General Trade In Program Tips/Tricks

[dezborders]

Yup! I've done that many times! That's a great tip!

Worth clarifying it's only Samsung devices you have a chance of making a profit on trade in

I am in UK and Apple or "other" brands are limited to £50 part ex on a new Samsung device

 

[2015Ducatimulti]

Samsung is on the ball with the trade-ins, they recieved my trade -in Note 20 ultra yesterday and this morning saying it was already complete and done and got the 600.00

 

[Lennyuk]

Samsung is on the ball with the trade-ins, they received my trade -in Note 20 ultra yesterday and this morning saying it was already complete and done and got the 600.00

what country?

I am in the UK, had an email saying they received my S21 on the 1st and that I would hear further when it had been processed - heard nothing since!

 

[2015Ducatimulti]

what country?

I am in the UK, had an email saying they received my S21 on the 1st and that I would hear further when it had been processed - heard nothing since!

I`m in the USA.

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

what country?

I am in the UK, had an email saying they received my S21 on the 1st and that I would hear further when it had been processed - heard nothing since!

Right. If you read the email, it states that confirmation can take 3 to 7 business days. So it may take a week or two to hear back from them.

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

Well, this post became quite prophetic for me. Sure enough, there was an issue with my trade-in. I traded in a Note 20 Ultra and a Galaxy Watch 4 on my S22 Ultra. Per Samsung's instructions, both items were placed in the same box, with the same packaging slip and shipping label.

As I said, I always take photographs, and a long, uncut, unedited video of the condition of the device(s), me factory resetting them and shutting them off, and packaging them, to include me sealing the box with tape and applying the shipping label. This time I even used a black sharpie to sign across the packing tape on the box to show it had not been opened after I sealed it.

Today, I got two emails from Samsung. First said my $120 trade in on the watch was approved and completed. The second said since I sent them an empty shipping box, I would be charged the $800 dollars for the Note 20 Ultra trade in. "Empty" box, but yet the watch was in there. My heart sank, as I was imagining my $800 AND my Note 20 Ultra were both gone.

So I called Samsung and spoke to Roderick. I told him I had photographed and video recorded the whole packaging process. He pulled up the video Samsung took as they opened my box. I didn't even know they videoed the process, but it made sense. Same reason I video it. He said in the Samsung video, the paper packaging that I wrapped the phone in was cut open and the phone was missing. He said it appeared someone had tampered with the packaging and likely stole the phone. He then checked the shipping weight reported by FedEx. He said the weight FedEx reported would have meant there was a device in the box, not an empty box. He also agreed the box wasn't empty, though, as he saw my watch on their video.

He sent me an email with the trouble ticket, and I replied with a link to my video. He watched the whole ten minute video with me on the phone, and even remarked that my Note 20 Ultra appeared to be in absolute mint condition (It was like brand new). As soon as he saw me on the video package it and seal it, he said he was forwarding it to his supervisor to have the $800 chargeback cancelled. Sure enough, within a few minutes, I had an email confirming the $800 chargeback had been reversed and there was no further action required. The trade-in was complete and the credit approved.

So having the video was SUPER important in my case. It prevented a lot of headaches, filing claims, making a police report, etc. Despite what one user here previously reported, the photos and videos DO help protect you. Samsung, specifically Roderick, was very open to listening and investigating, and made sure I was taken care of and happy all in one phone call.

So PLEASE, when you do your trade in, if at all possible, video record the whole thing!

Here's my steps in the video:

1. show the camera all sides of the device to document physical condition.
2. show the screen on, to confirm it works, and show the IMEI info on the about screen.
3. show the factory reset process, to include it booting up to the set up wizard, and then power it off.
4. wrap the device in packaging and place in the box.
5. show the packing slip and place it in the box.
6. seal the box with tape and initial all the tape.
7. apply the shipping label and show it to the camera with the tracking number visible.

All of this should take about 10 minutes to do. I have my box, tape, and shipping label already set up and ready to grab on camera. I do this all in one uncut, unedited shot.

It would be interesting for everyone to post here when you sent in your trade-in device, if there were any issues, and when you got the final approval.

 

[daLareid]

Well, this post became quite prophetic for me. Sure enough, there was an issue with my trade-in. I traded in a Note 20 Ultra and a Galaxy Watch 4 on my S22 Ultra. Per Samsung's instructions, both items were placed in the same box, with the same packaging slip and shipping label.

As I said, I always take photographs, and a long, uncut, unedited video of the condition of the device(s), me factory resetting them and shutting them off, and packaging them, to include me sealing the box with tape and applying the shipping label. This time I even used a black sharpie to sign across the packing tape on the box to show it had not been opened after I sealed it.

Today, I got two emails from Samsung. First said my $120 trade in on the watch was approved and completed. The second said since I sent them an empty shipping box, I would be charged the $800 dollars for the Note 20 Ultra trade in. "Empty" box, but yet the watch was in there. My heart sank, as I was imagining my $800 AND my Note 20 Ultra were both gone.

