25 Retailers That Will Give You the Most Money for Your Old Stuff
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023
Instead of tossing those unwanted items, here's how you can get a nice chunk of change for them.
Turn your trash into treasure
Your old stuff isn’t necessarily destined for the dumpster. Many retailers want to take your old items, no matter what kind of shape they’re in, and they’re even willing to pay you for the trouble. Not only can this help the environment by reducing waste, but you can also make a quick buck or two in the process. Get started by searching your closets, attic, and basement for these 25 things in your house that could be worth a lot of money. And then read on to find out which retailers will give you the most for them.
Target
If you were looking for a sign to go on a Target shopping spree, this might be it. The Target Trade-In Program accepts old electronic devices in exchange for gift cards loaded with store credit. Ship the company anything from smartwatches and smartphones to gaming consoles for free, and you’ll receive a gift card or PayPal deposit on the day of delivery. Here are another 10 easy tricks that will save you even more money at Target.
Amazon
No Prime membership? No problem! You can still save big on your next Amazon purchase. Through the Amazon Trade-In program, customers can swap their unwanted tech for an Amazon gift card. Visit the program’s Web page to find out how much you can get for those old tablets, Kindles, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Once you pack up and mail your items with a prepaid shipping label, Amazon will deposit the funds into your account. These little-known Amazon hacks don’t require Prime, either.
Patagonia
Since 2005, Patagonia’s Worn Wear program has collected gently used Patagonia gear in exchange for store credit. You could pocket anywhere from $10 to $100 a pop, depending on the item. For more savings, visit WornWear.com, where you can purchase secondhand Patagonia garments for a fraction of the price. Not ready to part with a beloved but damaged Patagonia item? Stop by one of their nationwide events to get it repaired and learn tips to make future fixes yourself.
Lush
While all Lush products are packaged with 100 percent recycled material, and many come without any packaging at all, Lush has another eco-friendly trick up its sleeve. Its 5 Pot Program asks customers to save the black plastic containers used for Lush items like moisturizers and body scrubs. When you bring in five pots to a nearby Lush location, you’ll be rewarded with a complimentary Fresh Face Mask of your choice. As for your discarded plastic pots, they will be broken down and remade into new packaging.
H&M
With H&M’s textile recycling program, you can turn your latest downsizing or spring-cleaning project into real savings. Every bag of unwanted clothing that you donate will net you 15 percent off your next in-store purchase. And there’s no need to travel far or get picky about your donations. H&M collects garments of any brand and condition at all locations worldwide. You might be surprised by what really happens to your used clothing donations after you drop them off.
The Golf Warehouse
Those untouched golf clubs are too clunky and awkward to be taking up your valuable storage space. Instead of kicking them to the curb, swap them for a gift card with the Golf Warehouse’s trade-in program. You’ll select the type, brand, and model of each club to find out what they’ll give you, then send them off with a prepaid packing slip and wait for the rewards to roll in. Don’t stop at golf clubs, though.
Poshmark
Although there are options aplenty for donating your closet’s cast-offs, you can also make extra money by reselling nicer brands and designer clothing on Poshmark. Simply snap photos of the garments, upload them to the app, and set a price for each item. If you’re lucky, it can turn into a full-time gig; some of the Poshmark’s top sellers report making up to $100,000 a year. Bonus: After you list your clothes, you can nab one or two secondhand steals for yourself.
Cuyana
The next time you shop at Cuyana, add a complimentary Lean Closet card to your cart at checkout. The company will send you a reusable bag, which you can fill with gently used garments and mail back for free. After Cuyana’s partner thredUP evaluates your items, you’ll receive credit that can be used toward your next Cuyana purchase. As a bonus, when you spend your credit, Cuyana will donate 5 percent of the profits to H.E.A.R.T., a nonprofit organization that helps victims of abuse. If you love this idea, check out these beautiful gifts that give back.
Best Buy
It pays to upgrade your old appliances—literally. Participating Best Buy locations will recycle everything from dishwashers and vacuums to digital cameras free of charge. Before you go, check the company’s Current Promotions page to get the scoop on the best trade-in deals. Right now, for example, you can get $200 off an Olympus Camera when you turn in an old (but still working) interchangeable-lens digital camera, or save up to $700 on a new Samsung Galaxy by trading in your outdated model.
Gift card exchange websites
Exchange sites like CardCash make it easy to turn your unused gift cards into cold, hard cash. And believe it or not, those flimsy pieces of plastic might be worth more than you think. Gift cards from popular retailers like Target, Starbucks, and Gap go for up to 92 percent of their original value. Better yet, you can make up to 13.5 percent more money when you sell them for store credit instead. Cardpool, Raise, and Gift Card Granny offer similar perks. While we’re on the subject, make sure you know the gift-card scam you need to watch out for.
Levi’s
There’s more than one way to cash in on your cluttered closet. Donate any brand of clothes or shoes to a participating Levi’s location for 20 percent off any full-price item in the store. Thanks to Levi’s partnership with textile recycling company I:Collect, your old garb will find a new home or get a second life as cleaning rags, insulation, and more. Don’t know where to start your purge? Here are 43 items you need to get rid of in the next 43 days.
