Trading in iPhone after purchasing a new one?

[Big Stevie]

Is there a way of trading in an iPhone to Apple 'after' purchasing a new iPhone from them?

I'm getting my son an iPhone 12 for Xmas and would like to trade in his current iPhone 6+ at the Apple Store, they are quoting £50 trade in on their website. But the iPhone 12 will be a surprise gift, so I can't hand in his iPhone 6+ at the time of purchasing the 12.

I'd like to collect the 12 from the Apple Store, but hand in the 6+ after Xmas.

Is it possible to buy the 12 and arrange the trade in online, whilst choosing to collect the 12 from the Apple Store, but then choose to post them the iPhone 6+ later, so they can credit my card retrospectively? Or will I have to choose for the 12 to be delivered to me, then post the 6+ to them later?

 

[Phil77354]

It is not (generally) necessary to provide the trade in at the time of purchase.

Below is from Apple's website here. I don't know if they handle it in the same way in the UK.

How does Apple Trade In work?​

Important: If you are currently enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program, please upgrade your device through that program and do not proceed with Apple Trade In. Check your upgrade eligibility status

1. See what your smartphone is worth.​

Answer a few questions to get your estimated trade-in value. If you pay monthly, we’ll apply the value as an instant credit to lower the monthly payments of your new iPhone. If you pay in full, we’ll credit your payment method after we receive your trade-in.

2. Get it ready to trade in.​

After you receive your new iPhone, we’ll send you a trade-in kit and an email with instructions on how to prepare your smartphone for trade-in.

3. Ship your smartphone within 14 days.​

Once we receive your smartphone, a team will inspect and verify its condition. If everything checks out, your trade-in is complete. If your smartphone doesn’t match the condition you described, you’ll receive an email with next steps. If you paid in full and the value of your smartphone was more than the cost of your new iPhone, you’ll receive an Apple Gift Card by email with the remaining amount.

 

[Big Stevie]

Thanks Phil, sounds like it's fairly straight forward then.