Change Apple Trade-in Kit trade-in method

I will be doing this in the future (only trading in Apple devices in store). Had a somewhat stressful experience this year trading in an iPhone by mail: sent my iPhone 13 Pro Max which was in pristine condition in a trade-in kit via FedEx after upgrading to iPhone 15 Pro Max, received an email from Apple saying that they received an empty box!!!

Apple asked me to confirm what device I put into the trade-in kit and how I sealed the box. After getting this info from me, they opened an investigation, and resolved the case in my favor (I got the $$ that my trade-in was initially evaluated at).

But that left me with a very bad taste in my mouth, I feel like I cannot trust FedEx to handle Apple trade-ins.

I called Apple to discuss this, and the customer service representative told me that it's totally OK to go to the store and do the trade-in there, even though when you buy a new phone, the only option shown on the web page is "trade-in by mail". She said you just go to the store and they cancel the trade-in by mail and take your old phone or any other device you are trading in.

Apple_Fanboy_1 wrote:

I pre-ordered my iPhone 15 Pro Max yesterday and it said it could only be shipped. So, I chose shipping and it’s expected to be delivered between October 16-23. I also choose to do a trade-in with the trade-in kit. However, based on things I’ve heard, I don’t necessarily like the idea of shipping my current iPhone due to the risk of workers stealing my iPhone.

I’m wondering if it’s possible to bring the trade-in kit to an Apple Store instead. Is that possible? If so, how should I let them know?

Yes, you can just not use the trade-in kit when it arrives and trade the phone directly at your Apple Store. I do this EVERY YEAR, personally. You will still be bound to the 14 days from receipt of your new iPhone to trade in your old iPhone. But be assured you can absolutely do the trade at an official Apple Store.

sorry, it says you need to contact apple support for further assistance due to if you are going to the order summary you may not cancel the trade in, so what you would need to do is call apple support or message them through the apple store app by clicking my order clicking on the order you’re having issues with and scrolling down until you see a prompt that says “need more help? contact us via message or phone”. Apologies for my grammar.

Acrillet.

If i were you id contact apple support of you may check the email you ordered it with and scroll down and click your order number and then scroll until you see the trace in kit and select a different option button.

When you go to the Apple Store to trade in your device will you get a credit for the trade in amount to your original form of payment or will you get an Apple Gift card for the amount? I called Apple support and they told me that you will only get a gift card for the amount if you order online for home delivery and then want to trade in your device in an Apple Store instead of via mail, as they said "these will be two separate transactions". Does anyone have experience with this?

Mustang8891 wrote:

When you go to the Apple Store to trade in your device will you get a credit for the trade in amount to your original form of payment or will you get an Apple Gift card for the amount? I called Apple support and they told me that you will only get a gift card for the amount if you order online for home delivery and then want to trade in your device in an Apple Store instead of via mail, as they said "these will be two separate transactions". Does anyone have experience with this?

I have several years of experience with this. I order the phone for home delivery and specify a trade in. The new phone arrives and set it up and prepare the old phone for trade in. I get the trade in kit from Apple, but I take my old phone to my Apple Store for trade in instead. And Apple issues the trade in value against however you paid for the phone originally. In my case, since I buy the new phones with my Apple Card, the trade in value goes back to the Apple Card, which offsets the price I pad for the new phone.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I called Apple again today (both customer support and my local Apple Store, and both confirmed what I was originally told: If I take my trade in to a store, I will be given a gift card only and not a credit to my original form of payment. There are too many reports of trade in iPhones being stolen in transit with trade in kits arriving at Apple for evaluation "empty". Not willing to take that chance and not interested in having a gift card for my trade in value. I will just have to wait until I can purchase the iPhone I want in store.

I don't know why you are being told this. I just traded my 14 Pro Max and 14 Pro at the Apple Store after receiving our new 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and I did NOT get a gift card. I got a credit for the trades against the original payment method the 14 Pros were originally purchased with, which happens to be my Apple Card. I bought both new phones with Apple Card and received the trade value back to my Apple Card which I used last year. And this is how it has worked for me, the last 3 years in a row.

I'm not sure why either. Your experience sounds right. Anyway, since the shipping times in my area for the model I want are still showing 4 weeks and none of the stores nearby have stock, I won't be getting a new iPhone anytime soon. The wait continues!

iPhone 15 pro arrived yesterday! Beautiful device. Took your advice and went to my local Apple Store to do the trade in despite what I had been told by Apple Customer support. They completed the trade in with no problem and credited the trade in value back to my credit card. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Enjoy it when you get it! It just means you have something to look forward to!

Hey, so the apple gift card you receive with the trade-in value you can use it to buy whatever product you like? I don't necessarily have to buy a phone bc you trade a phone?

Yes, if you get an Apple Gift Card, you can use to buy anything Apple sells you might want.

You're welcome. Glad it worked out well and yes, the 15 Pro is an amazing and beautiful iPhone! Enjoy it!