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Upgraders jumpstart Apple's 'iPad Christmas' with 175% surge in trade-ins of old iPads for cash

Last updated

iPad trade-ins through Gazelle grew a whopping 175 percent over Black Friday weekend as presumed upgraders sought cash for their older models, supporting Apple's belief that the iPad will be the hottest holiday gift this year.

The trade-in service industry leader — and AppleInsider partner — Gazelle shared new data on iPad trade-ins Friday, revealing that the period between Black Friday and Cyber Monday saw a massive increase over the same period last year, up 175 percent. That exceeded the increase in overall traffic, which was up 74 percent year over year for the same period.

The increase in trade-ins suggests that customers are selling their old iPads for cash to services like Gazelle as they upgrade to Apple's latest models. Both the thinner and lighter full-size iPad Air and the new iPad mini with Retina display were launched in November.

Apple has high hopes for its new tablet duo, with CEO Tim Cook referring in October to this holiday season as an "iPad Christmas." Cook's confidence suggests the company believes this could be a record setting quarter for iPad sales — a presumption supported by the new record trade-in figures.

Separately, in an interview on CNBC, Gazelle Chief Executive Israel Ganot said Friday that his company has seen a relatively even mix of trade-ins of third- and fourth-generation full-size iPads, as well as the first-generation iPad mini.

Though iPad trade-ins grew significantly, the most popular item traded in at Gazelle last weekend was actually Apple's iPhone. Customers seeking cash for their Samsung phones also turned out in droves, with a 177 percent year over year increase.

Readers interested in trading in their old iPhone, iPad or Mac for cash or gift cards can compare offerings from Gazelle and other partners in AppleInsider's Trade-In Guide. The company has also been running a promotion, which ends this evening, that tacks on an additional $10 to each cash payout. The promotion is automatically activated when using the Trade-In Guide, the iPad portion of which is included below:

Current iPad cash payouts



10 Comments

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drewys808 16 Years · 549 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider 

 Customers seeking cash for their Samsung phones also turned out in droves, with a 177 percent year over year increase.

From what I see, cash value for used Android products are much less than that for iOS devices.  And when I hear ATT/T-Mobile/Verizon sales people say things like Android and Apple products are the same, I really want to speak up and educate customers about the resale/sell back differences.

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jfc1138 12 Years · 3090 comments

Yep, the jump in capability from my (flawless) 3 to the Air was compelling so I made the switch and did the trade-in. Lessened my operating costs a smudge because I'd found little to no use for LTE so I didn't get that with the new one. Maybe with a mini some time in the future%u2026.

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ireland 18 Years · 17436 comments

Loving the new iPad Air. Best product Apple has ever made.

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macxpress 16 Years · 5914 comments

I'm surprised you don't see the same thing with iPhones. People have to pay for these things somehow. 

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rogifan 13 Years · 10667 comments

[quote name="Ireland" url="/t/161085/upgraders-jumpstart-apples-ipad-christmas-with-175-surge-in-trade-ins-of-old-ipads-for-cash#post_2444110"]Loving the new iPad Air. Best product Apple has ever made.[/quote] Yep, it's up there for me for sure. I think Appleis coming into its own under Cook. I can't wait to see what they have planned for 2014.