So I called Samsung and spoke to Roderick. I told him I had photographed and video recorded the whole packaging process. He pulled up the video Samsung took as they opened my box. I didn't even know they videoed the process, but it made sense. Same reason I video it. He said in the Samsung video, the paper packaging that I wrapped the phone in was cut open and the phone was missing. He said it appeared someone had tampered with the packaging and likely stole the phone. He then checked the shipping weight reported by FedEx. He said the weight FedEx reported would have meant there was a device in the box, not an empty box. He also agreed the box wasn't empty, though, as he saw my watch on their video.

He sent me an email with the trouble ticket, and I replied with a link to my video. He watched the whole ten minute video with me on the phone, and even remarked that my Note 20 Ultra appeared to be in absolute mint condition (It was like brand new). As soon as he saw me on the video package it and seal it, he said he was forwarding it to his supervisor to have the $800 chargeback cancelled. Sure enough, within a few minutes, I had an email confirming the $800 chargeback had been reversed and there was no further action required. The trade-in was complete and the credit approved.

So having the video was SUPER important in my case. It prevented a lot of headaches, filing claims, making a police report, etc. Despite what one user here previously reported, the photos and videos DO help protect you. Samsung, specifically Roderick, was very open to listening and investigating, and made sure I was taken care of and happy all in one phone call.

So PLEASE, when you do your trade in, if at all possible, video record the whole thing!

Here's my steps in the video:

1. show the camera all sides of the device to document physical condition.
2. show the screen on, to confirm it works, and show the IMEI info on the about screen.
3. show the factory reset process, to include it booting up to the set up wizard, and then power it off.
4. wrap the device in packaging and place in the box.
5. show the packing slip and place it in the box.
6. seal the box with tape and initial all the tape.
7. apply the shipping label and show it to the camera with the tracking number visible.

All of this should take about 10 minutes to do. I have my box, tape, and shipping label already set up and ready to grab on camera. I do this all in one uncut, unedited shot.

It would be interesting for everyone to post here when you sent in your trade-in device, if there were any issues, and when you got the final approval.

Thanks for sharing, I've yet to send mine in and was thinking doing the video was overkill, guess not!
Btw how do you think people were able to figure out there's a phone in there and make them open your box?

 

[kiwiguy99]

Thanks for sharing, I've yet to send mine in and was thinking doing the video was overkill, guess not!
Btw how do you think people were able to figure out there's a phone in there and make them open your box?

If you use the box that Samsung sent the new phone in:
1. it is a standard size with a 'contains lithium batteries' notice on the side
2. The recipient is Samsung.

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

Thanks for sharing, I've yet to send mine in and was thinking doing the video was overkill, guess not!
Btw how do you think people were able to figure out there's a phone in there and make them open your box?

If you use the box that Samsung sent the new phone in:
1. it is a standard size with a 'contains lithium batteries' notice on the side
2. The recipient is Samsung.

Basically what @kiwiguy99 said. It was the same box they sent my S22U in. But the recipient actually isn't "Samsung." HylaMobile is actually the recipient. I'm assuming that's a 3rd party that Samsung used state side.

But if you've ever purchased a cellphone online or traded one in, you'd recognize the box. At least I would.

 

[dj24]

Well, this post became quite prophetic for me. Sure enough, there was an issue with my trade-in. I traded in a Note 20 Ultra and a Galaxy Watch 4 on my S22 Ultra. Per Samsung's instructions, both items were placed in the same box, with the same packaging slip and shipping label.

As I said, I always take photographs, and a long, uncut, unedited video of the condition of the device(s), me factory resetting them and shutting them off, and packaging them, to include me sealing the box with tape and applying the shipping label. This time I even used a black sharpie to sign across the packing tape on the box to show it had not been opened after I sealed it.

Today, I got two emails from Samsung. First said my $120 trade in on the watch was approved and completed. The second said since I sent them an empty shipping box, I would be charged the $800 dollars for the Note 20 Ultra trade in. "Empty" box, but yet the watch was in there. My heart sank, as I was imagining my $800 AND my Note 20 Ultra were both gone.

So I called Samsung and spoke to Roderick. I told him I had photographed and video recorded the whole packaging process. He pulled up the video Samsung took as they opened my box. I didn't even know they videoed the process, but it made sense. Same reason I video it. He said in the Samsung video, the paper packaging that I wrapped the phone in was cut open and the phone was missing. He said it appeared someone had tampered with the packaging and likely stole the phone. He then checked the shipping weight reported by FedEx. He said the weight FedEx reported would have meant there was a device in the box, not an empty box. He also agreed the box wasn't empty, though, as he saw my watch on their video.

