Sonos is eliminating its controversial "Recycle Mode" that was part of the company's trade-up program that provides a discount of 30 percent on new devices, reports The Verge.

sonosplay5
Customers who wanted to take advantage of Sonos' recycling program to get a 30 percent discount on a new speaker were required to download software that rendered existing speakers inoperable within 21 days.

Basically, after a customer initiated the trade-up program and confirmed it in the Sonos app, Sonos would provide the 30 percent discount and start a 21-day countdown timer that then caused an older device to enter Recycle Mode. Recycle Mode erased all data, permanently deactivated the speaker, and prevented reactivation.

Sonos is still offering the 30 percent discount for customers who want to upgrade to a new speaker, but is no longer requiring existing speakers to be bricked to get the deal. Customers can now choose to keep their speakers, give their speakers to someone else, recycle it at a local facility, or send it to Sonos for recycling.

According to The Verge, Sonos removed Recycle Mode from its app last week and replaced it with new language instructing customers who want a discount to call customer service. Sonos plans to update its website and app with a new system for the trade-up process within the next few weeks.

Products eligible for Sonos' trade-up include the original Sonos Play:5, Zone Players, and Connect / Connect:Amp devices manufactured between 2011 and 2015. Sonos no longer plans to update these devices with new software starting in May 2020.

Tag: Sonos

Top Rated Comments

UltimateSyn Avatar
40 months ago
What a god awful policy to have ever implemented in the first place. I’d feel weird giving them kudos for this reversal.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amanpatel Avatar
40 months ago
Does this mean all the existing recycle mode products will come alive now?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
40 months ago

Much like Amzon Prime Xtreme - packages delivered directly to the landfill. Cut out the middle man. Get this thing over with...
Reminds me of my high security printer invention... comes out of the printer and goes straight into a paper shredder ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
glowplug Avatar
40 months ago
The damage to Sonos reputation is done, they overplayed their hand.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
40 months ago
Don't give Apple any ideas when iPhone are sealed in glass and can't be serviced.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
incoherent_1 Avatar
40 months ago
What a boneheaded policy. I love Sonos but this was such a terrible idea on so many levels.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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