Resolved Can't trade in an iPad for credit towards Mac purchase???

[usagora]

EDIT: SOLVED Apparently you can't trade in an iPad for a Mac or vice versa on apple.com, but you CAN if you use the Apple Store app on your iPad or iPhone. Go figure.

ORIGINAL POST:
I've decided to trade-in my iPad Air 4 for credit towards a Mac Mini (I simply don't use the iPad as much as I thought I would). Anyway, when I go to purchase the Mac on Apple's website, apparently they only allow you to trade in another Mac for credit as part of the purchasing process (i.e. they'd credit your original payment method once they receive and verify the trade-in device). Why??? What gives? I put in my iPad serial number anyway just to see if it would work, but it doesn't. Doesn't make sense to me why they would care what device you're trading in for credit, since they're going to give credit to you either way (whether you trade it in as part of a purchase or trade it in separately). I know I can trade it in separately as a standalone "transaction" but then I have to wait for the Apple store credit before I can purchase the Mini.

 

[trhoffmann]

I just went through the order process for a MacBook Air, Macbook Pro, Mac mini and iMac 24”. It gave me a credit for each of these “purchases” for my 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 and my iPad mini 5 as a trade in.

Ignore the language that states “eligible computer” and just go through the trade-in with your iPad Air.

 

[lakerchick4life]

I did my trade in in store, when you do it that way they give you a gift card for the amount of your item and you can use it towards anything you want

 

[usagora]

I just went through the order process for a MacBook Air, Macbook Pro, Mac mini and iMac 24”. It gave me a credit for each of these “purchases” for my 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 and my iPad mini 5 as a trade in.

Ignore the language that states “eligible computer” and just go through the trade-in with your iPad Air.

As stated, I did "ignore the language" and entered my iPad's serial number, but it it didn't work. Here's what happens when I click on "Get Started" under Apple Trade In on the Customize your Mac Mini page:

Apple: Grab your computer, we'll make this quick.

Apple: First, who made it?

Me: Apple

Apple: Serial number, please.

Me: [enters serial number of my iPad Air 4]

Apple: Which model do you have? [lists every Mac model and "Other", but no iPads or iPhones]

Me: [clicks on "Other"]

Apple: Based on what you’ve told us, your Mac is ready to recycle. While it doesn't qualify for trade-in value, just send it to us and we’ll recycle it for free.

So I have no idea how you were able to do it.

 

[usagora]

I did my trade in in store, when you do it that way they give you a gift card for the amount of your item and you can use it towards anything you want

I prefer to make purchases online. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why they don't allow a trade-in of an iPad at the same time you purchase a Mac (so you can get a credit back to your credit card instead of doing the trade in separately and later receiving a store credit which you can't use towards your Mac since you've already purchased it).

 

[beach bum]

I prefer to make purchases online. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why they don't allow a trade-in of an iPad at the same time you purchase a Mac (so you can get a credit back to your credit card instead of doing the trade in separately and later receiving a store credit which you can't use towards your Mac since you've already purchased it).

Trade in your iPad in-store, get the credit and apply it to your account. Once the credit is in your account, you will have the option to apply the credit to your Mac purchase. I’ve done several purchases this way and it’s worked for me.

 

[lakerchick4life]

I prefer to make purchases online. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why they don't allow a trade-in of an iPad at the same time you purchase a Mac (so you can get a credit back to your credit card instead of doing the trade in separately and later receiving a store credit which you can't use towards your Mac since you've already purchased it).

not sure why but I think the best bet for you is to trade in your ipad in store, get the gift card, and do your purchase online that is what I did when I traded in my 2018 macbook pro in order to get the 14 inch, used the gift card online, easy peasy and got the macbook

 

[mollyc]

I prefer to make purchases online. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why they don't allow a trade-in of an iPad at the same time you purchase a Mac (so you can get a credit back to your credit card instead of doing the trade in separately and later receiving a store credit which you can't use towards your Mac since you've already purchased it).

probably because they need to inspect it first. if you are mailing it in, you have to wait for it to be inspected then get your gift card.

if you do it in store, they can inspect it in store and give you the gift card on the spot.

 

[usagora]

Ok, I thought I was being clear, but I guess not. Let me try to clarify:

1. I'm strictly talking about Apple's website. Forget the brick-and-mortar stores.

2. I'm not talking about getting an instant credit at the time of purchase. I'm talking about them refunding my credit card for the value of the trade in at a later date (after they've received and inspected it), not a gift card. They only do that if you initiate the trade-in at the same time as purchasing the Mac. If you purchase the Mac first and then go to do a standalone trade-in, they cannot refund your credit card for the value of that trade-in, because the trade-in wasn't made in connection with a purchase. They can only give you a store credit (gift card), but that means you have to wait probably at least 2 weeks or so to purchase your Mac if you want to be able to use that credit towards the Mac (because you have to wait for the mailed trade-in kit, then mail it back with the iPad, then wait for it to arrive and be inspected). Again, I'm talking about doing everything ONLINE.

3. I understand there are other ways to do it (i.e. go to a physical Apple store if you live near one). My question is why does Apple not allow you to trade in an iPad towards a Mac ONLINE.

 

[trhoffmann]

As stated, I did "ignore the language" and entered my iPad's serial number, but it it didn't work. Here's what happens when I click on "Get Started" under Apple Trade In on the Customize your Mac Mini page:



So I have no idea how you were able to do it.

I used the Apple Store app on my iPad. For some reason the Apple Store web site seems to require a computer as trade in. Strange.

 

[Phone Junky]

My question is why does Apple not allow you to trade in an iPad towards a Mac ONLINE.

Probably the same reason I can't buy an unlocked iPhone in store and put it on my Apple Card with the interest-free payments but I can stand in the same Apple store and order it online and setup pickup at that store and get the interest-free payments.

Some things in Apple World don't make sense.

Call Apple and ask them. They would know better than any of us.

 

[usagora]

I used the Apple Store app on my iPad. For some reason the Apple Store web site seems to require a computer as trade in. Strange.

Ah! Thanks!!! That worked. Order placed and it'll be here tomorrow ??

Yes, very strange how you can do it on the iPhone/iPad app, but not on the website. Just add that to the pile of life's mysteries surrounding Apple Inc. ?

 

[jdb8167]

Ah! Thanks!!! That worked. Order placed and it'll be here tomorrow ??

Yes, very strange how you can do it the the iPhone/iPad app, but not on the website. Just add that to the pile of life's mysteries surrounding Apple Inc. ?

The developers for Apple's iOS store app are apparently just better programmers than the developers of the store website.

 

[Davidalan]

Probably the same reason I can't buy an unlocked iPhone in store and put it on my Apple Card with the interest-free payments but I can stand in the same Apple store and order it online and setup pickup at that store and get the interest-free payments.

Some things in Apple World don't make sense.

Call Apple and ask them. They would know better than any of us.

In order to get the interest free payments, monthly payments, on the Apple Card it requires activation of the phone on a support carrier.