How Does Amazon Trade-In Work: A Definitive Guide on Amazon Trade-in Program

Do you have an old phone or a gaming console lying around that you don’t use anymore, or a Kindle e-reader that you have gotten over?

We all have such gadgets and accessories that only occupy crucial home spaces without providing any value anymore. 

What if you could get rid of those items while getting something in exchange that you can use to buy new stuff?

Amazon Trade-In is one program that lets you simultaneously de-clutter your house and earn credits on the platform that you can use for shopping. 

So, what exactly is Amazon Trade-In? How does it work? What items can you “trade-in”? 

This blog will answer all these questions and shed light on all the relevant details and queries related to Amazon Trade-In.

Without any further delay, let’s start our discussion!

What Is the Amazon Trade-In Program?

The Amazon Trade-In program is essentially an exchange program where you give your old electronics and get Amazon gift cards in return. These gift cards are equivalent to the price that Amazon agrees to get your item on. 

Using Amazon Trade-In is quite simple since you don’t need to go through any tiring process. You pick the device category, the particular model and make you want to trade in, answer some questions regarding the device's condition, accept Amazon’s offer, and then ship the item to Amazon for free.  

Once your trade-in item is accepted, your account gets credited with the equivalent gift card. In some cases, you also get a bonus in terms of a promo discount on buying a new Amazon device.

The Amazon Trade-In program follows the below scheme.

Pick the Trade-In Item→ Describe Its Condition→ Accept the Offer→ Ship the Item→ Get Gift Card of Equivalent Value

What Items Can You Trade-In on Amazon?

It is important to make it clear that the program doesn’t cover all the product categories and niches like a conventional Amazon marketplace. Instead, this program primarily revolves around the “electronics” and the related accessories and items. 

Here is the list of device categories you can trade in on the platform.

• Tablets
• Laptops
• Streaming media players
• Speakers, headphones
• Home security devices 
• Cameras
• Routers
• Cell phones
• Gaming consoles 
• Individual games
• CDs and DVDs
• Kindle e-readers 

Besides the categories mentioned above, there are hundreds of other electronics items that are up for the trade-in. You can search if a particular electronic product is eligible for the trade-in by looking up its full name on the search bar present on the Amazon Trade-In page. 

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As you can see, this exchange program is not just confined to Amazon devices. From Apple to Samsung and Microsoft to Sony, you can trade in devices and accessories across all the big brands dealing in electronics.

In-Person Trade-In

Amazon offers a trade-in facility at some of its physical locations as well. You can check those specialty retail locations here. First, you will submit your trade-in offer online, and then you can bring your item to the nearest Amazon store. After the confirmation of the trade-in and inspection of the device, you will be credited with the gift card. With some devices, you may also get up to a 25% discount if you upgrade to a new Amazon device then and there. 

Amazon Trade-In Terms and Conditions: How Trade-In Works

Like buying or selling on Amazon, trade-in on the platform also works without much hassle. Nonetheless, there are some terms and conditions that you need to be aware of for exchanging your used/redundant devices with gift cards on the platform.

• The trade-in program is only offered in the US. So, you can only send your device for trade-in if your Amazon account is registered with a US street address. 
• You need to unlock and deregister your device before sending it for the trade-in. Amazon may not recognize a device and approve your credit if they receive a locked or registered device. The platform has also provided instructions on unlocking and deregistering a device.
• The gift cards are deposited directly into your Amazon account. You can only use those gift cards from the same account.
• You can also get a promotional discount on a new Amazon device for some trade-in submissions as a limited-time offer. These new devices can be Fire TV devices, tablets, Kindle e-readers, and other accessories from Amazon subsidiaries. 
• You must ship the item within 45 days after the initiation of the trade-in.
• Amazon can delay the payment of a trade-in for up to 25 days after receiving the item and approving its value.
• Amazon has the sole discretion to cancel any trade-in. However, if you have already shipped the canceled trade-in item, Amazon will send it back to you at its own cost. 
• Amazon also has the sole discretion to terminate any customer's participation in the trade-in program without any prior notice. The termination primarily comes into play when trade-in involves stolen or counterfeit items.

Besides these general terms and conditions, you also need to know how the Trade-in program will work in specific scenarios. 

Trade-In Value Can Differ

Amazon shows the Trade-In Value (TIV) of the given item when you initiate the trade-in online. However, the platform only confirms that TIV once the item is received and inspected. Moreover, you may see inaccurate TIVS with some products in the trade-in catalog. If there is a disparity between the correct and stated TIV, Amazon may contact you and tell you about it. It is then your discretion to proceed with the trade-in at the correct TIV or cancel it. If a trade-in is canceled due to an incorrect TIV, Amazon will return you the item without charging anything. 

Amazon Can “Reject” a Trade-In Item

Amazon can reject a trade-in item for various reasons. Here’s the list of all the conditions where Amazon can classify a trade-in product as a “rejected item” and proceed accordingly.

• An item that fails to fulfill the given product condition criteria upon inspection.
• An item that is a copy/replica of an original.
• An item that is not part of the trade-in program. Amazon calls such rejected items "extra."
• An item that is in much worse condition than the stated condition at the time of trade-in. Amazon calls such rejected items "damaged."
• An item that has some missing components. Amazon calls such rejected items "incomplete."

