Kevin Bostic
Apple is reportedly planning to allow iPhone owners to trade in their devices at the company's retail stores, in an effort to further boost domestic sales of its newest smartphone models.
The retail trade-in program will be run by Brightstar Corp, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. The same company already handles trade-ins for U.S. carriers AT&T and T-Mobile. Sources familiar with Apple's plans say the program is aimed at getting users to upgrade to the iPhone 5 by offering them cash for their older models.
Under AT&T's current trade-in program, customers can exchange an iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 and receive $200 — the same price as a new iPhone 5 with a two-year service agreement.
Brightstar has reportedly agreed to only sell traded-in iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S handsets in emerging markets, ensuring that those devices won't be resold and cannibalize potential iPhone 5 sales in the U.S. The move will likely help boost Apple's market share in those emerging markets, where the company currently trails other handset makers due to the premium price of its iPhone.
Apple has offered an online-only buyback program since 2011, which is run by PowerON. But the latest move would mark the first time Apple would begin accepting iPhone trade-ins at its heavily trafficked retail stores, hundreds of which are located across the U.S.
Bringing a trade-in system to its retail locations would allow Apple to quickly reimburse customers for their devices, sparing them the hassle of shipping devices to a third-party.
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41 Comments
Same as iPods since… what, forever? Most of the line's existence, at least.
Recycle your iPod, get 10% off the next one. If it worked or iPods, it'll work for iPhones.
Good on Apple.
I hope its a Rumor and if its not then Apple is getting desperate. Where is the big Screen option? Just squeezing out of 1 phone strategy will not last forever. I know there is 4s and 4 but that's the game Apple seems to be failing at. Give options on newer models!
Maybe you Americans should do what we do here:-
http://shop.vodafone.com.au/mobile-details/buy-apple-iphone-4-8gb-black
Free on a $30 plan and selling like hotcakes.
…then Apple is getting desperate.
Just like they were "getting desperate" when they did it with iPods¡
Your fantasyland.
That's why they have three phones at a time now.
So you recognize their success but refuse to acknowledge it?
Just like they were "getting desperate" when they did it with iPods¡
Your fantasyland.
That's why they have three phones at a time now.
So you recognize their success but refuse to acknowledge it?
Various options on newer phones is always positive more than negative. It also impacts the competitor sales and boost Apple sales in a big way. Its not always about selling in numbers but also about killing the competition before it grows big!
So now how about your BS without Steve Jobs?
Did I refuse to acknowledge Apple's (S.J) Success? Looks like you are losing money in aapl.