Trade in Tracker thread

[Katrina White1]

I got the acceptance email, and they're giving a lil extra. A welcome surprise.

 

[bhatech]

I got the acceptance email, and they're giving a lil extra. A welcome surprise.

Congrats on the trade-in completion !!

The extra is just the sales tax difference. Google's trade-in partner is not that considerate to increase the trade-in value.

Depending on your state, the sales tax is calculated after the deduction of trade-in or for the full amount.

When you place the order, Google takes the sales tax for the full amount. When your trade-in is accepted, the sales tax will be calculated for the full price – the trade-in amount. And the extra sales tax amount you paid originally will be included with your trade-in refund.

For example, even though my trade-in refund for Pixel 9 Pro XL is $600, I'll be getting around $660 after the trade-in is completed, taking into account the ~10% sales tax amount in WA State. Your total refund amount will vary based on your local sales tax percentages.

Sorry if you are in the below states

-----------

From Google search
"The states where sales tax is generally calculated on the full, pre-trade-in price of a new phone are:

California
Hawaii
Virginia
Arkansas

In these states, you would pay sales tax on the total price of the new phone, and the trade-in value would be applied as a simple credit to your payment, but it wouldn't reduce your taxable amount.

 

[Katrina White1]

Congrats on the trade-in completion !!

The extra is just the sales tax difference. Google's trade-in partner is not that considerate to increase the trade-in value.

Ok, that makes sense. Let me see what I'm gonna get with that "free" $45. Lol

 

[Peter Scooze]

Congrats on the trade-in completion !!

The extra is just the sales tax difference. Google's trade-in partner is not that considerate to increase the trade-in value.

Depending on your state, the sales tax is calculated after the deduction of trade-in or for the full amount.

When you place the order, Google takes the sales tax for the full amount. When your trade-in is accepted, the sales tax will be calculated for the full price – the trade-in amount. And the extra sales tax amount you paid originally will be included with your trade-in refund.

For example, even though my trade-in refund for Pixel 9 Pro XL is $600, I'll be getting around $660 after the trade-in is completed, taking into account the ~10% sales tax amount in WA State. Your total refund amount will vary based on your local sales tax percentages.

Sorry if you are in the below states

-----------

From Google search
"The states where sales tax is generally calculated on the full, pre-trade-in price of a new phone are:

California
Hawaii
Virginia
Arkansas

In these states, you would pay sales tax on the total price of the new phone, and the trade-in value would be applied as a simple credit to your payment, but it wouldn't reduce your taxable amount.

Thanks for the info. I did not know that. I received an extra $52 for my trade in. I live in ny and i have never received more than what the originally offer was for a trade in. I was wondering why i did this time.

 

[0078265317]

I got the acceptance email, and they're giving a lil extra. A welcome surprise.

Extra. Lucky all who are getting extra. Last year I got exactly the amount. And this year at the store exactly 550 also. No extra.

 

[0078265317]

Congrats on the trade-in completion !!

The extra is just the sales tax difference. Google's trade-in partner is not that considerate to increase the trade-in value.

Depending on your state, the sales tax is calculated after the deduction of trade-in or for the full amount.

When you place the order, Google takes the sales tax for the full amount. When your trade-in is accepted, the sales tax will be calculated for the full price – the trade-in amount. And the extra sales tax amount you paid originally will be included with your trade-in refund.

For example, even though my trade-in refund for Pixel 9 Pro XL is $600, I'll be getting around $660 after the trade-in is completed, taking into account the ~10% sales tax amount in WA State. Your total refund amount will vary based on your local sales tax percentages.

Sorry if you are in the below states

-----------

From Google search
"The states where sales tax is generally calculated on the full, pre-trade-in price of a new phone are:

California
Hawaii
Virginia
Arkansas

In these states, you would pay sales tax on the total price of the new phone, and the trade-in value would be applied as a simple credit to your payment, but it wouldn't reduce your taxable amount.

I am from Illinois. I got exactly 699 last year. No extra. No tax adjusted. 1061.44-699. No extra.

 

[bhatech]

I am from Illinois. I got exactly 699 last year. No extra. No tax adjusted. 1061.44-699. No extra.

Yeah I'll have to check on mine on what they did last year

 

[bhatech]

I am from Illinois. I got exactly 699 last year. No extra. No tax adjusted. 1061.44-699. No extra.

Yeah I'll have to check on mine on what they did last year

I checked on my last year's order, and you are correct that they didn't refund the sales tax difference last year. I just got refunded the $699.

Well, I'm glad they are refunding the sales tax difference this year.

 

[bhatech]

I asked Gemini why I didn't receive the sales tax difference for my trade-in last year, and here's what it says

You've raised an excellent point, and it highlights a common frustration with online trade-in programs. While Washington state law dictates that sales tax should be calculated on the price after a trade-in credit, the actual process used by online retailers like the Google Store can be different.

Here is the likely reason you didn't see an immediate "refund" of the sales tax difference:
Two Separate Transactions: The Google Store's online trade-in program often treats the sale of the new device and the purchase of your old device as two distinct transactions.

First Transaction (New Phone): You are initially charged for the full price of the new phone, plus sales tax, before the trade-in is processed.

Second Transaction (Trade-in): After you receive your new phone, you mail in your old one. Once it is inspected and approved, the trade-in value is then credited to your original payment method.
Because the sales tax was already collected on the full price of the new phone, the trade-in credit you receive doesn't include the sales tax you saved.

What You Should Have Received
According to Washington state law, you are entitled to a refund of the sales tax on the trade-in value. This is a recognized issue that some customers have successfully resolved by contacting Google's customer support. Some online forum posts from Washington residents describe having to contact Google support directly to request a "courtesy refund" for the sales tax difference.

In short, while the law is clear, the implementation by some online retailers can be a source of confusion.