Trade-in Store vs Online = $0 vs $400?

[ydub]

TL;DR - My mac trade-in value on the website is $410, in store it was $0 - not sure what to do.

I wanted to trade my son's macbook pro (i5 13.3in from 2017) in for a new M1 Air. I went through the questions online, and they gave me an estimate of $410. I went in store, thinking it would be a faster transaction. The in store rep was nit-picky about the scratches on the back, and told me it had a $0 trade-in value. I was so digusted, I stormed out. I imagine if he had said $200 or $300, I'd be okay, but $0???

I have half a mind to send it in using the online tool, but my fear is that they'll give me a $400 estimate, and then come back with a much lower-ball one AFTER I've purchase the MBP.

Has this happened to anyone before? Thoughts on how to proceed?

 

[terryw1]

Yes, happened to me last year trading in an apt. I went the send in route with no problem. Just send it in.

 

[ydub]

Yes, happened to me last year trading in an apt. I went the send in route with no problem. Just send it in.

If you don't mind me asking why do you think that they told you it was $0 in store?

 

[CooKieMoNs7eR]

My trade in was $480, did the store trade in and was also $480….maybe go to a diff apple store ?

 

[SoN1NjA]

Always just send **** in. At a store they're going to nitpick since you're right there but at the factory where the dude is making minimum wage they don't care and don't have enough time to look over it

Funny enough, recently I went to trade in a XR for $400 with Verizon and forgot the back was cracked right until I took the case off to put it in the shipping envelope, but, decided to send it off anyways since their estimator online showed I'd still be getting $300 anyways. Few days later, get an email stating they received it and that the phone was 'as expected' and so I got the full value.

 

[Natzoo]

I didn't know you could trade in the store, I would rather do that than trade it in by FedEx and risk it being stolen/lost. I will try my luck tomorrow.

 

[ydub]

I didn't know you could trade in the store, I would rather do that than trade it in by FedEx and risk it being stolen/lost. I will try my luck tomorrow.

I'd imagine if it got stolen or lost once you gave it to fedex - they'd give you the money anyway.

True Story - 17-18 years ago,

 

[ydub]

FWIW - this whole thing was precipitated by an uncovered (I am out of apple care) repair that needed to be done. I managed to get the right person at Apple to approve the repair, so I don't need to trade it in right now

 

[Natzoo]

I'd imagine if it got stolen or lost once you gave it to fedex - they'd give you the money anyway.

True Story - 17-18 years ago,

I think I will see if it is instant credit at the store but there is a chip on the edge of the top case. It is minor but if they say no, I will go with shipping. I remember seeing a thread where apple wouldn't help, so if I do ship, I will get a receipt that includes the weight of the device.

 

[Apple_Robert]

TL;DR - My mac trade-in value on the website is $410, in store it was $0 - not sure what to do.

I wanted to trade my son's macbook pro (i5 13.3in from 2017) in for a new M1 Air. I went through the questions online, and they gave me an estimate of $410. I went in store, thinking it would be a faster transaction. The in store rep was nit-picky about the scratches on the back, and told me it had a $0 trade-in value. I was so digusted, I stormed out. I imagine if he had said $200 or $300, I'd be okay, but $0???

I have half a mind to send it in using the online tool, but my fear is that they'll give me a $400 estimate, and then come back with a much lower-ball one AFTER I've purchase the MBP.

Has this happened to anyone before? Thoughts on how to proceed?

Go to a different store or try the same store on a different day and time.

 

[ydub]

I'd imagine if it got stolen or lost once you gave it to fedex - they'd give you the money anyway.

True Story - 17-18 years ago,

Oops - didn't finish the story.....

I had a Compaq laptop. My then 2-year-old found it, and before the nanny knew it, he ripped a dozen keys off of the keyboard. Thing wouldn't boot. I called compaq to see if it could be repaired. They told me that I could send it in, and they can give me an estimate, and ship it back if I didn't want to pay. They also told me that they didn't think any of my warranties would cover it.

So I send it in. Expecting to hear back in a week or two. 4 weeks go buy, without a word. I was getting worried. I called them. The tech I spoke to told me that there was a problem, and I'd get a call back the next day. I got really worried.

Next day, I get a call back from the manager. He asked if I had any data on the laptop that I had needed. I told him no. He essentially told me that they were going to send me a new replacement free of charge.

Considering that they originally said I would have to pay, I was surprised, so I asked what happened. He said - "well, I really shouldn't tell you this, but our repairs were done by a third party. The day after your laptop arrived, they went bankrupt. Unfortunately, because of the bankruptcy, it would be hard to retrieve your laptop, so we're just comping people who sent products to that warehouse to be serviced.

 

[Natzoo]

Had a couple of small chips, the apple store did not care and got instant credit. Worked out really well and they were very generous, they said it would be a 40-minute wait (since they were so busy with customers) but then asked if everything was erased and I said yes, and helped me.