Got screwed on a Samsung trade-in offer :-(

I bought a Samsung Watch 7 on Black Friday (decided to go with the Samsung watch over the pixel watch) as I am migrating my devices from Apple to Android. This is my very first Samsung product, believe it or not.

Since I had already changed my iphone to a pixel phone, I applied for a trade-in offer that estimated a $125 value for my iphone. I had an iPhone 11 that has always been kept in a case with a screen protector, never been dropped and has ZERO cosmetic damage.

I even shipped my iphone in its original box, in a bubble envelope to ensure that it would arrive in perfect condition.

Days later, I receive an "adjusted" offer from Samsung of $50 due to damage and scratches on the device. The attached photos they sent showed a device with deep scratches and chips that was unrecognizable to me. I am certain that the device was mishandled by the appraiser. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures or videos of the device before sending it. I know. Rookie mistake! It was an idiotic move and I couldn't believe I forgot to do it before shipping the device.

I later found old posts in this sub with others warning people of Samsung's mishandling of trade-in devices. I tried opening a ticket with Samsung, contacting customer care and escalating the issue, but always get the same response: "Either accept the lower offer and we'll charge you another $75, or request your phone back and we'll charge you the $125".

I am now in a lose-lose situation where I either accept a shitty offer where they gauge me of another $75 or I get a damaged/scratched phone back that was in perfect condition when I shipped AND still pay $125...

This was definitely eye opening for me. And despite being my first Samsung device, it'll probably be my last after this experience...