Need math help with Samsung's trade in program

[cbfan123]

I am currently using an S8 and Samsung will provide a trade in credit of $300 towards an S10 phone (I'm interested in the S10e only). The $300 credit is a good price (it may not even be that high selling it on eBay, and probably less hassle through Samsung).

However, I generally satisfied with the S8 and have no problems with it. If I use it for another year, the value will decrease if I were to try to sell it then, maybe $100-$120 less than now (I'm just guessing). In a year's time, maybe S11 would be out and more expensive, but I don't chase after the latest and greatest phone, so I could upgrade to an S10e then. And, I'm uncertain if Samsung would still offer a smaller phone as well. At that time, S10e would probably decrease in price as well, but would decrease faster than the S8 a year from now? Would I "lose" money by holding on to the S8 for another year?

Who here has successfully traded in their old phone to Samsung? My concern is if Samsung does not receive it, so I'm left with a phone that I would normally not upgrade in the usual circumstance.

 

[reich2004]

I don't think there is a wrong choice here. I think your phone will probably drop significantly in value. That being said, there may be a phone you like better at that time and would've been worth the wait.

But it would also be safe to assume that you could trade your s10e in for probably 450-550 credit at that time as well. So if you think about it in that aspect you wouldn't really lose much at all. Assuming 300 off the phone now you pay 450. If you then trade it for 450-550 for the s11 promo you really aren't losing much value as you essentially traded your s8 to borrow the s10e for the year.

On the flip side you could just spend no money and keep your s8 and "run it till the wheels fall off".

I don't think there is a wrong choice here. But I would figure it being a safe bet Samsung will offer a trade in bonus or promo next year for s11 offering great rates for your s10e should you go that route.

 

[cohoman]

I was in a similar situation with my LG G6, where I could get $300 for the Samsung trade-in but a trade-in with At&T would only get me $85. My G6 was working fine except for diminished battery life after owning it for almost 2 years. I ended up trading my G6 in for the S10 during the preorder offer and also got $130 credit at the Samsung store.

I've owned my S10 for a few weeks now and I'm glad I used the trade-in offer. I was able to get the phone on the AT&T NEXT program and pay monthly instead of paying the full cost of the phone. I'm still waiting for the official acceptance email from Samsung regarding my G6 trade-in, but I expect that to happen shortly.

 

[Allen Brandt]

I think $450 a year from now might be the top you'll ever see, as Samsung is only offering $550 for the new S9. To be conservative, go with $400 next year against a phone that, at a minimum, will again be $750 like the e, or perhaps higher.

Here's what I did: I was able to purchase a new 10e on ebay for $599 delivered (there are a bunch in the $600-$620 range including shipping). For some reason, ebay offered me a $50 coupon, so I actually paid $550 for the phone. When it arrives next week, I'll sell my S8, likely on Swappa, for more than $300, so I will have a net cost for a 10e of around $250, perhaps less. Couldn't resist.

I had the S7 edge before the S8, and it dropped a bit more than $100 over the year since I sold it, so it's a good estimate.

 

[dpham00]

I think $450 a year from now might be the top you'll ever see, as Samsung is only offering $550 for the new S9. To be conservative, go with $400 next year against a phone that, at a minimum, will again be $750 like the e, or perhaps higher.

Here's what I did: I was able to purchase a new 10e on ebay for $599 delivered (there are a bunch in the $600-$620 range including shipping). For some reason, ebay offered me a $50 coupon, so I actually paid $550 for the phone. When it arrives next week, I'll sell my S8, likely on Swappa, for more than $300, so I will have a net cost for a 10e of around $250, perhaps less. Couldn't resist.

I had the S7 edge before the S8, and it dropped a bit more than $100 over the year since I sold it, so it's a good estimate.

The note 8 also qualifies for $550 trade in.