Gazelle is shutting down mail trade-ins: here are some good alternatives
- Gazelle will close its post trade-in on February 1, 2021.
- You need to visit an ecoATM kiosk to sell phones to the company.
- Don’t worry, there are several ways to outsource your used equipment.
You will soon lose a key option in selling your used phone. As The edge Gazelle is reported to close its mail-based device trade-ins on February 1st, 2021. You have until January 31st to receive a quote and send in your device. Gazelle continues to process trades that are active after that point, but you will be out of luck if you want to sell a phone afterwards.
The company hasn’t explained why it closed the mail option, but the market has changed over the past few years. You may be more likely to lease your phone rather than buy it, whether through a cellular carrier or the phone manufacturer. Brands like Apple and Samsung often offer their own trade-ins. And if you buy, you may be able to keep your phone longer as performance and features are increasingly “good enough”.
Personal trade-ins are still possible through kiosks operated by Gazelle’s parent company, ecoATM The edge warns that you may not get as much money as in the mail.
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Don’t worry if you rely on a Gazelle trade to fund an upgrade to a device like the Galaxy S21. There are a number of alternatives, some of which you may even prefer.
Some trade-in options come from direct Gazelle rivals such as Swappa and Decluttr. However, you can also trade devices through online retailers such as Amazon. You can also auction your phone on sites like eBay if you don’t mind negotiating prices and arranging shipping. It’s also worth checking with your cellular provider or the manufacturer of your future device. This one may offer an easy trade if you are more interested in convenience than the best possible deal.
You may also want to forego a trade-in entirely, regardless of whether you go through Gazelle or not. You can donate your phone to organizations like Hope Phones or Cell Phones for Soldiers to help connect people in need. You can give your phone to a friend or family member. And of course, you can use your device for everything from a home theater remote control to a server. Your phone isn’t out of date just because you don’t need it – it could mean anything to the right person.
