Google Trade-In Process Raises Questions After Error Charges Journalist $600
A tech journalist recently received an unexpected email from Google after trading in his old Pixel 10 Pro for a new Pixel 11 Pro. The company informed him that the trade-in value of the old phone was lower than estimated, and as a result, would be returning the device to him and charging another $600 to his payment method.
The journalist pointed out that Google's assessment of the trade-in value matched the original estimate of $600, which seemed like an error. When he clicked on a 'View details' button in the email, it opened a page showing that the device's value matches the estimate and that he would keep the instant trade-in credit applied at checkout.
However, this contradicted the initial email stating that the trade-in value was lower than estimated. The journalist visited the Orders page on the Google Store website to investigate further and found that there were some discrepancies in the math, including an incorrect adjusted price for the new phone.
The journalist has requested a return of the new phone within 15 days of its arrival, as allowed by Google's policy. This incident raises questions about the accuracy and transparency of Google's trade-in process.