I'm confused also. I've been a member since the program existed and I've never seen that striped red tape. Is that something outside of the USA?
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iPhone 13 Pro Max Trade-In Stolen!!!
- Thread starter ApplePieAlaMode
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I just checked my return kit and I also only got 2 pieces of clear tape, not this red striped one. I won't be returning mine though, decided to keep the 12 Pro for my son and just pay the remainder of the loan, the 12 Pro is still such a good phone. Got a reminder email today saying I have 3 more days to send it in. Let's see what the next one will say, probably something like it's too late and we'll resume the monthly charges with Citizens Loans.
My empty box this year came via UPS but the return shipping was via FedEx. I thought that was interesting.
I ordered a phone from Verizon that was supposed to arrive yesterday. I checked tracking where it told me that it was out for delivery last night. It never showed up. I called UPS and they told me that the package was rescheduled for Saturday delivery but it was at the local hub in my city. I then requested to pick it up at the local facility. Well, when I checked this morning it said that my phone was in another state....it left my local facility and I guess is making it's way back? I have no clue. I cancelled my request to pick it up at my local facility since they are closed on Saturday's and now it is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I have no clue if that will happen.
UPDATE: Ok everyone, good news. So of course I opened up an investigation via apple. I told them how upset I was that this could happen (given I followed the trade-in instructions with the box, dropped it off in person, and took a receipt). I mentioned my loyalty to them and how I have been a longtime apple customer for 20 years. I told them I expected them to make this right. Today I received an email that my trade-in has been complete, and my phone has been inspected by an apple specialist and the loan associated with this phone has closed.
Hmmmmm super confused. No mention of the investigation. Either my phone miraculously turned up (in an empty box) OR they closed the case in my favor and sent me the generic email everyone gets when the trade-in is complete. I’m curious if they will reach out to follow up regarding the investigation, or I’ll never know what actually happened. Either way, I’m happy to know the end result was a win for me. I was worried sick about this thinking I’d owe them for a phone. Thank you everyone for helping distract me these last couple days! Feel free to continue the chat regarding this topic as I have a feeling I’m not the first or last person this will happen to. Good luck!
Hmmmmm super confused. No mention of the investigation. Either my phone miraculously turned up (in an empty box) OR they closed the case in my favor and sent me the generic email everyone gets when the trade-in is complete. I’m curious if they will reach out to follow up regarding the investigation, or I’ll never know what actually happened. Either way, I’m happy to know the end result was a win for me. I was worried sick about this thinking I’d owe them for a phone. Thank you everyone for helping distract me these last couple days! Feel free to continue the chat regarding this topic as I have a feeling I’m not the first or last person this will happen to. Good luck!
You won't hear anything else about it. Same situation I had with 3 phones last year, it started with the "empty box" claim, investigation opened, ended with "trade-in complete".
I'm in the same boat OP -- just posted this on another thread:
Getting a receipt from a FedEx location is NOT good enough guys.
I got an email from Apple this morning saying there was a problem with my order and to call them. Long story short, I got the trade-in kits for my iPhone 12 and my wife's iPhone 12, packed each box with an iPhone, dropped off at the manned FedEx location across the street, and got a receipt for the two boxes with tracking numbers.
When Apple received the boxes, one was empty, and according to Apple, "showed no signs of tampering." I told them that both boxes had phones in them, and Apple is doing an investigation. The receipt I have is worthless if Apple receives empty boxes from FedEx.
I did my own investigation after my phone call with Apple. Turns out that even though I dropped off both phones at exactly the same day/time (they're both on my FedEx receipt), one was delivered to Apple (near Sacramento) on Monday, October 4th, and the other (I'm guessing the empty box) was delivered to Apple two days later -- on Wednesday, October 6th.
Not sure yet how this is going to turn out, but I do know that in the future I will ALWAYS take my iPhones to my local Apple store and have them do the inspection/trade in.
Getting a receipt from a FedEx location is NOT good enough guys.
I got an email from Apple this morning saying there was a problem with my order and to call them. Long story short, I got the trade-in kits for my iPhone 12 and my wife's iPhone 12, packed each box with an iPhone, dropped off at the manned FedEx location across the street, and got a receipt for the two boxes with tracking numbers.
