Phobio

I attempted to trade a perfectly working, in excellent condition, older MacBook Pro. My estimate was for $75 and I sent in the laptop and power cord perfectly packed in the box provided by Phobio.

I soon received a notice that my offer went from $75 to zero dollars and received a photo showing pixel damage that wasn't there prior to sending. I declined the trade and requested to have my laptop sent back to me.

When I received my laptop back, the box was sealed with no signs of damage, however, the laptop was damaged and looked like it was struck by a hammer on the side near the CD-ROM drive making it completely useless. There was absolutely no damage to the casing of this laptop when I sent it. It was perfect. Upon powering it up I couldn't even verify that it was my laptop. I fear that I was taken advantage of by Phobio using the old bait and switch tactic.

I am extremely disappointed, no longer have a perfectly working MacBook Pro, or a trade certificate for $75.

Laptop was damaged in transit and they honored original trade in value, which was a relief. M. T-Quick was extremely helpful.

I interacted with Phobio when recycling my mac product. The process was straightforward and everything went smoothly. I then had a follow-up almost 18 months later on a detail that I forgot. They were very responsive to my request and provided the detail promptly.

As posted numerous times here, BEWARE of Phobio LLC, Apple's contracted provider for electronic trade-ins. Recently I purchased a new iPhone XR directly from Apple with a credit being offered for trade-in devices. After sending My iPhone 6 in for the expected $150.00 credit, I received an email with an "updated" credit of $0.00. Reason, supposed swelled battery and lifted screen. I sent in a perfectly good working phone and I have pictures to prove it. I called Apple explaining the issue to them, and they patched me thru to Phobio. What an experience that was. They clearly could care less about customers or their complaints. It was like speaking to a robot reading a scripted speech. After 3 weeks, my phone was finally returned, with a BROKEN screen as many others state. A perfectly good phone came back broken and lines thru it. A COMPLETE PIECE OF JUNK after it was returned. What a surprise after reading countless other Revdex.com complaints here stating the EXACT same issue. Read comments on this site and see how many people have had the same experience with this unscrupulous company, it is mind boggling. Phobio clearly damages your device to get out of issuing credit for devices they don't want or don't need at this time. It amazes me Apple would deal with such a pick-and-choose company. Phobio LLC is a scam company that should be put out of business for the way they treat people and their property. Shame on you Apple.

Sent in my laptop, which was in great condition other than being old, but was trading in only because I had purchased a new laptop and didn't need a second. They've come up with a screen issue that doesn't exist or if it does (hard to tell from the dark picture they sent) it's because of something that happened in transit or due to their mishandling of it. I've been trying to get a hold of someone either on the phone or via chat on their website -- it's been over an hour and still NOTHING! Didn't think Apple would use such an awful company, but in case they're not aware of the poor selection for a vendor, I will certainly make them aware of it. At this point I'm just hoping I get my old Mac back without the damage that was never there prior to me sending it in.

Spoke with Dee, an excellent customer advocate, about an issue with the quoted price of my laptop. She was so helpful and kind, and made the experience extremely enjoyable. She was able to resolve the issue. Her help and cooperation was greatly appreciated! I would highly recommended this service!

Apple uses Phobio for their "Apple Gives Back" program. Phobio provides an online cursory valuation, assuming there is no warping or damage to housing and the product is functioning properly. They also ship a well-protected box for returning the product. I was given a quote of $130 for an older Macbook Pro. I prepared and shipped it to Phobio, as instructed, and waited. After reviewing the product, Phobio reduced the value to $20, showing a photo of a dent in the corner of the housing. This was extremely upsetting, because the dent is very obvious, and when I sent it there was no dent at all. Not until I received their ridiculous re-valuation did I look up complaints and saw the numerous, and similar, issues others have had with Phobio. When I called them, Phobio stated the box was not damaged, so the product must have been damaged prior to its shipping, which is a blatant lie. They even made an assumption that it may have been driopped on a soft surface, like carpeting, since there are no scratches or other housing damage that would occur if it were dropped on a hard surface like concrete. I declined the absurd offer by Phobio, thus they will send the computer back to me. I am truly saddened that Apple chooses to use this company for their services.

