Apple Trade In - I bought a new Mac and want to trade in my old one, but the store said I had to it online. Now what happens?

FWIW, I may have misspoken. According to Apple's site, trade-ins may be accepted at Apple Retail stores…

Apple Trade In - Apple

I would contact Apple…

https://getsupport.apple.com/

While you may have been misinformed by the Apple store employee, you must deal directly with apple to resolve your issue. We are not Apple. We are users, just like you are, so there is no way anyone here can resolve your problem. Sorry.

You were definitely misinformed by the Apple Store employee unless some stores have different procedures.

I traded in a 2014 Mac Mini at my local Apple Store and purchased a new iMac 2021. The store gave me the same trade in value estimate that I got online and applied the trade in value to my purchase.

keg55 wrote:

You were definitely misinformed by the Apple Store employee unless some stores have different procedures.

From the Apple Trade In link…

" In the Apple Store: Offer only available on presentation of a valid photo ID. Value of your current device may be applied toward purchase of a new Apple device. Offer may not be available in all stores. Some stores may have additional requirements."

As far as I know, you would have to return the one you bought at the store within 14 days, then order one online with the trade-in option.