Declutter Old Electronics With Costco's Little-Known Trade-In Program

If you have a Costco membership, you're probably familiar with the benefits of buying in bulk. You can get the most out of your Costco membership with its home improvement services, gas savings, home decor selection, and much more. But there's a lesser-known Costco program available to members and non-members alike. If you have old electronics cluttering your home, you can achieve a more organized living space and earn some money with Costco's trade-in program — and you don't even have to walk into the store.

In 2019, Costco partnered with Phobio to offer an online trade-in program for outdated electronics. This program helps customers recycle their phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices in an environmentally-friendly and privacy-safe way. In exchange, you'll earn a Costco Shop Card that you can use online or in-store. Even better: you don't have to have a Costco membership to take advantage of the Phobio trade-in program or spend the Shop Card, giving you access to a variety of famous brands hiding behind the Kirkland name.

To begin, visit the trade-in page on the Costco website and select the type of device and model you want to recycle. Eligible devices include select models of phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, desktops, and Apple TV media players. From there, you'll need to answer a few basic questions about whether the item is paid off, functioning properly, and in good condition. Phobio will then provide an instant quote of the estimated trade-in value. The Costco Shop Card is capped at $2,550, depending on the value of your electronics and their condition. There is one primary requirement for this program — the device must power on to be eligible for trade-in. If it doesn't, you should take it to an electronics recycling center instead. If the device is damaged, Costco might still accept it, but the trade-in value will be lower.

If the quote seems fair and you decide to move forward, you can either print out a shipping label or Costco will send you prepaid shipping supplies and instructions. You'll also get instructions for how to erase the data on your device before you ship it. Once in the mail, your old device will go to a Phobio facility, where professionals will inspect it, wipe its data completely, and prepare the trade-in payment. Within five days after inspection at Phobio, you'll receive a digital Costco Shop Card. If you'd prefer a physical card, you can choose a mailed option instead. From there, you can shop in store or online for great organizers, decor, cookware, and other fan-favorite home items you'll want to snag before they're gone.

Of course, Costco isn't the only company that offers trade-in programs for old electronics. Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and many other technology-focused stores also offer trade-in and buy-back options. However, you can use a Costco Shop Card to buy a wide range of household items that will save you money. If you go with another company, you could receive a lower cash value or be limited in what you can spend your trade-in money on. 

In general, Costco's trade-in estimates are in line with what other options like Amazon offer. If your highest priority is getting top-dollar for your old electronics, you might be able to get the best deal through a third-party site like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. However, independent sales can be more time-consuming and often require some frustrating back-and-forth with the buyer.

That's why a major perk in Costco's trade-in program is its partnership with Phobio. This company is well-rated with 4.1 stars on TrustPilot, and the mail-in process is simple and streamlined. The biggest selling point for Costco's trade-in program lies in its convenience and wide selection of ways you can spend the Costco Shop Card. Whether you're a long-time member and fan or you're curious about shopping Costco for the first time, this Shop Card offer is an excellent opportunity to clear out your cluttered drawers in exchange for some of their one-of-a-kind merchandise.