iPhone 7/Plus iPhone 7+ Apple Trade in value differs - Why ?

[4sallypat]

So I am getting ready to decide whether to sell online or trade in my work/business trusty reliable iPhone 7+ I got from Apple 3 years ago to replace with the upcoming 11 model (XR version).

Have confusion question from experts here.....

I go to the Apple website and find out there are 2 different trade in values differing by $75.

On the "buy an XR" page, I get offered $270 trade in price.
On the "trade in your phone at Apple store for a gift card" and I get offered $195.

Why would there be a difference in prices for the same exact phone I am trading in ???
From the "Buy an XR iPhone" Apple page:

From the "Gift card trade in" Apple page:

 

[forestinjersey]

This could be a promotion offer on a trade-in for the XR, is the same amount offered against other iPhones?

 

[4sallypat]

This could be a promotion offer on a trade-in for the XR, is the same amount offered against other iPhones?

If I change it to the XS Max, the trade in value remains $270.

My question is why would Apple offer 2 different prices depending on which page you land on ?
Sort of misleading isn't it ?

What difference would it make whether I walk into an Apple store to trade in the phone and get $195 versus mailing it into Apple for the same phone and get $270 ???

 

[mrochester]

If I change it to the XS Max, the trade in value remains $270.

My question is why would Apple offer 2 different prices depending on which page you land on ?
Sort of misleading isn't it ?

What difference would it make whether I walk into an Apple store to trade in the phone and get $195 versus mailing it into Apple for the same phone and get $270 ???

The $270 trade-in value guarantees you are buying a new iPhone and thus likely to bring in recurring revenue for Apple.

The $195 trade-in value doesn't guarantee you are buying a new iPhone and thus less likely to bring in any recurring revenue for Apple.

It's a sweetener to get you to buy another iPhone.