Apple Trade-In bait and switch scam?

[badlydrawnboy]

I recently bought an M1 MacBook Air. I traded my 2018 Macbook Pro in as part of the transaction. Apple gave me a quote of $890. I just received an email from Phobio, who Apple apparently uses for the trade-in program. The offer was reduced to $310. The reason provided was:

"After inspection we have found minor cosmetic wear and tear to your device that is associated with normal daily usage. For documentation purposes we’ve included photos."

This is absurd. The computer was in mint condition with so significant scratches, chips, dents, etc. on the body and a pristine screen. The "photos" they provided turned out to be a single photo (attached) that seems to be of one corner of my computer (standing up vertically; the computer on the right that you can see the keyboard on is not mine—my MBP was space grey, not aluminum).

This feels like a total scam. Had I known that the quote would be reduced this much (for no reason), I may have made a different purchase decision. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm going to call Apple to see if they can do anything. I'm furious.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Uh, another victim of Phobio.

Sorry man. I got burned by Phobio on an iPhone trade in, as have dozens of others reporting in here.

I even spent 30 minutes on the phone with Apple support earlier this week asking about bringing my trade-in into a retail store (they said no) in efforts to avoid Phobio. I ended up selling the computer elsewhere, but post like yours reenforce my goal to avoid using Apple Trade-In/Phobio in the future.

 

[ght56]

The company is notorious for doing this. For some reason Apple continues to use Phobio as their subcon even though there are a ton of horror stories. My guess is that they continue to use them simply because Phobio has the capacity to handle the volume Apple gets. (Whenever anyone uses Phobio, I strongly recommend taking a video of your device to show every inch of the device as you are packing it, and take pictures of the packaging material used, as you never know if they might do something like this and then send you back a damaged device.)

You could give Apple a call but I am not sure how much they can do. You might be better off telling them to return the Mac and selling it to Mac Me An Offer, which is a very credible company to do business with.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Phobio does have a bad reputation for this kind of thing. Any online site like Phobio puts the process in writing and informs the consumer of the possibility of a lower quote once the device is inspected. As such, you can’t rightfully say scam in that regard. If I was examining with a MR buyer’s eye as many here do, I would have deducted $75 - $100 from the quote.

Next time make sure to read what you are agreeing to, instead of blindly tapping on accept the terms etc.
In the future, don’t depend on this kind of trade-in when buying a new device. Wait until you have money in hand before you go buying new toys.

Sell privately as that will give you a little more control over the price that is acceptable to you.

 

[badlydrawnboy]

Apple said they are going to dispute it. We'll see what happens. But this is the last time I'll do it this way. Thanks.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple said they are going to dispute it. We'll see what happens. But this is the last time I'll do it this way. Thanks.

I have never heard of Apple getting involved. Nice of them to do that. Hopefully, you will see a much better quote.

 

[csupinski]

I was very uneasy about trading in my MacBook Pro (Late 2016), especially with "up to" in the estimated value. I take extremely good care of everything I own and it literally looked like it was just out of the box. Thankfully they gave me the $710 I was quoted! I do hope that those of you who were shafted are able to sell your devices for as much as possible.

 

[Jim Benedetto]

I recently bought an M1 MacBook Air. I traded my 2018 Macbook Pro in as part of the transaction. Apple gave me a quote of $890. I just received an email from Phobio, who Apple apparently uses for the trade-in program. The offer was reduced to $310. The reason provided was:

"After inspection we have found minor cosmetic wear and tear to your device that is associated with normal daily usage. For documentation purposes we’ve included photos."

This is absurd. The computer was in mint condition with so significant scratches, chips, dents, etc. on the body and a pristine screen. The "photos" they provided turned out to be a single photo (attached) that seems to be of one corner of my computer (standing up vertically; the computer on the right that you can see the keyboard on is not mine—my MBP was space grey, not aluminum).

This feels like a total scam. Had I known that the quote would be reduced this much (for no reason), I may have made a different purchase decision. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm going to call Apple to see if they can do anything. I'm furious.

