Use Macbook Trade in funds to pay for new MacBook purchase

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Use Macbook Trade in funds to pay for new MacBook purchase

So, I traded my old Intel MacBook with the intention to purchase a new M1 MacBook Pro. The Apple store person told me that yes, I could use the money that I got for the old MacBook to pay for the new MacBook. He said that they can only put the money into an Apple Gift Card, but said that I could transfer the money to my Apple ID and use it to pay for the new one.

Here's the thing, I think he meant to say to make a purchase from the Apple store, not to pay for it. The distinction is the following: I can't find a way to actually use my Apple ID balance ($1200 from the trade in) to actually pay for the new MacBook. I use the Apple Card, and there doesn't seem to be any way to actually use this balance to pay for a past purchase. Again, I was told (perhaps incorrectly) that I could do this, but the Apple Card does not give me any option to choose anything other than a bank account to pay this bill.

I know have $1200 that I planned to spend seemingly stuck in my Apple ID with no way to use it for its intended purpose (I spent more on upgraded specs thinking that it would be offset by this amount).

I've gone back to the Apple store, and they told me to contact Apple Support. I have contacted them, Goldman Sachs, and their support chat (AI robot which is useless). Please help.

Posted on Nov 8, 2021 6:12 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,220 points

Nov 8, 2021 7:59 AM in response to Carlos Garcia5

Goldman Sachs will be useless in this case since it does not involve them really. Your issue is that the Apple Store person incorrectly told you to redeem the card so that the funds were on your Apple ID. When I trade in a device I go to the store and they provided a gift card which I used right then to purchase the new device.

You cannot transfer money from your Apple ID or iTunes pass to your Apple Cash/Apple Card. You have to meet certain criteria. Go here for assistance - iTunes - Official Apple Support

About unused Apple ID balance

You can't redeem or return Apple Gift Cards, App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, or unused Apple ID balance for cash, except as required by law. If your jurisdiction allows for refund of redeemed gift balances, you can contact Apple Support to request a refund. When you contact Apple, please include the following information:

Your Apple ID. The refund amount. Your current shipping address.

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Answer 2

Nov 8, 2021 8:32 AM in response to Carlos Garcia5

You needed to use that balance right away at the time of purchasing the new Mac. Since you paid for the new Mac (I am assuming you paid in full) with your AppleCard, now there is no way to apply those funds to this purchase.

AppleID balances can only be used to purchase items from the Apple Store, not to later pay off credit or debit cards used when making a purchase.

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Answer 3

Nov 8, 2021 1:20 PM in response to Carlos Garcia5

Well, Apple Card is not really an Apple Service. The card is issued by, and owned by, and the account held with Goldman Sachs bank, not Apple since Apple is not a licensed financial institution.

When ordering online, the best way to split the payment across multiple forms of payment is to order over the phone. That would have allowed you to tell them to use your store credit first, and the balance go on the Apple Card.

Is it within 14 days of purchase? If so, you could use the unconditional return policy to return it for full refund (which would be refunded to your Apple Card account) and then buy it again using the dual payment form option.

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Answer 4

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,220 points

Nov 8, 2021 5:51 PM in response to Carlos Garcia5

You could have used the card if you had not redeemed it onto your Apple ID.

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Answer 5

Nov 8, 2021 1:01 PM in response to askbarnabas

Thanks for all of the replies.

Just to clarify, I could not use the money from the trade in because I traded in my old MacBook about 2 months before the M1 Macbook Pros came out, this is why I specifically asked if I could use that money to pay the Apple Card balance during the trade in. The first bill for the new MacBook is not due until November 30th, which is why I'm trying to figure out how I can use that money to pay for the balance.

Even if the money was still on the Apple gift card, there doesn't seem to be any way to use anything but a bank account to pay the Apple Card balance. This shouldn't be that difficult and it kinda ruins the incentive to trade in old equipment if you can't use that money to pay for future purchases.

I will contact AppleCare support to see if there is any way to get this done, but listen Apple, this current policy does not make any sense for trade ins. I thought this would be a lot simpler since these are all Apple related services.

Would still appreciate any additional advice anyone else may have. Thanks askbarnabas and others for your time/help.

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Answer 6

Nov 8, 2021 2:52 PM in response to Michael Black

Hi Michael:

< Is it within 14 days of purchase? If so, you could use the unconditional return policy

I really don't want to return the MacBook. There's a huge wait list and I love/can't be without a laptop for 2-3 months. I'll call Apple to see if they can help me out, but it's clear that some of Apple's own employees misspoke when they told me that I could use my ID balance to pay (meant to say that I could use it to purchase, which is not the same) and this policy does not make any sense for people trading in old equipment to buy new gear.

Here's to hoping I can work something out with Apple.

Thanks

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Use Macbook Trade in funds to pay for new MacBook purchase

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