Phobio trade in

They previously worked with Brightstar which people complained about and I believe Gazelle before that. If you look on the internet to find posts regarding places that buy used electronic devices there are complaints about all of them so I don’t know who they could partner with that wouldn’t generate similar complaints. I’m lucky enough to be near some Apple Stores so I normally trade-in there and they can handle any disagreement with whoever they are working with at the time.

I did help someone who did a trade-in with Brightstar that had taken pictures/video and was then told it was broken. Had to work with Apple Customer Service to get it resolved.

I don’t have any better answer for you than what deggie has suggested. But I can share my own experience.

I recently sent in an iPad 3 to Phobio. The box that was shipped to me was damaged in transport and I assume that it was FedEx that almost destroyed it. I had to spend 30 minutes repairing and taping it back together so that I could use it.

I also documented everything with photos. I didn’t expect to get anything for a device that old but according the Apple Trade-In website, I am entitled to a $5.00 gift card. I would have much preferred getting a usable box that I didn’t have to worry about repairing to send the iPad in. I just wanted to recycle the device responsibly and didn’t care about $5.00 in a gift card.

I am not impressed with Phobio and I have read my fair share of posts from others who have bad things to say about their experiences. I would say that this is so unlike Apple, but I’m not so sure that it is any more. I don’t know why they continue to partner with this company.

This is a user-to-user technical support site operated by Apple, you aren’t addressing Apple management. Write them a strongly worded letter.