Discrepancy in trade-in value for iPad with no pre-existing damage

While I fully appreciate and sympathise with your predicament, the issue of damage occurring between the point of shipping and receipt by Apple's trade-in partner is not an issue of Apple's making.

For future reference, many who choose to trade-in their devices intentionally do so at an Apple Store - where the item can be assessed and the transaction finalised in-store where you can observe the entire process. This avoids any potential issues with shipping and/or the trade-in partner.

Same here. My iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd gen was in good condition, having spent its full life in a sturdy leather case. I sent it in (getting an M4 iPad Pro 13) and also had a $0 estimate -- screen burn-in, streaks, discoloration. I asked for it to be sent back, and sure enough, there was a small white blob on the screen I'd never seen before. I didn't think I'd have to take a picture beforehand, but now I know not to trust the folks Apple pays to assess these things -- or the boxes Apple sends (mine was inside a substantial leather folio case -- inside the shipping box).

Then I sent in an Apple Watch for trade-in on a new one that received the same response -- although there was no screen issue before I sent it or after it was returned. I will never mail a device to Apple's trade-in program again.

Also of note is that I received zero instructions/emails about the trade-ins -- just a box and shipping label appeared for each. I sent the ipad case with the ipad and my watch band with the watch. Neither were returned, and I only learned that one should not send accessories after the items were dispatched.

Apple is still my go-to for such products, but my esteem for its customer-friendliness has sadly lowered.

"I sent in an IPad for trade-in. I received an email stating that the Ipad had damage to the screen saying LCD display burn in damage/streaks/discoloration across screen. This device was in excellent condition and packed in provided Apple packaging. The device was also secured in ZUGU case. This is a fraudulent 3rd party trade-in partner. Please don’t insult my intelligence it was damaged in shipping."

There's no need to accuse the OP of insulting your intelligence.

Hopefully you will have had the foresight to take photographs prior to returning the iPad to Apple's trade-in partner. These provide useful evidence of the condition prior to shipping.

In any event, should you deem it necessary to challenge the trade-in evaluation, you might be best advised to seek assistance from Apple Support. You should however note that the Support Team may be restricted in the help that they can provide concerning the trade-in evaluation.

You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.

Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

They did the same to me. Better off just buying from Best Buy when it's on sale. When I get mine back I am going to Apple store. If the don't make things right I will return new one.

Yes it is bs

I had same problem. Had device shipped back. Went to Apple store and said I want a refund if I can't get trade in. They gave me trade in money.

I sent in an IPad for trade-in. I received an email stating that the Ipad had damage to the screen saying LCD display burn in damage/streaks/discoloration across screen. This device was in excellent condition and packed in provided Apple packaging. The device was also secured in ZUGU case. This is a fraudulent 3rd party trade-in partner. Please don’t insult my intelligence it was damaged in shipping.

I am going through the same thing. Thank you for the advice. I’ve never had this problem before. I was wondering if maybe they’re using a third-party to assess the phones.