5 Places You’ll Buy Your Old Tablet (And Which Ones Are Worth It)

The inevitable problem with buying a new tablet is that you now have an old one that’s just collecting dust. There are probably things you didn’t know you can do with an old tablet, but if it has truly outlived its usefulness to you, the best thing to do is sell it for a little extra money. While there are plenty of places you can sell an old tablet, just be aware that some of the more obvious ones come with a few caveats.

ecoATM automated kiosks make it quick and easy to get cash for your electronics, but they often pay much less than other services. Users have also reported common errors with Apple’s iPhone trade-in program that make the process frustrating, and similar complaints have been seen on Reddit about Samsung’s trade-in program. Often the most convenient places to sell your electronics aren’t always the ones that offer the best value or are the most reliable.

Instead, consider selling your old tablet to one of these five reputable places and paying a relatively fair price. Not only are these the places that will buy your old tablet, but they are also some of the places that are definitely worth it.

If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, selling your electronics through the website’s trade-in program is a good way to finance your next online order. Amazon offers deep discounts on select tech items during seasonal sale periods, so trading in your old electronics at the right time will help you grab something off your wish list for next to nothing. You may even be eligible for instant payment, which means you can receive a gift card for the redemption amount as soon as you start the order, without waiting for an inspection. It’s just as convenient as an ecoATM kiosk and usually pays a little better as well.

Let’s see how Amazon’s technology exchange system works. Start by going to the dedicated Amazon trade-in page and entering the name and model of your device to see if it’s eligible. This will also show you if there are any special trade-in promotions or bonus offers. If you choose to accept the offer Amazon gives you for your device, you can continue with the process. If you are eligible for instant payment, you will already receive a gift card that you can use immediately. The final step is to simply ship or drop off your device at an approved take-back location.

Best Buy accepts a wide variety of electronics through its trade-in program. It’s not just about tablets, phones and gaming consoles; they will even buy your old routers, cameras and electronic massagers. This makes Best Buy one of the best places to sell your electronics if you have a large battery that you need to get rid of. The trade-in value is also quite competitive, with offers that are only slightly lower than those of services dedicated to selling devices. Just keep in mind that Best Buy only offers store credit, not cash.

However, like many retailers, Best Buy might not be interested in purchasing your device if it’s more than a few years old. That’s where Best Buy’s recycling program comes in. The company bills itself as the largest collector of e-waste in the United States. Best Buy stores accept most electronics and even major appliances for recycling, with some exceptions based on state-specific recycling restrictions. If you want a foolproof way to get rid of an old tablet, even if no one is willing to buy it, taking it to a Best Buy store might be the best use of your time.

If you’re a gamer who understands that there are still reasons to buy physical video games rather than digital ones, then you probably find yourself in GameStop stores on a regular basis. You can sell or trade in your old tablets and other electronics at GameStop, and while this retailer has a reputation for offering a low trade-in value, it can actually be a great way to put money towards your next big console purchase.

When comparing quotes between retail stores offering trade-in programs, GameStop actually tends to offer better value for tablets than Best Buy or Target. You can get a quote on your tablet’s trade-in value by entering the device information on the GameStop Trade page, but you’ll still need to visit a physical store to complete the trade-in. Reddit users have attested that GameStop stores reliably honor quotes received from the website as long as they accurately describe the condition of the device and deliver it the same day.

Costco is a popular shopping destination for its wholesale deals and quality selection, but it also happens to be a great place to sell that used tablet you’ve got lying around. Costco offers a trade-in program for old electronics powered by its partner company Phobio. Although Phobio is a separate device trade-in service that you can sell your tablet to directly, the convenience factor is a good reason to go through Costco. You get the same value as Phobio through its own program, and you speed up the checkout process by receiving a digital Costco Shop card that you can use immediately. Costco will even send you a shipping box so you don’t have to find one yourself.

Consumers who sold their electronics to Costco reported receiving up to 20% more for their old technology compared to what Apple’s trade-in program offered. Best of all, you can use that store credit to buy whatever Costco has in stock – whether it’s groceries, household items or more – rather than just using it on another tablet or computer.

Swappa is not a retail store where you can sell your old tablet, nor is it an online service that buys used electronics directly. Rather, it’s a marketplace where you list tech items you want to sell. This means you have to put a little more effort into communicating with interested buyers, but it’s usually worth it. CNET ranked Swappa as the best overall method for selling used electronics because of its helpful staff, fast payment, and buyer- and seller-friendly protections. On top of that, Swappa lets you sell a variety of electronic devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops, as well as drones, gaming consoles, and more.

Financial experts have found that selling on Swappa can sometimes generate up to 35% more value than the next best option. Of course, you’d have a much simpler experience if you took your device to Best Buy or GameStop to get guaranteed money back today. But if you’re willing to play the waiting game, it’s hard to beat Swappa. However, it rarely takes too long for the right buyer to come along, because thrifty shoppers know that buying used is one of the best ways to be thrifty when purchasing electronics.