Want to get rid of your old electronics in a way that is better for the environment and can make you some money? Head over to the Exchange program at Walmart.
That’s right, Walmart is now the best place to buy used electronics. This saves you money and keeps electronics out of landfills. How does it work?
How does the Exchange program at Walmart work?
Users can trade in popular electronics like old cell phones, tablets, video games and consoles, laptops, GPS units, MP3 players, and even cameras. The site has a list of devices by type and maker, as well as a possible trade-in value based on how well the device works.
To use the Walmart Exchange program to trade in an item, you must first fill out the online appraisal forms (see this example). Then, you put your things in boxes and send them to Walmart. Shipping is free; all you have to do is download the label, print it out, and put your items in the box.
After getting the items, the store checks them out. Between two and four weeks may pass before your items are processed and you get paid. Payment is made with a Walmart eGift Card, which lets you use the money on Walmart.com and, if you’re a Sam’s Club member, on Samsclub.com.
The program takes devices in almost any state. It labels items as working and whole or broken or damaged. The item’s condition does affect its value, and the store will give you money based on that. But even broken or damaged items can retain some value.
Walmart says on its website, “As long as your electronic item is on our “Model Name” list, we will accept it, no matter how it looks or works.”
Consumers are asked to be honest about the condition of a damaged item when they fill out the appraisal form. This way, they can get the most accurate estimate before they ship.
Walmart says it will either sell your used devices, send them to be fixed up, or throw them away “in an environmentally responsible way” if they can’t be fixed.
Why should I use the Exchange at Walmart to trade in my old devices?
Trading in your old electronics can help you clean up your home or office and give you money to buy new things. What could be bad about that? Even if we take good care of our devices, they can only last so long.
But if you care about the environment, you can’t just throw your old electronics in the trash. Every year, 55 million tons of e-waste are made around the world. When e-waste sits in a landfill, it can give off toxic chemicals that pollute the air and water, putting people and animals’ health at risk.
Why wouldn’t you get paid to stay away from that if you can?
Are there other programs like Exchange at Walmart?
There are more and more programs to trade in old electronics every day. Nikon, a big name in cameras, now has a program for trading in used cameras. You can trade in games and electronics at GameStop. Best Buy, a big store for electronics and appliances, also buys back used items and has a trade-in calculator to help you find out how much your used items are worth.
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Walmart wants to buy your old phones, tablets, and laptops, no matter how good or bad they are. This story, which first appeared on The Cool Down, has been updated.
