Trade-inProgram
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Verizon and AT&T want your old iPhones now that new ones are here
Sprint and T-Mobile have already promised to match and even top each others' (and other carriers') trade-in prices before the new iPhone debuted. But would you like to hear what Verizon and AT&T have to offer first before deciding which carrier to sell your soul to? Yes? Then let's start with Verizon, which will give you gift cards worth $300 for an iPhone 5S and worth $200 for an iPhone 5, 5c, 4 and 4s from any carrier if you get an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus with a two-year contract. AT&T, on the other hand, will up its minimum trade-in value for the iPhone 5S to $300, and for the iPhone 5, 5c, 4 and 4s to $200 starting this Friday. Also, you can get $100 off any iPhone if you're a new subscriber and $200 off any iPad when you sign up for an iPhone with a Next plan. You can see how much Apple's new devices will cost you under the carrier's Next pricing schemes after the break.
iPhone 5s reappears on GameStop trade-in page, joined by the 5c
GameStop jumped the gun in late August by (perhaps mistakenly) putting the unannounced iPhone 5s on its device trade-in page, complete with offers for cash trade and in-store credit. The page was pulled after we first pointed it out, but now that the iPhone 5s is officially official (yeah, I said it) the company has brought it back. Oh, and the iPhone 5c has popped up as well. The prices for the iPhone 5s appear to be in line with what we got a sneak peek of back in August, though the Verizon version of the device -- which wasn't available in the early price leak -- is worth less. Normally the Sprint version of the smartphone warrants the lowest trade-in value, so either there's something special about the iPhone 5s or GameStop hasn't tweaked the Sprint values quite yet. All prices are USD. iPhone 5s ("Like New" condition): 16GB (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) -- $480 (store credit), $382 (cash) 32GB (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) -- $530, $422 64GB (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) -- $580, $462 16GB (Verizon) -- $460, $366 32GB (Verizon) -- $510, $406 64GB (Verizon) -- $560, $446 The iPhone 5c, on the other hand, shows the wild trade-in value variation we usually expect from carrier to carrier, with Sprint's version of the device taking a huge hit: iPhone 5c ("Like New" condition): 16GB (AT&T, T-Mobile) -- $252.50 (store credit), $200 (cash) 32GB (AT&T, T-Mobile) -- $258.75, $205 16GB (Sprint) -- $190, $150 32GB (Sprint) -- $196.25, $155 16GB (Verizon) -- $208.75, $165 32GB (Verizon) -- $215, $170
Walmart joins the smartphone trade-in fad with its own program in the US
Nowadays, it seems like everyone has a plan to help you part ways with a smartphone in return for some sort of store credit or, in a few cases, cash. Apple's doing it. GameStop's doing it. Amazon's doing it. You get the point. Starting on September 21st in the US, we'll be adding giant retailer Walmart to the list of companies currently offering a way to trade-in smartphones. The newfound program, powered by CExchange, is slated to be open in over 3,600 stores across the country (including Sam's Club locations); Walmart says its program will offer customers instant credit which can then be applied towards a shiny new handset. Obviously, the value will depend on the device's overall condition, so don't expect to get too much for that shattered iPhone you've been rocking the past few months.
Apple begins takeback program to replace third-party USB chargers
Apple will initiate a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program on August 16, 2013 in response to recent safety issues with some counterfeit USB power adapters for iOS devices. To qualify for a new specially priced US$10 Apple USB power adapter, you must bring your third-party adapter and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The retailers will validate the serial numbers and you can buy one adapter for each iOS device you bring in until October 18, 2013. Not all Apple Authorized Service Providers may be participating in the buyback program, so check Apple's site for potential locations. Customer safety is a top priority at Apple. That's why all our products - including USB power adapters for iPhone and iPad - undergo rigorous testing for safety and reliability and are designed to meet government safety standards around the world. According to Apple's Takeback Program announcement, "Apple Retail and Apple Authorized Service Providers cannot advise you on the authenticity or safety of your adapter." They will simply replace any suspect USB power adapter with which you may have safety concerns. Apple has also posted information on how to identify an Apple USB power adapter, but counterfeits can look amazingly similar, so when in doubt, replacement is advised. The green dot on Apple USB power adapters was added in 2008 to differentiate new products, after a recall for adapters sold with the iPhone 3G, as reported by MacRumors on September 19th, 2008.
Sprint tacks on Buyback option to web, offers trade-in credit while online shopping
Sprint's Buyback program has been up and running for a bit, but now the wireless carrier is offering trade-ins alongside online purchases. While selecting your brand spanking new smartphone of choice, the outfit will automatically guide you through the process to determine how much your old handset is worth and keep track of the total credit for multiple devices -- with a $300 maximum for the account credit. After the tech is tallied up, a pre-paid shipping label will be emailed out for shipping. Of course, the exact amount of the Buyback deal won't be confirmed until Sprint receives your package and gives its contents the once over.
