Following recent reports that Apple was preparing to launch their new iPhone trade-in program at Apple Retail Stores, 9to5Mac has managed to get their hands on some additional details – including the fact that the program is already launching at certain Apple Stores.
Mark Gurman reports on the details over at 9to5Mac:
The trade-in program will be marketed as the “iPhone Reuse and Recycle Program.” It will begin rolling out in select Apple Stores this upcoming Friday, August 30th. Like we previously reported, a larger-scale rollout will occur during the month of September.
The program is applicable to both standard customers and business customers that want to purchase a new iPhone.
Here’s how it will work:
- A customer tells an Apple Store employee that he/she would like to purchase a new iPhone and trade-in his/her older model. The new iPhone must be an on-contract phone and it must be activated on scene.
- The Apple Store representative enters information about the customer’s iPhone into an application installed on their mobile EasyPay devices. The EasyPay is normally the device that you will see Apple Store employees carrying around in order to facilitate purchases.
- Based on the information inputted into the EasyPay, a value for the old iPhone will be provided to the customer. The value will be created based on the following specifics about the old iPhone: Display quality, button quality, overall hardware damage, engraving, liquid damage, and being able to be powered on and used normally.
- The Apple Store employee will then tell the customer that his/her phone could not be given back once they agree to the provided terms and conditions.
- However, the customer will be given the opportunity to backup his/her iPhone before turning it in.
- The Apple Store employee will then provide the customer with their new iPhone, a gift card with the value amount to be paid towards the new iPhone, and a plastic bag. The gift card must be used at that time towards the new phone and it cannot be used toward other products.
- The Apple Store employee will then process the transaction for the new iPhone and place the old iPhone in the plastic bag.
- The old SIM card will be given to the customer and the Apple Store employee will offer to setup the new iPhone.
All models of the iPhone except the original iPhone are eligible for the program, and according to the report, the new “Reuse and Recycle Program” will also replace Apple’s in-store recycling program for old or unwanted devices. The device has already begin rolling out at a few Apple Stores, and will hit additional Apple Stores this Friday. Unfortunately for international users, the program will also reportedly be U.S.-only at first.
Apple also apparently considers the program especially vital, as Gurman notes in his report:
The program is so vital to Apple that its retail employees will be provided overtime payment in order to ensure that the two hours of mandatory training is complete by the Friday launch date.
All in all, this seems like a great way for Apple to boost sales in their retail stores, giving them a chance to up-sell new devices to consumers trading in older units. Would you consider using Apple’s retail program, even if it provides slightly lower trade-in rates than companies like NextWorth and Gazelle? Let us know!
