would be pretty nervous about doing that. 30 days should be more than enough time to send the phone to your kid and then have him send the old one back to you (or have him send it directly to ATT). Of course you won’t get to wrap it and put it under the tree, but waiting more than two months to activate the phone and hoping they will still honor the deal seems risky.
 
Are their 5G plans only offered on the unlimited plans? I have the 9GB plan currently and I don’t even see it listed on their site any more.
 
Somewhat random question but would having a fraud alert pleased with the credit bureaus potentially prevent signing up for the AT&T installment plan for a new iPhone? I’m assuming that AT&T does a credit check when you sign up for an installment plan and if you have a fraud alert or credit freeze would that stop the process?
 
nippyjun said:
Somewhat random question but would having a fraud alert pleased with the credit bureaus potentially prevent signing up for the AT&T installment plan for a new iPhone? I’m assuming that AT&T does a credit check when you sign up for an installment plan and if you have a fraud alert or credit freeze would that stop the process?
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, for an existing customer, a credit check is NOT performed when signing up for an installment plan. Instead, AT&T uses your lifetime value info (on-time payments, suspensions, etc.)

It's a different story for new customers where a credit check is initiated and deposits may be required. I believe they've gone from a hard to soft pull in the years since I left, though.
 
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thadoggfather said:
Pixel 3 XL yields $90 trade in. has to be $95 + to qualify for $800

so I think you'll get $350 in credits


sorry to break it to you

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $800/700 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a minimum trade-in value of $95.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple: iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
    • Samsung:A71, A71 5G, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+, Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, Z Flip
    • Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL
    • LG:V50 ThinQ, V60 ThinQ
    • Motorola:razr
    • Other:Asus ROG Phone2, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, 7T, 7T Pro 5G McLaren, 8 5G, 8 Pro

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $350 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a trade-in value of $35-94.99.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple:iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus
    • Samsung:Galaxy A11, A20, A20s, A30, A50, A50s, A51, A70, A8+, A9, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy 8, Galaxy 8 Active, Galaxy 8 Duos, Galaxy 8+, Note 5, Note 8
    • Google Pixel2, 2XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL
    • LG:G7 ThinQ, G7+ ThingQ, G8 ThinQ, G8X ThinQ, K51, Stylo 6, V35, V40 ThinQ
    • Motorola:Z4
    • Other:RED Hydrogen One, Razer Phone, Razer 2, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T, OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T, OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei P20 Lite, Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2


--





This code TRADEIN20 - do we have to enter that at preorder checkout on Apple's website when preordering too?
bit confused by that piece
Click to expand...


I'm looking at the AT&T IPhone 12 promo page right now and it says:

  • Eligible Trade-inSmartphones:
    • To qualify for $800 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $95 or higher after device condition questions have been answered
    • Eligible devices:
      • Apple: 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
      • Samsung: Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+, Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Z Flip, Z Fold, Z Fold 5G, A71 5G, A30
      • Google: Pixel 3, 3 XL, Pixel 4, 4 XL
      • LG: V50 ThinQ, V60 ThinQ
  • To qualify for $350 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $35 or higher after device condition questions have been answered
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple: iPhone 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
    • Samsung: Galaxy A10e, A20, A50, A51 A7, A8+, A9, Note8, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge + Duos, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7, Active, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Active, Galaxy S8 Duos, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+, Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Z Flip, Z Fold, Z Fold 5G, A71 5G, A30
    • Google: Pixel XL, 2, 2XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, Pixel 4, 4 XL
    • LG:, G7 ThinQ, G8 ThinQ, G8X ThinQ, , V35 ThinQ, V40 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ
    • motorola: Moto Z2 Play Dual, Moto Z3 Play, Moto Z4
    • Other: RED Hydrogen One, Razer 2, OnePlus 5
 
iFan said:
Typical misinformation from an AT&T employee. When I worked at the store, we were absolutely able to handle trade-ins even if someone didn't buy the phone from our channel. The online terms and conditions also confirm that this is possible.

The reason they don't want you to bring it into the store is that it takes several minutes to process the paperwork, and they gain nothing from doing it. It's also extra work for the inventory person in the back to then process all these trade-in phones.

Bring it to a store (a corporate-owned one) and you will be fine. I'll be doing the same.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you're right but the initial wording of the offer on the Apple website said the trade-ins had to be brought into a corporate store. Possibly to streamline and speed up the process and prevent the very worries that people here keep expressing.
I suspect they changed the offer to allow mail-ins: a) because that's what people were used to and b) because of covid.
 
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BrettDS said:
Really the only downsides are for people who upgrade their phone often. You get $800 in credits paid out over 30 months, but if you pay off your phone early so you can sell it then the credits stop. So if you were planning to keep your phone for 30 months anyway then there’s no reason not to take advantage of the deal.
Click to expand...
It is even a better deal with the older phones that quality for $800.
You get a higher trade in value then would have otherwise and not really penalized as much if pay off early.
 
thadoggfather said:
i just posted the list from the same source @Psyclism

So Pixel 3 yields $350 confirmed @aneftp

gotta find you an iPhone 8 or another droid
Click to expand...

