Costco Will Give You Free Groceries for Your Old Electronics — Here’s What To Do

Imagine trading in stuff you don’t want anymore to get groceries. Talk about a budget-friendly swap. That’s what Costco offers through its Trade-In program — and you don’t even have to be a Costco member to take advantage of it.

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“Costco’s trade-in program is a fantastic opportunity for consumers looking to extract value from their used electronics,” said Dane Nk, the founder of That Video Game Blog .

Read on to see what kinds of electronics the warehouse looks for and how much you can get.

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How Does the Program Work?

Costco’s Trade-In program is facilitated by a third-party company called Phobio. You never step foot inside a Costco warehouse throughout the whole process. Instead, the program has a link on Costco’s website that will take you to Phobio where you can select your device model, answer questions about its current condition and get a quote for its trade-in value.

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“You essentially assess your item’s value online through Costco’s partner site, ship it for free, and, if it meets the criteria, you’ll receive a Costco Shop Card. The payout can vary significantly, hinging on your item’s condition and its market relevance,” Nk said.

Shipping options include either printing your shipping label or opting to receive a box to ship your device in after you’ve erased your data off it.

What Kind of Devices Does Costco’s Trade-in Program Accept?

Currently, the program accepts used Apple devices including phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, desktops, displays and media players. For Macs or iMacs, the models have to be from 2013 or newer.

Samuel Davity, the founder of tufting.com , said if your device isn’t exactly in perfect condition, you should still consider trading it in.

“What many consumers might not realize is that even older or slightly damaged items can still hold value in this program. For example, a cracked screen or an outdated model might still bring in a decent return,” Davity said.

Jonas Torrang, co-founder of IsBrave.com , agreed with Davity that getting something back for your device — no matter how damaged — is better than nothing.

“In my experience, even older models in great shape can yield surprisingly good trade-in values, making it a worthwhile option for upgrading your tech affordably,” Torrang said.

How Much Can You Get?

“The amount you receive varies based on the item’s current market value and condition,” Torrang explained.

According to Phobio’s website, you can get up to $1,080 for your used device. That’s referring specifically to a used Apple laptop. For desktops, you can get up to $1,025; for smartphones, you can get up to $750; for tablets, up to $450; for displays, up to $400; for smartwatches, up to $200, and media players, up to $40.

How Long Does the Process Take?

You’ll want your Costco gift card instantly, but unfortunately, it doesn’t happen quite that quickly. The process can take up to three weeks for Phobio to evaluate your device and send you your gift card.

However, opting for a digital card might speed up the process. Getting a Costco gift card in the mail can take up to 20 business days after your device goes through Phobio’s evaluation.

Check the Value of Your Trade-in Before You Ship Your Device to Costco

You might be tempted to take whatever Costco offers you. After all, you’re looking at potentially hundreds of dollars off a Costco trip.

However, Nk cautioned against this and recommended holding onto the packaging your device came in.

“A handy tip not everyone might know is to monitor the trade-in values regularly. They tend to change, especially around the time new models are about to be released — this could mean getting a better deal,” Nk said. “From my own experience, retaining the original packaging and maintaining your electronics in prime condition could boost your trade-in value notably.”

Torrang agreed, saying you might want to wait to do a trade-in until before a release.

“A tip I’d like to share is to trade in items just before new versions are released, as values can peak during these times.”

However, if you’re a frequent Costco shopper, just go ahead and send your device over using Costco’s Trade-In program.

“Personal experiences have shown that while the trade-in value may not always match what you might get from selling directly to another buyer, the convenience and the bonus of receiving a Costco Shop Card make it worthwhile, especially if you’re a regular Costco shopper. Plus, those Shop Cards can be used for anything in-store or online, offering flexibility and added value,” Davity said.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Costco Will Give You Free Groceries for Your Old Electronics — Here’s What To Do