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ZDNET key takeaways
- Exchange outdated electronics for Amazon gift cards and enjoy savings on new purchases.
- Enjoy complimentary shipping with a prepaid UPS label provided by Amazon.
- Your credit will be issued within 10 business days once your trade-in is received.
Prime Day 2026 is just around the corner, and if you’re gearing up for some serious shopping like I am, remember that Amazon provides an excellent opportunity to cut costs while responsibly recycling your old devices.
In essence, Amazon will provide you gift cards to use on future purchases. Typically, you’d need to purchase these separately, but by sending in unused electronics gathering dust through Amazon’s Trade-In Program, you’ll receive gift card credit along with potential discounts of up to 20% on select Amazon devices. That’s essentially free money for you and a reduction in electronic waste.
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Although it’s hard to face, aging devices lose value when tucked away in drawers, particularly with frequent releases of newer models. While competing trade-in platforms might provide higher returns or accommodate more brands, Amazon’s initiative stands out thanks to its straightforward shipping process, bonus discounts and rebates, and instant gift card credits deposited directly into your account.
How Amazon’s Trade-In Program operates
Requirements: Unwanted electronics and an active Amazon account.
Visit Amazon’s Trade-In portal. There, you can browse Amazon’s own product categories (such as Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and Echo speakers), or pick from categories that welcome qualifying electronics from other manufacturers, including Cell Phones and Video Game Systems.
Each category page features a search bar alongside a list of items linked to your Amazon account (if applicable). Choose the products you wish to trade. Every item shows an estimated trade-in worth, and for Amazon-branded devices, you may also notice additional discount or rebate opportunities.
For instance, Amazon is presently offering 20% off select Amazon devices, including Kindles, Fire TV Sticks, Fire Tablets, Ring and Blink products, and Echo speakers, when you trade in a qualifying device.
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After choosing your device, Amazon will ask several questions about its condition to determine an accurate value. Questions may include whether the device turns on and maintains battery charge, if all original accessories are present, and whether there are any visible cracks or damage. You’ll also need to confirm the device’s overall state.
Be completely truthful and precise, as Amazon’s team will double-check your responses. If the actual condition differs from your description, Amazon will revise the trade-in offer accordingly.
Once you’ve completed all questions and submitted for appraisal, you’ll receive a final offer to review and confirm.
The trade-in amount and any supplementary discount vary based on the device and its condition. Amazon currently promotes 20% off qualifying Amazon devices when you trade in an eligible item, on top of any gift card value provided.
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Once you’ve confirmed an offer, Amazon will create a prepaid UPS shipping label for you. You can locate it in the confirmation email sent to your Amazon account’s email address or within Your Trade-In Account. Shipping is complimentary — simply print the label and attach it to your package (I typically reuse a previous Amazon box for this purpose). You have up to 45 days to ship your device.
You can drop off your package at any UPS location and make sure to obtain a receipt for tracking purposes. In numerous areas, you might also be able to leave eligible trade-in items at participating Amazon-affiliated spots, such as select Whole Foods stores and Amazon Hub locations, if that’s more convenient for you.
Tip: Before trading in a phone, tablet, or any device containing personal information, back up your data, perform a factory reset, and log out of all accounts. Additionally, photograph the device’s condition as evidence in case of shipping problems or inspection disagreements.
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Now for the effortless part: relax and wait for Amazon to credit your account.
Once your shipment arrives, Amazon typically processes and verifies trade-in items within 10 business days, though some may require up to 20 business days. The trade-in value will be credited to your account as an Amazon gift card, and any rebate (such as 20% off a qualifying Amazon device) will be automatically applied at checkout toward your next eligible purchase.
The email with your shipping label also contains links to monitor your trade-in status and browse new devices that qualify for your rebate.
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