When Apple received the boxes, one was empty, and according to Apple, "showed no signs of tampering." I told them that both boxes had phones in them, and Apple is doing an investigation. The receipt I have is worthless if Apple receives empty boxes from FedEx.
I did my own investigation after my phone call with Apple. Turns out that even though I dropped off both phones at exactly the same day/time (they're both on my FedEx receipt), one was delivered to Apple (near Sacramento) on Monday, October 4th, and the other (I'm guessing the empty box) was delivered to Apple two days later -- on Wednesday, October 6th.
Not sure yet how this is going to turn out, but I do know that in the future I will ALWAYS take my iPhones to my local Apple store and have them do the inspection/trade in.
Ugh so sorry you have to deal with this too! Makes me so mad the thieves take advantage of the trade-ins. They totally know the box, they know how to make it look untampered, and they know apple has insurance. My “empty box” arrived to apple late too (5 days after the estimated delivery date. So that in itself is suspicious. I hope yours gets resolved quickly like mine did.
Pro Tip:
Don’t use the box that Apple sends you for a trade in. It’s too recognizable. It isn’t required. All that’s required is the label. Use your own box - A bigger box, then nobody will know what’s in it.
Don’t use the box that Apple sends you for a trade in. It’s too recognizable. It isn’t required. All that’s required is the label. Use your own box - A bigger box, then nobody will know what’s in it.
This was a very long time ago but I worked at a somewhat high end store that carried handbags mostly, and we had stores in nyc for example that will carry exclusives for awhile.
so when someone returns a $1-2k bag that is a nyc store exclusive, I have to be the one that ships it back to that store vs selling it.
we use fedex.
I packaged it nice and tight and the store that received the box and box only assured me that it wasn’t tampered with 😡.
well, my managers had to review the tape and can see from start to end where I boxed it up and left it by the backdoor where fedex comes through.
so yeah, sometimes it pays to work in a store with security or big brother watching 24/7. I can’t imagine the expectation for a consumer vs business doing so though.
the other thing to consider is do they weigh the item when they receive it and put it on the receipt?
Thanks for your comment. I imagine retail returns departments have to deal with this a lot. Especially lately where it seems postal theft is becoming more and more.
Yes they do weigh it, and I think that could have played a role into them siding with me. If you are able to read the thread, we do talk a lot about weight. In my case, the weight at drop off was exactly as it should have been.
Yeah, I read the first and replied then saw the other replies.
The funny thing is I never worry about returns on my end (have returned several $$$$$ products with fedex or ups) but, that experience was an eye opener for me. I worked one other retail lightly so I don’t have too much experience (broad to compare) but it astounds me until I realize fedex has different lines, of which there are franchise one and so the control isn’t as tight as say ups… which doesn’t have any franchise owners.
glad it all worked out though!
ehm.. what would it help to take a vid? You can always after taking the vid, take the phone off the package by youself. 🥸 there must be genius behind the desk
The video is made where the return is dropped off showing that you are no longer in possession of it, proving the issue is clearly between Apple and the shipper.ehm.. what would it help to take a vid? You can always after taking the vid, take the phone off the package by youself. 🥸 there must be genius behind the desk
Examples:
Post #5
Post #13
Post #35
Only, if it is indeed carrier employees, they know the address in the label too…
Glad it worked out for you.
I would not be surprised if it was some issue at Apple, they’re getting thousands and thousands of phones right now and there are only humans handling this… just my 2 cents…
Hi all, I'm in the same boat. I sent my iPhone 12 Pro as part of the IUP trade in via Fedex, it was delivered a week ago on 10/4. Today I got an email from Apple saying I haven't shipped my phone. Called up Apple Support and to my shock, they said their notes that they received an empty box! Which is total BS since I most certainly shipped my phone. I've been with the IUP since it's inception, first time something like this has happened to me. They said they will open an investigation and I will hear within 5-7 business days. I just have the Fedex drop off receipt & a picture of the front of the sealed box.. It is so unnerving, waiting to see what happens next.
Very good idea! Last year when I dropped off my 11 pro (IUP) the FedEx guy said “oh this must be an iPhone trade in… we’ve gotten a lot of these recently”
so yes, the package is very recognizable… and they watch out for it, especially after a new release!