I sent in my laptop in perfect condition to Phobio and they have already cause a slight bend in the product and blamed me for it. This was a perfect laptop in its case up until the point I shipped it to them and now they are reducing my refund amount from $165 dollars to $30 dollars. This seems like a complete scam job they have between themselves and Apple. I was offered slightly less than $165 from a competitor and I should have clearly taken that. I don't understand how Apple could employee a company with such little integrity.
Product_Or_Service: Macbook Trade In
Account_Number: XXXXXXXXXXX

Phobio's business is recycling of older computers. They quote a value based on customer's representation of the old computer, customer sends the computer to Phobio, Phobio reviews and pays for the machine. They quoted $120 for my machine, and now that I sent the machine to them based on that quote, they changed their quote to $35. They claim there is screen damage but the photo they provided shows no screen damage whatsoever. I can provide the photo if there's a place to upload...
Product_Or_Service: Computer recycling
Order_Number: XXXXXXXXXXX

I purchased a new apple product and returned my mac air through their trade in program with Phobio. They estimated a value of $235. I got a note saying it was reduced to $80 because the LCD was damaged. I did not recall damage, so I called Phobio. They said it wouldn't necessarily be visible.

I'll take them at their word that there was invisible damage to the LCD. What I quibble with is the amount they offered. Other providers offer $160 for a broken mac air that doesn't turn on, and mine was fully functional at the time I sent it. I regret using them just because apple made it easy. Neither Phobio or Apple would offer to do anything but send back the computer.
Product_Or_Service: trade in for MacAir
Order_Number: WXXXXXXXXX

This company is a SCAM and I don't understand how Apple can continue to use this service. I sent my computer in because it was in perfect condition and I was promised $210. When I say perfect, I mean I never dropped it all the years I had it. I just wanted a good way to recycle a computer that I upgraded from. A few weeks later, they email me back saying that my computer is now only worth $40 because there is damage to the hard case. They attached pictures showing severe dents and gouging on the corners. I was appalled? I don't know how it could have become like this when I sent it in perfect condition. Either they misplaced my computer with someone else's or they intentionally damaged my product. I called the customer service and they said they could do nothing without any pictures on my part. I trusted Phobio because it was provided by Apple, but that was honestly a terrible mistake. If I had pictures, I would have filed a legal claim against this company. Absolutely trash.
Product_Or_Service: Apple MacBook Trade in

I sent in a working computer with touchpad and keyboard as part of the give back program through Apple. After they had it in their possession, they declared it was "dead on arrival." When I got it shipped back to me, it no longer is operable (it turns on but the screen does not display anything, there are scuff marks all over the outer casing, and the touchpad is broken in half. I am deeply disappointed.

I sent my desktop to Phobio on 12/11/2018. Phobio signed for it Friday the 14th but did not start inspecting until Monday the 17th. The company says it will process your computer within 3 business days. The inspection was not completed until 12/27/2018 and the only reason I knew they were running behind was because I contacted them several times to check the status of my trade. The morning of 12/27/2018 I received an email saying that my quote had reduced from $870 to $215 because of a hinge issue. They did not detail what the issue was or how they calculated the reduction. They did include an image with tape arrows on the stand of the computer but the image does not effectively illustrate the issue. If there was any damage done to this computer it was during shipping which was done in one of their boxes. I also took my time and care to make sure I packed the desktop safely in the box. I have called Phobio's customer service to complain and ask for a detailed description of what the issue was and why the quote was reduced $655 due to the hinge and how shipping damage to my computer in their boxes is my responsibility. They did not give me a full description and refused to offer me any assistance in having my computer sent back. I asked that they send pictures of the device to me before they sent it back and the representative refused.
Order_Number: XXXXXXXXXXX

This company is a SCAM and I am beyond disappointed that a company like Apple uses them. Like all other posts, I sent in my IPhone 6s plus in PERFECT condition without so much as a smudge on the screen. I used their packaging exactly per their instructions. First, they tried to cancel the trade-in saying it wasn't received. When I proved it was, suddenly and mysteriously my trade in value went from $250 to $0 with them saying the housing was cracked. My husband was going to trade it in 2 weeks earlier at Verizon, where it was inspected and had NO DAMAGE. We went thru Apple because their offer was better. Not only did Phobio claim the phone is now mysteriously damaged but they sent a joke of a photo showing the damage, and its obvious its not the phone we sent in. When I asked for pictures of the packaging to prove it wasn't damaged d/t their packing process they somehow have none. This is either NOT the phone sent in, or their packaging was damaged.... but they somehow don't think to photograph what they claim to be "pristine" packaging to prove it wasn't damaged during the shipping process.
Product_Or_Service: iphone trade in
Order_Number: WXXXXXXXXX

