It’s not about the resale value once carriers are involved. It’s an acceptable customer acquisition cost as they can make more money over the course of 2-3 years.
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Apple screwed me out of $830
- Thread starter oliverades
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I am going to do it in person. I'm just hoping there will be some "do over" option if they see the scuffs. No damage to the screen, no cracks or chips at all.
Some people being very uncharitable here. Life happens. Even the most careful person can have a mishap. Some day could be you.
The policy on trade-in is totally different from returning. For trade-ins, yes, they only want the phone, nothing else. For returns however, their policy does in fact state that the original box and its contents must all be there for a return. The reality is that this is a policy that store employees of any level are free to make exceptions on and routinely do.
I think you’ll be fine as long as you were truthful with the questionnaire. I’ve traded in six iPhones to Verizon via mail in the past and never had an issue. Don’t let these types of stories scare you.
I’m pretty sure Verizon doesn’t process trade-ins in their stores. They’ll just put it in the mail for you if they do take it. Best to mail it yourself rather than introducing a middle man to the process, imo. It eliminates someone else from potentially doing something wrong and playing the blame game. Be sure to take pictures first.
Don’t get the phone replaced under Apple Care. Didn’t you have to provide the phone’s IMEI when starting the trade-in (or select a phone that was used on your line)? I don’t think they’ll accept the trade-in if they receive a different phone, even if it’s the exact same model.
EDIT: Maybe you can trade-in at a Verizon store. I’ve always read otherwise, but found this on their site: “Bring us the device you want to trade. Use our Store Locator and filter for "Verizon Company Store". Authorized retailers don't accept trade-ins.”
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Thanks for the input. Yeah, I am planning on going to an actual Verizon store to do it. I don’t think I had to put in any identifying info about the trade-in phone when I bought the new one? Anyway I’m probably overthinking it but with a trade-in value this high it makes me nervous
I have no doubt people are aware that life happens BUT their charity depends on if a person is being honest or dishonest.
I don’t understand why everyone is bashing the OP. I hope he/she isn’t suspended because of this thread.
Let’s be clear for those unfamiliar… Verizon occasionally has trade-in promotions for damaged phones, and this appears to be one of them. I don’t see any reason why the trade-in would have been rejected based on their current promotion. Is it because the OP purchased through Apple instead of Verizon? In this case, does Apple/Phobio do the appraisal even though it’s Verizon promotion? Or does Verizon do the appraisal? If the latter, OP needs to escalate through Verizon and cite their current trade-in promo.
Let’s be clear for those unfamiliar… Verizon occasionally has trade-in promotions for damaged phones, and this appears to be one of them. I don’t see any reason why the trade-in would have been rejected based on their current promotion. Is it because the OP purchased through Apple instead of Verizon? In this case, does Apple/Phobio do the appraisal even though it’s Verizon promotion? Or does Verizon do the appraisal? If the latter, OP needs to escalate through Verizon and cite their current trade-in promo.
“Up to $830” is ambiguous. Yes that says they will take old or damaged phones (except battery and heat). It doesn’t say it will give $830 for all old and damaged phones.
It reads that $830 is the maximum, presumably for top condition phones.
Right, it's worded that way because it varies depending on which model you are trading in. Once you fill out the info, it'll show the exact offer and is no longer "up to". The iPhone 8 and iPhone X is $415, and the iPhone XS and newer is $830.
Just for giggles, I went through the process as if I'm upgrading myself. I selected the iPhone 12, and checked all the boxes to clearly indicate it was damaged. Verizon still offers me $830 as per their promo. Not sure I've ever seen a carrier promo adjusted to be lower after sending it in. It's usually all or nothing, and for this particular promo they are accepting damaged phones...so it's kinda hard to say it doesn't qualify at all.
That's authorized resellers instead of actual Verizon stores. I turned in my 13 Pro Max for this deal at an actual Verizon store with chips on the front and back. These weren't obvious, but it made me want to avoid Swappa--as I would have had to try for far less than $830. So I showed them the damage, and the lady noted the damage. I received an email a week or two later that I got the full $830.
