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Is anyone going for Apple trade-in for M1 Macs?

nepalisherpa

nepalisherpa

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 15, 2011
2,306
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So, I'm thinking about trading in my mid-2017 15" MBP (3.1GHz/16GB RAM/1TB SSD). Apple is quoting $930 which is lower than what I can get elsewhere but with many people probably dumping their Intel Macs, prices will be much lower than before. I checked sellyourmac and they are offering $960-ish. I would rather trade it in with Apple to avoid any hassle. Has anyone else done this?
 
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0128672

Cancelled
Apr 16, 2020
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There two ways to trade in with Apple: in-store and by mail with Phobio, Apple's trade-in partner. The preferred way is in-store so you don't have to deal with Phobio. Phobio doesn't have a very good reputation for honoring the online quote once it has your machine. In fact, there are many member stories on MacRumors about Phobio claiming machine damage to justify a lowball counteroffer. You can search for those threads here.

I'd recommend instead going with CashForYourMac.com and MacMeAnOffer.com, both of which you'll find are well rated by MR members.

You almost always get more with a direct sale though, so you may want to check out Swappa.com too.
 
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nepalisherpa

nepalisherpa

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 15, 2011
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Namara said:
There two ways to trade in with Apple: in-store and by mail with Phobio, Apple's trade-in partner. The preferred way is in-store so you don't have to deal with Phobio. Phobio doesn't have a very good reputation for honoring the online quote once it has your machine. In fact, there are many member stories on MacRumors about Phobio claiming machine damage to justify a lowball counteroffer. You can search for those threads here.

I'd recommend instead going with CashForYourMac.com and MacMeAnOffer.com, both of which you'll find are well rated by MR members.

You almost always get more with a direct sale though, so you may want to check out Swappa.com too.
Click to expand...
If I setup the trade-in and order a new Mac online, can I choose to turn in the old Mac at the store or do I have to mail it back (and deal with Phobio)? I have never done a trade-in before.
 
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0128672

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If you set it up online, you'll be dealing with Phobio via mail. If you want to do it in store, just go to the store with your Mac and do the trade there after following the steps in the article below. You may need to make a reservation so check first. You can use Apple's trade-in estimator tool to get an idea what you'll be offered in-store if they find the condition to be the same as what you indicated.

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Reset your Mac to factory settings to prepare it for a new owner.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
nepalisherpa said:
If I setup the trade-in and order a new Mac online, can I choose to turn in the old Mac at the store or do I have to mail it back (and deal with Phobio)? I have never done a trade-in before.
Click to expand...
 
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P.S. to make a store reservation, open the Apple Store app (not the App Store app). Tap on your account icon and then tap Reservations.
 
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archer75 said:
Do they take mac minis on trade?
Click to expand...
They'll take in trade any devices that show as eligible (and that's the keyword) on Apple's trade-in page. If the device you want to trade isn't available there, then it's not eligible. Be sure to use the actual tool, not the list of the devices in the upper section of that page.
 
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acousticbiker

macrumors 6502a
Jun 28, 2008
979
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Does the store's trade-in amounts typically equal the estimates provided on their website (if condition is as stated) or do they do their own estimates? If the latter, are they typically higher or lower than the online quote?
 
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acousticbiker said:
Does the store's trade-in amounts typically equal the estimates provided on their website (if condition is as stated) or do they do their own estimates? If the latter, are they typically higher or lower than the online quote?
Click to expand...
If the condition matches what you input in the online estimator tool, you'll get the same amount. I've done this a bunch of times over the years, and have always received what the estimator tool indicated.
 
thejadedmonkey

thejadedmonkey

macrumors G3
May 28, 2005
9,240
3,499
Pennsylvania
My wife is considering trading in her mid 2014 macbook pro and an old iPhone for an m1 air. Between the two, she's about 1/2 way there, which isn't bad all things considered. She's also considering making me sell her mac on craigslist to get more than the $250 Apple is offering.
 
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torncanvas

macrumors regular
Feb 14, 2006
121
73
Is trading in devices to Apple roughly every year cheaper than leasing from them? Has anyone ever done the math before?
 
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batting1000

macrumors 604
Sep 4, 2011
7,464
1,874
Florida
I was thinking about trading in my 2019 MBP 2.4/256/8 but Apple was only offering $770. Figured I'd see if I can get a little more for it elsewhere.
 
bousozoku

bousozoku

Moderator emeritus
Jun 25, 2002
16,120
2,399
Lard
My mid-2012 MacBook Pro with GeForce 650M could fetch US$200. That's not bad considering the price of a MacBook Air. I'd love to see what software that requires a dedicated GPU would do with the M1.
 
hefeglass

hefeglass

macrumors 6502a
Apr 21, 2009
760
423
I was going to see about trading in my early 2020 macbook air..but apples website doesnt even have 2020 as an option to choose (they should know that everyone with a early 2020 air or pro would probably want to trade in right now lol). I just sold it to a friend for 750 though. already have the new m1
 
TheRedOx

TheRedOx

macrumors regular
Feb 18, 2009
180
97
Chicago, IL
I traded in my 2019 13" MBP when I ordered my M1 base model Air. I got instant credit for using the Apple Card and, even though Apple only gave me $670 in credit, I have no regrets. The FedEx box is coming today to send in my old 13" Pro - it was nice to have both for a few days to compare side-by-side.
 
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acousticbiker

macrumors 6502a
Jun 28, 2008
979
199
hefeglass said:
I was going to see about trading in my early 2020 macbook air..but apples website doesnt even have 2020 as an option to choose (they should know that everyone with a early 2020 air or pro would probably want to trade in right now lol). I just sold it to a friend for 750 though. already have the new m1
Click to expand...
As of today, I now see 2020 as an option
 
cal6n

cal6n

macrumors 68020
Jul 25, 2004
2,096
273
Gloucester, UK
I considered trading in my 2016 MacBook Pro for £500. I put it on eBay instead and it’s already over a grand. I’ve had to block 5 dodgy bidders already, though...
 
Strangedream

Strangedream

macrumors 6502a
Sep 15, 2019
661
546
London, UK
cal6n said:
I considered trading in my 2016 MacBook Pro for £500. I put it on eBay instead and it’s already over a grand. I’ve had to block 5 dodgy bidders already, though...
Click to expand...
Yeah selling on the bay is a gamble. CEX is offering me £150 more than Apple trade-in.
 
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