Hi, mhort,
When I was hoping to sell my ‘11 26” iMac, and hoping to get the best trade-in value, too, I found the trouble and cost of purchasing a box prohibitive, which is why I decided in the end to go with Apple’s Buy-Back program. Besides the $100 cost of purchasing a box, no matter where I looked, FedEx, too, wanted an exhorbitant amount to package the device. Apple’s trade-in program, though, actually sent me a box for free! And their trade-in valuation wasn’t that much less...
I found you don’t have to be, actually, purchasing a replacement — or even any device — in order to take advantage of the program: https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in
The iMac Trade-In Guide for Apple GiveBack, powered by phobio, that came with the box was very helpful. Should you decide not to explore for trade-in value, thru the above link, the email I received from Phobio Support says you can reach them 24/7 live chat at phobiosupport.com or by calling them (800) 353-9028 between 8 am and midnight, EST, 7 days a week. It could be possible they’d sell you a box.
Should you go their trade-in route, though, once your iMac is received and processed, your virtual reward will be sent via the virtualrewardcenter.com. They’ll send an Apple Store eGift Card Reward that does not expire; however, for security reasons the actual reward link will expire on a given date.
If you didn’t use the virtual reward before it expired, you would need to contact them to get a new link which is, likely, what I’ll have to do. So, I printed and guard the papers, carefully. The email you’d receive from them would give you all the particulars.
I’d thought I’d be using mine in the App Store, over time — as it wasn’t the easy Amazon trade-in, where I have a credit I could easily spend down. Sadly, it seems it’ll only worked in the Apple Store. I’ll likely use mine, when I need a SmartKeyboard or Logitech keyboard or, even iPad replacement/update which I’m hoping will be a couple years away.
You might decide, as I did, the cost of the box didn’t match the ease with which I could trade-in my old iMac with Apple!
Hoping this helps...
Linda