  • Eligible Trade-in Smartphones:
    • To qualify for $800 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $95 or higher after device condition questions have been answered
    • Eligible devices:
      • Apple: 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
      • Samsung: Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+, Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Z Flip, Z Fold, Z Fold 5G, A71 5G, A30
      • Google: Pixel 3, 3 XL, Pixel 4, 4 XL
      • LG: V50 ThinQ, V60 ThinQ
  • To qualify for $350 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $35 or higher after device condition questions have been answered
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple: iPhone 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
    • Samsung: Galaxy A10e, A20, A50, A51 A7, A8+, A9, Note8, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge + Duos, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7, Active, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Active, Galaxy S8 Duos, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+, Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Z Flip, Z Fold, Z Fold 5G, A71 5G, A30
    • Google: Pixel XL, 2, 2XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, Pixel 4, 4 XL
Click to expand...

Weird. The Pixel 3 appears in both the $800 list and the $350 list.
I guess it all comes down to the condition of the particular phone and your answers during the trade-in vetting process.

I just noticed a lot of the Galaxy phones are on both lists also.
 
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five40josh said:
What I meant is if you're on an older unlimited plan, you'll need to upgrade to newer plan. If you're already an existing customer on one of the newer plans, you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Looking at this page https://tradein.att.com/offer-details it says "activate postpaid unlimited wireless service" and only new customers need the plan to cost $75 or more. This might change but using their only terms on their website any unlimited plan should justify the $800 credits. The section I am referring to is the second group of text that starts with "You'll Need to:".
 
Gjwilly said:
Weird. The Pixel 3 appears in both the $800 list and the $350 list.
I guess it all comes down to the condition of the particular phone and your answers during the trade-in vetting process.

I just noticed a lot of the Galaxy phones are on both lists also.
Click to expand...
I think it AT&T has changed the offer since it was released to apple. Now if you go to the trade in site and click the details about the offer only the Pixel 4 and 4XL are listed in the $700/$800 section.
 
cjgonzales1900 said:
I think it AT&T has changed the offer since it was released to apple. Now if you go to the trade in site and click the details about the offer only the Pixel 4 and 4XL are listed in the $700/$800 section.
Click to expand...

I copied that from the AT&T site 5-minutes ago.

But, you're right. The main AT&T site and the AT&T Trade-in site have different lists.
Below is the list from the Trade-in site. My list above is from the main AT&T site.

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $800/700 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a minimum trade-in value of $95.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple: iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
    • Samsung:A71, A71 5G, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+, Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, Z Flip
    • Google:pixel 4, Pixel 4XL
    • LG:V50 ThinQ, V60 ThinQ
    • Motorola:razr
    • Other:Asus ROG Phone2, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, 7T, 7T Pro 5G McLaren, 8 5G, 8 Pro

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $350 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a trade-in value of $35-94.99.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple:iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus
    • Samsung:Galaxy A11, A20, A20s, A30, A50, A50s, A51, A70, A8+, A9, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy 8, Galaxy 8 Active, Galaxy 8 Duos, Galaxy 8+, Note 5, Note 8
    • Google:pixel2, 2XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL
    • LG:G7 ThinQ, G7+ ThingQ, G8 ThinQ, G8X ThinQ, K51, Stylo 6, V35, V40 ThinQ
    • Motorola:Z4
    • Other:RED Hydrogen One, Razer Phone, Razer 2, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T, OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T, OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei P20 Lite, Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2
Click to expand...
 
drumguy1975 said:
Do I remember reading somehwere in the previous pages about AT&T offering less trade in if you're ordering a 12 Pro? My wife is getting that (and upon reconsideration, I am too), and we have 2 XR's to trade in. Just wanted to check to make sure that we are gonna get the best deal.
Click to expand...
I had a deal somewhat similar on the iPhone XS. They give you the same credits ($800) but since the phone costs more you have to pay more. You pay any difference from the $800 credit to say if you get the 512GB 12 Pro ($1300-$800 credits).
 
Gjwilly said:
I copied that from the AT&T site 5-minutes ago.
Click to expand...
I just got this when I loaded the page.

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $800/700 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a minimum trade-in value of $95.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple: iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, SE (2nd Gen)
    • Samsung:A71, A71 5G, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+, Note 10+ 5G, Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9+ Duos, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Fold 5G, Z Flip
    • Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL
    • LG:V50 ThinQ, V60 ThinQ
    • Motorola:razr
    • Other:Asus ROG Phone2, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, 7T, 7T Pro 5G McLaren, 8 5G, 8 Pro

Eligible Trade-in Smartphones for $350 Max Bill Credit:

  • Must meet AT&T Trade-in Program requirements and have a trade-in value of $35-94.99.
  • Eligible devices:
    • Apple:iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus
    • Samsung:Galaxy A11, A20, A20s, A30, A50, A50s, A51, A70, A8+, A9, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy 8, Galaxy 8 Active, Galaxy 8 Duos, Galaxy 8+, Note 5, Note 8
    • Google Pixel2, 2XL, 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL
    • LG:G7 ThinQ, G7+ ThingQ, G8 ThinQ, G8X ThinQ, K51, Stylo 6, V35, V40 ThinQ
    • Motorola:Z4
    • Other:RED Hydrogen One, Razer Phone, Razer 2, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T, OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T, OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei P20 Lite, Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2
 
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