Half Price Books
Let’s be honest: You will never read that pile of books that’s gathering dust on your shelves. Luckily, Half Price Books will pay top dollar to take them off your hands. They even encourage customers to resell old board games, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, too. If you don’t want to hoof it to a brick-and-mortar store, you can always list your books on eBay or Amazon and pocket the profit.
Staples
On average, 70 percent of used ink cartridges are thrown into landfills, where it can take up to 1,000 years for them to decompose. Make money off of your old cartridges (and help the planet!) by dropping them off at your local Staples or Office Depot. Staples will give you $3 off your next ink cartridge purchase for bringing in your used ones, while Office Depot offers $2 in rewards per cartridge.
AT&T
Your device may have taken its last breath, but it might still have more to give. With the AT&T Trade-In Program, you can offload those old electronics for a pretty penny. Depending on the value of your gadgets, they could fetch up to $200 or more in store credit, according to AT&T’s website. If your device turns out to be a dud, AT&T will still make sure that it’s recycled responsibly. Try these 10 other ways to make money fast.
North Face
Ready to replace your winter coat? Save the planet when you do. North Face will give you $10 off any purchase of $100 or more when you drop off your used clothes or shoes at their retail stores. Those unwanted garments don’t have to be North Face brand, either—attire of any brand and in any condition will do. These 41 ways to save the planet in five minutes or less prove that going green can be easier than you think.
Advance Auto Parts
Car and truck batteries are made with hazardous metals that can seep into the groundwater if they are not recycled. Fortunately, it’s a piece of cake to ditch yours without taking it to the landfill. Advance Auto Parts accepts all car batteries—even those you didn’t buy from them—for recycling, and you will receive a $10 gift card in exchange.
Apple
So you couldn’t resist getting the latest and greatest iPhone upgrade. Never fear: Thanks to the Apple Trade In program, you can donate your old device in good conscience. Apple will give it to a good home if it’s in decent shape, or they will recycle it for free. As for you, count on a discount of up to $400 for that upgrade. The only catch? You have to use the discount that day. And if you have any of these 10 retro tech gadgets, they could be worth a lot of money.
Kiehl’s
Trading in old tech can earn you big bucks, but don’t overlook the smaller items that clutter up your home. If you have empty Kiehl’s containers lying around, bring them to the nearest retail location and receive one stamp for every bottle with Kiehl’s Recycle & Be Rewarded program. Once you earn 10 stamps, you can get a free travel-size product of your choice. Another smart idea: Shop at these 22 big companies that are getting rid of plastic for good.
Salvage yards
When your old car finally bites the dust, drop it off at your local auto salvage yard. They will pay you for its parts and scrap metal; in fact, that clunker can fetch anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the current price of steel. Just make sure to remove any valuables from the glove compartment and clean out other nooks and crannies before you say so-long.
Eileen Fisher
Good news, Eileen Fisher fans. For every branded item that you bring in to your local Eileen Fisher store, you will get a $5 rewards card. Plus, the Eileen Fisher Renew program won’t let those old clothes go to waste. The company resells the garments that are in good condition and turns others into brand-new designs. These organizations will put your donations to good use, too.
Walmart
Walmart’s Gadgets to Gift Cards program, like many other retailer-sponsored recycling initiatives, will trade store credit for your old phones, tablets, gaming systems, voice speakers, and more. Check out the Gadgets to Gift Cards page to get an estimate of how much your tech is worth. If you accept the offer, you’ll ship the items with a prepaid packing slip, and Walmart will email you an e-gift card worth the value of your items. Consider spending that money on these things you’re not buying at Walmart—but really should.
M.A.C.
You can score a free M.A.C. lipstick of your choice by donating six empty M.A.C. makeup containers to any M.A.C. store. The Back-to-M.A.C. program recycles all empty M.A.C.-branded “primary packaging,” such as Paint Pots, Fix+, Lipglass, and Pigment jars. You may not get cash in return, but it’s still a win-win for both your wallet and the planet.
Microsoft
Before tossing that outdated laptop, tablet, phone, or gaming console, stop by a nearby Microsoft store to receive a free evaluation of your tech. If they like what you have, you’ll get a discount to upgrade to a new Microsoft device. And don’t sweat the products that are too old to resell. Microsoft will safely recycle them for you, because that iPhone is one of the things that you should never throw in a recycling bin.
GameStop
GameStop is another solid option for turning your old tech into extra cash. They will assess your used video games, gaming systems, phones, and tablets, and then give you cash or store credit in return. To get the biggest bang for your buck, check the latest trade deals listed on GameStop’s trade-in page before you head to the store. Pocket an even bigger profit with these 50 weird ways to make $50.
Madewell
You could sell your old jeans for pennies at a yard sale—or you could give them to a good cause and save on your next pair. Madewell’s Blue Jeans Go Green recycling initiative will turn your “pre-loved” pants into housing insulation for low-income communities. And for the trouble, you will receive $20 to put toward some new jeans.
Originally Published: February 24, 2020
