Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
BhavinK
Enthusiast - Level 1

I traded in my iPhone 6 in last month under the promotion of receiving $400 trade in credit towards a new iPhone 11 - received in monthly $16.66 credits.

 

I was not really willing to trade in as it was perfectly fine phone, I was using it till last day, however was flattered at $400, ended trade-in my iPhone 6. iPhone had no issues other than minor wear an tear as I had used it for 3+ years. I powered the device on and did a factory reset. The "welcome to iPhone" screen was present, and was as responsive as new iPhone is.

I sent the phone to Verizon after receiving the new iPhone 11, and was happy with the deal I got on the trade in UNTIL...
Today, I received an email from Verizon saying that they were giving me a credit of $9 INSTEAD OF THE $400! The email went on to say that the screen is unresponsive or cracked. Well this was untrue, I had just used the device to last day before trading it in and was in perfect condition, no cracks on screen and was as responsive as my new iPhone 11. What I do know is that I sent in a good, working, 64GB iPhone 6 and they were giving me an $9 credit!

If you trade in your phone, it's your word against yours, and I speculate that they profit greatly by evaluating perfectly good phones for really low values. Not to mention that Verizon got me into a payment plan for a phone I didn't really need, but was taking advantage of an offer that really was too good to be true.

I'll post an update if i ever hear back from the "ticket" that was submitted, and whatever experience I have going forward. I have also did a trade-in iPhone 7 on other line for another iPhone 11 under the same promotion except this time I am supposed to get trade in value of $500 for my iPhone 7. To be honest, and if this is a scam Verizon may value my perfectly working iPhone 7 for scrap value. 

Now going to posts on internet, I see this is very common complaint and Verizon doesn't care, I guess.

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!

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Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
skocharian
Enthusiast - Level 2

How long did it take before you recieved word from them on the appraisal? I sent my phone in 2 weeks ago and they recieved it 10 days ago and it just says "request submitted"

I'm worried I'm going to get scammed as well.

Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
Tigerstep
Specialist - Level 3

An iPhone 6 isn't worth $400 nor is a 7 worth $500. The "up to $400" trade in promos are reserved for new lines and higher value phones being traded in. Inflated value on a 6 for upgrading is usually around $100.

This sounds like a combination of not qualifying for a promotion / poor packing of the phone during shipment.

Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
Ice8
Enthusiast - Level 2

It is a SCAM ... there is no trade in program and if you send in your phone you will get cents on the dollar for what they promise you, and you will NEVER see your phone again! 
I had an pristine 6+ W/128 GN that I was using up to the minute that I put it into the envelope and box provided by Verizon. I too was told that instead of the $200 promised I was getting $15.50 because my phone was cracked and/or unresponsive. I asked for my phone to be returned... im certainly not giving it away for $15 bucks! Both the phone and Verizon are now AWOL. That's right VERIZON STOLE MY PHONE!! Why do I say that? Because I just received another message from Verizon saying that they were revoking my $15.50 trade in allowance for some unknown made up reason. 
they will reach out to you promising all kinds of help but you need to verify your account info... then the Verizon system denys my password that has worked every other time and locks me out if my account. I can't tell you how many times they've asked me to "talk" but nothing in their system works to connect with them. Besides... I don't need to talk to someone, I don't need to explain it again to another phony friend because I posted it all right here!! All they need to do is what they promised when I bought my $1250 iPhone 11 and process my measly $200 rebate.  There is nothing to talk about! 

VERIZON WILL STEAL YOUR TRADE IN!

Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

So sorry to hear about the discrepancy with your trade-in, Ice8. That is certainly not the experience we would want for you and I'm happy to help figure this out. We'd need additional details so please check your Private Note. 

