Raise your hand if you have a stash of old electronic devices somewhere in your house. This growing stream of discarded tech has a name — e-waste — and it’s becoming a real problem. If you’ve got a bunch of used hardware lying around, now there’s a way you can put it to good use. Costco has a tech trade-in program that promises to help you offload your old stuff and reduce e-waste. Best of all, it gives you something in return. Trading in your old devices at Costco is pretty straightforward, and you don’t even need to visit your local store to do it. Here’s how to offload your pre-owned electronics for Costco cash:
- 1. Visit the online trade-in portal.
- 2. Select your device type and brand.
- 3. Complete a short assessment of your device’s condition and receive an instant quote for the trade-in value.
- 4. Pack and ship your item with the provided shipping label or request a prepaid shipping box from Phobio, a third-party tech-recycling outfit.
After receiving your trade-in item, Phobio will inspect and evaluate it. They also securely wipe all data off your old device, so you don’t need to worry about any of your personal information falling into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, if you would prefer to drop off used electronics at your local Costco warehouse, you’re out of luck. As of now, there's no way to trade in your old devices in person because the trade-in program is run through Phobio. Still, you're provided with prepaid shipping materials, so it won’t cost you anything. After Phobio verifies the condition of your device, you’ll receive a Costco Shop Card worth the quoted value of the trade-in. You can use this card to shop at any Costco warehouse and on Costco.com.
