Longtime used smartphone buyer Gazelle has announced the end of its exchange program, which accepts old iPhones, iPads and Macs for cash.
The company revealed the novelty in an email to customers, explaining that it will no longer offer the exchange option as of February 1, 2021. Customers have until January 31 to make a quote and complete the exchange, while those who have already the one who initiated an exchange can expect it to continue normally.
As of February 1, 2021, we will no longer offer our exchange option at Gazelle. If you have an exchange that is in progress now, your exchange will continue as planned. You can also log in to your account to see the status of your current exchanges.
You can still buy high quality used electronics for a fraction of the price in our online store. We are excited to continue to help you save with incredible prices on used smart devices!
In the future, Gazelle intends to focus on its in-store ecoATM kiosks, which offer instant cash for devices, although they generally do not offer as much in return as customers would receive through traditional exchange programs.
EcoATMs can be found in more than 4,000 locations across the United States, and the company says the kiosks have collected more than 25 million devices, which equates to more than 6 million pounds of electronic waste.
Gazelle did not give a reason for his decision to end his exchange program, but several rival services have grown in popularity in recent years, including eBay’s “Instant Selling” service and Apple’s own exchange program for Apple and other devices in exchange for credit for a new purchase at the Apple Store.
(Thanks, Kenneth!)