How to resolve discrepancies in Apple Trade-in serial number and reimbursement value?

BRUN_Ipod wrote:

I sent my MacBook Pro with M3 Max to Apple Trade In, copied the serial from the apple menu and they said that is wrong and the reimburse value was a lot less than anticipated.

No way to get in touch and get explanations, only take or leave. This sounds like a scam.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Apple Trade-in Scam

The trade in is handled by third party contractor...

not the first funny business I have heard here in the forums.

You are typically better off selling a functional mac locally on your own terms.

Apple Trade In - Apple

submit your feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

or “Apple website” on their feedback

Feedback - Apple.com Website - Apple this includes:

Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

Request to have the device sent back to you instead of accepting the value. You always have those 2 options. Once you get it back, take it to the Apple Store for the Trade-in. You will not be able to reduce the amount of the purchase you have already made for the Mac online, but you will be given that amount equivalent in a Gift Card.

If you had taken the device in for trade-in to the Apple Store first before ordering online, then you could have used the Gift Card for the online purchase to reduce the amount you have paid.

When a device is sent in for Trade-in the subjective value may change from the estimate you were given after it has been evaluated, when you take a device into the store for Trade-In, the evaluation is performed there and you will be given an on-the-spot value and will not have to worry about any surprises.

Did you consider visiting an Apple Store to trade it in? Your device will be inspected and you will get an exact value right away.

...

Bring it to an Apple Store. 

A Specialist will inspect your device and give you an exact value on the spot. If it doesn’t have any value, we can recycle it for free.

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copied from: Apple Trade In - Apple

There are no Apple employees participating in these fellow user-supported communities. Thus, we cannot do anything about the issue you posted, and the last word was from that Apple store manager. She should have thoroughly explained her decision to you.

if you are surrendering your Mac at an Apple Store, but you can not (for technical reasons) apply that value to your purchase:

The value can typically be given to you in Apple gift cards