I just received my revised trade-in quote from $370 down to $130. “Buttons or keys not working.” Ridiculous! Every key and button worked perfectly when I sent it in. PLEASE CONTACT ME WHEN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT GETS FILED AGAINST THESE CONSUMER FRAUDSTERS!

 

[Iciblues]

We sent in an iPad Pro 12.9 inch from the 2017-18 timeframe with the increased memory capacity available in mint condition. We were supposed to get $375 from Apple trade in and they sent back a photo saying there was screen burn in and offering $65. I requested my device back and was sent a device with sticker residue, scratches on the back, and a different screen issue (laminate issues - bright edge) than the one they sent photos of (center screen area burn-in). What a total scam. Plus, they had me remove my device from my Apple account prior to sending it in so I’m basically screwed. Infuriating!

 

[peachpup]

We sent in an iPad Pro 12.9 inch from the 2017-18 timeframe with the highest memory capacity available in mint condition. We were supposed to get $375 from Apple trade in and they sent back a photo saying there was screen burn in and offering $65. I requested my device back and was sent a device with sticker residue, scratches on the back, less memory, and a different screen issue than the one they sent photos of and claimed was mine. What a total scam. Plus, they had me remove the device from my Apple account prior to sending it in so I’m basically screwed on proving it isn’t my original device. Infuriating!

It's stories like this that have me really considering going with a Windows machine for future purchases. I have several Windows machines but my Macbook Pro IS my workhorse. Apple's Customer Support has gone to "hell" (pardon my french) the past few years. I have had 3-4 incidents of sending apple prodects back to them (AppleCare - Beats Pro Earuds/2 Macbook Pro's) and not being satisfied at all. Very dissatisfied. Long stories. But my faith in Apple is shattering.

 

[cmcbhi]

FWIW, I used Mac Me an Offer to trade in my 27" Late 2013 iMac. They paid me what was quoted.

 

[hallux]

It's stories like this that have me really considering going with a Windows machine for future purchases. I have several Windows machines but my Macbook Pro IS my workhorse. Apple's Customer Support has gone to "hell" (pardon my french) the past few years.

Keep in mind that Apple is subbing out the trade-in service. These stories are not about Apple directly...

 

[cmcbhi]

Exactly.
Selling your old iPhones. iMacs directly to another will get you more money, but has it's own problems.
Apple is subbing out its trade-ins to the lowest bidder; I doubt any PC manufacturer will do better.
FWIW, I bought the "bits and pieces" of my Windows machines from the usual suspects for years and upgraded those parts when appropriate and couldn't really "trade them in".
So, I just find a "reasonable" trade-in business for my Apple gear.. I wouldn't do business with Phhocio.

 

[peachpup]

Keep in mind that Apple is subbing out the trade-in service. These stories are not about Apple directly...

yes, you are correct. But Apple is ultmately responsible and it is not a good look. They also sub out their "APPLE CARE" repair work as well. I've had my MBP's sent to Jacksonsville (repair center) and Texas (repair center) .. those centers handle many different vendors. The one in Texas does not have good reviews. Early on, Apple Care and coverage could not be beat. Now, it's hit or miss.

 

[exspand]

I just bought a new top of the line M3 Apple Macbook Pro for around $4500. I usually upgrade every few years, like a fool. Their trade in offer of $1430 for my M1 Macbook Pro was the deciding factor. I baby my computers, so the old one is excellent condition. I received new one, transferred all the data over, and sent my old one in. It takes about 14 weeks for this process of trading in to happen, which coincidentally is also the amount of time you have to cancel the order and return the new stuff. They received my old one and send an email stating that the trade in value has been lowered to $285. This is a "third party partner", which means Apple has removed themselves from the whole trade-in process. They don't care that you got screwed and there is nothing they can do, per Tiffany, who I spent almost an hour on the phone with today. And I could not get a supervisor on the phone because there is "nothing a supervisor can do" regarding trade in value (refused to let me speak to supervisor). They lowered the value for "Dents more than 5mm in length". Apple gets a sale, third party partner gets rich by reselling your laptop for way more than they offer in trade. Requested my old laptop back and will sell on eBay. Won't be buying from APPLE again.