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13 Major Retailers That Pay Decent Money To Buy Back Your Old Stuff

It turns out Target and Amazon want your old tech.

Person taking photos of clothes to resell
Updated Dec. 16, 2024
Fact checked

Looking for a way to earn extra income this season? You may want to consider selling your lightly used items and clothing.

While trade-in programs at retailers like Apple are widely known and well-used, other trade-in opportunities and buy-back programs are often overlooked. These options are not only more sustainable, but they can also help you save money.

We dug up info on 15 retailers that will buy your old stuff.

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Best Buy

Hrach/Adobe Best Buy electronic store

Best Buy has a pretty expansive trade-in program. Like coupons and sales, trade-in offers rotate in and out to incentivize people to upgrade their technology and appliances on a budget. Bring in your used products for deals like 20% off a particular brand and $30-$150 off products.

Right now, enjoy deals when you bring in a Windows 10 or other Windows PC, or a used iPad.

Amazon

Ascannio/Adobe amazon logo on a smartphone

Another unexpected place to trade in your used tech items is Amazon. They offer 20% discounts on items like Fire TVs, Tablets, Kindles, Echos, and Ring cameras when you trade in devices from brands like Apple, Bose, Google, Microsoft, and more.

You can also send in your old cell phone or gaming system for an Amazon gift card.

Target

wolterke - stock.adobe.com Target exterior

Target has an electronics trade-in program that will take your smart watches, consoles, smartphones, tablets, and more in exchange for a Target gift card. Take your used item to a participating store in good condition, or have it sent in to be analyzed.

Target also offers a yearly, limited-time car seat trade-in program, this year from April 27 until May 10. Anyone who brings their used seat will get 20% off gear purchases for growing children.

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Costco

BINGJHEN/Adobe Costco wholesale storefront in Taichung

Costco offers a pretty expansive tech trade-in program, though its website only mentions Apple products. For the record, Costco will buy your used phone, laptop, tablet, desktop, display, media player, or smartwatch.

When trading in old tech, you get an instant quote and a box to ship it in. The team will safely erase all of your data before recycling your device's materials.

Eileen Fisher

wolterke/Adobe eileen fisher retail store

Did you know Eileen Fisher has a simple buy-back program that rewards you with a $5 Renew Reward for each branded clothing or accessory item you bring into their stores?

Although they do ask that you wash the items before bringing them in, they will accept them in any condition. Pristine items are resold, while others are recycled into new and exciting Eileen Fisher pieces.

Madewell

Ryan/Adobe Madewell sign

Do you have an old pair of jeans lying around that you'd like to sell for a little money?

While garage sales and local secondhand stores won't offer much for your pre-loved denim, Madewell guarantees a $20 shop credit for your old jeans.

The jeans will be resold or recycled into housing insulation. They accept any jeans brand made from 90% cotton and above.

Madewell also offers store credit for any other pre-loved clothing or accessory items, either returned in-store or mailed in.

Lululemon

yu_photo/Adobe lululemon logo

Lululemon might be an expensive investment, but their Like New buyback program sweetens the deal and allows you to sustainably give back. Since 2021, they have processed over 1.7 million trade-ins.

Get $5 for men's shirts, skirts, and shorts. A $10 credit is applied for hoodies, sweatshirts, leggings, crops, pants, sweaters, bags, and dresses, while you can grab a $25 credit for all outwear.

Lush

WD Stock Photos/Adobe lush cosmetics sign

Lush is known for their earth-conscious, fresh skincare and spa products. They have a pretty nifty recycling program. Customers can earn a free Fresh Face Mask for every five used Lush black plastic containers they bring back, or one piece of eligible packaging can get $1 off your next order.

Patagonia

Tada Images/Adobe Patagonia store

If you have ever invested in Patagonia, you know it wears for a long time. If your item has outworn its welcome, or you're looking to upgrade or switch it up, you can trade in your used items with their Worn Wear program.

Your old gem can score you up to 25% MSRP, usually between $10 and $100.

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Quick tips: How to spot a scam

Rokas/Adobe scammer calling on smartphone placed on a wooden table

Online scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to separate you from your money. Understanding the warning signs and following simple safety practices can help you avoid becoming a victim of these increasingly common schemes.

Here are some safety tips when it comes to purchasing items in online marketplaces:

  • Verify marketplace sellers by checking their profile history. Was their profile created this week? Do they have personal posts?
  • Communicate only through the platform's official messaging system, not external emails or text messages.
  • Request a video call to see the item.
  • Be immediately suspicious of sellers who claim PayPal isn't working and suggest alternate payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or Zelle.
  • Only use PayPal's "Goods and Services" option when purchasing items, never "Friends and Family," as only the former offers buyer protection.

Protecting yourself doesn't require technical expertise, just healthy skepticism and a pause before taking action. When someone creates urgency ("act now or miss out"), take that as a signal to slow down and verify. Remember that preventing scams is typically much easier than recovering lost funds, especially in the case of wire transfers and Zelle.

Microsoft

dvoevnore/Adobe Microsoft logo

If you have a used tablet, phone, gaming console, or laptop to get rid of, swing into a Microsoft storefront for an evaluation. Right now, you can get up to $150 for your used console with an eligible trade-in or a Surface Copilot+ PC with up to $700 cash back with trade-in.

If Microsoft can't offer a trade-in, they will recycle your items for you.

Staples

insideportugal/Adobe modern staples office

Staples has been running an ink cartridge recycling program for years now, saving thousands of plastic contaminants from being thrown into landfills around the world.

Staples Rewards members receive $2 per cartridge returned to the store (maximum ten per month). They also earn 5% back in rewards.

If you choose to sell back online, they will provide you a free shipping label and you can get a percentage back with a browser extension. To qualify, you must have spent at least $30 in ink or toner in the last 180 days.

Half Price Books

JHVEPhoto/Adobe half price books store

Looking to offload some of your expansive library while saving money? If you're in Texas or Oklahoma, you're in luck! Once you're finished with your media — be it music, books, artwork, or otherwise — it's worth seeing what Half Price Books will pay for it. 

Bring an ID with you and be ready to wait as a team member evaluates your items.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

alfons/Adobe woman paying contactless credit card

April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.

Here are some of the best deals to watch out for:

  • Cookware sets on sale for graduation and wedding season
  • Winter clearance items like coats and sweaters at end-of-season prices
  • Spring cleaning supplies with potential BOGO offers at stores like Target
  • Air conditioners before peak summer demand drives prices higher
  • Lawn care equipment as homeowners prepare for the growing season
  • Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
  • For grocery savings, consider seasonal produce like asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, which will be at their freshest and most affordable.

Remember that retailers are always thinking a season ahead. They're already preparing to get rid of spring merchandise while you're just getting ready to enjoy it. This makes April a great time to find budget-boosting deals of all kinds and save money at your favorite retailers.

Advance Auto Parts

Tada Images/Adobe Advance Auto Parts store in Beaverton Oregon

If you have a vehicle battery that is no longer operational, you should make sure to dispose of it properly to keep hazardous material out of the groundwater.

Drop into Advance Auto Parts — even if you didn't originally purchase your battery there — and swap it in for a $10 gift card and some peace of mind.

Bottom line

Prasanth/Adobe stack of clothes

With so many incredible buy-back options, you can easily earn extra cash to help pay your bills. And quickly.

Plus, you get to sleep soundly, knowing you reduced your footprint and extended the life of your pre-loved items.

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