Argos launches trade-in service for unwanted gadgets

You can now exchange mobiles and tablets for vouchers in-store.

Argos has launched a brand new over the counter trade-in service to help people recycle their old gadgets.

The high street retailer will now provide instant quotes and pay Argos gift card vouchers on-the-spot in exchange for unwanted mobiles and tablets.

The new service has been launched in conjunction with waste prevention charity WRAP, which estimates UK households have £1 billion worth of electrical and electronic equipment in their homes which they no longer use but would be willing to trade in with a reputable retailer.

How it works

Argos reckons its new service will appeal as it is easy, quick and convenient.

With current online recycling schemes you get a quote for your items but then have to post them off and wait several days or weeks to receive a payment, which may be less than you expected anyway. In contrast, Argos is offering an instant service over the counter.

Shoppers can go into any Argos store with their unwanted mobiles or tablets, receive a quote and if they agree to the trade get an Argos gift card up to the value to spend on anything in-store right there and then.

The items traded in are then refurbished in the UK and resold, helping to reduce the volume of electrical items being sent to landfill.

The new service is available in all 788 Argos stores nationwide and for now limited to just mobile phones and tablets. But Argos says depending on the success of the scheme the products eligible for exchange may be extended to include other electrical items such as cameras, sat-navs and laptops.

Amy Whidburn, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Argos, said: “As a leading technology retailer we know that our customers are looking for solutions to responsibly dispose of unwanted gadgets when they replace or trade-up devices. 

“Our new scheme in conjunction with WRAP offers them a safe way to do this, in a really convenient location on their local high street or Retail Park, with the added benefit of receiving a gift card in return immediately.”

How does it compare?

The new service from Argos isn’t unique, high street retailer CeX for example also offers on the spot trade-ins although you may have to wait for the in-house team to test the equipment.

A key difference is that you can choose cash for your trade with CeX or bump up the value by going for vouchers instead.

Here’s how the two services compare when exchanging a range of unlocked smartphones and tablet devices.

As you can see CeX offers higher value trades for the basket of goods in both cash and vouchers. But that might not always be the case, especially if CeX has too much in stock already, so it’s always worth checking what you can get with both before making a decision.

Other ways to recycle old gadgets

If you don’t mind the wait, online sites like Mazuma Mobile, Envirophone and Music Magpie offer a simple way to get a quote and release the value of your gadgets.

If you’ve got the time though selling the items yourself on sites like eBay will probably get you the best price for your goods.

Take a look at our guide: Recycle your things for cash for more ideas.

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