Other Is Apple's trade-in website no longer using Phobio to handle its trade-ins?

[beerseagulls]

Is Apple's trade-in website no longer using Phobio to handle its trade-ins?

Earlier this year, I traded 2 phone via Apple's trade-in website. I wasn't buying phones at the time, so I opted for Apple Gift Cards. I received in trade-in shipping boxes from Phobio and shipped them the next day. A week later, I got the email with the gift card number.

Last month, I traded in my unused iPhone 11. This time, none of the emails mentioned Phobio. The shipping box came from a company called DB Schenker. No issues at all... got my gift cards in the email within 4 days.

I just submitted another trade in for an older iPhone Xs. Again, no mention of Phobio anywhere. Like the iPhone 11 trade in, the shipping box came from DB Schenker.

Just curious as to what happened to Phobio? Or are they just hiding the name because of all the bad press from a couple of month ago?

 

[0128672]

Let's hope Phobio is no longer in the picture. DB Schenker is a global logistics/supply chain company and there's no mention on its site that it handles device trade-ins. Maybe we'll hear more about this as time goes by.

 

[iOS Geek]

Is Apple's trade-in website no longer using Phobio to handle its trade-ins?

Earlier this year, I traded 2 phone via Apple's trade-in website. I wasn't buying phones at the time, so I opted for Apple Gift Cards. I received in trade-in shipping boxes from Phobio and shipped them the next day. A week later, I got the email with the gift card number.

Last month, I traded in my unused iPhone 11. This time, none of the emails mentioned Phobio. The shipping box came from a company called DB Schenker. No issues at all... got my gift cards in the email within 4 days.

I just submitted another trade in for an older iPhone Xs. Again, no mention of Phobio anywhere. Like the iPhone 11 trade in, the shipping box came from DB Schenker.

Just curious as to what happened to Phobio? Or are they just hiding the name because of all the bad press from a couple of month ago?

I had a similar experience. Phobio earlier in the year and the process took a while from start to finish. (Not excessive by any means, but still a while).

I did another trade-in a few weeks ago, this time with no mention of Phobio. Not even a box shipped to my house to pack and bring to FedEx. Instead, I was sent a QR code, told to go straight to FedEx, have them scan the code and that's it. They scanned the code, packaged the device, and sent it off right on the spot. It shipped on a Thursday (late enough in the day for it not to matter, so let's just say Friday for the sake of transit time), got to Apple...or whoever it actually goes to now...the following Monday and I had a gift card in my email before the end of the week. Pleasantly surprised!

I personally never had an issue with Phobio, but I will say the most recent trade-in experience was the best of the ones I've had. Apple even increased the value I got for it. (Only $5, but still)!

 

[0128672]

Did the trade-in's ship to address or the tracking provide any clues where it sent?

 

[iOS Geek]

Did the trade-in's ship to address or the tracking provide any clues where it sent?

In my case, my trade-ins with Phobio had Irving, TX as the destination listed by FedEx. My last one (the one with no mention of Phobio), if I remember correctly, had Fort Worth, TX as the destination. Those two cities aren't far off from each other, so maybe they did end up at the same place at some point.

 

[GMShadow]

I'd heard enough horror stories with Phobio that I just took my MBP to the store in July for an in-person trade-in, which took all of five minutes.

It'd be nice to know they're out of the picture.

 

[beerseagulls]

Did the trade-in's ship to address or the tracking provide any clues where it sent?

Yes, both of the recent two trade-in boxes has UPS shipping labels that went to "Humble, Texas" address.

DB Schenker USA: 18851 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX 77338 Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/YbFe1PJdUgJyGYtAA

Previously, the trade-ins that were handled by Phobio went to a different address next to DFW airport.(250 miles north)

 

[beerseagulls]

In my case, my trade-ins with Phobio had Irving, TX as the destination listed by FedEx. My last one (the one with no mention of Phobio), if I remember correctly, had Fort Worth, TX as the destination. Those two cities aren't far off from each other, so maybe they did end up at the same place at some point.

the most recent two that I did on Apple's trade-in website both went to Humble, TX, which is 250 miles away from Fort Worth, TX.(which was used by Phobio)

 

[iOS Geek]

the most recent two that I did on Apple's trade-in website both went to Humble, TX, which is 250 miles away from Fort Worth, TX.(which was used by Phobio)

Now that I think of it, Humble does sound familiar on the most recent one.

Maybe I'm thinking of it arriving at a facility in Irving and then going to Fort Worth from there, because those two are definitely standing out to me (for the earlier ones).

 

[beerseagulls]

I'd heard enough horror stories with Phobio that I just took my MBP to the store in July for an in-person trade-in, which took all of five minutes.

It'd be nice to know they're out of the picture.

unfortunately, many large corporations change their names to throw people off.

Back in 2008, my house was mistakenly foreclosed because the greedy mortgage company was either too lazy/incompetent or worse, trying to commit fraud. There was a class action filed on behalf other of the hundreds of other victims like me. Most people only got a few thousand dollars in compensation. I got luck and received $14,500 + other expenses. That stupid mortgage company(one of the biggest in the country) later changed its name to something really quaint. Even I, a past victim, didn't realize that it was the same company with a new name. Fortunately, I discovered it right before my in-laws were about to get a new mortgage.

 

[sahni130]

My recent MBP trade in went to Humble, TX. I was quoted a value of $145 (had some dents and minor crack near the MacBook Pro logo) but pleasantly surprised when the final after inspection came in at $570. I received an e-gift card for that value so all said and done.

 

[lolkthxbai]

Is Apple's trade-in website no longer using Phobio to handle its trade-ins?

Earlier this year, I traded 2 phone via Apple's trade-in website. I wasn't buying phones at the time, so I opted for Apple Gift Cards. I received in trade-in shipping boxes from Phobio and shipped them the next day. A week later, I got the email with the gift card number.

Last month, I traded in my unused iPhone 11. This time, none of the emails mentioned Phobio. The shipping box came from a company called DB Schenker. No issues at all... got my gift cards in the email within 4 days.

I just submitted another trade in for an older iPhone Xs. Again, no mention of Phobio anywhere. Like the iPhone 11 trade in, the shipping box came from DB Schenker.

Just curious as to what happened to Phobio? Or are they just hiding the name because of all the bad press from a couple of month ago?

It’s not unusual for Apple to diversify their trade-in vendors in an attempt to cut costs and offer more value for certain models. Although Phobio is a well-known partner of Apple they are not the only US partner.

 

[darinzook]

This would be a good move by Apple. I've had otherwise flawless trade-ins that Phobio damaged, and then offered me less or nothing than I was quoted. Apple made one of the situations somewhat right, and refunded me some purchases as a sign of good faith, but I was not alone. BBB has thousands upon thousands of complaints against Phobio for shady practices.