Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

JulienWA77

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 18, 2017
6
4
Tumwater, WA
I have a real issue with the wording for the Trade-In process' wording on my Order Support page.

"Our trade-in partner has received your device. Next, their team will inspect it and give you an update within three business days."

I got trade-in kits for the Watch and the new iPhone 11 Pro and both have been sitting in their trade-in partner's facility for over a week and a half. What is this "three business days?"

What a joke.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRoDDz

Phone Junky

macrumors 68030
Oct 29, 2011
2,515
4,420
Midwest
I would never send in anything for someone else to determine the value without me actually being there. Too many variables in that scenario with these expensive devices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Breezygirl

Imac Sam

macrumors 6502
Oct 9, 2011
379
54
Harrisonburg, Virginia
My Apple Watch series 2 was in mint/new condition when I sent in, they offered $0 claiming the buttons were missing on it. I called Apple and complained and they are sending it back. If I get it back and the serial numbers do not match, I am going to be escalating the issue. Still have not heard anything on my phone at this time. Been there a week also.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRoDDz

izzle22

macrumors 65816
Jul 13, 2004
1,255
816
Kansas City, MO
I have a real issue with the wording for the Trade-In process' wording on my Order Support page.

"Our trade-in partner has received your device. Next, their team will inspect it and give you an update within three business days."

I got trade-in kits for the Watch and the new iPhone 11 Pro and both have been sitting in their trade-in partner's facility for over a week and a half. What is this "three business days?"

What a joke.
That long?? The 11 Pro hasn't been out a week and a half yet? I received my 11 Pro on September 20th.(launch day) I received my trade-in kit on September 24th and mailed out my X immediately. They received my phone on September 26th in the afternoon. Today is the second business day as they've had it all day Friday and just a bit of today. Business days is exactly what it says: Monday through Friday not including weekends(Saturday & Sunday) How has your trade in been there since before the 11 Pro was even released?
 

izzle22

macrumors 65816
Jul 13, 2004
1,255
816
Kansas City, MO
My Apple Watch series 2 was in mint/new condition when I sent in, they offered $0 claiming the buttons were missing on it. I called Apple and complained and they are sending it back. If I get it back and the serial numbers do not match, I am going to be escalating the issue. Still have not heard anything on my phone at this time. Been there a week also.
Interesting as this is the second time in a week someone claimed they told them their devise arrived without buttons. I can't even imagine how a watch or a phone would have the buttons missing unless it was taken apart and they were removed. The other person received their phone back and the buttons were there as well as the phone still being "mint". FYI
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRoDDz

Nacho98

Suspended
Jul 11, 2019
729
674
Phobio is a scamming company, many threads on here seem to indicate as such, especially when it comes to computer trade ins, which for whatever stupid reason cannot be done in store at this time.
 

Phone Junky

macrumors 68030
Oct 29, 2011
2,515
4,420
Midwest
Phobio is a scamming company, many threads on here seem to indicate as such, especially when it comes to computer trade ins, which for whatever stupid reason cannot be done in store at this time.
I was going to trade in a MacBook for a new computer until I found out you couldn't do it at the Apple store. Sold it on Swappa instead.
 

Bob Coxner

macrumors 6502a
Mar 24, 2011
855
58
Phobio is a scamming company, many threads on here seem to indicate as such, especially when it comes to computer trade ins, which for whatever stupid reason cannot be done in store at this time.

My trade ins (iPad Mini, 2018 iPad) have gone to Brightstar in Illinois. I assume Brightstar is Apple's authorized trade in partner since that's where you're directed from apple.com. I've had no problems.
 

izzle22

macrumors 65816
Jul 13, 2004
1,255
816
Kansas City, MO
My trade ins (iPad Mini, 2018 iPad) have gone to Brightstar in Illinois. I assume Brightstar is Apple's authorized trade in partner since that's where you're directed from apple.com. I've had no problems.
Mine is/was through Apple as well. It went to Pennsylvania though. Never gave me a name of the company. I'm pretty sure Apple uses more than one 3rd party company for this.
 

JRoDDz

macrumors 68000
Jul 2, 2009
1,960
215
NYC
Interesting as this is the second time in a week someone claimed they told them their devise arrived without buttons. I can't even imagine how a watch or a phone would have the buttons missing unless it was taken apart and they were removed. The other person received their phone back and the buttons were there as well as the phone still being "mint". FYI

That might have been me. I sent in my iPhone X, they said it has buttons missing LOL. I told them that’s impossible, and to send it back. I got the phone back and it’s mint condition just how I sent it out. Went to the Apple store today and got $400 for it right away.

Never sending in any Apple devices in the mail anymore. Too risky. I dodged a bullet there.
 

