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Trade-In FAQs

General Questions

What is the Best Buy Trade-In Program?

The Best Buy Trade-In Program offers a convenient way for you to bring used electronics to trade in for Best Buy Gift Cards, credit back on a purchase or credit back on installment billing. You must be 18 years old or older (except in AL or NE, 19 or older) to take advantage of the program.

What can I trade in?

Go to BestBuy.com/TradeIn for current offerings. You can select a category to browse eligible items or search for your item to see if it is eligible for trade-in. If an item is not found in our Trade-in Estimator tool, we are not able to accept it for trade-in at this time. Eligibility can change at any time. We also offer responsible recycling for most items that are not Trade-In eligible. For more information on our Recycling Program, see BestBuy.com/Recycle.

How much do I get for my Trade-in?

When Best Buy evaluates your device, we provide a competitive offer based on several factors, including age, condition, required accessories and current resale prices, which can all affect the trade-in value of your items. Use our estimator at BestBuy.com/TradeIn to help estimate what your item may be worth.

How do you assess the condition of my product?

Our employees grade the condition and perform a functionality check. At a minimum, in order for us to accept a device, it must turn on and function as a user would normally expect. Power supplies are often required and a battery-powered device must run on its own battery. We assign a condition grade based upon our inspection.

Condition Grades:

GOOD. The device is fully functional with no technical problems and has no scratches, dents, or dings. Shows signs of normal use.

FAIR. The device is fully functional with no technical problems and only a few scratches due to normal use. If the device has a screen, there are no scratches or burned-out pixels. Moderate physical damage and fully functional.

BROKEN. Significant physical damage or does not function properly.

NOT ACCEPTED. There is an issue with the device so that the device is not eligible for trade-in, including but not limited to the following:

  • It has functional damage or product failure that affects its ability to perform its function or impairs its use;
  • It has been recalled or withdrawn from sale;
  • It has water damage or damage from other fluids;
  • It shows indications of a serial number modification or tampering;
  • It has insect/rodent infestation/damage;
  • The factory seal has been broken;
  • A password has not been cleared;
  • The device is still attached to an active account;
  • The "Find My Device" function has not been disabled. 

RECYCLE. Eligible device does not have any monetary value but will be collected and sent to a recycling partner that complies with the highest industry standards regarding the reuse, refurbishment or recycling of products as well as waste disposal generated from the recycling process.

If the device is not accepted for trade-in, we can responsibly recycle it. To learn more about our Recycling Program see BestBuy.com/Recycle

Important note:

For all Apple devices, you must disable the "Find My" function and remove the device from your iCloud account before trading in your device. To do this, please visit these two links:

For Android 5.0 or newer, you must reset device to factory settings before the start of the trade-in transaction.

  • Make sure the device is connected to the internet or to the mobile network.
  • Open the Google Settings menu.
  • Under "Personal," touch "Backup and reset." You may need to enter your pattern, PIN, or password.
  • Under "Personal Data," touch "Factory data reset."
  • Read the information on the screen and touch "Reset phone."
  • If the screen is locked, you will need to enter your pattern, PIN, or password.
  • When prompted, touch "Erase everything" to erase all data from your device's internal storage.
  • When the device has finished erasing, select the option to reboot your device.

What do I need to include with my product?

To get the maximum trade-in value possible, please include any working power supply components and other working accessories needed for your device. To the extent required accessories are missing, this will impact the trade-in value offered. You are responsible for removing any data and accounts from your device before providing the product to us. Under no circumstances will Best Buy be liable for any loss of data or media from products provided to us for trade-in or recycling. For help on removing your personal data and wiping your hard drive clean, we recommend scheduling an appointment with Geek Squad®.

What happens to the item I trade in?

Your device may be:

  • Sold by Best Buy Secondary Markets channels or other Best Buy resale outlets (resale);
  • Sent to Geek Squad® Service Centers (for parts and refurbished devices sold via the Best Buy outlets online); or
  • Responsibly disposed of via our Recycling Program. See BestBuy.com/Recycle for details.

What if I am a business or institution?

Our Trade-In Program is for the personal, non-commercial use of our retail customers. Businesses and institutions interested in trading in units should contact their Best Buy Business Account Manager. Learn more at Best Buy Business.

What if I feel that I should receive more value for my product? Will there be room for negotiation and feedback?

No. While we welcome and value feedback from our customers; our trade-in values are fixed in the system at the time of evaluation based on the actual product traded in, the item's market value, and its condition at time of inspection.

Why doesn’t a Trade-In promotion apply to my device?

