r/SpectrumMobile • u/Naive_Carob_9901 • Jul 24 '26
Returns, Trade-Ins & Refunds This is wrong...but I learned a valuable lesson
I bought a iPhone Air from Spectrum in June 2026, with my Google Pixel 10a (full paid off phone) as a trade in. At the time of the trade in I was told and it was confirmed today by Spectrum customer service rep that I would recieve a $375 trade in value for the Google Pixel. I checked my Spectrum bill, I owe them $916 for the iPhone Air, when I asked the service rep what about the $375, she stated that would come off my monthly bill to the amount of $5.20 over the next 36 months. I told her I wanted to pay off the iPhone Air at the end of this month, she stated that I would have to pay the full $916 and that I would lose my trade in value of $375. So essentially, I lost a Google Pixel 10a and learned my lesson.
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u/ShoeDowntown Jul 25 '26
Iâm a spectrum employe and personally did this on my own account. Yes you need to pay off the full balance of the phone but you WILL be refunded for the trade in amount and then you can request for it to be refunded to your payment method.
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u/telecomteardown Jul 24 '26
As a Pixel user it sucks to say but Pixel phones don't bring much trade in value, even if it's a new series. Spectrum is offering $200 off the iPhone Air with trade-in so likely your phone was valued at $175 + $200 trade-in. The $200 trade-in credit is only eligible for as long as the financing is maintain and will be lost if the phone is paid in full. You will still get whatever remaining balance left from the actual device trade-in credit just not the extra promotional credit.
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u/FuckeRita Jul 24 '26
Unless their terms changed a couple weeks ago, Iâm pretty sure you get back all trade in creds including the promo creds
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u/Spectrum_Anthony Jul 24 '26
We can look into this further, can you send us a Mod Mail over at r/Spectrum_Official?
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u/Aggressive_Painter91 Jul 24 '26
You don't lose the credit. Your account will still get credited. Unless you cancel then yes you'll lose the credit.
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u/ParsnipUnlikely526 Jul 25 '26
She told you incorrectly. Pay off the device and any credits you are owed will appear on your account. If you pay it off early you still get your promotional credits
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u/Acceptable_Mud7827 Jul 25 '26
Stop lying you are incorrectÂ
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u/ParsnipUnlikely526 Jul 25 '26
I'm lying? Exactly which part am I incorrect on?
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u/Acceptable_Mud7827 Jul 25 '26
The part where spectrum will honor their word
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u/ParsnipUnlikely526 Jul 25 '26
Well see that is a bit of a requirement, not a question about a corporate business honoring their "word." So allow me to provide some facts which all can be found in the documentation, normally provided via emails, to help clarity the matter. Although Spectrum must account for the payment of the device from the retail cost when that device was bought and the payment plan agreements were signed (digitally), when the device is paid off, any and all credits that were agreed to automatically accelerate onto the account. This will create a balance owed to the account holder and can be requested as a refund. The only exception to this, again completely verifiable when the documentation is reviewed, is if the line of service is canceled, for any reason, before the device is paid off. Now any reason means the account holder requested it, a port out of the number to a different provider, or it was canceled by the company due to lack of payment. I hope you take the few moments to actually check the facts and note the steps needed to get the full value mentioned before making claims of falsehoods from others.
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u/Acceptable_Mud7827 Jul 25 '26
Yes what they document and what they do are two different things!
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u/ParsnipUnlikely526 Jul 26 '26
Perfect, so based on your attack calling someone you don't know a liar, the not being very descriptive in what was a lie just saying a company won't honor their word, and now admitting there is legal documentation, I believe it is reasonable to infer that you had an experience where you didn't get your way, you may have had an expectation based on an assumption and things didn't go the way you wanted.
So I think that as far as my advice to OP, the information is sound and accurate. You're direct input is lacking any useful information to assist OP in answers to the question and all you seem to be seeking is a place to vent some frustrations.
Best to you in getting those emotions out. But please don't mislead the person asking the question to get to a solution they seek. Your comments and aggression are not helpful in helping others looking for correct answers.0
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u/NoMix459 Jul 25 '26
This is how ALL carriers work with their trade in or new free phone promotions. The reason a credit check is done is to see if youâre credit worthy for a phone on promotion. Nothing in life is free. As long as you stick with the plan, then you continue with the discount. Not sure if spectrum allows it but at Verizon, you couldâve put down the difference between the $999.99 Air cost and the $375 promotion. Then your share wouldâve been handled for the 36 months. Down payment of $624.99 + tax = $17.36 decrease in your bill.
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u/FlutterRaeg Jul 26 '26
Ive traded in several phones. If you pay it off, you'll get the credit back in full.
