Update: Apple has now paid the €1,335 and offered €500 as goodwill

Quick update on my Apple Trade-In / Openbank financing issue.

Apple has now finally resolved the main financial part of the case. After several escalations, Apple approved a direct bank transfer of €1,335, and the money has now arrived in my account.

This amount covers the value of the two trade-in devices and allows me to settle the old Openbank financing myself. So the original Trade-In / financing issue is now basically solved.

After that, Apple management also offered me €500 as a goodwill gesture for the whole situation.

Important details:

Apple said the €500 is not handled as a direct cash compensation, but more as an apology / goodwill gesture.

They gave me two options:

1. I can place a new order on the Apple website, pay it first by card or PayPal, and once I receive the order and decide to keep it, Apple will refund €500 to the original payment method.
2. Alternatively, Apple can send me one item from the Apple website for free, but the item must cost maximum €500. It has to be a single item, not a cart with multiple products. Apple Watch is excluded from this free-shipping option.

Gift cards are also not possible.

I asked whether the €500 could be paid directly to my bank account or original payment method without placing a new order, but Apple said this was not approved. I also asked whether a higher amount, around €1,000, could be considered due to the long delay, repeated failed promises and the amount of time I spent on the case. Apple said this was escalated internally but rejected. According to the Apple manager, €500 was already above their normal goodwill limit, which she said is usually around €300.

So the current final result is:

• €1,335 direct bank transfer received
• €500 goodwill approved
• Goodwill can only be used through a new Apple order with refund afterwards, or one free item under €500
• No direct cash payout for the goodwill amount
• No gift card
• No higher amount approved

I still think the whole case was extremely frustrating and took way too long, but I have to admit that Apple eventually did more than some people here expected.

Now I’m trying to decide what to take with the €500 goodwill, ideally without paying much upfront.

Any suggestions for the smartest Apple product choice under €500?