Unlike canceled trade-in items, Amazon doesn’t ship the rejected items back to customers. The platform has the sole discretion to dispose of or return the "rejected items."

Amazon Can Downgrade the Status of Your Trade-In Item

Suppose you submit an item with a particular condition. Then, Amazon inspects it upon delivery and grades it at a lower acceptable condition. Your submitted product will be classified as a “downgraded item” if this happens. Downgraded products remain eligible for the trade-in but at lower TIVs. 

Amazon will offer you the revised TIV. You can accept the new price to finalize the trade-in or ask Amazon to send the item back to you. Amazon will send it back.

You Can Also Opt for Instant Payments for Your Trade-Ins

Usually, Amazon credits your account with gift cards once it receives the item and ensures it fulfills the relevant product condition criteria. However, Amazon also offers an instant payment option to customers. Instant payment allows you to get your gift card right when you start the trade-in. 

It is worth mentioning that not every customer automatically becomes eligible for instant payment. You can only opt for instant payment if:

• You have a valid credit card linked to your Amazon account
• You have a payment history on the platform
• You have earlier successful trade-ins
• You have purchased products from Amazon marketplaces 

At the onset, instant payment seems like a good deal for trade-ins. However, you need to exercise caution while using it. Remember that you will be charged for whatever you will be credited for instant payment if:

• Amazon rejects your item
• Amazon downgrades your submitted item
• You cancel the trade

Also, carefully go through all its detailed terms and conditions before choosing the instant payment.

How to Submit an Item in Amazon Trade-In?

The submission of a trade-in item on Amazon is as easy as it gets. Here, we will walk you through the steps you need to take for starting and completing the trade-in. Open the Amazon Trade-In page and sign in with your Amazon account (it can either be a seller or buyer account).

• Select the device category you want to trade in.

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• Select the brand and exact device model you want to trade in.

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• Answer the questions that describe the condition of the device.

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• Once you answer those questions, Amazon will provide you with an estimated Trade-In Value (TIV). Then Amazon will ask you if you want to proceed with the trade-in even if there is value adjustment (downgrading) later on or should Amazon return the item to you for free. Select either of the options and proceed to review the trade-in order.

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• After verifying the information (item details, return address, etc), click on the yellow Submit Trade-In button. 

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Amazon will provide you with a UPS label that you need to print and affix on your packed item for free shipping. Once your trade-in item is ready for shipment, bring it to your nearest UPS drop-off point. With that, your side of the trade-in task is done. Now, wait for Amazon’s approval on the suggested TIV and its reimbursement in your account as a gift card. 

3 Tips to Make Your Amazon Trade-Ins Worthwhile

Amazon trade-ins might not always be gainful. How you approach and handle those trades essentially makes them rewarding or disappointing. Apart from the terms and conditions discussed above, you also need to be mindful of the following points to make the most of this exchange program.

1. Package Your Item Carefully

Amazon can downgrade or even reject your item if it gets a beating during shipping. Therefore, always bring your A-game while packing the item. Wrap the item with bubble wrap or any soft filler, put it in a box with a layer of Styrofoam for added protection, and then seal the box with a firm tap. 

2. Look at Other Platforms As Well

You should always check other platforms and compare prices before finalizing a trade-in on Amazon. In many cases, you may fetch a better price somewhere else. After getting the TIV from Amazon, check out places like eBay, Verizon, Flipsy, etc. If other platforms offer more and the price difference is too big, you don’t have any reason to stick to Amazon.

3. Focus on Low-Value Items

You should leverage Amazon Trade-In for low-value items like headphones, DVDs, games, and products that are not in working condition anymore. This is where you can earn credit while decluttering your home.

Keep in mind that Amazon doesn't pay in cash. Instead, Amazon only offers gift cards that the account can redeem only on the Amazon marketplace. Therefore, it might not be a good idea to put up high-value items for trade on Amazon. 

For instance, you can get a better cash price of your working MacBook on eBay or elsewhere instead of Amazon Trade-In. However, if you have a broken MacBook that is far from functional, Amazon can be a good place to trade that machine in for some good gift card credits.

FAQs

Before wrapping up the article, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Amazon Trade-In program.

What Is the Maximum Value of a Single Trade-In Submission Request?

A single submission request for any item won’t get you a gift card worth more than $1800. 

How Do I Cancel a Trade-In Amazon?

Canceling a trade-in request is pretty simple. Just go to your Trade-In account and click on the “Cancel Order” button given under an individual trade-in order number.

Does Amazon Trade-In Give You Cash?

No, Amazon never pays in cash for any trade-in, no matter how high value an item is. You only get gift cards of the equivalent value. In some cases, you may also get a discount on upgrades to particular products. 

Is Amazon Trade-In Only for Electronics?

Yes, the Amazon Trade-In program is primarily for electronic devices and their accessories. 

How Long Does Amazon Trade-In Take?

From initiating the trade-in to receiving the gift card, it might take anything between 10 to 40 days.

Final Words

We hope that the above discussion helps you understand how Amazon Trade-In works and how you can leverage it. This exchange program is best suited for electronic products that are either low-value or don’t work anymore. By using the trade-in program, you can get rid of those items while earning gift points/credits that can be used to buy something of better use and value.

If you want to sell items that are working and relatively in good condition for cash instead of gift cards, you should consider joining the Amazon Renewed program.

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