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mvasilakis13 Author

Level 1

6 points

PowerOn Recycling

Has anyone recycled a Mac using Apples recycle program to get a gift card from Apple?
http://www.apple.com/recycling/computer/

Basically I want to know if they stick with their estimate and give the amount they offer or do they stick it to you once they have the computer in hand.
They are offering:
Apple MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.16 Ghz 15" (T7400) (MA609LL/A)
Estimate provided by PowerON:
$487.62

But do they deliver. I'd hate to find out after they get the computer that they will only pay $300 and then charge me to ship it back or worse yet refuse to ship it back.

2009 MacPro 2x2.26 ATI 4870 6GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 650GB Bootcamp Drive 3x1.5 TB jHFS+

Posted on Jul 25, 2010 11:01 AM

Best reply

SlamSlam

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jan 30, 2017 6:55 PM

They quoted me $296 for a Macbook Pro. I sent it in and awaited the audit results.

They wrote me back claiming the iSight camera doesn't function and they were therefor dropping the condition of my laptop from "Good" to "Poor" and reducing the quote by $40 to $256 (I looked on eBay and a replacement part is $4: a 10X markup).

Problem is, the Macbook was at the Apple Store a week before I sent it off to PowerON and had a full diagnostics test. No issues with the camera. And of course the camera worked just fine when I owned it.

Furthermore, the photo the PowerON technician sent as "proof" of the faulty camera (a photo of the laptop screen) had an OS X Snow Leopard desktop wallpaper. But I sent them a laptop with a fresh install of OS X Lion; a completely different desktop wallpaper. Their photo was also low-res and poor quality, with no date or time conveniently featured.

I was preparing a reply to PowerON about these points when I stumbled onto this thread and began reading horror stories about people receiving drastically reduced quotes. Or even worse, broken devices returned or parts swapped out with dents, etc. So I figured I was "getting off good" with just a $40 difference in my quote...So I cut my loses and just kept my mouth shut and took the PowerON offer.

Total scam. I'm partly to blame for doing zero research on the company prior to sending my Macbook off. I just assumed that they were 100% legit since Apple.com links directly to them for their recycling program.

If I were to do it over, I would just go with Gazelle.com which offers the same amount for my laptop.

PowerON? More like PowerOFF.

View in context

162 replies

Mar 23, 2011 7:05 AM in response to mvasilakis13

Whatever you do, do NOT use PowerOn for recycling purposes. Kiss your Mac or computer goodbye once you send it off. I sent a MacBook in a couple weeks ago and I have not heard anything back from them. I have tried contacting them only for them to tell lies, "oh, it will be another 2 weeks", sounds like a broken record. First of all, it takes forever for them to send the packing materials, especially if you are on the east coast. Second, the packing box itself has been used quite a few times, not exactly what I want to put a pricey piece of equipment in. Thirdly, you get an e-mail from them asking where the equipment is even if you haven't receied the packing materials yet! Forth, it takes forever!! I am a month and a half in and there has been no progress whatsover from their part. All I can say is, this is a scam and I will be filing a legal report.

To sum it all up, they get your computer. They keep it and don't give it back. It is a scam PERIOD! Beware of this service. I can not believe Apple allows them to advertise on their site.

Apr 1, 2011 12:45 PM in response to mschief02

This program has been successfully running for nearly a year, with thousands of computers processed and gift cards fulfilled to satisfied customers. The reason for this success is our ongoing dedication to excellent customer service. While customers have complete control of this process and may choose to accept a quote or not, and have their unit returned to them at no cost, less than 2% have been dissatisfied with their final quote and have chosen to have their computers returned.

While we can appreciate that our happy and satisfied customers are less likely to post about their positive experience, and every company has its critics, this post is of concern to the team at PowerON.

It is our assumption, since the ‘legal report’ the author mentions has yet to be received at PowerON, that this customer did indeed either receive a gift card for an amount they approved, or their unit returned at no cost to them. If this is NOT the case, this customer should contact PowerON and request to speak to the program manager as soon as possible.

