Amazon. com Help Amazon Trade-In Program
Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards with the Amazon Trade-in Program
Published July 20, 2015 Disclosure: We may receive compensation if you sign up for or purchase products linked to below. We try our best to provide the most accurate information, but details do change. Please refer to the company website for the most up-to-date information on any lead or recommendation.
Sharing is caring!
Selling no longer used items from around the house is one of the most popular ways to make money online. Some categories of items tend to be more in-demand and easier to sell such as books and electronics. People don’t mind buying them second-hand and they tend to be easy to ship.
There are several ways to get rid of unwanted books, electronics, DVDs, or video games. If you’re looking for a convenient way to get rid of these items, you may be interested in Amazon’s trade-in program. You can receive free Amazon gift cards for items you trade, plus Amazon will pay for shipping costs on the items you send them. Here’s an overview of the quick and easy process:
Search For Items – The first step to trading in merchandise is searching for the items you wish to sell on Amazon’s trade-in site. The categories in which Amazon accepts trade-ins are as follows:
- Phones Cameras Laptops & Tablets Wearables Textbooks & Books Video Games TV & Movies Music MP3 Players Other Electronics
If the item is available for trade-in, you’ll see the trade-in price and a button that will add the merchandise to your trade-in list.
The price Amazon offers can vary widely between items, so make sure you’re going to get as much or more than you could selling the item elsewhere. If you are trading in books, you can check prices at Bookscouter. If you are trading in electronics, compare prices to those at sites like Decluttr and Gazelle.
Review Your Trade-in List – After you’ve added all the items you want to trade, Amazon will display your Trade-in List. You can see the total amount of Amazon credit that you’ll receive. Some items may be worth different prices based on their condition. Amazon will assume the lowest acceptable condition and upgrade when your items are inspected. This means that you may end up getting more credit than the price displayed on this list.
Print Labels and Ship Package – Now you’ll need to print the shipping labels and securely package your merchandise. Amazon will pay the postage costs for the items. This can be an important consideration when you are deciding whether to sell the items through Amazon’s marketplace or trade them in. Sellers pay for postage in the marketplace, so you have to deduct that cost from your bottom line. If the trade-in price is close to what you could sell it for, it’s probably a better idea to stick with a trade-in. Once your items are boxed and ready, simply mail it from your home or drop it off at a post office.
Watch for Confirmation Emails – Amazon will email you upon receipt of your trade-in package. This email will also notify you of any condition changes. With a little luck, you’ll get more money because your items are in perfect condition! Also, if any items are unacceptable, Amazon will let you know and ship those back to you for free. After your items are inspected, you’ll get an email with your total trade-in amount. The credit is added to your account and can be used on your next Amazon purchase. Or, save it up for funding your Christmas shopping.
There have been reports of trade-ins being downgraded for reasons unknown to the consumer. If you run into this situation, contact customer service. During the trade-in process Amazon will ask you what you want them to do should your item be downgraded; return the item to you at no charge or accept the lower payment. Opt for the return if possible and try selling it through another means if you feel the item is in good condition and worth more than their lowest price offer.
Overall, the Amazon trade-in process is easy and convenient. While you could possibly make more money selling some items directly or via other sites or stores, the convenience of Amazon’s streamlined process has its advantages. And for some trusted purchasers, payment is instant. You don't even have to wait for Amazon to receive your item in the mail. This can come in handy should you have an expected gift to buy or an emergency purchase comes up. An “Instant Payment” button will be displayed during the trade-in process if you are eligible for immediate store credit. Please be aware that if you take the instant payment and Amazon rejects the item or downgrades the payment upon receipt of the item for some reason, you will be charged the amount of the instant payment.
The next time you have a pile of items to get rid of, check the trade-in prices on Amazon first!
Amazon Trade-In Program Review: 10 Things You Need to Know
Want to unload your old stuff and score extra cash with the Amazon Trade-In Program? We reviewed the program and discovered these 10 things you need to know about Amazon Trade-In.
1. How the Amazon Trade-In Program works
The program is pretty straight-forward, and is similar to other online trade-in programs. You can trade in your textbooks, phones, tablets, video games, DVDs and other items (see the full list), and Amazon will give you a gift card.
The process goes like this:
Visit the Amazon Trade-In page and search or browse for the items you have to sell, then add them to your trade-in submission (you can add multiple items) Select the condition for each item (view Amazon conditions) Amazon will give you an offer for each item; accept the offer and select your shipping options Amazon will give you a free shipping label to print; package your items and send them in within seven days, and Amazon will credit your account upon receipt
You can read the full terms and conditions of the program here.
| Selling your old book on Amazon, eBay or Alibris? Compare fees and policies first |
2. You can get paid (in credit) instantly…
Unlike many other online trade-in programs, Amazon lets you opt for instant credit – provided you meet their eligibility criteria, which aren’t listed but likely have to do with your purchase history. If you’re eligible, “instant payment” will be presented as a payment option when you trade in your items.
3. …but you might want to delay payment
Despite instant payment eligibility, you might want to delay payment until after Amazon has received your item. That’s because you will be charged for the amount of the instant payment if:
