Amazon customers can now trade in their old electronic devices to receive a gift card.

The Trade-In program allows people to recycle old smartphones or video game consoles and is part the online giant’s plan for being more environmentally friendly.

Apart from Amazon devices such Amazon Fire sticks, Echo speakers, and Kindle tablet, other items can be exchanged including home security devices, a variety smartphones, and gaming consoles.  

The new service will be able to compete with other websites offering trade-in programs such as Music Magpie or CeX.

Amazon's Trade-In programme will give customers gift cards in exchange for electronic items

Amazon’s Trade In program will offer customers gift cards in return for electronic items

These stores will accept cash as an alternative to vouchers.

This is Money looks at the Trade In program. It explains how it works and how much you can make. 

What is the best way for customers to trade in their items?

Amazon says that there are only three steps customers must follow to trade their items in:  

1. Select the device you wish to trade in and answer six simple questions about its condition

2. Send your device to us for free with a shipping label within 21 days

3. After you have sent your device and received the appraisal, an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card will be credited to your account

Customers can answer the questions about the condition of their device and decide how they want to proceed. Amazon might adjust the trade in value if they feel the condition is not consistent with what they submitted.

Customers can then choose to accept a different value or not, and return their device at no additional charge.

Trade-In is available on both desktop and mobile.

Devices that are accepted for trade in are tested and rated to determine their condition. If the device is re-sold, it will be recycled.

Returned items to Amazon could be recycled or refurbished in a bid to be greener, the site said

Amazon will recycle or refurbish items that are returned to it, in an effort to be more environmentally friendly.

Amazon is introducing this product now, why?

Amazon claims that the program is one of many ways it works to reduce its environmental impact.

It wants to increase the amount of devices that can be recycled or refurbished while making it more affordable for customers to purchase new devices.

It is part Amazon Second Chance, where customers can trade in, recycle or return Amazon products, as well as buy used and refurbished products.

How does it compare to other trading-in websites?  

This is Money compared to how much customers could get for electrical items on Amazon Trade-In, compared with competitors CeX or Music Magpie.  

For more Apple iPhone 8 (64GB) in near-perfect condition, the Amazon Trade-In programme offered up to £110. 

It asked whether the phone turned off and was fully functional, if its screen or body was cracked or damaged and if it was ever removed from its owners’ online account. 

Music Magpie also offered £110 for the same phone.

However, on CeX, the same model of phone, in the same condition, could be sold for £150 in cash or £207 if customers opted for a CeX voucher.  

Customers can make a lot more money if you trade away from Amazon.  

In the meantime, Echo Dot (third generation) could net its owner just £5 on Amazon – but the speaker could fetch up to £11 in cash or £16 for a CeX voucher online.  

Music Magpie did no have any Echo speakers available for sale. 

For more information, please visit: Ring Video Doorbell 2 (silver), Amazon offered a £30 gift card whilst, again, CeX was willing to pay more – £46 in cash or £56 for a voucher. 

These devices were not sold by Music Magpie. 

The Nintendo Wii is one of the most loved gaming consoles. Nintendo Switch, can be traded in on Amazon for £65, if in perfect condition. 

On CeX, customers could sell for £94 in cash or £133 for a voucher at the store. 

Music Magpie customers could also sell their devices for £135.  

Overall, the Amazon Trade-In service doesn’t offer the best deal on a wide range of products, including its own devices. 

Customers who are looking to trade or sell their items should compare the prices offered by different sites and how fast and easy it is to do so before committing to sending their products off.  

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