You have a used phone, laptop, or tablet and you want to get something for it. Best Buy and Amazon both have trade-in programs with easy drop-offs or mail-in options. But before you hand over your device, there’s a key fact worth knowing: neither one pays you cash.
This guide breaks down how each program works, how they compare to each other, and when you’d come out ahead by selling instead.
Quick Answer
Best Buy and Amazon trade-in programs are quick and low-effort, but both pay in store credit only. If you plan to spend at one of those retailers anyway, that credit has real value. If you want actual money, selling on a marketplace like Swappa will almost always put more in your pocket.
How Retailer Trade-In Works (Best Buy and Amazon)
Both programs follow a similar model. You get an upfront estimate, hand over your device, and receive credit if the device checks out. The mechanics differ a bit between them.
Best Buy trade-in is done in-store. You bring your device to a Best Buy location, an associate inspects it on the spot, and you walk out with a Best Buy gift card. The process is fast, typically same-day, and requires no shipping on your part. Best Buy accepts a wide range of electronics: phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, and some accessories.
Amazon trade-in is mail-in. You get an online estimate, print a prepaid shipping label, and send your device in. Once Amazon receives and inspects it, they credit your Amazon account. Amazon’s accepted categories are notably broad and include some non-tech items like books, toys, and home goods, in addition to phones, tablets, and other devices.
Both programs offer an upfront estimate, but that estimate is not a guarantee. If the device condition doesn’t match what you described during the online quote process, the offer can be adjusted or declined once the retailer inspects it.
Store Credit vs. Cash
This is the most important distinction. Neither Best Buy nor Amazon pays you cash. Best Buy pays in Best Buy gift cards. Amazon pays in Amazon gift card credit, deposited to your account.
Store credit is only worth what you plan to spend at that store. If you were already going to buy something from Best Buy or Amazon, that credit closes the gap. If you weren’t, you’ve effectively taken a discount on a purchase you weren’t planning to make.
For most people trying to get real value out of a used device, the store credit model represents a meaningful limitation compared to cash-in-hand from a marketplace sale.
Trade-In vs. Sell: How to Get the Most for Your Old Tech
Payout Comparison
Trade-in estimates from Best Buy and Amazon both tend to fall below what you’d get selling the device yourself. That’s the tradeoff for convenience: they absorb the effort of finding a buyer and take a margin in return.
Here’s how the three options stack up across the factors that matter most to sellers:
| Best Buy Trade-In | Amazon Trade-In | Sell on Swappa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment type | Best Buy gift card | Amazon gift card | Cash (via PayPal or Stripe) |
| Payout level | Typically lower than resale | Typically lower than resale | Closest to market value |
| Accepted categories | Phones, tablets, laptops, gaming, some accessories | Phones, tablets, laptops, books, toys, home goods, more | Phones, tablets, laptops, gaming, audio, cameras, wearables, drones |
| Process | In-store drop-off | Mail-in | List online, ship to buyer |
| Effort required | Low (visit a store) | Low (print label, ship) | Moderate (create listing, ship on sale) |
| Quote binding? | Estimate, adjusted on inspection | Estimate, adjusted on inspection | You set the price |
| Buyer protection | N/A | N/A | Human-reviewed listings, PayPal protection |
| Fees | None to seller (value built into low offer) | None to seller (value built into low offer) | Flat 3% seller fee + payment processing |
The fee structure is worth understanding. Trade-in programs don’t charge explicit fees, but the lower payout is effectively how they cover their costs and margin. On Swappa, the 3% seller fee is transparent and separate from your listing price, which you control.
When Retailer Trade-In Makes Sense
There are real use cases where Best Buy or Amazon trade-in is the right call.
You’re buying from that retailer anyway. If you’re purchasing a new laptop from Best Buy, trading in your old one at the same time is efficient. The store credit offsets the new purchase, and the hassle is minimal.
The device has limited resale appeal. Older or lower-demand models may be harder to sell at a price worth the effort. If an older tablet would sit unsold for weeks, converting it to store credit you’ll use is a reasonable trade.
Speed matters more than value. In-store trade-in at Best Buy or mail-in at Amazon can be resolved in a day or two. If you need to turn over your device quickly, both are faster than waiting for a buyer.
You want zero interaction with a buyer. Marketplace selling involves listing, messaging, and shipping to a buyer. If that friction is a dealbreaker, retailer trade-in eliminates it entirely.
When to Sell Instead
If your goal is to maximize what you get for your device, selling on a marketplace is almost always the better path. Used phones, laptops, and tablets on Swappa typically sell for significantly more than retailer trade-in quotes for the same device and condition.
Used devices on Swappa are typically priced 30-60% below new retail, which is the range buyers expect. That means you’re pricing competitively while still recovering more value than a trade-in would return.
The process on Swappa is designed to protect both sides. Listings are staff-reviewed. Clean IMEI is required. PayPal buyer and seller protection applies. You set your own price based on real market demand.
Trade In or Sell Your Phone: Which Gets You More Money?
For devices in good condition, the difference in payout between a retailer trade-in and a marketplace sale can be substantial. Devices in worse shape still have to meet Swappa’s listing standards (no cracked glass, no water damage, fully functional battery, no activation lock), but devices that qualify often sell faster than sellers expect.
FAQ
Does Best Buy trade-in give you cash?
No. Best Buy trade-in pays out in Best Buy gift cards only. You cannot receive the value as cash or a bank transfer. The gift card can be used for any Best Buy purchase in-store or online.
Does Amazon trade-in pay cash?
No. Amazon trade-in credits your Amazon account in the form of an Amazon gift card. That credit applies toward future Amazon purchases but cannot be withdrawn as cash.
Can Best Buy or Amazon reject your trade-in after giving an estimate?
Yes. Both programs provide upfront estimates, but those estimates are conditional on the device matching the condition you described. If the device arrives in worse condition than reported, the offer is typically revised downward or declined.
What categories does Amazon trade-in accept that Best Buy does not?
Amazon’s program is broader and includes non-tech categories like books, toys, video games, and some home goods. Best Buy focuses on consumer electronics.
What’s the main advantage of selling on Swappa over trading in?
You receive cash (via PayPal or Stripe) rather than store credit, and you set your own price based on market demand. The tradeoff is more effort: you create a listing, communicate with buyers, and ship the device when it sells.
How do Swappa’s fees compare to trade-in programs?
Trade-in programs don’t show explicit fees, but their lower payouts reflect embedded margin. On Swappa, the seller fee is a flat 3%, plus payment processing (PayPal at 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction, or Stripe for select sellers). You keep the rest.
The Bottom Line
Best Buy and Amazon trade-in are both legitimate options. They’re fast, low-effort, and require no buyer interaction. If you’re already spending money at one of those retailers, the store credit has real utility.
But if you want cash for your device, neither program delivers it. And for most devices in reasonable condition, the difference between a trade-in quote and a marketplace sale price is meaningful enough to be worth the extra steps.
Related Articles:
Trade-In vs. Sell: How to Get the Most for Your Old Tech
Trade In or Sell Your Phone: Which Gets You More Money?