- You cancel the trade Your item is rejected Your item’s condition and trade-in value are downgraded on inspection
4. Amazon pays in store credit, not cash
Even though Amazon states it administers payouts via gift cards, those gift cards are electronically applied to your account. That means they are not transferrable to other people, like a physical gift card would be, so you can’t sell them for cash, either.
5. Amazon Trade-In offers free shipping, but you’ll need your own packaging
Once you initiate your trade-in, Amazon will give you a free printable shipping label. However, you’ll need to provide your own packaging – and it’s important you take care to package your items right so they’re not damaged during shipping.
Here are some packaging tips:
- Wrap the item with kraft paper, bubble wrap, or other soft filler Use the double (over) method, in which you place a box within a box Surround the interior box with packing peanuts or another layer of padding for extra protection Use packing tape for a strong seal
UPS, FedEx, and USPS all offer special boxes for electronics if you’re trading in a phone, tablet or laptop.
Amazon offers low? Flipsy gets you more. Find the value of your phone.
6. Your item’s condition might be automatically downgraded
In a ZDNet article, Jason Perlow reports that an Amazon rep admitted that “it is more or less standard practice for them to automatically downgrade the condition of the device no matter what condition it is in.” And, since the Amazon Trade-In Program is administered by a third-party company, Perlow was told there was no way for Amazon to verify why his iPhone condition was downgraded.
7. Don’t accept the lower price
When you submit your trade-in, Amazon asks you what to do if they downgrade your item’s condition: return it for free, or accept the lower price. If you accept the price, you’re agreeing to whatever payout Amazon deems is appropriate for your device (a range will be given, so you’ll know the lowest possible payout).
The only time you should opt to accept the price is if you’re willing to sell it for the lowest payout; otherwise, you’re better off having the item returned to you for free and selling it for more elsewhere.
8. The program is fast, easy and convenient
It only takes a few minutes to initiate a trade-in, and if you opt for instant payment you can spend your store credit before you even ship your items to Amazon. Add in the free shipping label, and all you have to do is package your items and schedule a pickup with your shipping provider.
If you choose to delay your payout, the speed depends on how long you take to mail your item in. You have seven days to send it, but you can also mail it same-day. Store credit is typically applied as soon as Amazon receives and inspects your item – though their site acknowledges it could take up to 25 days in some cases.
9. There are complaints
In addition to potential automatic downgrades, users have claimed that Amazon has lowered item values for reasons like arriving in damaged boxes and failing to power on – even though they worked fine when originally shipped.
On AppAdvice, Bryan M. Wolfe recounts sending a “like new” iPad 2 to Amazon Trade-In, only to have the device rejected for “severe damage.” He figured it must have been damaged during shipping, but when his item was returned (Amazon sends rejected back items back free of charge), it was still in “like new” condition. A representative told him a mistake might have been made; however, by the time he was able to initiate a new trade-in the value of his device had dropped by $100.
After reviewing similar complaints on Amazon’s discussion boards, Wolfe goes on to say that it seems Amazon is willing to try to make things right, but “you rarely get the amount of money, or in this case, the Amazon credit, originally promised.”
| What is the instant eBay voucher program? Is it a good deal? |
10. It’s a good deal – but not the best deal
Provided you don’t run into issues similar to those experienced by Perlow and Wolfe, the Amazon Trade-In Program is a good deal as it typically offers good payouts compared to programs operated by wireless carriers and smartphone manufacturers. Still, it’s not necessarily the best deal. Using Flipsy’s free smartphone trade-in price comparison service, it’s easy to find companies that will pay more (and in cash). In addition, the private market (think Craigslist and Ebay) will pay even more than trade-in companies – if you can find a buyer.
Here’s an example using an iPhone X (64GB, Verizon, “like new” condition):
| Amazon Trade-In | $315 credit |
| Flipsy Vendor | $510 cash |
| Private Market | $663 cash |
The bottom line? If you have your eye on making a quick Amazon purchase and are eligible for instant payment, the Amazon Trade-In Program can be a good option. However, if you’re more interested in getting a cash payment or the most money possible for your used items, you might want to consider other options.
Amazon Trade-In Program
Got a bunch of books, movies, CDs, video games, or electronics lying around? Want to clean house AND get credit towards Amazon purchases in the process? Consider participating in Amazon’s Trade-In program, one of the great features that sets Amazon apart from its competition.
How does Amazon Trade-In work?
Amazon Trade-In allows you to ship things that you don’t want any more to Amazon, free of charge. Amazon sends the items to a third-party merchant registered with Amazon who wants them. In return, you’ll receive credit on your Amazon account worth the value you were offered by the merchant(s) who wanted your item(s).
A couple of things to note about this program:
- You have to be at least 18 years old to participate in it. You have to ship from an address in the United States. The items you trade in don’t have to have been purchased from Amazon or one of its third-party merchants. The items you trade in have to be the same as what Amazon has in their product database. The items you trade in have to meet the product condition criteria outlined at https://www. amazon. com/gp/help/customer/display. html? node >1. Go to www. amazon. com and log in. Then, go to the Amazon Trade-In Store (use this link to get there; it’s a bit hard to find otherwise).
2. Under “Find the Items You’d Like to Trade In,” click the left-hand box to open a drop-down menu and select what type of item you’d like to search for offers for. Then click in the white box and type in the name of the item or keywords associated with the item (use a comma to separate multiple terms). Finally, click Search.