From time to time, Best Buy runs special promotions to work in conjunction with our Trade-In Program. These promotions are usually available for a limited time and only apply to specific products. Due to the nature of these promotional offers, your trade-in device may not be eligible for these offers. Please refer to the offer details. If you still have questions about your product’s trade-in value, please speak with a store associate.

What is the difference between trading in at a Best Buy store or on BestBuy.com?

Trading in at a participating Best Buy store location allows you to interact with a Best Buy employee and determine your product value while you are in store. If you choose to ship us your items, we'll cover the cost. Once inspected we will email you the details of the item verification and next steps.

Why do you collect personal information and what do you do with it?

The Best Buy Trade-In Program is subject to state and local secondhand dealer laws, which regulate the buying of used personal property. Many of these laws require businesses to collect information about the seller and the purchased product, and report it to law enforcement in an effort to reduce crime and recover stolen property. In some locations, to comply with applicable law, the personal information collected may include:

  • Copy of your ID
  • Second form of ID
  • Fingerprint
  • Photograph of you

Best Buy also reports certain information about trade-in transactions voluntarily in other locations. Additionally, Best Buy may be required to share personal information in response to a valid court order, subpoena, government investigation, or as otherwise required by law. Best Buy reserves the right to report, and may be required to report, to law enforcement agencies any activities that Best Buy believes to be unlawful. Best Buy may share certain information when we believe that such release is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property and safety of others and ourselves. For more information on our privacy practices, please review the Best Buy Privacy Policy.

How can I get help with my trade-in?

Please note: Once a trade-in has been completed it is considered final.

For help with an in-store trade-in, please visit the customer service desk at the store where you plan to or have already traded in your device.

For help with an online trade-in, please contact [email protected]. Typical response time is within 2–3 business days, Monday–Friday excluding holidays.

Online Trade-In

What is the process if I want to trade in my item online for a Best Buy e-Gift Card?

  1. Go to the Best Buy website BestBuy.com/TradeIn and select the product you want to trade in. Answer a few questions about your item and we'll give you an estimate of the trade-in value of your item.
  2. If you agree with the estimate and our Trade-In Program Terms & Conditions, follow the instructions to ship your product to us with the provided carrier shipping label. Drop off your item at the carrier's store or call the carrier to arrange for a home pickup. Your item must be delivered to us within 14 days of the estimate or Best Buy has the right to revise or withdraw the estimate for trade-in or credit value.
  3. Our verification team will grade your product's condition and verify its functionality. It may take several business days after delivery for this to occur.
  4. We'll evaluate your item, confirm the final offer with you via email, then email an electronic Best Buy Gift Card to you within 5 business days.

How should I package my item?

If you drop off your item with a shipping carrier such as UPS, please keep a drop-off receipt for your records.

  • Please avoid using a shipping carrier’s drop box location(s) as you won't get a shipping receipt.
  • Include any documentation and accessories that originally shipped with your item. These items may include warranty cards, keyboards, mice and connection cables. Failure to include normally included items or accessories will impact the value of your trade.
  • Do not include any CRT monitors. These can be recycled at your local Best Buy store.

Please follow these shipping tips:

  • Wrap the items using plenty of bubble wrap, foam packaging, or other packing supplies around fragile items. Please do not use non-traditional packing materials such as clothing, towels, and other household items. Include all components included in your quote.
  • Package the system in a sturdy cardboard box designed specifically for shipping.
  • Tape all edges on the sides, top and bottom to make sure there are no rough edges that could be snagged by automated mail processing equipment. We do not recommend using masking or cellophane tape.
  • Attach the shipping label to the outside of the package. Use a piece of clear shipping tape over the top of the label.
  • Call the carrier or drop off the package at the carrier's shipping location. Be sure to keep the tracking number for your reference.
  • Your item must be received within 14 days of the estimate or Best Buy has the right to revise or withdraw the estimate for the trade-in or credit value. Any promotional offers may no longer be valid, depending on the terms of the promotional offer, if the item is received later than 14 days from the date of the estimate.

You are responsible for removing any data from your item before providing the product to us. Under no circumstances will Best Buy be liable for any loss of any data or media from products delivered to us for trade-in or recycling. For help on removing your personal data and wiping your hard drive clean, learn more from Geek Squad®.

You are responsible for disabling the lock on devices with iOS 7.0 and above or Android 5.0 or newer before the start of the trade-in transaction.

If I trade in my item online, what happens if after the item is received at the Trade-In Center, Best Buy’s evaluation of the item is different than the quote based on my description?

