iPhone 4 trade-in prices start to drop

Thursday, October 13, 2011

iPhone 4 trade-in prices start to drop

Thursday, October 13, 2011 ANSOR No comments

Gazelle.coma

Before the iPhone 4S was announced, Gazelle.com was offering $225 for a 16 GB iPhone 4 AT&T model in "flawless" condition; now the price is $200.a

By Suzanne Choney

Considering trading in your iPhone 4? You'll still do well, but prices for the phone have dropped since the new iPhone 4S was unveiled last week.a

NextWorth, which had been offering a guaranteed $250 for any iPhone 4 until the day before the new iPhone was introduced Oct. 4, now is offering $200 for a 16 GB AT&T iPhone 4 in "good" condition, and $215 for the 32 GB version.a

Gazelle, which gives a 30-day price lock-in once you agree to trade, had been offering $250 for a "flawless" AT&T iPhone 4 with 32 GB and $225 for a "flawless" AT&T 16 GB model, now is offering $222 and $200, respectively. If the phone is in "good" condition, it will bring $172 for the 32 GB version and $170 for the 16 GB model.a

Gazelle says that nine out of 10 iPhones they get are in "good" condition. A "flawless" phone, is one that has "no noticeable flaws, still in its package or looks like new," has "zero scratches" and has "no dust under the glass.")a

It's also worth noting that, for the first time, Target has teamed up with NextWorth to do iPhone trade-ins with a "price lock guarantee" in advance of the iPhone 4S's availability on Friday. (Target also will be selling the new phone).a

NextWortha

NextWorth's offer of $200 for an AT&T iPhone 4, 16 GB model in "good" condition.a

The offer is $200 for the AT&T iPhone 4 (either 16 GB or 32 GB); and $120 for the iPhone 3GS (32 GB); $110 for the 3GS (16 GB); and $101 for the 3GS (8 GB). (The other trade-in sites mentioned here will also buy your older-model iPhones.)a

Target/NextWorth's trade-in values are "based on used iPhones in good working order, rather than phones in excellent or flawless condition, so the vast majority of people will qualify" for the values listed here, Target says.a

"Customers can go to 1,470 Target retail locations nationwide to lock in a trade-in value for their old iPhone model and receive the quoted value when they pick up their new iPhone 4S."a

Another trade-in site, Instantsale.eBay.com, had been offering up to $307.54 for an AT&T iPhone 4 16GB several days before the iPhone 4S announcement. Now the offer is $260 for the phone in "like new" condition, described "as if never used. Fully functional with no scratches or marks. Must include original package and all accessories."a

BuyMyTronics has the same 16 GB phone priced at $191; the device would need to be in "excellent" condition, and traded with the wall charger, original box, cables and earbuds.a

A Verizon trade-in offer on a 16 GB ATT iPhone 4.a

Verizon Wireless is taking iPhone 4 trade-ins, also. You can use the money toward a new Verizon phone or get a Verizon gift card (but not cash). The carrier is offering $210 for the 16 GB model from AT&T, if the phone meets these requirements: It powers up, the display works and the display is not cracked.a

If you're thinking of trading in your Verizon iPhone 4 for the new model, be aware that it will fetch less than the AT&T version.a

The AT&T iPhone uses GSM technology, which is predominant worldwide, and best for re-selling the phones. Verizon uses CDMA technology, which is primarily used in the United States by Verizon and by Sprint. An unlocked AT&T iPhone could even be used in the U.S. on the T-Mobile network (now the only major carrier not offering the iPhone).a

So, it pays to check around. And sooner is probably better than later.a

In a recent interview, Gazelle's chief gadget officer, Anthony Scarsella, noted that once the new iPhone was announced, prices would "start to drop a little." With the iPhone 4S to be released Friday, they might drop even a little more.a