Amazon Trade In gives new purpose to old products, while promoting sustainable ecommerce.
Consumers resell products all the time, maybe to get something better or simply to make some money. It’s a great way to give old devices a new purpose.
But the process of finding a buyer takes time and, sometimes, you need an easier and faster way to approach it. This is where the Amazon Trade-In program comes in.
Today, we dive into Amazon Trade-in and review how it can benefit sellers by exchanging old devices for considerable benefits.
What is the Amazon Trade-In Program?
The Amazon Trade-In Program allows users to submit old electronic devices, which Amazon then refurbishes and resells.
This program is part of Amazon’s sustainability efforts. Like Amazon Renewed, Trade-In promotes an eco-friendly commerce landscape. At the same time, it also represents a more affordable way to access certain devices.
This program prioritizes Amazon devices, meaning that you can submit everything from Kindle readers and Fire tablets to Amazon echo speakers.
Amazon trade-in also accepts other products for limited time periods. For example, users can sometimes trade in wireless routers, video game consoles, and smartphones.
Product conditions can range between ‘non-functional’ and ‘good condition’. When users submit a product, Amazon evaluates the item’s condition.
The best products get the highest value trade-in. Plus, they are resold as used items in Amazon Warehouse Deals. Refurbished products may be listed on Amazon Renewed.
Some products may not be eligible for resale. In such cases, Amazon can help customers recycle the device via Amazon Recycling.
Where is Amazon Trade-In Available?
The program is currently available to users who have a US return address. All it takes is to pack and ship eligible devices for evaluation. Customers can register a device online, and then go to an authorized location to submit the product. We discuss the complete trade-in process below.
Amazon also offers several Trade-in locations across the US. Customers can deliver up to 5 devices at locations like Whole Foods stores and Amazon Lockers.
Users can also submit items at uBreakiFix, and Asurion Tech Repair and Solutions for evaluation. Click here to review the full list of Trade-In locations.
Product Criteria
Amazon Trade-In reviews each item to rate its working condition and makes sure that it falls into specific standards.
For example, the criteria for electronics include:
- You must own the device that you trade in.
- The device should match the applicable title, version, size, and color.
- The product should power on and hold a charge.
- Present no breaks, cracks, or dents, beyond normal wear and tear.
And these are the points to cover if you are trading video games:
- Submit the video game title or the console platform.
- Inform if you’ll trade in a special edition product.
- The device shows no major damage or cracks.
- The device should include all accessories, like cables and controllers.
Review the program’s terms and conditions to learn more about its guidelines.
How does Amazon Trade-In Work?
Now that we have the overview, let’s learn how to use Amazon Trade-In. You can also take an in-depth look at the process here.
Submit a Trade-In Order
Log in to Amazon Trade-In and check if your product is eligible for the program. You can review the eligible categories here.
Then, select the product you wish to trade, and answer a few questions. For example:
- Item’s condition, based on the Amazon Trade-In program criteria.
- What to do if a product is in a lower condition than expected.
Note that trade-in orders have an $1800 limit. So, to trade in items over a $1800 value, customers must make multiple orders.
Reset your trade-in product
Users must deregister or unlock devices before trade-in. You can learn how to do so here.
Amazon also recommends performing a factory reset. This will ensure that you delete any personal content from the device.
Prepare and Ship the Device
Once you register a Trade-In, Amazon will provide you with a shipping label to pack and ship your product.
You’ll also receive a packing slip to include inside the shipping box. Also, don’t forget to include a return label. This will help Amazon return the product, in case it’s deemed ineligible.
Customers have 45 days to ship a Trade-In or to deliver it to an approved location. You can send the package to Amazon via UPS, or drop it off at the location personally.
There’s no charge for sending trade-in products to Amazon. All it takes is to print the free shipping label to send the items to Amazon, at no cost to the user. There’s also no shipping cost for returned items.
Check your product status
It may take as long as 10 days for Amazon to receive your trade-ins. The marketplace will notify you via mail when they receive and rate your products. You can also check the status of your order at any time in your Amazon Trade-In Account.
Once the product is accepted, Amazon will deposit the trade-in value to your account. You can review the amount in your gift card balance.
Amazon Trade-In Cancellations
You can’t really change a trade-in once it’s in process. That said, you can choose to cancel it, or to resubmit a new trade-in.
To do so, log in to your Amazon account. Then, find the item that you wish to cancel, and click on Cancel Order below its corresponding Trade-In number.
Why Use the Trade-In Program?
The Amazon Trade-In program offers several benefits for sellers looking to trade in their old electronic devices:
- Convenience. You can easily trade in old devices without the hassle of finding buyers or dealing with listing and shipping.
- Earn Amazon Gift Cards. Sellers receive Amazon Gift Cards in exchange for their trade-in products. These gift cards can be used to purchase a wide range of items available on Amazon, providing flexibility and convenience.
- Promotes Sustainability. By participating in the trade-in program, you will give old devices a new life instead of letting them end up in landfills.
- Incentives for Amazon Devices. You can receive additional incentives, such as a 25% discount when purchasing new Amazon devices after trading in any old products. This encourages sellers to upgrade to newer models while also benefiting from the trade-in program.
- No Listing Fees or Shipping Costs. Unlike traditional selling methods, Amazon Trade-In program does not require sellers to pay listing fees or cover shipping costs. This makes it a cost-effective option for sellers looking to dispose of their old devices.
Final Thoughts
Amazon is clearly changing the dynamic of the second-hand market. We’ve already seen it with Amazon Renewed and Warehouse Deals, which focuses on reselling returned items.
The Amazon trade-in program follows this sustainable approach, making sure that users have a chance to keep their devices in the market, while also getting some benefits in return.
It’s a chance to help reduce electronic waste. Plus, it’s also a unique source of income for sellers, and a new shopping channel for users.
Authors
Antonella Fleitas is a freelance content writer from Argentina. Antonella worked with many projects to create fact-based, evergreen content about science, language learning, and culture. Her main goal is to build a strong content foundation for her clients, based on meaningful stories that people can learn from.
Esteban Muñoz is a content writer with several years’ experience in digital marketing and eCommerce. He’s been able to achieve incredible growth for his associates by optimizing and managing their accounts, and creating in-depth content marketing strategies.