Martyimac

macrumors 68020
Aug 19, 2009
2,460
1,695
S. AZ.
My nMP went to Phobio and I had to escalate through  when phobio didn't seem to have it even though the tracking number indicated it was received. It wasn't until the very last day that Phobio "found" it and processed it for value. On the other hand, I got more than  indicated I would.
 

heyyitssusan

macrumors 68040
Feb 9, 2014
3,994
10,173
I have a real issue with the wording for the Trade-In process' wording on my Order Support page.

"Our trade-in partner has received your device. Next, their team will inspect it and give you an update within three business days."

I got trade-in kits for the Watch and the new iPhone 11 Pro and both have been sitting in their trade-in partner's facility for over a week and a half. What is this "three business days?"

What a joke.

Not possible. If you got a launch day device, the soonest you would’ve gotten your box would’ve been last Monday. Give or take two-three days for it to get there. And we are counting business days.
Mine is/was through Apple as well. It went to Pennsylvania though. Never gave me a name of the company. I'm pretty sure Apple uses more than one 3rd party company for this.

That is because Apple themselves is handling the trade ins this year. I just chatted with a rep and was told that they still use Phobio and Brightstar, but for different trade ins.
 

heyyitssusan

macrumors 68040
Feb 9, 2014
3,994
10,173
That might have been me. I sent in my iPhone X, they said it has buttons missing LOL. I told them that’s impossible, and to send it back. I got the phone back and it’s mint condition just how I sent it out. Went to the Apple store today and got $400 for it right away.

Never sending in any Apple devices in the mail anymore. Too risky. I dodged a bullet there.

How long did it take for them to reach that decision once they got your phone?
 

heyyitssusan

macrumors 68040
Feb 9, 2014
3,994
10,173
Once they got it, the next day. It was someplace in Pennsylvania.

Hmm. It’s been two “business days” for mine, going on three tomorrow. If they found ”something” with my phone it better be said soon otherwise I’d get pissed for waiting 4-5 days for them to claim something’s wrong with it. I already have a back up plan just in case if they do, but I’m hoping it goes smoothly.

and yeah, Apple told me they are handling the trades themselves this year. That is the same place that replacement devices/accessories come from if you need a repair/replacement.
 

JRoDDz

macrumors 68000
Jul 2, 2009
1,960
215
NYC
Hmm. It’s been two “business days” for mine, going on three tomorrow. If they found ”something” with my phone it better be said soon otherwise I’d get pissed for waiting 4-5 days for them to claim something’s wrong with it. I already have a back up plan just in case if they do, but I’m hoping it goes smoothly.

and yeah, Apple told me they are handling the trades themselves this year. That is the same place that replacement devices/accessories come from if you need a repair/replacement.

Good luck! They did a horrible job with mine. I sent them a pristine iPhone X as a trade, I get an email from them saying buttons are missing etc. and that the value is now zero. I immediately replied back to the email to send the phone back. Luckily it's the same exact phone I sent them, still in mint condition. Dont' know what happened.. but I got it back and brought it to the Apple store today for $400.00.
 

TheAppleFairy

Suspended
Mar 28, 2013
2,588
2,223
The Clinton Archipelago unfortunately
Hmm. It’s been two “business days” for mine, going on three tomorrow. If they found ”something” with my phone it better be said soon otherwise I’d get pissed for waiting 4-5 days for them to claim something’s wrong with it. I already have a back up plan just in case if they do, but I’m hoping it goes smoothly.

and yeah, Apple told me they are handling the trades themselves this year. That is the same place that replacement devices/accessories come from if you need a repair/replacement.


Did yours go through yet? Mine has been at "Inspecting your device...give you an update within three business days" since last Thursday (8 days)
 

VineRider

macrumors 65816
May 24, 2018
1,422
1,252
I just got an email, they are processing my refund now. I am surprised they do it on a Saturday.
I just got an email that my trade in is complete. They just got my devices on October 1. Pretty good turnaround on mine. Got the full refund on two x’s
 

TheAppleFairy

Suspended
Mar 28, 2013
2,588
2,223
The Clinton Archipelago unfortunately
I just got an email that my trade in is complete. They just got my devices on October 1. Pretty good turnaround on mine. Got the full refund on two x’s


Mine took 9 days (including weekends). I am not upset over the timeline, I imagine they are busy. I see the horror stories about trade-ins so I always worry a little. I have done the trade-in multiple times and always got what I was quoted so no complaints.
 

VineRider

macrumors 65816
May 24, 2018
1,422
1,252
Mine took 9 days (including weekends). I am not upset over the timeline, I imagine they are busy. I see the horror stories about trade-ins so I always worry a little. I have done the trade-in multiple times and always got what I was quoted so no complaints.
I’ve had good results as well. They must be catching up, as many people had no status updates for over a week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheAppleFairy

heyyitssusan

macrumors 68040
Feb 9, 2014
3,994
10,173
I just got an email, they are processing my refund now. I am surprised they do it on a Saturday.

Got my confirmation through the app on Friday night, email yesterday morning. To be honest, it took about 5 business days for me. Was getting impatient, but it wasn’t too bad considering they are so busy I’m sure.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.