You know the golden rule of decluttering: If you haven’t worn or used it in a full year, it’s time to let go.
Of course, selling isn’t always that easy. There are items around your house that have sentimental value, but there also are things that were such a splurge, you can’t stand the thought of throwing away money. So don’t.
Many retailers will buy used items from you, allowing you to recoup some of their cost.
The following buyers will give you cash or store credit for your clutter — from jackets and golf clubs to books and electronics. Whether your clutter fills a large room or a small shelf, there’s likely a product buy-back solution for you. (But if you don’t see one below, try “9 Retailers That Will Reward You for Recycling.”)
1. Amazon
Many see Amazon as the best place to sell stuff online. Categories that are eligible for the Amazon Trade-In program include:
- Amazon devices
- Cellphones
- Streaming media players
- Home security devices
- Wireless routers
- Gaming
Visit the Amazon Trade-In program webpage and click on the type of item you want to trade in to find out how much Amazon would give you for it.
If you proceed with the trade-in, Amazon will pay you via an Amazon gift card. In some cases, you will receive instant payment. In other cases, Amazon will give you the gift card after it receives and appraises your item.
Unless you live near an Amazon store that accepts trade-ins, you will have to package up and ship your items to Amazon to trade them in, but there are no fees. Amazon will give you a prepaid shipping label.
2. AT&T
Turn in old wireless devices through AT&T’s trade-in program, and AT&T will give you either a discount on a new smartphone or a promotion card worth the value of the device you traded in. You can put the promotion card’s value toward your AT&T bill or devices and accessories, either in company-owned retail stores or online.
To get started, search for the device you want to trade in on AT&T’s website.
3. Best Buy
Ready for the next iPhone? The Best Buy Trade-In program will take your old one. In fact, Best Buy accepts a variety of electronics, including:
- iPhones
- iPads
- Gaming hardware
- PC laptops
- Samsung mobile devices
- Microsoft Surface devices
- Apple notebooks
- Digital SLR cameras
- Streaming media players
- Video games
- Smartwatches
Visit the Best Buy Trade-In program webpage and check out the “Estimate your trade-in value” section to gauge what your item is worth. Then, turn it in for a Best Buy gift card at a participating store.
4. GameStop
GameStop accepts several items, including the following:
- Video games
- Gaming systems
- Phones
- Tablets
Turn in devices at a local GameStop location and choose cash or store credit. Be mindful, though: Trade promotions — which are listed on GameStop’s trade webpage — change frequently.
5. Half Price Books
Sometimes, it pays to hold on to things so you can sell them later. Half Price Books buys all sorts of:
- Books
- Music
- Magazines
- Movies
- Comics
- Collectibles
- Games
- Electronics
You can sell your merchandise at a store — but not an outlet location. Half Price Books will give you cash.
6. Levi’s
The Levi’s SecondHand program resells Levi’s denim that has “been broken-in and made better by time.”
If you have Levi’s jeans, denim shorts or Trucker jackets that you no longer wear but that are in good condition, you can trade them in for anywhere from $5 to $35 apiece, depending on their age, condition and original retail price. To learn more about how trade-in works, visit Levi’s SecondHand FAQ page.
7. Patagonia
Patagonia is so dedicated to reducing waste that the outdoor-gear retailer created Worn Wear. This is where you can shop for gently used Patagonia clothing and luggage or trade in your own Patagonia clothing and luggage for credit. Trade-ins are accepted at Patagonia stores and by mail.
You can use the credit at Patagonia stores, Patagonia.com and WornWear.com.
8. Staples
Through the Staples Tech Trade-In program, you get store credit. Eligible trade-in items include:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Laptops
You can visit a Staples store to make the swap or do everything online. If you choose the latter, Staples will provide a free shipping label, so you can send the retailer the used item.
9. TGW
Golfers, take note: TGW (The Golf Warehouse) takes old clubs.
TGW’s online trade-in process includes free shipping. Once your trade-in is received, TGW will send you a gift certificate.
10. Walmart
Gadget to Gift Cards is Walmart’s trade-in program for used electronics, including:
- Phones
- Tablets
- Game consoles
- Voice speakers
- Laptops
- Wearables
First, visit the Gadget to Gift Cards webpage to find out how much your device is worth. You then can ship it with a prepaid shipping label. Once the trade-in is approved, Walmart will give you the value of your device on a Walmart e-gift card.
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