Do you have unused gadgets cluttering up your closets and junk drawers? Redeem them for Amazon gift cards. Offload old game consoles, smartphones, and more through Amazon’s trade-in program. Amazon Trade-In is far from making money, but it’s an easy way to get rid of unwanted devices.
About the Amazon Trade-in Program
Amazon Trade-In is a program that allows you to “sell” unused devices to Amazon. In exchange for your device, you’ll receive an Amazon gift card or a discount on another purchase, depending on your device.
It is important to note immediately that Amazon does not accept all Gadget. The categories of devices currently eligible for trade-in are:
- Kindle e-reader
- tablet
- streaming media player
- Echo, Bluetooth speakers, headphones
- home security devices
- wireless router
- Phone (Apple, Google, Samsung, LG, Motorola)
- Gaming (Consoles, Games, and Accessories)
Trading items is a relatively straightforward process. Simply select your product from the website options, complete a short survey, and Amazon will send a return shipping label to your email address (yes, Amazon covers the shipping costs). It is then packed and sent to Amazon via UPS.
Amazon then recycles or resells the traded-in device to “breathe new life into the device.” This is why it is important to prepare your technology for sale. More on this later.
Amazon Trade-in Program Pros and Cons
The main advantage of Amazon’s trade-in program is its simplicity. In just a few clicks, you can initiate a trade-in and receive your shipping label.
Payment seems to be fast. According to Amazon, once your item has been received and evaluated, you will receive an email notification within two days indicating whether your item has been approved or rejected. Some items are also eligible for immediate payment. This means that you will receive your Amazon gift card immediately after submitting your trade-in.
warning: If you accept immediate payment but the item is rejected for any reason, Amazon may reverse the payment or charge your account. We recommend waiting until your device is approved before using the gift card.
Of course, the trade-in and payment process can be greatly influenced by factors such as delivery time. If time is of the essence, you may want to consider finding a physical trade-in location to bring your device in.
The trade-in and payment process is relatively straightforward, but Amazon doesn’t accept all devices. Additionally, when it comes to payments, Amazon Trade-In isn’t always profitable.
For example, the Nintendo Switch currently costs about $299.99. However, a non-defective Nintendo Switch with original accessories has a trade-in value of $75. For newer tech like the Switch, you might be better off looking for another trade-in program or selling the gadget yourself.
Here’s the gist: If you’re looking to offload a device that’s been collecting dust for a while quickly and easily, Amazon Trade-In might be a solid choice.
How to trade in your device
As mentioned above, it’s very easy to trade in your device through Amazon’s trade-in program. First, go to the Amazon Trade-In website.
Once there, you will see different categories to choose from. You need to select the category that your device belongs to and start searching.
For this example, let’s replace the Roku streaming stick.From category options[ストリーミング メディア プレーヤー]Choose.
In the window that appears, search for “Roku streaming stick 4K” and press “Enter”.
Then find the device you want to trade in and tick the box to the left of the device. next,[続行]Click.
Next, Amazon will ask you some questions about the device. Click the box to answer yes or no. next,[続行]Click.
On the next screen, you will see the offer details from Amazon. In this case, Amazon offers a 20% off bonus for new Fire TV devices and gift cards.
to accept[下取りを送信]Click to finish the process.
After submitting the transaction, you will need to confirm the shipping label by email. Once received, place the item and its accessories (if applicable) into a box or envelope and add a shipping label. The item can then be brought to a UPS facility or pickup location for shipment.
You can now track trade-ins from your trade-in account. Be sure to also review the Amazon Trade-In Terms & Conditions before proceeding.
Amazon Trade-in Program Alternatives
In some cases, you may be able to purchase more of your device by checking out other trade-in programs such as:
- Apple trade-in: Apple’s trade-in program is exclusive to Apple devices and provides credit for future purchases and Apple gift cards for eligible devices.
- Best Buy trade-in: Best Buy’s trade-in program covers a wide range of devices, from iPhones to DSLR cameras.
- GameStop trade-in: GameStop’s trade-in program isn’t just for games and consoles. Alternatively, GameStop also accepts various smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
Or sell the gadget yourself
If you want to get the highest price on your gadget, try selling it on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. There are also various apps you can try to sell second-hand goods, such as Decluttr, which is great for tech products.
If you decide to sell the item yourself, beware of scams.And remember to follow the steps below to protect your information.
Do these things before offloading your device
Before you trade in or sell your device, there are a few things you should do first. Otherwise, important data may end up in the hands of others.
Related: How to prepare your computer, tablet, or phone before sale
Make sure you never lose anything by backing up your personal data on any device. After the backup, the device should be completely wiped and reset to factory defaults.
This process varies by device and platform. Be sure to review the wipe and reset instructions for devices you plan to trade in.
Related: How to factory reset an iPhone or iPad
