How to turn your old devices into Amazon gift cards
The holiday shopping season is upon us, which means stocking up on new electronics just got that much more irresistible. But for every new piece of tech you buy, another is left to gather dust, be abandoned, and be forgotten. This can already be the case if you have older phones, tablets and other devices buried in a drawer or packed in the basement.
Unless you’re keeping them as mementos — or in hopes that something will increase in external value — you’re better off trading in the electronics for recycling and making some money in return. Allow me to introduce you to Amazon’s trade-in program.
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How to take advantage of Amazon’s trade-in program
Amazon’s Trade-In Program is a quick and easy service that converts unwanted technology into Amazon gift cards and/or rebates. It’s also a satisfying way to recycle old electronics for free.
I will preface this by saying that there are many other trade-in services. Many of them are likely to generate higher returns and accept a greater variety of products and brands. The benefit of using the Amazon program is the hassle-free shipping process, in-store discounts, and e-gift cards processed right in your account.
If that sounds good to you, here is a step-by-step guide of the service.
You want to start with that Amazon’s trade-in portal. You can either choose from a number of Amazon-owned product categories like Kindles, tablets, streaming media players, and Echo speakers, or browse the “Other trade-in categories” section, which includes mobile phones and games.
When you open a category tab, you will see a manual search bar and a list of products currently registered to your Amazon account. Select the items you would like to trade in.
The potential trade-in value (and discount) is listed next to each product name and model.
Once you have selected your item(s) to trade in, a qualifying questionnaire will appear for you to complete.
Questions revolve around the condition and status of your traded-in items, including whether they are cracked or damaged, whether they can be charged, and more depending on the type of electronics. Your answers will be evaluated during the inspection process, so you should be as honest and accurate as possible.
If an inaccuracy is found, you may choose to accept a lower estimated trade-in value for the electronic device or have Amazon ship it back to your shipping address. The latter isn’t typically offered with trade-in programs, so it’s good to see.
After completing the questionnaire, you will receive a UPS shipping label to pack and ship your items. The prepaid label is free – at least for you – and you have 45 days to ship the package to Amazon. Make sure you use the label provided and not your own as the tracking information is for your specific trade-in.
Tip: If you are shipping a smartphone, tablet or device that contains personal information, make sure it has been factory reset and erased before shipping it. Also note and photograph the condition of the electronics. This helps in the event of shipping damage and/or Amazon claiming what you described was inaccurate.
Likewise: Are you trading in your old cell phone? Here’s how to factory reset it
According to Amazon, once the package has been shipped and received, it takes a maximum of 10 days to evaluate the items and process the trade-in offer – whether it’s in the form of an Amazon gift card and/or a discount on selected products. If there are any problems, you can visit them Trade-In Page for more information or contact an online representative for assistance.
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FAQ
How long will it take to receive my trade-in credit?
According to Amazon’s trade-in program website, you should receive your trade-in credit within 10 days of your items arriving at the sorting facility.
What condition do my items need to be in?
Amazon’s trade-in program accepts items ranging from non-functional to in good condition. Depending on how damaged or flawless the electronics are, you will receive less or more credit for them.
How long do I have to ship my device?
You have 45 days after providing the prepaid shipping label to ship your device(s). The best way is to drop off the shipment at a local UPS store and ask for a drop-off receipt to confirm delivery.