Apple To Launch Its In-Store iPhone Trade-In Program Overseas In Britain, Europe
by Joe White
October 10, 2013
The in-store iPhone trade-in scheme launched by Apple in the United States in August, called the "iPhone Reuse and Recycle Program," is set to launch in the United Kingdom and possibly in select European countries, according to a new report.
As a reminder, the program allows customers to trade in an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, or iPhone 5 in U.S. Apple Retail Stores. The smartphones are then recycled within the United States, however trade-in values offered to customers by Apple have so far been unimpressive (and some $50 less than what Gazelle, for example, is offering).
Now, however, "a reliable source" has reportedly told 9to5Mac that Apple has started prepping Apple Retail Store staff in Britain with training materials relating to a similar in-store trade-in program. The initiative, this source claims, will launch in the United Kingdom in the coming months.
Apple is also planning on bringing its iPhone Reuse and Recycle Program to a number of European countries, too, though it seems that the international scheme is set to hit Britain first.
The website explains:
Like in the United States, BrightStar will handle the trade-in program. Devices will be processed for recycling in the United Kingdom. As we first described in August, the iPhone trade-in-program is simple: a customer that wants to buy a new iPhone brings their older iPhone to the store, the phone will be given a trade-in price based on hardware damage, water damage, and screen quality, and then the value will be applied via a store gift card to the purchase of a new iPhone.Of course, the convenience of trading in an old iPhone handset in-store is an aspect of Apple's Reuse and Recycle Program that customers in the United States have enjoyed. Given that the United Kingdom has the second-largest number of Apple Retail Stores per country, it indeed makes sense for Apple to launch a transatlantic iteration of its Reuse and Recycle Program. As noted above, the program is expected to reach Britain first, before rolling out in countries across Europe. We'll keep you updated with further information as we receive it. See also: Prepare For Some Adolescent Angst: Teens Have Arrived In The Sims FreePlay, Bean's Quest And Time Surfer Developer Kumobius Releases Pivvot-esque Duet Game, and Best Buy Preparing $100 Trade-In Promotion For iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c.
