iPhone trade-in program coming in September?

Apple Inc. may entice more customers to buy its upcoming iPhones with a trade-in program that may start this September, a tech site reported.

 

The program may go live in Apple stores and let customers to swap an old iPhone for a newer model, 9to5mac.com reported.

 

"The iPhone trade-in program is designed as a critical component of (Apple CEO Tim) Cook’s blueprint to bolstering iPhone sales in his chain of stores. Cook explained to Apple Retail leadership that he does not feel iPhone sales are healthy enough at Apple’s stores. 80% of iPhones are not sold directly from Apple Retail, Cook told these employees," it said, citing its sources (http://9to5mac.com/2013/08/26/apple-moving-to-launch-iphone-trade-in-program-as-soon-as-next-month/).

 

"We’re hearing the rollout will begin on August 30th ahead of full rollout in the U.S. in September (of the iPhone 5S and 5C)," it added.

 

It also said Apple had been conducting limited pilot testing of the program in recent months.

 

Mashable said this would work much like existing trade-in programs at mobile carriers and other retailers, which offer customers money for their old phone based on its age and condition (http://mashable.com/2013/08/26/apple-iphone-trade-in-program/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link).

 

"While Apple sells the iPhone in its retail stores, many of the company's phone sales come from third parties. By offering in-store trade-ins, Apple could potentially increase the number of handsets that it sells on its own," it added. — ELR, GMA News