Apr 1, 2011 1:11 PM in response to jcphot

As we explained in several emails to this particular customer, the reason for the deduction of this quote was for the defective system board, not the cosmetic scratches on the case. As for the photos, we explained how we take photos of any damage at extreme close up and because of this, some scratches may appear more extreme than if you were seeing the scratches in person. We followed up with this customer with new photos showing that indeed the damage to the case was insignificant and the unit did not incur any shipping damages. We even offered to return this unit and cancel the gift card he had already approved. He opted to keep the $94. If a customer is ever unsatisfied with a quote, we offer to send their unit back at no cost to them. This is at an expense to PowerON – the costs of human resources to process the return shipment and the cost of actual shipment, it was in an effort to mitigate these costs that we offered this customer additional money.

Apr 1, 2011 1:20 PM in response to Jim431

Thank you for your post and for appreciating the value of our shipping solution!

nimik

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2011 6:53 AM in response to mvasilakis13

I didn't check this discussion board before I sent in my computer to PowerOn. I haven't had a negative experience like other reviewers, and I do understand PowerOn's comment that the users do not post the positive experience as often as after the negative experience. So, I wanted to share my experience with PowerOn.

I have recycled two computers. (I am waiting for the price after the audit for the second one right now but the recycling of the first one is completed). I sold Apple iMac G5 1.9 GHz 17" iSight (MA063LL/A) for $143.87. I understand that this is not much (and in fact PowerOn is selling this computer for $409 on their website). I could have brought it to the local BestBuy to get different estimate or tried to sell it on eBay but selling to PowerOn was just less hassle for me. They send you materials, you just pack it, and drop it off at FedEx. Because of the shipping back and forth, it does take time. So, I would not have used it, if I had needed the money immediately. Still, I am happy that I received the gift card with the price that was quoted initially. (I used the price quote page just to make sure that the price of the gift card matched with the initial quote. ) I will update my experience with the second computer once I receive the gift card.

Apr 7, 2011 9:49 PM in response to mvasilakis13

I trust that Apple would choose a reputable partner so I did not hesitate to send an old 17" MacBook Pro that I have rarely used to PowerOn. I have 2 macbook airs and a new 15" macbook pro. The 17" is becoming a dust collector.

Here's the original quote, given how I know the condition of my laptop:
Model: MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz 17" (T7800) (MB512LL/A)
Item Condition: Excellent
Item Value: $753.30

The audit result:
Actual
Model: MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz 17" (2008) (T9300) (MB166LL/A)
Item Condition: Fair
Item Value: $653.25
Audit Detail: LCD Pen Mark (picture)

The process from shipment to audit was a good two weeks. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the return.

I could not accept a quote that was already less from what someone was willing to pay for it. I just don't like selling things to friends; I'm not comfortable with it. Taking off $100 for a pen mark on LCD was little much. $20 would have been understandable. But it's now a matter of principle, knowing that my laptop was well-taken care of. If I'm not getting the originally quoted amount, the laptop is better off being donated to a charity. The tax deduction I'll get will be way worth it--not to mention that some school kid will definitely have a great use for it.

Hope this experience helped others. It was not a bad experience in my opinion. I just could not resolve, in my mind, the price difference as a result of the audit.

Cheers.

Apr 8, 2011 8:24 PM in response to mvasilakis13

I just completed the trade in process for my Apple Mac Pro 2.8 GHz 8-Core (5400 Series) (MA970LL/A). I hope this info is helpful to someone looking to recycle something that has a high(er) trade-in value.
First, I was nervous about putting my machine in a box and sending it away somewhere and there is not a lot of info on the turn-around time… so I stayed nervous throughout the process.

My timeline:
Product Received at Audit Facility: Mar 25, 2011
Audit Complete: Apr 04, 2011
Audit Accepted: Apr 04, 2011
Apple Gift Card Mailed: Apr 05, 2011
Apple Gift Card Received: Apr 08, 2001 via FedEx

There was no communication from the time it was received to the 6 business days later--when it was “accepted.” This was fine, but I was not sure what to expect. If I could make any suggestion, it would be to add a line to the link that has an anticipated audit complete date. Or a date range.