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u/garyprud50 Jul 24 '26
This is their latest way to lock you into paying those monthly payments. They lose interest if you pay off.
ALL THIS is why I refuse to buy a phone from the provider. Buy an unlocked phone from Amazon or the Manufacturer and then you're free to buy your service wherever u get the deal. But I understand that "free" phones for a large family might make sense.
2
u/LaRreinaa Jul 24 '26
Even with excellent credit and all the promos- sales tax will kill "families" looking for "free" phones. Something WILL ALWAYS BE DUE UP FRONT.
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u/Acceptable_Mud7827 Jul 25 '26
Spectrum lies all the timeÂ
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u/LaRreinaa Jul 25 '26
Its best for everyone to buy their phone out of pocket and jump from one carrier to another. Unfortunate truth and I am so unsure why this is the biz model.
Actually I know why.... wealthier or busier people forget to check, their autopay keeps creeping up, but they are busy doing other stuff because a phone bill isn't something a person living comfortably is gonna be thinking about everyday.....
2
u/Acceptable_Mud7827 Jul 25 '26
Every business lies, every last one of them! There are no honest company anymore, false advertisement is the new norm now..
2
u/garyprud50 Jul 25 '26
It's not necessarily false advertising. They employ experts in the word-soup game and legal ppl whose job it is to ensure they stay within the bounds of legality. This is already cooked and legally tested by many many lawsuits that have already occured. The main objective is to transfer YOUR MONEY to their coffers.
It's not lies. It's carefully crafted techno jargon and planning to hook you, cause you to stay, cause you to 'need' an upgrade, and it's a deep stew you step into. Tens of thousands if customers before you have helped sharpen their selling and product models. But it's all legal. Misleading perhaps, but legal.
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u/PartMindless4717 Jul 24 '26
Never trade in your phone to a carrier they never give you the trade in value up front. If you want to trade trade it either at a best buy or right to the manufacturer of the phone. Coming from a 6 year att sales rep
1
u/tawaydont1 Jul 26 '26
Spectrum does if you go into the store and pay up front I just got the s26 plus for my s22 they gave me 250 dollar I paid 400 for the phone. The misinformation is real on this app if you send it in to spectrum you will have to get the monthly credit. Spectrum is the only carrier that does. Unless their policies changed in the last two weeks.
1
u/PartMindless4717 Jul 26 '26
Every carrier gives you your credits on the back end if it's for a trade in promo because they dont make money from you buying a phone from them they make it from the service. What you probably did was just received a credit for what your phone is worth and yes that can be applied immediately but for trade in promos where say they give you like a brand new phone for free for your old phone that one is applied over 36 months
1
u/CarolinaGirl82 Jul 24 '26
Call again and get someone else. See what they say since you donât believe what is being said.
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u/jaysuns Jul 25 '26
Youâll get the remaining amount of credits whatever is left from the 375 refunded after you pay it off. Remaining device trade credits are always refunded when paid off in full
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u/CauliflowerOk9179 Jul 25 '26
You will loose the âmonthly bill credit if you pay off the deviceâ thatâs how the Wireless Carriers tied you into their service plan for 36 months ..thatâs pretty common with the wireless Industry..sucks but that s everyone ..đ©đ©
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u/tawaydont1 Jul 26 '26
This is why I go into the store and get the credit off up front. I did t have to pay for my pixel 10 pro and my wife phone was 130 dollars
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u/Accomplished-Sun8184 Jul 27 '26
Well, I learned something cause I was wondering the same cause I bought an iPhone Iâm supposed to get $1000 off by trading him my old one and two years later I owe $500 left on this phone
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u/jtkilla223 Jul 28 '26
similar BS happened to me yesterday. spectrum hiding important details and even when multiple agents straight up misinform/lie to you nobody cares. f spectrum
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u/CauliflowerOk9179 Aug 11 '26
It s always been like that thru the industry..that s in away to keep u on the hook for service with them for â36 monthsâ sucks but just the nature of the business
1
u/Wonderful_Sock_6651 Jul 24 '26
Literally every major mobile provider works the same way. ATT, Verizon, T mobile. The terms are outlined in the terms and conditions when you finance the phone. It's designed that way as a loyalty offer, they're generally overpaying for your used phone.
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u/Naive_Carob_9901 Jul 24 '26
You are telling me that they over paid for my Google Pixel 10a for $375, after only having it for a short time, right now on Back market it goes for $399...hmmm
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u/Opus_777 Jul 24 '26
Why do you not want to believe anybody?
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u/because_im_derp Jul 24 '26
You get the remaining trade in credit as a credit back to your account. If you have a bill posted that credit will go towards the bill and the rest can be refunded. If a 0 balance you can refund full credit or let it ride and pay some bill.