13 Major Retailers That Buy Back Your Used Stuff for a Pretty Penny

Looking for a way to earn extra income this season? You may want to consider selling your lightly used items and clothing.

While trade-in programs at retailers like Apple are widely known and well-used, other trade-in opportunities and buy-back programs are often overlooked. These options are not only more sustainable, but they can also help you save money.

We dug up info on 15 retailers that will buy your old stuff.

Best Buy has a pretty expansive trade-in program. Like coupons and sales, trade-in offers rotate in and out to incentivize people to upgrade their technology and appliances on a budget. Bring in your used products for deals like 20% off a particular brand and $30-$150 off products.

Right now, enjoy deals when you bring in a Windows 10 or other Windows PC, or a used iPad.

Another unexpected place to trade in your used tech items is Amazon. They offer 20% discounts on items like Fire TVs, Tablets, Kindles, Echos, and Ring cameras when you trade in devices from brands like Apple, Bose, Google, Microsoft, and more.

You can also send in your old cell phone or gaming system for an Amazon gift card.

Target has an electronics trade-in program that will take your smart watches, consoles, smartphones, tablets, and more in exchange for a Target gift card. Take your used item to a participating store in good condition, or have it sent in to be analyzed.

Target also offers a yearly, limited-time car seat trade-in program, this year from April 27 until May 10. Anyone who brings their used seat will get 20% off gear purchases for growing children.

Costco offers a pretty expansive tech trade-in program, though its website only mentions Apple products. For the record, Costco will buy your used phone, laptop, tablet, desktop, display, media player, or smartwatch.

When trading in old tech, you get an instant quote and a box to ship it in. The team will safely erase all of your data before recycling your device's materials.

Did you know Eileen Fisher has a simple buy-back program that rewards you with a $5 Renew Reward for each branded clothing or accessory item you bring into their stores?

Although they do ask that you wash the items before bringing them in, they will accept them in any condition. Pristine items are resold, while others are recycled into new and exciting Eileen Fisher pieces.

Do you have an old pair of jeans lying around that you'd like to sell for a little money?

While garage sales and local secondhand stores won't offer much for your pre-loved denim, Madewell guarantees a $20 shop credit for your old jeans.

The jeans will be resold or recycled into housing insulation. They accept any jeans brand made from 90% cotton and above.

Madewell also offers store credit for any other pre-loved clothing or accessory items, either returned in-store or mailed in.

Lululemon might be an expensive investment, but their Like New buyback program sweetens the deal and allows you to sustainably give back. Since 2021, they have processed over 1.7 million trade-ins.

Get $5 for men's shirts, skirts, and shorts. A $10 credit is applied for hoodies, sweatshirts, leggings, crops, pants, sweaters, bags, and dresses, while you can grab a $25 credit for all outwear.

Lush is known for their earth-conscious, fresh skincare and spa products. They have a pretty nifty recycling program. Customers can earn a free Fresh Face Mask for every five used Lush black plastic containers they bring back, or one piece of eligible packaging can get $1 off your next order.

If you have ever invested in Patagonia, you know it wears for a long time. If your item has outworn its welcome, or you're looking to upgrade or switch it up, you can trade in your used items with their Worn Wear program.

Your old gem can score you up to 25% MSRP, usually between $10 and $100.

If you have a used tablet, phone, gaming console, or laptop to get rid of, swing into a Microsoft storefront for an evaluation. Right now, you can get up to $150 for your used console with an eligible trade-in or a Surface Copilot+ PC with up to $700 cash back with trade-in.

If Microsoft can't offer a trade-in, they will recycle your items for you.

Staples has been running an ink cartridge recycling program for years now, saving thousands of plastic contaminants from being thrown into landfills around the world.

Staples Rewards members receive $2 per cartridge returned to the store (maximum ten per month). They also earn 5% back in rewards.

If you choose to sell back online, they will provide you a free shipping label and you can get a percentage back with a browser extension. To qualify, you must have spent at least $30 in ink or toner in the last 180 days.

Looking to offload some of your expansive library while saving money? If you're in Texas or Oklahoma, you're in luck! Once you're finished with your media — be it music, books, artwork, or otherwise — it's worth seeing what Half Price Books will pay for it. 

Bring an ID with you and be ready to wait as a team member evaluates your items.

If you have a vehicle battery that is no longer operational, you should make sure to dispose of it properly to keep hazardous material out of the groundwater.

Drop into Advance Auto Parts — even if you didn't originally purchase your battery there — and swap it in for a $10 gift card and some peace of mind.

With so many incredible buy-back options, you can easily earn extra cash to help pay your bills. And quickly.

Plus, you get to sleep soundly, knowing you reduced your footprint and extended the life of your pre-loved items.