We all have a place in our homes that, for better or worse, has become a graveyard for our old tech. And it can be difficult to know what to do with it since recycling e-waste can require a trip to a designated site, and there’s always the worry about your data falling into the wrong hands.
If you’re a Costco shopper and you’re looking for a way to empty out that drawer (or box) in a safe, lucrative way, you’re in luck: Costco offers a trade-in program for certain items, like Apple devices.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
How Costco’s trade-in program works
Costco offers a trade-in program for Apple devices (and select devices from other companies, such as Lenovo, Samsung, LG, and Google), via Phobio, a trade-in program provider. The gift cards are Costco cards, so any funds you receive could only be used at Costco or Costco.com.
Here’s how it works:
- You provide a few details about your device to get a quote online.
- You then receive a box for your device in three to five business days, which you use to send it in (which takes another three to five business days).
- Once the device is received and inspected and your data is wiped, you either get a digital Costco Shop Card in your email inbox (in one to two business days) or a physical one mailed to your address (which takes seven to 10 business days) for the quoted amount.
So the entire process can take anywhere from seven to 20 business days to complete, depending on the type of card you request.
Here’s how much you can get for your old Apple tech
The actual value of your Apple tech through Costco’s trade-in program will depend on factors like the model, age, and condition of your item. So there is a lot of flexibility here, though you should note that rates cap out at $1,080 (which would apply to laptops).
To give you a better idea of how much you could get, here are sample offers for a few Apple items.
| Item type/model | Year | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Macbook Air Intel Core i5 (13”) | 2017 | Up to $50 |
| Macbook Pro M2 (1 TB SSD) | Mid 2022 | Up to $525 |
| iPhone 8 (256 GB) | N/A | Up to $15 |
| iPad 6 (128 GB) | N/A | Up to $35 |
| Apple Watch Series 7 Titanium | N/A | Up to $75 |
Data source: Costco Trade-In (via Phobio).
As with any trade-in program, it’s best to shop around for offers. For example, you may want to consider options like eBay or other reselling sites, as well as other trade-in programs, like those from Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
You should consider not just the offer amount but also how you can use that cash (perhaps to lower your credit card tab for your next Costco grocery run) and how long the process will take. That way, you’ll know that you’re getting the maximum value for your old tech.
