Samsung USA has just started another trade-in offer for their buyers, while they are purchasing all new Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ smartphones. Now, the “Buy One, Get One Free” offer is going on only in the USA via the official online stores of Samsung, and you will not be able to pick any device with BOGO offer from any other online/offline stores rather than official online Samsung stores like Samsung.com and the Shop Samsung App.
The offer is currently live yet; the Samsung is putting forward certain eligibility criteria to be met by customers in order make a BOGO purchase. First of all, buyers must have to buy the smartphone from either Samsung.com or Shop Samsung App on Android. After buying the first smartphone by paying full cost (Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+), you can enter the trade-in offer to receive the second device. Samsung has listed out the eligible smartphones for trade-in (Galaxy Note5, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, S7, S7 edge, iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7 or 7 Plus devices only). The trade-in smartphones must be working fine, removed all extra security features, Factory Reset and must not have any cracks or defects apart from normal tears and wears. If you are buying a Galaxy S8, the second device must be a Galaxy S8 else you will have to pay extra $100 to get Galaxy S8+, plus taxes and shipping charges. Samsung will charge the full amount of second free device if the trade-in smartphone does not meet the eligibility requirements.
The offer has just from July 14th onwards, and you can go for the offer if you have an eligible device and willing to get two S8 devices.
Beware that Samsung has a history of not honoring trade-in deals, including the $200 off deal just before this one (Google it). You have no recourse and they keep your phone. This case would be much worse than the $200 off offer as they can bill you an extra $700 or $800 for the second phone plus keep the phone you could have Ebayed for $200. They third party out the acceptance process so there is a huge incentive and little accountability for claiming your phone ineligible.
Thanks for sharing your experience. As we are not basically from US, we are literally unaware about the real phase of trade-ins done by Samsung and other OEMs. At a glance, it is clear that there is a big chance that buyers can get fooled by the company, if they say the device is ineligible. Just like you mentioned, loot the customer’s device, plus extra 800 bucks.