Also, regarding the box. It worked and the packaging was correct for my machine, but the quality of the box was fairly poor and it ripped at the handles when I picked it up (packed). I had already placed the pre-paid label, so I did not do anything about it. However, if I were to do it again – I would have paid to double-box it, THEN place the shipping label. All was well, though, and it arrived fine.
That’s it.
-S

jmack13

Level 1

0 points

Apr 21, 2011 1:32 PM in response to mvasilakis13

I recently received a revised quote for the computer I sent to PowerOn. It was 2008 white macbook, in what I considered good condition. The battery wasn't working and there was minor chipping around the edges (which I understand is a common problem with this model) but I mentioned the battery when creating my original quote so that should have been factored in. The original quote was for approximately $280, but when the audit was complete they said that my computer was in 'poor' condition and were offering me only $99.

Since this is a pretty large difference, I checked all their reasons for such a low price. The reasons were such things as the chipping I mentioned and the dead battery...but there were also things like 'hair line fracture' to the body and 'light spots' and the most troubling 'Scuffed LCD Display (Greater Than a Dime)'. This last one was accompanied by a picture of a computer screen that looked like someone had jabbed a pen at it repeatedly. I know for a fact that my screen was in no such condition. After reading some of these other posts I started to worry about this company. As for the light spots it was just a picture of a computer screen with a mouse pointer...I couldn't really tell what they were talking about...but my point is they were pictures of the same screen yet the scuffs were not on the picture with the mouse pointer. Now maybe the hairline fracture occurred during shipping...or maybe I just never noticed it...but the scuffed LCD screen could not be a result of a shipping problem and I certainly don't make a habit of jabbing my computer screen with sharp objects.

Overall, I'm pretty disappointed and more than a little suspicious of this business and like many of the others on this post I'm surprised that apple would work so closely with a company like this. I accepted the low quote only because with the current screen damage I found it hard to believe I would get a better deal elsewhere, and like many other people have mentioned...that is my choice. They would send the computer back at no charge to me if I wanted them to...but all things consider I don't want the hassle.

My advise to people who are considering using this service for their old computers: take a lot of detailed pictures of your computer before you send it in. That way if anything similar happens to you, you can have proof that your computer wasn't damaged in that way before you sent it in. Maybe my experience would have been better if I had.

Apr 22, 2011 4:01 PM in response to mvasilakis13

I read terrible things about online recycling companies but hoped Apple would use a legit one. Well, I just got a revised quote for the iMac G5 I sent in to PowerON. They downgraded it from Excellent to Fair, claiming it failed an ASD test. Not something I could test before sending it, and certainly not something they have you rate when you choose what condition the machine is in, so I can only go by the fact that I had no problems with the computer whatsoever before I sent it. So now I have no way of knowing if they're just lowballing me or if there is a legitimate problem that I didn't know about. After reading the comments here about PowerON and reading reviews of other recycling companies, I've asked them send me back the computer. I can only hope they send it back without any damage. I'd rather donate it to a school than feel like I'm getting ripped off. I won't bother with online recycling programs again.

Apr 27, 2011 3:34 PM in response to soursativa

Thank you for your feedback. PowerON is committed to the environment, which is why we choose to reduce, reuse and recycle our shipping materials. With that said, your concerns are of importance to us, and your post was brought to the attention of our logistics manager. While he explained that the heavy duty foam within all the double walled boxes we send for Apple equipment is what gives the materials its durability, I can understand anyone's reluctance to place valuable equipment in what they may consider is an unsatisfactory container. Because of your valuable feedback we are reviewing our logistics process and how often we choose to reuse a box. I hope, should you choose to use the program in the future, you will be satisfied with the changes made. In the time being, should anyone receive a box they are unsatisfied with, please contact a a PowerON service representative.

gapinsam

Level 1

0 points

May 7, 2011 6:09 AM in response to mvasilakis13

I just completed the audit process with PowerOn Recycling, and after reading all the good and bad comments regarding the company's audit process, I thought I would share my experience.

