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Beware of trading in! AT&T is screwing me on trade in value.
I traded in my flawless old iPhone 11 @ the AT&T store last week (after reading horror stories from people who mailed their trade ins) and was told I’d get $350, but now my online account suddenly says “This amount changed after we received an inspected your device.” And then another page it said something about a one time credit on my next bill but it did not even say how much this would be. Well, I took pics of my phone on their table in their store as I was trading it in, so I have proof it was undamaged when I handed it to their employee. Unfortunately, their 800 number is closed for the night so I can’t reach their customer service department until tomorrow. Very frustrating. I won’t ever do a trade in again. This is my first and last time. And I am within the 14 days to cancel my contract too and definitely be exercising that right tomorrow if they do not follow through with their original agreement. It is not acceptable to bait and switch on customers like this.
formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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118.4K Messages
1 month ago
If you are getting a one-time credit, that likely means that you did not meet one or several of the requirements that is published absolutely everywhere, and is a requirement for all the service providers.
Two of the requirements, that if not met, would get you a one-time credit would be...
... Not having an unlimited data plan.
....you didn't purchase your phone with installments.
Did you read the offer as published on AT&t's website?
The 14 days is to return all equipment in original condition with all packing material.
It is not a contract as in the old 2-year contracts. It is an installment purchase over 36 months.
Service is an entirely separate agreement. You had 3 days to cancel service and not owe anything. Inclusive of day one, the day you sign up for service.
In 47 out of the 50 states you are charged for the full billing month if you are not ported out on day 3. (This is standard policy among all US service providers)
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dwill05
ACE - Master
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11K Messages
1 month ago
Just remember that, even if you cancel within 14 days, you aren’t getting your trade-in phone back.
Also, given that the message specifically said that the value was changed after inspection of the device, the reasons of not being on the right plan (which you have time to change) or not buying a phone on installments, make no sense in this situation. The obvious reason, based on the message, is that there was something wrong with the phone they got, like damage or not having been factory reset. Unfortunately, the condition assessment is done by the third-party recycler, and usually all the CS reps can see is whatever result that they enter into the system. They aren’t going to run into the back and check out the phone themselves.
Since you’re on a fairly tight timeline, I’d recommend filling a BBB complaint right now. Hopefully that will get a response from upper management today and not lose 3 days for the holiday weekend.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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118.4K Messages
1 month ago
@dwill05
Good point. If the phone was not off and was completely discharged and wouldn't turn on, or still user locked, both of those would change the value
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