Trade your trash for cash
Amazon's US branch is now offering its customers a novel way to save money on new products from its online shop, in the form of the Electronics Trade-In Store. Given the fast pace of development and high turnover rate in the sector, the addition of electronics to the Trade-In Store will likely prove a popular one.
From phones to video games, customers can trade-in all manner of products in exchange for Amazon gift vouchers, which can then be redeemed against future purchases. The Trade-In Store won't accept any product, but the list of items that Amazon will take of its customers' hands is extensive.
The amount on offer is comparable to similar alternative services, popular items being 'bought' for consistently less than second hand sale price for the most part. An iPhone 3G, for example, will net $118, about $50 less than one trades for on Amazon's second hand Marketplace.
However, some products, such as a Texus Instruments TI-89, are priced similarly to their second hand contemporaries. Taking Amazon's percentage of the resale price into account, and the fact that it's guaranteed instant money (there's no telling if or when anyone will buy your used, old product, after all) the trade-in store should, therefore, prove a popular first stop for those looking to offload old kit.
Once an item is selected, customers are asked to select its state (from acceptable to like new) with varying prices for each level of preservation. Amazon then collects the item (or items), inspects them and either deposits the appropriate gift card amount or returns the item free of charge - usually within 48 hours of Amazon receiving the product.
Amazon hasn't said if the Trade-In Store will be coming to the UK - or any other countries - as yet.