You will receive an automated email from [email protected] explaining why a different value was assigned. You have the choice of accepting the updated quote, taking any requested actions or providing information required to re-evaluate the device, or having the item returned to you, so long as it is not a biohazard or considered dangerous. Best Buy reserves the right to require coverage of return shipping costs for received items that do not match their quote. If an item is returned to you, it cannot be shipped back to honor the original quote.

What if I send my item in and decide I want it back?

If an item ships and correctly matches the quote you generated, the transaction is already considered final, as the quoted value was accepted upon the shipment of the device.

If the verified value differs from the quoted value, and a gift card has not yet been issued, the item, so long as it is not a biohazard or considered dangerous, can be returned if you pay the return shipping costs.

What happens if I choose to recycle my item online?

Your item will be shipped directly to our recycling partner, where the item will go through a reclamation process. Then our authorized recycling partner will responsibly recycle your item.

Do not ship any trade-in and recycle items together. They arrive to different receiving locations and any trade-in items shipped to our recycling partners are non-recoverable and will not award trade-in value.

What is the process if I want to trade in my item online to discount a new purchase?

  1. Create a BestBuy.com order and add the desired trade-in to receive credit towards your new purchase of a comparable item.
  2. After the delivery of your new purchase, follow the instructions provided to ship your product to us with the carrier shipping label found on your order details page. Drop off your item at the carrier's store or call the carrier to arrange for a home pickup. Your item must be delivered to us within 14 days of the estimate or Best Buy has the right to revise or withdraw the estimate for trade-in or credit value.
  3. Our verification team will grade your product's condition and verify its functionality. It may take several business days after delivery for this to occur.
  4. We'll evaluate your item and confirm the final offer with you via email. Your trade-in value along with any associated promotional value, will refund automatically to your original form of payment from the order.

Store Trade-In

What stores participate in the Best Buy Trade-In Program?

The Trade-In Program is not available at all locations. Most stores participate in the program. The stores that currently do not participate in the program, including Outlet stores, are:

Best Buy Outlet locations, except Pineville, NC

Washington, DC

  • Columbia Heights

Georgia

  • Douglasville

Massachusetts

  • South Bay

Minnesota

  • Coon Rapids

New York

  • S. Setauket
  • Patchogue
  • Commack
  • Huntington Station
  • Bay Shore
  • Riverhead

Puerto Rico

  • Rio Hondo
  • Hato Rey

Why doesn’t my Best Buy location participate in the Trade-In Program?

Best Buy stores offer the Trade-In Program subject to local restrictions and requirements. Based upon such conditions we are not able to provide our Trade-In Program in all store locations.

If there isn't a participating Best Buy Trade-In location near you, we may accept your trade-in through our online trade-in process.

Can I trade in more than one item at a time?

Our Trade-In Program is intended for the convenience of our retail customers and is not designed to handle large volume or commercial transactions.

Best Buy reserves the right to limit Customers to trade in no more than five (5) of the same, or similar, product per month.

These product limits are subject to change at any time. Please note that there may be additional product limits associated with promotions. We reserve the right to refuse any trade-in or limit quantities for any reason at our own discretion.

What does it mean if my Best Buy store “accepts trade-in only with a receipt”?

In some Best Buy locations, due to local requirements, we can only accept trade-in of items for which you have a valid Best Buy receipt.

If you don’t have a receipt and still want to get rid of your old product, we can help you recycle it. Learn more about Best Buy recycling.

How does in-store Trade-In work?

  1. Check to see if your item is eligible for trade-in and what it may be worth, then find participating Best Buy locations near you at BestBuy.com/TradeIn.
  2. Bring your eligible electronics, any included accessories, and a valid U.S. state driver's license or state-issued photo identification card to a participating Best Buy store. Do not mail trade-in items to a Best Buy store. We can’t accept items mailed to our stores.
  3. We'll grade your product's condition and verify its functionality.
  4. Based on these factors and the current resale values, we'll determine how much we will offer you for your device.
  5. If you accept, we require you to present a valid U.S. state driver's license or state-issued photo identification card, sign a statement of ownership, and agree to the terms and conditions. There may be additional personal information required to complete the transaction based on the jurisdiction's secondhand dealer laws. For more details, please speak with a Blue Shirt.
  6. You'll then receive payment for the device, either directly applied to a purchase transaction or by Best Buy Gift Card. If provided a gift card, you can use the gift card toward purchasing almost any item sold in store or online.

Note: All in-store trade-in transactions are final at the time of completion, when the item becomes the property of Best Buy.

If your item has no trade-in value, we can help you recycle it. Learn more about Best Buy recycling.

Effective Date: May 28, 2025

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