Apple is due to launch an iPhone trade-in program where people can walk into a retail store and exchange their old iPhone for a new one.
While there are rumors that training is underway for such a program, there are others that reveals that the program will be launched in September this year.
However, it’s been discovered that a number of pilot retail stores are already processing a number of trade-ins as it was offered specifically to them while explaining that it might not be available at every retail store.
So, how does the program?
A customer walks into one of these Apple retail stores with a working, non-liquid-damaged iPhone which is then evaluated by an employee by asking a series of questions and using an Apple EasyPay terminal.
Of course, the questions are asked so as to determine the value of the device that they brought along with them.
It’s not very different from the way Apple manages its Apple recycling program which is run by mail and not at its Retail Stores, where if the customer wants to send in a device that has no monetary, they can do so, in order to recycle.
However, with this new program, the power of simply being able to locate a retail store and complete the deal quickly has an obvious advantage – one won’t have to wait much like the mailing method.
But it must be said that the deal, which consists of a gift card as well as the trading of the old iPhone (after determining its value), only goes through if you are buying a new iPhone.
It’s most probable that these old devices will be shipped off to emerging markets where they will be refurbished and resold.