He sent me an email with the trouble ticket, and I replied with a link to my video. He watched the whole ten minute video with me on the phone, and even remarked that my Note 20 Ultra appeared to be in absolute mint condition (It was like brand new). As soon as he saw me on the video package it and seal it, he said he was forwarding it to his supervisor to have the $800 chargeback cancelled. Sure enough, within a few minutes, I had an email confirming the $800 chargeback had been reversed and there was no further action required. The trade-in was complete and the credit approved.

So having the video was SUPER important in my case. It prevented a lot of headaches, filing claims, making a police report, etc. Despite what one user here previously reported, the photos and videos DO help protect you. Samsung, specifically Roderick, was very open to listening and investigating, and made sure I was taken care of and happy all in one phone call.

So PLEASE, when you do your trade in, if at all possible, video record the whole thing!

Here's my steps in the video:

1. show the camera all sides of the device to document physical condition.
2. show the screen on, to confirm it works, and show the IMEI info on the about screen.
3. show the factory reset process, to include it booting up to the set up wizard, and then power it off.
4. wrap the device in packaging and place in the box.
5. show the packing slip and place it in the box.
6. seal the box with tape and initial all the tape.
7. apply the shipping label and show it to the camera with the tracking number visible.

All of this should take about 10 minutes to do. I have my box, tape, and shipping label already set up and ready to grab on camera. I do this all in one uncut, unedited shot.

It would be interesting for everyone to post here when you sent in your trade-in device, if there were any issues, and when you got the final approval.

If you're comfortable doing so- could you kindly share the phone # and the prompts you followed to get in touch with the helpful rep that assisted you? Mine is arriving tomorrow and fingers crossed my N20 Ultra will get there intact once I mail it back but it wouldn't hurt to have that info in hand in case I ever need it. Many Thanks!

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

If you're comfortable doing so- could you kindly share the phone # and the prompts you followed to get in touch with the helpful rep that assisted you? Mine is arriving tomorrow and fingers crossed my N20 Ultra will get there intact once I mail it back but it wouldn't hurt to have that info in hand in case I ever need it. Many Thanks!

If I remember correct, there was a contact us button in the body of the email. I just chose contact by phone. It will ask your email and I believe order number.

I double checked today, and under my S22 order, it says my credit was "manually completed," so it's definitely a done deal in my favor.

 

[ekerbuddyeker]

I had no issues with the trade-in. But heres a tip I saw on reddit... Since the pre-release pre-order trade-in deal, Samsung are now paying $175 MORE for certain trade-ins and you can contact Samsung and ask them to adjust it. I did and I received an additional refund of $175. This was a few days ago.

 

[borijess]

Is there any chance if you preordered your phone from a carrier that samsung will still honor the promotions?

 

[daLareid]

Basically what @kiwiguy99 said. It was the same box they sent my S22U in. But the recipient actually isn't "Samsung." HylaMobile is actually the recipient. I'm assuming that's a 3rd party that Samsung used state side.

But if you've ever purchased a cellphone online or traded one in, you'd recognize the box. At least I would.

Good input, thanks. Guess a safer bet and tip for the phone trade-in is to use a different box, I know some suggested using the one they sent the phone in but since this a Tips and Tricks for trade-in, I think it's best to say DO NOT use the same shipping box lol.

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

Good input, thanks. Guess a safer bet and tip for the phone trade-in is to use a different box, I know some suggested using the one they sent the phone in but since this a Tips and Tricks for trade-in, I think it's best to say DO NOT use the same shipping box lol.

I'm just curious WHEN it happened. I personally dropped it off at the local FedEx store, so it was in their hands until it got to Samsung (of HylaMobile, I guess). So was it a FedEx employee? Or Hyla?

 

[daLareid]

I'm just curious WHEN it happened. I personally dropped it off at the local FedEx store, so it was in their hands until it got to Samsung (of HylaMobile, I guess). So was it a FedEx employee? Or Hyla?

Yeah, it could be either I guess but if there's a third party involved imo they are more likely to know than a fedex employee.

 

[chillsen]

if you use google authenticator, make sure you move your 2fa accounts to your new phone, smart switch doesn't do it.

I just use authy lol, i know its not as secure but i always will have my 2FA codes no matter what

 

[dj24]

I'm just curious WHEN it happened. I personally dropped it off at the local FedEx store, so it was in their hands until it got to Samsung (of HylaMobile, I guess). So was it a FedEx employee? Or Hyla?

I followed your thorough guide and dropped off my N20 ultra last night. I went ahead and took it to a Walgreens near me where they have a Fedex on site kiosk where I dropped it off. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly..

 

[Mr. Orange 645]

I followed your thorough guide and dropped off my N20 ultra last night. I went ahead and took it to a Walgreens near me where they have a Fedex on site kiosk where I dropped it off. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly..

Awesome! Let me know how it goes. It can take a couple weeks for them to issue their decision.