RyanM_VZW

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Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
holland05
Enthusiast - Level 2

You are absolutely correct. It is a total scam. I also was lied to. Verizon is lying to customers in order to sell phones. It’s a tragedy and an injustice. Like another poster, I was told I’d receive $200 for each of the iPhone 6s that I traded-in. I was assured that it was the best promotion at the time with no other restriction. The phones were in great condition with no cracked screens or any other issues. I knew something was up when I didn’t get the shipping label and envelopes to send the phones in. I have to call to get those sent to me. They only send a label. Then, I send them in and I’ve heard absolutely NOTHING.

I have called back 5 or 6 times and each time, I’m told something different. I give them the info they ask for and I’m told to do something else or to supply additional details. Each time I’m told that my contact is recorded and notes are added to the file. I also was told that my online purchase transaction also was recorded, yet when I call, I’m always told something different in response to my questions about why I don’t yet have a credit. I’ve even had reps confirm the promotion I received but yet, I still have not had anything credited back to my account. Why LIE to customers? WHY? I’ve been a customer for nearly 20 years. I see that means nothing as well. This is the absolute worst experience I’ve had with a company in a very long time and I hope other customers read this post to avoid being victimized by yet another greedy company. 

Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
house69
Enthusiast - Level 1

I had this exact same experience.  Each time I called or did a chat, it would a long aggravating conversation that ended in them agreeing  I WAS due the $200 and it would be taken care of. Then I did not receive the promised payment and had to contact them again. Each call they had a different excuse as to why I didn't receive it. They ask for proof of the promotion was going on at the time I sent it in. (really, you don't have records of your promotions and want the print screen of the promotion?? Who takes print screens of a promotion - I trusted them to honor their own promotion!) It turned out they STILL had that promotion going on so after over an hour, it was determined to credit my account $200.   Then they said I had to do another trade in online and would receive credit.  Then the next time they said I never received any credit for tradein because it was damaged. I DID receive credit -it was just $12 because wrong device sent.  They asked for proof of getting the $12 trade in credit / that it was an approved trade in -- THEY DON'T HAVE RECORD OF IT?? I said I could forward the email I received FROM THEM stating it was accepted, etc. and printscreen of the $12 bill credit. (NO mention any previous times or trade in email of damage)   THEN they mention the damage. I have a photo of the phone prior to sending in, IN THEIR SUPPLIED packaging. It was in perfect shape. Why did the email and no previous conversations not mention damage? They change excuses each time.   Finally reached a nice person who I went through everything yet again  (over 8 hours of phone/ chat conversations with verizon on this) and she said she would make sure I got the refund, if for no other reason then all I've been through, and she would follow up with ME so I didn't have to call back.   She sent me an email so I would have her email address.   No resolution. I've emailed her several times. This has gone on since March and it's almost August. I  am so frustrated. They can promise anything they want and just lie to avoid paying. They wouldn't let me bring the trade in to the store when I picked up the new phone & now I see why.   I will have to look into better bus bureau and see if a lawyer will possibly assist just to be sure this doesn't happen to someone else. I need a new phone for my son but don't trust verizon!

Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

As our valued customer, your account concerns are our concerns too. After reviewing the feedback you've provided here, I'd be disappointed too. I apologize for your inconvenience and we'd like to further investigate this matter. Since we will need account-specific details from you, we’re requesting your permission to gain access to your account. Please check your Inbox as we’ve sent a Private Message to you regarding on this topic:

 

http://spr.ly/6604Gdpuk

 

RobertC_VZW

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Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
CABBAC123
Enthusiast - Level 2

Hello,

We sent four phones in, were promised $1400, and received, as far as I can tell, $9 for one and no news on the rest. All in perfect working order. I have photos of them all ready to go and packed up, have online chat records saying my credit would be coming in 1-2 billing cycles (7 months ago). I'd love to receive some type of official help and/or email with what to do next.

Re: Verizon Trade In Program a scam? IT IS SURELY FOR ME!
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Hello, being on top of our trade in program is vital, especially if the return amount was lower than expected. Did you receive notifications on the status throughout the process? If yes, what did they say? Was this a standard trade in or a promotional offer? If it was a special deal, what did it consist of (terms & conditions/procedure/restrictions)?

 

GilbertoL_VZW

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