Trade in value for iPhone 8 with broken back glass

The associate is absolutely correct.

I will guess why you had any doubt.

If you go here to assess your iPhone:

Apple Trade In - Apple

... and choose Apple iPhone 8 you need to answer the questions this way:

• Is your phone in good condition? I'm sure you will agree the answer is "No". If you don't agree, tap "See what this means."
• Does it turn on, and do all buttons work? This is the one you may have incorrectly thought you could answer "Yes". You cannot. See why here - check "See what this means."

As a result of this answer, your iPhone is ready to recycle.

Would you pay anything for that device? The trade in program, like all recycle for profit programs, is based on the value of the device on the used market. Your device has zero value on the used market, so it is only valuable for recycle, which is not enough to any recycler to pay you for it.

This is a user to user support forum.

Apple is not here and does not respond or read any posts here.

If you do not like the answer the Apple employee gave you, ask to speak to a manager.