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The best way to sell used electronics in a store
Best Buy Trade-In Program
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Whether you have a drawer full of old tech collecting dust or you just don’t know what to do with your vintage gadgets, you might be able to make some extra cash by selling those old Apple products, fitness trackers, gaming consoles, and more. There are plenty of online marketplaces that will pay you for your old electronics. To help you choose the best service for your needs, we’ve put together this list of the best places to sell electronics.
CNET is full of tech-obsessed folks who are constantly buying new gadgets, and many of us trade or sell our used personal items to keep that habit going. We’ve learned a thing or two about selling old devices along the way. Here are the best places to sell used electronics, from trade-in programs to online marketplaces.
What is the best place to sell used electronics?
When it comes to value, ease of use, and knowing you’re protected from scams, we’ve found Swappa to be one of the best options. There are some great options out there if you just want to box your phone or tablet and get paid a few days later, but if your goal is to make as much money as possible and do it quickly, this is the ideal option. Swappa lets you list your tech for a price you think is fair, and the company helps you make that decision by giving you an inside look at what other versions of your products are currently selling for.
When you sell on Swappa, you are selling directly to another person. If someone is interested in making a purchase but would like additional photos or details, they can request them directly from you. When it comes time to make that purchase, Swappa will make sure you get paid quickly and the buyer is assured that you will ship the product quickly. Everyone wins, and Swappa staff is involved throughout the process to prevent scams.
Best Places to Sell Used Electronics for 2024
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While many of the other services on this list send your hardware to them for evaluation and payment, Swappa is a direct-to-consumer service. You list the hardware you want to sell with photos and the price you want to start at, and once the listing is approved by staff, you’ll be listed for any buyer who wants to make a purchase. If you’re the one buying, Swappa will be sure to enforce timelines for shipping and payment so everyone is treated fairly.
While this method requires a little more work on the seller’s part, the end result is often a much higher payout and the Swappa team protects both parties to the transaction from shady practices.
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If you’ve never used Decluttr before, you’re in for a treat. This is one of the fastest bidding services that you can use to sell a ton of different types of tech. Simply fill out the form with your details and you’ll see a bid for your gadget within seconds. As long as it’s a bid you like, you’ll be given the option to complete the sale and start the shipping process. Payments are processed quickly, which is why this company has one of the highest TrustPilot ratings you’ll find.
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Amazon’s trade-in program works much like the store. You simply search for an electronic item, enter all the necessary information (storage, screen size, etc.), and then select the condition of the device. Amazon will then make an offer for your electronic gadget, and if you accept, you’ll receive a free shipping label for the item.
The number of items Amazon accepts spans a wide spectrum, including video doorbells, wireless routers, and other home security equipment.
Once you ship the item, Amazon will inspect it to make sure it matches your original description. If everything is correct, your Amazon account will be credited with an Amazon eGift card for the amount you bid. If the item is in better condition than you described, Amazon customer service promises to pay you more.
If you prefer to trade in a device in person, Amazon has a list of locations where you can take Amazon devices and select phones. Amazon states that even non-working devices can be accepted.
The downside? Your money is sent exclusively to your Amazon account.
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Unlike previous online electronics sales services, the ItsWorthMore program pays you via PayPal, Zelle, or an old-fashioned paper check.
The process for selling electronic goods involves answering a few questions about the old cell phone, tablet, Apple Watch (or other Apple device), or computer you’re selling. ItsWorthMore will then make you an offer and, if you accept, you’ll receive a pre-paid shipping label. During the checkout process, you can select how you’d like to receive your payment. You also have the option to pay $15 for two-day shipping and a 24-hour turnaround time. Otherwise, standard shipping and a 72-hour turnaround time. Processing can take up to five business days.
When your device is received, ItsWorthMore will verify that the stated working condition is correct; that is, whether it is in good condition, fair, broken, etc. If there is a discrepancy, you will be given the opportunity to request the device back or accept the revised offer.
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Getting a quote from Best Buy is as easy as choosing a product category, manufacturer, model, and condition. Once you fill out the questionnaire, the tool will price the unwanted device and give you an instant quote. The amount offered, if accepted, will only be credited to a Best Buy gift card.
Company lists only a handful of stores who do not participate in the trade-in program.
Best Buy’s payment processing time is slower than other services, but the company accepts a wider variety of gadgets, matching almost every type of electronic device it sells. This includes various laptop options, smartphone options, wearables, digital camera options, and video game consoles. For example, you can trade in your gaming system, video games, and an iPhone or iPad at the same time.
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BuyBackWorld buys a wide range of products including phones, tablets, iPods, cameras, game consoles, computers, headphones, drones and more. You can even buy a tailor-made offer for products not listed on the site.
After you receive a quote and select how you would like to be paid, you will send your item(s) to BuyBackWorld. Once they receive your shipment, they will inspect your items and you will be paid. If the quote is adjusted after inspection, you will have the option to accept the new offer or have your device shipped back to you.
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Apple’s trade-in program accepts devices from a wide variety of companies, not just Apple itself. Currently, Apple accepts your laptop, smartphone, tablet, watch, and “other” devices and old gear. If the company doesn’t have a trade-in offer for your device, such as iPods or AirPods, Apple will recycle it for free.
Apple says it takes two to three weeks to complete the online trade-in process. If you choose to place your order for a new device now, the company will credit your payment method with the trade-in value once it’s processed. Alternatively, if there are Apple Stores open in your area, you can visit the store and receive a credit for your trade-in right away. It’s especially helpful with the launch of the iPhone 14.
It makes sense to use Apple’s trade-in service if you’re planning on buying a new iPhone or Mac anyway. It’s not a worthwhile option for someone who wants to buy, say, the latest Samsung Galaxy phone.
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BackMarket makes it incredibly easy to trade in your old gear for cash in your account, fast. The company accepts phones, tablets, game consoles, and even headphones with payouts up to $815 depending on the product and its condition. Getting started is quick and easy, all you have to do is answer a few questions and then you’ll see the offer. If you accept, you ship in your device (which is free) and once it’s inspected, they’ll send you the money.
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Know the value: Virtually every service will tell you the value of your tech before you actually put it on the market by asking a series of questions about the current state of your phone. By using one of these services, you’ll know what to expect before you make any decisions.
Check multiple services: Each service offers a different price for almost everything, and while the difference is usually only a few dollars in either direction, you will occasionally find significantly better deals depending on the time of year. For example, if you’re selling a phone, its value is usually highest right before a new phone comes out.
Beware of scams: If you use a service that allows you to talk directly to a person who may be buying something, it’s important to keep that conversation on the service you’re using. Don’t start separate conversations, especially if that person promises to pay you more or help you avoid seller fees.
Be honest: If your tech has any scratches or damage, make sure you claim the damage. If you don’t, you won’t get the promised amount and in some cases it can result in you being banned from selling other tech in the future.
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