iPhone 16 Series

DrJohnZoidberg said:
Did anyone who ordered through Makro get their complimentary charger?

I only got back home a couple days ago and the box they sent only had the phone in it. I've emailed them asking about it.
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Nope nothing yet.

Apparently they are once again waiting on Core, so I’m starting to think more and more there was a ****up from Core’s side.
 
MuKa said:
Thank you @bluepoole

Your post is more insightful than the advice I was given at my local iStore.

Would you happen to know if I can buy the phone I want on the ebucks partner shop and then trade in the old device within 30 days?
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It’s a pleasure. Yes, the average iStore employee is normally not very clued up, or helpful, or both :confused:

With regards to your ebucks question, I am not sure. All the phraseology used with trades in refer to “cash purchases” or “contract upgrades” so my guess would be no, but it’s pure speculation on my part
 
bluepoole said:
It’s a pleasure. Yes, the average iStore employee is normally not very clued up, or helpful, or both :confused:

With regards to your ebucks question, I am not sure. All the phraseology used with trades in refer to “cash purchases” or “contract upgrades” so my guess would be no, but it’s pure speculation on my part
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Thanks @bluepoole

I think I’ll visit another iStore and see if anyone there knows.
 
Soooo,

I went to the iStore in Eastgate JHB and to say that the staff were clueless about what I asked would be an understatement…
 
18.1 solved most of my problems... camera works now, phone doesn't crash, battery last longer.
Still gets hot though.
Apple Intelligence a bit underwhelming so far
 
MuKa said:
Does anyone know how the trade-in and cash back option works at the iStore? I tried speaking to an agent online but they did not respond and the salespeople at the store were either uninterested or clueless…

Also, can you trade in and make a purchase through the ebucks partner shop?

I’m sure someone on here will be more knowledgeable and helpful than actual iStore staff…
Click to expand...

Watch out for the bait and switch scam!

  1. I did the "pre-valuation" valid for 60-days as advised by them, got an offer that I thought was reasonable
  2. After getting my new phone and ensuring I was happy that everything had been transferred I went back.
  3. First problem: They wouldn't give me cash! They insisted it would be an iStore credit voucher valid for 2 years
  4. They proceeded to tell me my pristine iPhone 16 Pro Max had a slight scratch on the screen (in a non-line-of-sight area that I still cannot see with my naked eye) and dropped the offer price by 30% - I said no way!
  5. Questioned the point of the pre-valuation, and they just shrugged
 
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Tag11 said:
Watch out for the bait and switch scam!

  1. I did the "pre-valuation" valid for 60-days as advised by them, got an offer that I thought was reasonable
  2. After getting my new phone and ensuring I was happy that everything had been transferred I went back.
  3. First problem: They wouldn't give me cash! They insisted it would be an iStore credit voucher valid for 2 years
  4. They proceeded to tell me my pristine iPhone 16 Pro Max had a slight scratch on the screen (in a non-line-of-sight area that I still cannot see with my naked eye) and dropped the offer price by 30% - I said no way!
  5. Questioned the point of the pre-valuation, and they just shrugged
Click to expand...

Is the pre-valuation you’re referring to just the online checklist? Did someone physically inspect and run diagnostics on your phone before you received the first offer?
 
Tag11 said:
Watch out for the bait and switch scam!

  1. I did the "pre-valuation" valid for 60-days as advised by them, got an offer that I thought was reasonable
  2. After getting my new phone and ensuring I was happy that everything had been transferred I went back.
  3. First problem: They wouldn't give me cash! They insisted it would be an iStore credit voucher valid for 2 years
  4. They proceeded to tell me my pristine iPhone 16 Pro Max had a slight scratch on the screen (in a non-line-of-sight area that I still cannot see with my naked eye) and dropped the offer price by 30% - I said no way!
  5. Questioned the point of the pre-valuation, and they just shrugged
Click to expand...
The plot sickens…

And yours was a fairly straightforward situation so I shudder to think how they will “handle” anything more complicated…
 
defsec said:
Is the pre-valuation you’re referring to just the online checklist? Did someone physically inspect and run diagnostics on your phone before you received the first offer?
Click to expand...
it was: Scan a qr code in store, online checklist, quick once-over look by an employee (because I specifically said, if I get low-balled later then I'll be angry because I could sell privately for more), but obviously timing was an issue, I didn't want to wait 3 weeks after the 16 launch to try and sell, as pricing obviously dropped a bit in the open market. And I didn't want to sell/trade before I got the new phone up and running.