This year, we decided to trade-in all of our apple devices and upgrade to new ones and we used Apple's trade-in program. The iPads that I sent to Apple's mobile device partner, *** were handled beautifully and I got the exact value that I was quoted for each of the two that I traded in. Then there are our two Macbook Airs which were sent to Phobio. I sent mine in first and it was in good condition with no damage to the housing. I was then sent a photo that showed that the housing was severely bent and they changed the amount they were giving me from $275 to $100. I insisted that the Macbook wasn't sent that way and that it had to have been damaged in transit or in the review process. They asked if I had photos to prove it and of course I didn't...their instructions didn't say to take pictures of the device and who would think to do that otherwise. I appealed a few times to individuals at Phobio and was told that their offer was final. So my option was to get my now damaged computer returned to me or to accept their crappy offer. I didn't want a broken computer so I took the offer and sent a number of emails to the company telling them that their process was unfair. Fast forward to my husband's Macbook Air and the SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I received an email saying that the outside of the Macbook was damaged with a picture of damage that didn't exist when sending it in. They reduced the offer for his Macbook from $170 to $50. So once again, I was forced to accept their crappy offer or get back a damaged computer. How can one family that had four Apple products to trade-in receive exactly what was quoted and the good condition verified (by ***) for the iPads, then be told by another company that both computers that were turned in were damaged before they arrived? All of the devices we traded in were sent in good condition with no exterior damage and only the ones received by Phobio were then stated to be damaged. This company should not be representing Apple. Very dissatisfied.
Product_Or_Service: Trade-in Program for Apple Devices

Participated in the Apple Trade-In Program: traded an old macbook for a gift card, which was issued by a third party, Phobio, in the form of a pre-loaded Visa Debit Rewards card in the amount of $55. Didn't realize that this expires given that this was provided in exchange for the macbook. I called customer service and they are unable to extend the "expiry date" or issue a new card.
Product_Or_Service: Phobio Visa Debit Card
Order_Number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Account_Number: n/a

Phobio is the partner for Apple to recycle equipment.

Phobio received my shipment on Dec 12, 2018 @ 3:12p.

After 6 days - they still have not processed my refund.

A call to them today was less than cordial. I requested them to send back my property.

Patrick from CSR refused and stated that they are allowed to keep my property and not issue payment until they have inspected (despite the 3-5 business days in their terms and conditions).

I am out a $2000 MacBook Pro; hours of time; and getting nowhere with them.

Calls to APPLE state they are unaware of Phobio - which is interesting, as APPLE sent me to them!
Product_Or_Service: MacBook Pro
Order_Number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Account_Number: None

Phobio sent me a fake apple gift card and refused to do anything at all about it. They were rude on the phone and basically stole my computer by accepting it from me and not paying for it. Total scam.
Product_Or_Service: Trade-in
Order_Number: ?
Account_Number: ?

As part of the Apple GiveBack Trade In promotion, I purchased an Apple iPhone XR during the pre-order promotion and elected to trade-in my old iPhone 7 Plus. During the trade-in evaluation on Apple's website, I was quoted $285 for the value of my old iPhone for trade-in. I was aware that in order to receive the quoted refund amount, the phone must be in good working condition with no cracks on the screen and the device was able to power on. My phone met the conditions; however, when Apple's trade-in partner affiliation (Phobio) received the phone and changed the trade in value from $285 to $75 due to damage on the screen, I rejected the revised trade-in value because the screen was not damaged when I shipped it. Phobio then shipped the old phone back to me but because they placed a condition that the shipment must be signed, *** has attempted delivery several times during hours I was not at home (they shipped during my work hours). *** has attempted Sat. deliveries but because I happen to be deaf, I posted a note on my door requesting the *** delivery person to leave the package at the door or knock much more firmly. *** refused to leave at the doorstep so when I contact ***, they informed me to contact the shipper. I contacted Apple and they in turn instructed me to contact Phobio with a phone number provided. I have attempted several calls using the MN Relay Service but each time my call was hung up by machine even after the relay service operator waited to reach a live person but was hung up on as well. Afterward I finally had to ask an acquaintance at work to call the number for me. A Phobio representative emailed me stating that my old phone would be shipped back without requiring a signature. I responded to the rep expressing my displeasure with how they handled my attempts to contact them and assured me that my old phone would be shipped back without requiring a signature. My phone is still in their warehouse as of 12/6 with no status update.
Order_Number:

I have just received a revised "offer" from Phobio for an iMac that I returned some time ago. Like the other reviews I see here - Phobio sent two very grainy photos purporting to show severe pixel failures in the bottom corners of the screen. So severe are the flaws that you would think I would have noticed them myself!! The device I sent had no such problems - but sadly I don't have grainy pics to prove it. I traded the device in because it was over 6 years old - not because the screen was unusable as they now claim
It's my word against their generic grainy pics - but they have the device right now. I assure anyone reading this that the device I sent them had no screen issues when I sent it. Could this be a scam? Of course it could.