GameStop plans to sell Nexus 7, starts taking Android tablet trade-ins
Google's Andy Rubin suggested the Nexus 7 would reach third-party US stores eventually -- we just didn't think it would be this quickly. GameStop says it's taking pre-orders for the 16GB version of the Android 4.1 tablet starting today. At $249, it will cost exactly what it does in its currently exclusive Google Play home; in other words, one of the parties involved could be taking a voluntary hit on the already razor-thin profit margins. The 7-inch slate should be arriving roughly at the same mid-July timeframe as it is for those ordering straight from the Google source. It wouldn't be GameStop if there weren't trade-ins involved, and sure enough, the game retailer is using the Nexus 7 as the lure. Confirming an earlier leak, the chain is now accepting Android tablet trade-ins worth up to $200 in cash (or $250 in store credit) depending on how pristine the hardware is coming into the store. Play your cards right, and you're very nearly getting the Google-blessed tablet for free. As an extra incentive, any gear whose exchange goes directly towards buying the Nexus 7 will get a 30 percent boost in value. Knowing the buzz surrounding the price-to-performance ratio of the ASUS-made Nexus, we won't be surprised if GameStop suddenly faces a glut of older Android tablets in its backrooms.
Motorola asks business users to defect, offers $200 for new Android handset purchase
Motorola Mobility wants business users on Android handsets, and to accomplish this the company has decided to put its money where its mouth is. Starting today, Moto will offer up to $200 to smartphone users that trade in their old, BLUR-less set for a new Android device. The company is also offering converts its MotoAssist service, which should -- in theory -- make the data migration process as painless as possible. The Droid RAZR Maxx, Droid 4 and Atrix 2 are just a few of the handsets up for grabs. Saunter on past the break for the full PR, and be sure to let us know if a pair of Benjamins in your pocket is just what you've been waiting for to make the switch.
Sprint buyback ad deems HTC Arrive too old, iPhone page lightly suggests you chuck it (update: official response)
Ready to trade in that phone you just got? Sprint thinks you are, teasing you from its iPhone landing page to "go green and get green" by recycling your probably still in-contract HTC Arrive. Sure, its $73 buyback kickback might help you subsidize something fresher, but you aren't tired of Metro already, are you? Update: We just received word from Sprint, mentioning that the HTC Arrive was chosen at random and that no actual connection exists between it and the BuyBack program.
EcoATM offers instant money for your old phone, we go hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)
Old-fashioned ATM meets modern-day phone recycling program. That's the idea behind EcoATM, a startup aimed to help reduce electronic waste and beef up your wallet at the same time. Of course, it's not a new concept: phone recycling programs have been around for a while now, helping you stay green by giving you some green. Trading in an old phone for the almighty dollar, however, typically involves filling out paperwork, printing labels, shipping the device to the facility and waiting for four weeks for a check. EcoATM's goal is to eliminate all of that in favor of a simple 5-minute process that ends with cash in-hand. The company has machines set up in popular shopping malls in various cities across the country, ready to help you part ways with your old device. Take a gander at a gallery and the full demonstration below. %Gallery-136313% Zachary Lutz contributed to this report.
Verizon wants you to upgrade to a smartphone, offering $100 gift card in exchange?
How much is Verizon willing to pay you to switch from a basic phone to a smartphone? A cool $100, according to rumors. The provider is reportedly gearing up to launch a new offer aimed at encouraging more customers to get with the times, as part of its trade-in program. Under the incentive, basic phone users eligible for a two-year upgrade (or those who qualify for an early upgrade) would be able to re-sign a two-year contract, tack on a data plan and purchase a new smartphone at a reduced price. Once that's done, they'll receive a PIN code for Verizon's trade-in site, where they'll find instructions on how to send in their old phones to receive a $100 gift card. A tipster told Phone Arena that the offer will run from August 18th to September 30th, though it remains unclear whether it will be regional or nationwide. For more details, check out the source link, below.
T-Mobile trade-in program gives used phones new life, puts cash in your pocket
Those cellphone recycle bins are starting to feel pretty lonely, as trade-in programs become all the rage. We've seen Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon (among others) get into the mode of helping customers save money and clean up the environment by using this method, and now T-Mobile's hopping on the bandwagon as well. The carrier will rely on The Wireless Source, a third party that focuses on phone recycling and trade-in programs, to do the heavy lifting here. With the program becoming an incentive for customers to purchase new equipment, you'll be hard-pressed to find a store rep willing to initiate the process without setting up new service or upgrading your phone first. Makes sense, though -- after all, it's called a trade-in program for a reason, right? Once you've made the purchase, you'll get a pre-stamped bubble pack with shipping label attached; use this to ship the phone back, and presto, a check arrives in the mail for the agreed-upon value of the used device within a few weeks. If you're even remotely curious to see how much that ol' RAZR rotting in your basement is worth, give the source link a look.
Alienware announces AlienExchange trade-in program
While they're still far from eMachines-territory, those in the market for an Alienware system can now knock a few bucks off their desktop or laptop of choice -- if they're willing to fork over some of their old gear, that is. That can be done as part of the company's just-launched AlienExchange program, which will let you trade in everything from cellphones and MP3 players to game consoles and digital cameras to computers and monitors in exchange for an AlienWare gift card or a plain old check. Those trading in their old Alienware system will also get an additional $200 on top of the regular trade-in value as a bonus. If that sounds like reason enough to clean out your closet, you can hit up the link below to get a quote on your gear, after which Alienware will send you a shipping label to send it all in.
