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You should be able to do an in-store trade-in within the 14 day return period so you can have your cake and eat it too, at least for 13 days.
 
Question - do you have to return the charger and cable with the trade or just the MacBook when you trade in to Apple?
I just sent in my MBP and the packing instructions showed where to pack the charger and cable, so I'm going to say it is required. Although it does not specify so anywhere in writing I noticed.
 
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I just traded my old MBP to Apple Store despite having a trade in kit mailed to me. I still haven’t opened that kit so not sure if they want chargers, although previously iPhone trade in didn’t ask for chargers.

As for my trade in, to my surprise the apple store actually asked for my new MBP serial number so they processed it as if I made a purchase with trade in. They put the credit directly to my credit card. And they didn’t mention chargers. YMMV.
 
I just traded my old MBP to Apple Store despite having a trade in kit mailed to me. I still haven’t opened that kit so not sure if they want chargers, although previously iPhone trade in didn’t ask for chargers.

As for my trade in, to my surprise the apple store actually asked for my new MBP serial number so they processed it as if I made a purchase with trade in. They put the credit directly to my credit card. And they didn’t mention chargers. YMMV.
That's good info. I didn't know you could bring to the store like that and not end up with a gift card. I'm going to hold on to my trade as long as possible to be sure I'm good with the MBP 14. Already having issues with my dock and USB-C to video.
 
Question - do you have to return the charger and cable with the trade or just the MacBook when you trade in to Apple?

No. In store trade ins do not require the charger.

Secondly, the online store does not ask for the charger. They use to, if you said you were keeping the charger they use to deduct $10-20 off the w/charger price. So I assume the online trade in is no longer asking for the chargers either.

Source: I traded my computer in this week. They applied the credit directly to the purchase. They verified no battery swelling, broken screen, etc right in front of me and you sign a form saying you understand you will NEVER get it back. Lol.
 
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I just traded my old MBP to Apple Store despite having a trade in kit mailed to me. I still haven’t opened that kit so not sure if they want chargers, although previously iPhone trade in didn’t ask for chargers.

As for my trade in, to my surprise the apple store actually asked for my new MBP serial number so they processed it as if I made a purchase with trade in. They put the credit directly to my credit card. And they didn’t mention chargers. YMMV.
So did you simply setup an online appointment and bring in your old computer AFTER you purchased and took home your new MBP? I did an in store pickup for my new MBP and only saw the option to mail my old computer in. If I can bring it in after my purchase to get a credit, then I rather do it in person to get the immediate credit and to avoid any discrepancies from Apple's 3rd party trade in partners such as Phobio.
 
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So did you simply setup an online appointment and bring in your old computer AFTER you purchased and took home your new MBP? I did an in store pickup for my new MBP and only saw the option to mail my old computer in. If I can bring it in after my purchase to get a credit, then I rather do it in person to get the immediate credit and to avoid any discrepancies from Apple's 3rd party trade in partners such as Phobio.
I ordered new one online with trade in selected and then bring my old one to store(with appointment) after setting up the new one without problems. I read about several incidents about Mac trade in to Phobio and decided to do it in person. Although I prepared to get the gift card, the store surprisingly gave me direct credit. In addition, it was the same amount with the online quote plus tax back too. I remember my iPhone online trade in didn’t get me the tax back. That’s probably the difference between trade in with and without purchase. So it’s a very good experience all around.
 
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I ordered new one online with trade in selected and then bring my old one to store(with appointment) after setting up the new one without problems. I read about several incidents about Mac trade in to Phobio and decided to do it in person. Although I prepared to get the gift card, the store surprisingly gave me direct credit. In addition, it was the same amount with the online quote plus tax back too. I remember my iPhone online trade in didn’t get me the tax back. That’s probably the difference between trade in with and without purchase. So it’s a very good experience all around.
Thank you for your detailed reply! I did note that you said you got a trade in box but brought in the computer despite getting the shipping container. I have an appointment set up for later today and will bring in my old laptop to see if they can inspect and perhaps credit me on the spot. I took out the trade in box but do not want to send it in after reading the horror stories.
 
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They offering me like 1000€ for my 1y old still in warranty i9 mbp 16 bought 2020… fak them :)
 
I just traded my old MBP to Apple Store despite having a trade in kit mailed to me. I still haven’t opened that kit so not sure if they want chargers, although previously iPhone trade in didn’t ask for chargers.