On April 17th I received a quote of $173.12 for an Apple iMac Core Duo 1.83 GHz 17" (MA199LL/A) that I rated as being in excellent condition.

On April 25th I received the shipping materials (they're shipping from Sacramento, CA and I'm in Cincinnati, OH).

On April 27th I dropped my package off at my local FedEx Kinkos store at night after pickup hours. As a result, it did actually begin to travel until the night of April 28th.

On May 4th, my package was delivered to PowerOn in Sacramento, CA.

On May 5th, I received an e-mail informing me the audit was complete and the dollar value granted was that of the quote, no acceptance was necessary since their offer was the same price as the original quote. Additionally, I was informed that my payment information had been sent to Apple for processing and most requests would be processed by next business day and shipped.

On May 6th, I received an email from Apple that my gift card had shipped and would arrive by May 12th.

Overall, I think the process went rather smoothly. From the time of my quote till I receive my gift card it will be around 25 days. Of those 25 days, about 14 days were spent with the shipping materials and then my iMac in transit. Another 5 days or so will be spent waiting on receipt of the gift card. So in total, I don't think the time waited was all that bad considering 19 or so days will amount to travelign time. Also, I was pleasantly surprised that within 48 hours of receipt of my iMac, PowerOn had completed the audit and payment was being sent.

A couple notes. First, my iMac was older (5 years since purchase) so its dollar value compared to Macs only a couple years old is quite less. Secondly, I did follow PowerOn's instructions, removed all my data and transferred it to DVD-r discs. Additionally, I went the extra step to actually reinstall the original OS X 10.4 so that the iMac was basically in the condition on the day I took it out of the box and did not contain any passwords and none of my personal files. I did this for my own privacy, as well as to make the audit process go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the process and got what I wanted out if it, which was namely a decent dollar value to put towards a new MacBook Pro.

Hopefully everyone will have as easy of an experience dealing with PowerOn as I did.

May 9, 2011 9:20 AM in response to mvasilakis13

Thank you for posting the details of your positive experience - and thank you for choosing to recycle your computer responsibly. We hope you choose to use PowerON's services in the future.

NJ Ron

Level 1

4 points

Jun 16, 2011 6:37 AM in response to Altherbia

Wow, thank God for research that can be done on the Internet and the fact I found this thread.

I was thinking of sending my 2009 Macbook Pro to PowerOn, but after reading all the complaints about how they shortchange their estimates (and this is not the only thread with complaints), I decided I am better off just selling my computer outright.

It's a shame Apple has aligned themselves with a company like this and that there are so many unhappy customers sprinkled with just a few satisfied.

Jun 16, 2011 10:00 AM in response to NJ Ron

99.8% of our customers who have used this program have been satisfied with their trade, and we have serviced well over 30,000 customers in the past year. Part of this success is the fact that using this trade-in program is at no risk to the customer. Should a customer be dissatisfied with the amount offered after final auditing, we happily ship the customer their computer back at absolutely no cost to them. As I am sure everyone understands, happy customers are less likely to take the time to post about their positive experiences, which is why we try to acknowledgethe ones that do. It is, of course, disappointing to get a negative comment from someone who hasn't even tried the program, so we would encourage anyone 'researching' trade-in programs to give our customer service representatives a call. They would be happy to answer any and all questions and explain our ongoing commitment to customer service and computer reuse.

Jun 24, 2011 9:37 PM in response to mvasilakis13

I was in the market for a new iMac but didn't have the cash when I found out Apple and PowerOn had this program. Not only was it a lifesaver for me, it was fast, easy and painless. I was about to get an estimated quote before sending it off and the money I got back on a 1st gen aluminum iMac made it feasible to buy anbrand new one.

Nothing but good things to say about the entire process. Mark was super responsive with any questions I had, and when it looked like I would miss the return ship date to them for a huge project, they extended the deadline and worked with me.

Great program, great people, great to have the cash for recycling instead of trying to fuss with eBay. Would definitely go through the program again.

-BB

PowerOn Recycling