Sony Vaio Laptop Trade-in and Recycling Program (double the trade-in value)

i just called the stony store to verify. They are giving the double credit for the purchase of a windows 8 new laptop. I specifically asked if i could trade in multiple laptops on the purchase of one laptop and they said yes. They have there touch screen desktops with an i7 for 1,300-1,400... I have 3 core duo laptops that work 2-4 years old.... If i can get 700-900 for the three laptops.... i will only be out of pocket about 500-700 dollars... I could also get a decent laptop for free

Here is my experience...in Edison, NJ...

I had 5 years old HP DV2500 Core 2 Duo, having Negligible physical damage, with Charger, without Recovery Disc, and Fully Operational Laptop...went to Sony store of Menlo Park mall...was evaluated for $242....Customer Rep asked if he wants to order anything, to which I said -- No, I wish to order from Outlet...I received Sony Gift-card that can only be used towards another laptop purchase without any restrictions from where & when...

In short...in-store quick & easy trade-in...online lengthy & blind from you...

Cheers,
~nV!

The gift-card doesn't have expiration date, and contrary to what customer rep said in the store, this gift-card can also be used to purchase any goods/services from any Sony store, as mentioned on the back of gift-card....

Cheers,
~nV!

Summary of store attitudes in Bay Area:
Sony Outlet in Gilroy CA: They don't do trade-in assessments. But they do sell refurb Vaios there at great discounted prices. And they said I'd have "no problem going to Stanford or Santa Clara to get a gift card for my used laptops under this promotion."

Sony Store at Santa Clara at Valley Fair: No problem. Bring your laptops in, we'll value them. Buy a Windows 8 computer here or online at Sony Outlet or Gilroy Outlet. Ye, very customer service friendly and out to make money for Sony.

Sony Store at Stanford Shopping Center (Palo Alto, CA): Called twice to confirm their policy about taking my laptops down there to be valued for the double credit. The two people (supervisor [female] and senior customer service guy [male]) who answered the phone was insistent that no gift cards would be given for this promotion's credits. So I would NOT be able to go and buy a vaio laptop online, outlet online, or at Gilroy at the outlet store. Double rebate is ONLY good for in-store purchases of a PC. I even told him I thought he was mistaken based on responses in a forum from other stores such as Vegas, etc. He said perhaps his manager who returns on Friday would have the authority to give single credit for sony outlet online.

I hope this helps people somehow. Perhaps avoid the Stanford store? Go to every other Sony store and entity EXCEPT stanford.

So I ended up going to the Stanford store. The Sony 800 number people assured me that if I had any problems with Stanford being resistant about me getting a trade-in to buy things online (instead of just at the store), I could call the 800 number while at the store, and they would pull rank.

I turned in my laptop. Because it was a MSI (or Other on the trade in website), instead of getting $170, I got $307 in person. The salesperson there was nice enough and gave me my voucher paperwork, but neglected to give me my gift card. That's what you need to buy online or at any other store. The papers are only for the recycling part.

Next morning, back home, as I'm trying to complete my order online, I'm trying to use the paper voucher number to complete my beautifully set up purchase. The phone people ask, "where's your gift card? the store is supposed to give you one of those." The Stanford store was either forgetful or just manipulative/controlling. The Stanford store insisted I drive down 40 miles again to pick up the card in person and complete the online purchase in their store. That just seems heavy handed to complete online purchase. The Sony 800 number people called the store and told them they are being ridiculous and need to release the gift card to me over the phone--esp as it was their error in not giving it to me while I was in the store. Nightmare. Supposedly someone will call me later today from the store to fix things. Ugh. I just want to buy my sony product.

And to add on top of that the vaio outlet 50% code is temporarily disabled while I'm trying to work around the Stanford store's greed... I know I'm whining.

But lessons:
* Sometimes going in person can result in more trade in--esp for a computer not listed on the rebate website
* Recovery discs are worth it to burn (they never even verified my recovery discs) and turn in
* Make sure you get the gift cards, not just the paper vouchers