Do you have some old electronic devices that you need to get rid of and you need some extra cash? Then the Amazon Trade-In scheme might be a good solution. But how does it work and do you really get value for money for your old devices? Take a look at why I’m not convinced by Amazon’s latest scheme.
I am a big fan of Amazon. And this makes me feel a little guilty as there are stories going around about how much tax it actually pays to the UK government. But the truth is, it sells almost anything you need. And generally offer very competitive prices. I’m an Amazon Prime member, Music Unlimited subscriber, and I often use their Subscribe and Save service. So I was happy to see that they had introduced a new scheme that allowed me to get rid of my old stuff in return for Amazon credit. Hello Amazon Trade-In.
What is Amazon Trade-In?
It’s a scheme that allows you to send Amazon some of your old electronics in exchange for credit to your Amazon account. It also gives you up to a 25% discount on certain Amazon-branded items like the current Kindle E-Reader.
Which products can you trade?
Eligible items include:
- Amazon Kindle 3rd edition onwards
- Kindle Fire 2nd edition onwards (includes kids editions)
- Fire TV stick
- Amazon Echo 1st edition onwards
- Echo Dot 2nd edition onwards
- Echo Spot
- Echo Plus
- Echo Show
- Blink Security Camera
- Ring Video Door Bell
- Ring Alarm
- Smartphones (select models) from Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Google
- Video game consoles (select models) from Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo (console only, not video games)
What kind of condition do the items need to be in?
There are different criteria for different items. But generally, all items should power up and operate as normal and not have any major cracks or dents. For smartphones, the site states ‘It mustn’t have any breaks, dents, cracks, missing buttons, or other defects beyond normal wear and tear, and mustn’t have any water damage, corrosion, or significant wear marks‘. Obviously, what one person classes as normal wear and tear differs from another.
How does it work?
- Just type ‘trade in’ into the search bar on the Amazon website and select the top result
- Choose the eligible device you want to send in
- Answer the question with regards to the condition
- Select whether you will accept an adjusted valuation. That means if Amazon doesn’t think your item is in good condition, it will automatically give you a lower price. If you don’t accept this, Amazon will return your item for free.
- Print off the prepaid shipping label and send your item within 3 weeks.
- Make sure that your device has been wiped so it no longer contains personal information and passwords. The best way to do this is to return it to its factory settings.
How do you send your Trade-In items?
Sending your item is free but needs to be done from a UPS store or drop-off point. You can find the closest point to you by following this link. Once sent, you can track the item through your Amazon account.
When do you get paid?
An important question! After sending your item, it can take up to 10 business days for Amazon to receive your item. Once it’s with them, it can take another 2 days for them to assess its value and to send your payment. You will receive an email letting you know.
The status of your trade can be checked from your account.
As I mentioned above, if you decide to purchase Amazon-branded items such as Echo devices and Kindle, you’ll receive a discount on top of the credit you receive. That means your credit goes further.
When you’re on the product page, on the right-hand side, there will be a box to select which tells you that you can save with Amazon Trade-In.
Is Amazon Trade-In worth using?
If you’re upgrading an Amazon item, then Trade-In might be worth doing. You’ll get a discount on your new device and credit for your old one. Although I do find that you can often get a better price through Prime Day deals if you’re willing to wait.
But do you actually get good value for money for non-Amazon products? I priced up three items to see how they compare.
| iPhone X 64GB | Sony Playstation 4 Pro 1 TB | Microsoft Xbox One X | |
| Amazon | £124.35 | £92 | £65 |
| MusicMagpie | £327 | £140 | £135 |
| eBay* | £325 | £165 | £165 |
As you can see, prices from Amazon Trade-In are much lower than you will get elsewhere. But you need to consider a couple of points. Selling on eBay comes with fees (in the region of 12%), plus it’s not always the easiest of processes. And with MusicMagpie, the money they initially offer you isn’t always the same by the time they have finished their valuation… even if you’re honest about the item’s condition.
But even with those downsides, both sites still offer you far more than Amazon. Plus, you’ll earn cash rather than just Amazon store credit.
So, if you have a load of old iPhones or a pile of unused electronics lying around the house, Amazon would probably be one of the last places you should consider. Yes, getting money back for your consumer electronics is easy, but it’s certainly not the best way.
Click on the button below to visit the Amazon Trade-In site.
If you really fancy building up some credit in your Amazon account, take a look at my post on how to get free Amazon gift cards.