They had a compelling sales offer, but then reneged.
 
defsec said:
Is the pre-valuation you’re referring to just the online checklist? Did someone physically inspect and run diagnostics on your phone before you received the first offer?
Click to expand...
PS. No, did not do diagnostics before, but on the day I wanted to trade, they did and it passed all test. It was just the "slight scratch on the screen" they noted, and insisted on giving me an iStore voucher instead of cash (I had my bank confirmation letter ready, they didn't care)
 
Tag11 said:
PS. No, did not do diagnostics before, but on the day I wanted to trade, they did and it passed all test. It was just the "slight scratch on the screen" they noted, and insisted on giving me an iStore voucher instead of cash (I had my bank confirmation letter ready, they didn't care)
Click to expand...

The offer before they run diagnostics or properly inspect your phone is meaningless. If your device has any signs of use, the final offer will always be lower. I use it just to see what the maximum amount is that they would offer. Should have taken your phone in for a proper valuation before purchasing the new one.
 
defsec said:
The offer before they run diagnostics or properly inspect your phone is meaningless. If your device has any signs of use, the final offer will always be lower. I use it just to see what the maximum amount is that they would offer. Should have taken your phone in for a proper valuation before purchasing the new one.
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yeah, I figured as much, but the point I'm making is, don't offer a 60-day validity on a "maybe" valuation then, it is disingenuous at best, and downright dishonest at worst. It is a marketing scam to offer this "pre-valuation" then.

How can any 18mth old phone not have signs of use? - even in a case, it will at least have some hard to remove dirt... and anyway, they took a R28,000 retail phone and offered R15,500 - surely that is a low-enough offer? no need to drop it another R3,500 for an invisible scratch.
 
I'll do that...

So maybe it isn't a scam, but a fairly low offer on a high value item, which then gets drastically reduced even further is always going to disappoint a potential customer. And yes, I can (and did) take my business elsewhere.
 
Tag11 said:
yeah, I figured as much, but the point I'm making is, don't offer a 60-day validity on a "maybe" valuation then, it is disingenuous at best, and downright dishonest at worst. It is a marketing scam to offer this "pre-valuation" then.

How can any 18mth old phone not have signs of use? - even in a case, it will at least have some hard to remove dirt... and anyway, they took a R28,000 retail phone and offered R15,500 - surely that is a low-enough offer? no need to drop it another R3,500 for an invisible scratch.
Click to expand...
My 36 month old phone had no signs of use. It was literally in mint, “showroom” condition. The consultant who assisted me with my trade in even said that she’s never seen a 3 year old phone that looks like new.
 
Tag11 said:
Watch out for the bait and switch scam!

  1. I did the "pre-valuation" valid for 60-days as advised by them, got an offer that I thought was reasonable
  2. After getting my new phone and ensuring I was happy that everything had been transferred I went back.
  3. First problem: They wouldn't give me cash! They insisted it would be an iStore credit voucher valid for 2 years
  4. They proceeded to tell me my pristine iPhone 16 Pro Max had a slight scratch on the screen (in a non-line-of-sight area that I still cannot see with my naked eye) and dropped the offer price by 30% - I said no way!
  5. Questioned the point of the pre-valuation, and they just shrugged
Click to expand...
Not sure I follow correctly…you were trading in a 16 PM? On what device?
 
I've been emailing Makro every day since Thursday last week about the charger story and I haven't even received an automated response yet.

It feels like they're just trying to ignore the issue and hope it goes away.
 
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