As for my trade in, to my surprise the apple store actually asked for my new MBP serial number so they processed it as if I made a purchase with trade in. They put the credit directly to my credit card. And they didn’t mention chargers. YMMV.
I'd like to say thank you for your post. I went to my Apple Shopping appointment today and told them I would like to trade in my old MBP for the new one I purchased last week. They told me that they could handle it on the spot. I was surprised because they had stopped trade ins last year due to COVID. They said the have since reinstated that program. So I got a full refund of the value of the old MBP against my new one onto my Apple Card. It took about 15 minutes and I walked out no longer having to mail in my old one to Phobio and have them tell me that my computer was defective with "white spots" on the screen. So those who buy and want to trade should know that you can do it AFTER your purchase to make sure that the new M1Pro/Max is right for them.
 
Do you think the trade-in value is going to go up in the future?
That's hard to say. I got about 50% value on my 16" 2019 MBP after 2 full years. That's not horrible coming from Apple because all the other 3rd party trade in places come out to be almost the same and many times less. I did hear that the chip shortage has played into our favor slightly but the issue is that the new M1 MBPs have turned out to be quite good and that may drive down Intel based ones further despite the fact that they are still functionally good and fine.
 
That's hard to say. I got about 50% value on my 16" 2019 MBP after 2 full years. That's not horrible coming from Apple because all the other 3rd party trade in places come out to be almost the same and many times less. I did hear that the chip shortage has played into our favor slightly but the issue is that the new M1 MBPs have turned out to be quite good and that may drive down Intel based ones further despite the fact that they are still functionally good and fine.
As soon as the M1 Air and 13" MBP came out I tried them and found the Air worked for me and did not sound like a jet taking off when it did anything stressful.

I sold my 2019 16" MBP with AppleCare to a 3rd party for nearly $2300 having paid a little over $3000 a year earlier. Every once in a while I go up to the same site and put in the same configuration and the price has been in steady decline, with a large drop occurring in the last 2 weeks.
 
No. In store trade ins do not require the charger.

Secondly, the online store does not ask for the charger. They use to, if you said you were keeping the charger they use to deduct $10-20 off the w/charger price. So I assume the online trade in is no longer asking for the chargers either.

Source: I traded my computer in this week. They applied the credit directly to the purchase. They verified no battery swelling, broken screen, etc right in front of me and you sign a form saying you understand you will NEVER get it back. Lol.
I remember the same on the chargers. It was hard to believe they were really going to be able to do anything with those chargers. Batteries - I unfortunately spent 3 hours at an Apple store last week, so I got to see a lot of interactions. Two standouts: lots of computers coming in with swollen batteries, and lots of people who had no clue what their Apple ID password was and who apparently had no way in the world to retrieve it. Lots of harsh language around that last issue.
 
I'd like to say thank you for your post. I went to my Apple Shopping appointment today and told them I would like to trade in my old MBP for the new one I purchased last week. They told me that they could handle it on the spot. I was surprised because they had stopped trade ins last year due to COVID. They said the have since reinstated that program. So I got a full refund of the value of the old MBP against my new one onto my Apple Card. It took about 15 minutes and I walked out no longer having to mail in my old one to Phobio and have them tell me that my computer was defective with "white spots" on the screen. So those who buy and want to trade should know that you can do it AFTER your purchase to make sure that the new M1Pro/Max is right for them.
I’m glad it worked out for you too. Although Apple hasn’t publicly advertised this program, hopefully they can keep it going.
 
I'd like to say thank you for your post. I went to my Apple Shopping appointment today and told them I would like to trade in my old MBP for the new one I purchased last week. They told me that they could handle it on the spot. I was surprised because they had stopped trade ins last year due to COVID. They said the have since reinstated that program. So I got a full refund of the value of the old MBP against my new one onto my Apple Card. It took about 15 minutes and I walked out no longer having to mail in my old one to Phobio and have them tell me that my computer was defective with "white spots" on the screen. So those who buy and want to trade should know that you can do it AFTER your purchase to make sure that the new M1Pro/Max is right for them.
I just received the box for my trade-in today and saw the instruction leaflet with the picture of where to put the charger, which brought me to finding this post. I have a 2014 MBA that I'm trading in for $200, which they already gave me advance credit for on my Apple Card. I didn't know there were nightmare stories about mailing trade-ins! This is my first MacBook that has served me well for over 7 years.

I'm so glad to find out I can make a shopping appt, but it looks like I can only make an appt up to 2 days in advance. Did you choose "returns and exchanges" for your appt? I want to make sure I get the full $200, so I will try to make an appt (right after Christmas...ugh) and take it in rather than mail it back. My new M1 has shipped and is expected to arrive 12/22-12/23. I will make sure all is up and running on the new one before I wipe this one. I'm assuming they don't really want the charging cord back, do they?!
 
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