I have heard they are being very forgiving with this offer on the state of the phone, but I would definitely be very honest with the damage. I would definitely get an employee to enter it into the system to ensure extra documentation.
I don’t understand why anyone would get rid of the original box that a product came in unless they knew for certain that were going to keep it. Why would any company accept this? And why would someone assume they are getting $830 for a 3 year old phone that had the kind of damage that is being shown? I believe the OP saw “$830” and missed the words “up to” that preceded it.
Judging from the pics , I wouldn’t expect that phone to grab the highest possible trade in value for that model. I, for sure, wouldn’t pay over 800 for it with that that damage.
If you are convinced of its value, it’s easy, just take quality pictures of the phone from all angles, make sure damange and scratches are all there for bidders to see, put it on eBay and let the market price it.
Don’t assume what is significant and insignificant damage, let the folks bidding make up their mind. EBay , in my experience will get you more than trade in and phone buying services.
If you are convinced of its value, it’s easy, just take quality pictures of the phone from all angles, make sure damange and scratches are all there for bidders to see, put it on eBay and let the market price it.
Don’t assume what is significant and insignificant damage, let the folks bidding make up their mind. EBay , in my experience will get you more than trade in and phone buying services.
I think you guys are conveniently glossing over the fact that this is a carrier deal and quite common.
For example. Verizon will even give you $830 for an iPhone 11. The resale value of the iPhone is not all that important to them.
Getting you on a monthly plan with a shiny new iPhone 15 Pro for 36 months however is.
For example. Verizon will even give you $830 for an iPhone 11. The resale value of the iPhone is not all that important to them.
Getting you on a monthly plan with a shiny new iPhone 15 Pro for 36 months however is.
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It’s not a lease. You don’t give it back and there is no residual.
They charge you on the bill for it every month, and they might give you a credit to offset some/all of that charge.
That’s right I updated the post. It is yours free and clear, but the point is that the motivating factor here is for them to get you into these monthly payments with the inflated service bill.
2 weeks ago, I actually did just that. I returned a 15 pro during a trip away to another part of the state and found a pro max that I found on the app that I decided to pick up at this local store in the city I was traveling to instead. Despite not having the original apple box for the 15 pro I returned, the store was able to process the 15 pro for a full return without me having the box on me after getting approval from a manager…so that is possible. They then brought out a new 15 pro max, so this was not an exchange technically but a full return, and then pick up of a reserved item.
I then threw away the 15 pro box when I came home.
I would try a different store or ask for the manager specifically about this if I were you.
Your damage is probably considered a chip or scratch, which you said it didn't have. In person is always best if your phone has any glass damage.
You don't need the original box to process a trade in, you need it for returns.
I agree it's lousy with all of the recycling encouragement. I think clothing stores that require tags are more of a nuisance.
The usual tiny bits of Up to $830, which can also be $0, that's a salvation clause and not a guaranteed value, you find in many contracts.
Just like with e.g. Internet speed up to 9999999Mbit/s provider statements, the real guaranteed speed is usually far less.
Well, the box is another story, but that's also business as usual, return it complete or no return.
Anyway, people should finally stop buying stuff they can't effort, that's what comes out when they go on credit hunting for fake status symbol.
Solution to lower the financial disaster: Sell the iP15 for near it's new value as long you can, accept the lost difference of approx. $100-$200, keep using the iP12.
Just like with e.g. Internet speed up to 9999999Mbit/s provider statements, the real guaranteed speed is usually far less.
Well, the box is another story, but that's also business as usual, return it complete or no return.
Anyway, people should finally stop buying stuff they can't effort, that's what comes out when they go on credit hunting for fake status symbol.
Solution to lower the financial disaster: Sell the iP15 for near it's new value as long you can, accept the lost difference of approx. $100-$200, keep using the iP12.
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