3. Amazon will now show you a list of items in its database that have names or keywords that match your search terms, as well as whether or not any of its registered third-party merchants are offering to buy them.
You can click the filtering options in the left-hand menu to narrow down what you’re looking for; the faint numbers next to each option show you how many search results are associated with that criterion.
If you see an item that you have that an offer is being made for, click Trade In.

4. You can now select options related to what you are trading in.

Click the box under “Quantity” and type in how many copies of the item you’re trading in, and then click one of the buttons underneath “Condition” to declare how well-kept those items are (move your mouse over a condition name for some general guidelines). Then, click Update to see how your changes have affected the value of your trade-in.
You can also click Delete beside an item if you decide that you don’t want to trade it in after all, or you can click Add Another Item if you want to trade in something else. In that case, select one of the categories from the drop-down menu, and then repeat steps 3 and 4.
When you’ve selected all of the items that you wish to trade in, click Continue.
5. You will now need to select shipping options. You will also need to enter your address in case your items need to be returned.

Click a button beside a shipping option to select it. If you choose “Carrier of Your Choice,” you may need to print a shipping label for that carrier at your local post office (instead of directly off Amazon), and you may have to pay for it.
Next, click in the boxes and drop-down menus under “Enter an Address” and input:
- your full name your street address your unit address (if you live in an apartment, condo, etc.) the city in which you live the state, province, or region in which you live your mailing code (doesn’t have to be a U. S. Z. I.P. code) the country in which you live your phone number
When you’re done, click Save This Address.
6. Now, click Ship from This Address next to the address that you just created.

7. You will now select whether or not you want Amazon to return any items (free of charge) that do not meet the condition criteria that you selected for those items.
Click the button next to either “Return the item” or “Do not return the item” to make your choice, and then click Continue.

8. Now, you’ll have a chance to review what you’re trading in. If something’s off, click Edit in any of these categories, and follow the associated steps above. If everything looks good, click Submit Your Trade-Ins.

9. If you selected the option for a pre-paid shipping label, you can print it on the next page, and then attach it to the box that you’re shipping your items in. Otherwise, you can take care of this when you take your package to the post office.
Either way, you can now pack your items, apply the proper postage, and send them off. Be sure to do this within a week of submitting your trade-in request, or it will automatically be cancelled!
10. Once your package is received, you’ll receive credit on your account. To check this:
- Move your mouse over “Hello [Your Name]: Your Account,” and click My Account.
Under “Your Other Accounts,” click My Trade-In Account.
Under “Trade-In Links,” click View Gift Card Balance.

And that’s how to trade in your unwanted items to Amazon and get store credit in return! This can be a great way to get some extra money towards future Amazon purchases, all the while de-cluttering around the house and getting rid of things you don’t want or need.
How to use the Amazon trade-in program
Did you know you can trade-in products like smartphones and tablets to Amazon and get store credit? The Amazon Trade-in program has been around for some time, but if you haven’t heard about it before, here’s how to use it.
Through the program, you can trade in a slew of different items — but perhaps the most important these days is the smartphone. If you’re in the market for a new phone, Amazon will buy your old phone from you to help offset the cost. Interested in the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8? Amazon could pay you up to $170 for a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which could go straight to helping you buy your new phone.
But how does the trade-in program work? Here are the steps to follow:
Submit a trade-in: Head to the Amazon trade-in store and find the items you’re looking to trade-in. To do that, first select the category (cellphones, tablets, etc.), then click on the right item. Ship your trade-in: The next step is to ship out your product. Within 7 days of submitting the trade-in, you’ll be issued a shipping label, which you can use to ship out the product to Amazon. Make sure to include the packing slip inside the box so Amazon knows the item is from you. Get paid: When Amazon gets the product and confirms its condition, your account will receive credit that can then be used to buy anything on the Amazon store.
In between shipping the item and getting paid, you can actually track the status of the trade-in. This is done by heading to the trade-in account and clicking on Review the status of your trade-in item. It may take a few days for the payment to be credited to your account, so don’t worry if after shipping you don’t immediately get paid.
Apart from the Galaxy S7 Edge, there are a number of phones you can trade-in for Amazon store credit. Perhaps the most notable is the black iPhone 7 Plus, which could net you a whopping $370 for use on your Amazon account. Again, phones aren’t the only items you can trade in — you can even trade in your old textbooks, DVDs, video games, and so on.
Комментариев нет