Best Buy relaunching trade-in offer for 'free' iPhone 5

You are reading it correctly. A good deal if you need a new phone.

 

It's a good deal. We did this to upgrade my wife from a Verizon iPhone 4 when they did this a couple weeks ago. Zero hassle. Basically get to upgrade to a new model after two years for zero out of pocket.

Yeah, might have been able to get a little more for it on Craigslist but to me a few more bucks is not worth the hassle or risk. This just happened at a busy mall not far from me. Man held up at gunpoint was waiting for Craigslist car buyer. http://www.omaha.com/article/20130619/NEWS/130619595

 

Crap, I'll be eligible for an early upgrade in 11 days, 2 days after this deal ends. Oh well, I'm not mad, I'm waiting for the next one anyway.

 

Not long ago, an Apple partner said that they will be launching a similar trade in program. I think that it is geared toward those that don't want to sell their devices themselves and don't mind that the next model may be released in the next two to three months. You'll need to be eligible for an upgrade and you will have the latest, greatest for a short period of time. Do consumers know where their old devices going and the price that they're being sold for? I'll wait and sell it myself.

 

Wish I had known this 2 days ago. I just upgraded to the iPhone 5 at the Sprint store for $47.00. I could have saved myself a few bucks with Best Buy. Oh, well.

 

Agree. Sure you could sell it on your own but there are fee's, hassle's and risks involved. My daughter is using my OLD iPhone 4 and it's home button is "starting" to act up so before it breaks completely we're trading it in this weekend for a shinny new white 5.

 

Yup, and what is nice is the cosmetic condition does not really matter for these trade-in deals. When we did it all they had to check was the display was not cracked and it powered on. They activated the new phone and once we got it setup they allowed me to wipe the old one before giving it to them for good. It was about as hassle free as you can get.

 

I was going to ask about whipping the old phone. Thanks for the info!

 

I think if you whipped it the deal would be off.

 

Advice?

I currently have a Verizon iPhone 4 32GB, black, mint condition, no scratches, no physical defects. It has been in a Griffin Survivor Case since purchase except to clean it occasionally. My contract with Verizon ends this month on the 26th. I have considered buying a new phone instead of upgrading because I don't want to lose my unlimited data plan that I have, but would it be possible to use the Best Buy trade-in program and maintain my current plan or will I be forced into a new contract?

[Edit: Link stated new 2 year plan is required; kills that idea.]

On the other hand, what would my phone fetch, do you think? I have also considered waiting to see the 'lower-cost iPhone' Apple is rumored to release and then purchase it for use on Straight Talk. Verizon's service is the best in my area, but their pricing is exorbitant and ST uses their network here.

 

what a ripoff. sell the phone on craigslist. pocket the cash. and buy the phone.

 

Search ebay Completed / Sold listings for same model and condition to get a good feel for selling prices. Then use one of the ebay fee calculators (google the term to find one) to estimate your probably net in-pocket.

 

Maybe I am understanding it wrong or does it seem like this is only a good deal if you have a 16GB model currently... Oterwise owners if 32 or 64 go down to 16 GB.