No option to trade in to use Apple Watch trade-in credit to buy a refurbished iPad

bbtechman wrote:

If I pay for a refurbished ipad now, can I apply the credit that I will receive for an apple watch trade in gift card that I will receive later after the purchase.

Nope.

To purchase a refurbished Apple product, the sequence would be:

• Submit your Apple Watch for trade in.
• Receive an Apple Gift Card for the trade-in value after Apple’s agent receives and inspects the Apple Watch.
• Purchase the refurbished iPad applying the Apple Gift Card toward the purchase price.

bbtechman wrote:

I would like to buy a refurbished ipad and use an apple watch trade in to pay for part of the purchase but [their] there is no option to use a trade in for payment

There may be a very small chance you could accomplish this at an Apple Store. Perhaps they might accept your Apple Watch and offer you its value there.