Use Amazon’s Trade In Service to Declutter Your Home and Earn Some Extra Cash

by Dana Hinders on October 17, 2012

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With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time to do some decluttering around your home to make room for all of the new things your kids will be unwrapping during the month of December.

One great resource I’ve found for making money from unwanted books, DVDs, music, electronics, and video games is the Amazon trade in store.

The trade in process is fairly easy. Search by title or keyword for the items you want to trade in. When you’re done, you’ll be given a printable postage paid label. Pack up your stuff, send it in, and wait about a week or so to get your Amazon.com credit. Then, you can use the credit to help pay for some of the stuff on your child’s wish list.

I normally do a trade in on Amazon every couple months. I have a box that we put unwanted items in. When the box is full, I see what Amazon will take and then drop the rest off at Goodwill.

I’ve had the most luck trading in DVD series box sets, reference or hobby books, and any video game that would be considered family friendly. The newer the item is, the more money you’ll get for it. Most of the time, however, I manage to make more money with less stress than I’d have trying to plan a garage sale.

If for some reason Amazon determines your item is unacceptable, they will send it back to you at no charge. In all the times I’ve done a trade in, I’ve only had one item returned because I accidentally packed it in the wrong box.

Have you used Amazon’s trade in service? If so, what did you think?

Photo credit: Amazon

  • http://www.momhomeguide.com/ MomHomeGuide

    Sounds terrific! I have been cleaning out my basement (I’ve been writing much these days about my plans for the basement) in the hopes of making a cute playspace for the kids, and would love to trade in some stuff for extra cash! I’ve never had much luck with garage sales, so this will be a good option!

  • http://www.citybabyliving.com/ Emily (CityBaby Living)

    I’m going right now!  I’m in a major purge mode right now and would love to be able to have another avenue to see my stuff recycled to others.  Plus the amazon gift card wouldn’t be too shabby either.

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