Trademore: Buy and sell used devices
- Smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets
- Trademore Certified products
- Payment in Mastercard or PayPal
Nobody wants to pay full price for a cell phone. Luckily, with Trademore you don’t have to. Trademore is a pre-owned electronics dealer specializing in cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets. You can use it to find used devices in good condition at a less expensive overall price. The company will also buy your old devices for cash in the form of a virtual Mastercard or a deposit in your PayPal account.
Trademore generally buys and sells used devices at better prices than its competitors. Shipping is quick for a third-party retailer and most customers receive their new phone in around two days. That said, the cell phone selection on the site is somewhat limited and frequently changes, so you may not find the exact phone you’re looking for. Read on to learn more about Trademore and how it can help you save big money on your next phone, smartwatch, or tablet.
Is Trademore right for you?
Trademore: Pros and cons
If you're looking to buy quality used devices at a less expensive cost, Trademore might be for you.
What we like
- Big savings
- Variety of phone choices
- Offers smartwatches and tablets
- Both unlocked and carrier-specific phones
What we like: Big savings
You can save big on popular phones by buying a used one from Trademore. For example, you can find devices like the iPhone 13 for hundreds less than it would cost new directly from a carrier or Apple.
Used devices have an undeserved reputation. Many people believe that used products won’t work as well as new ones. In reality, you can’t usually tell a difference in the performance between new and used cell phones. Trademore ensures this by putting its devices through the “Trademore Certified” process. This means the device went through a 30-point functional and cosmetic inspection to ensure it was cleaned and is working properly. That way you can have confidence that any device you purchase is not only cheaper but works well too.
What we like: Phone choices
Trademore has a large selection of cell phones. It offers newer devices like the iPhone 13 and older phones like Samsung Galaxy S20. The diversity in the phone selection means there’s a good chance you can find a device that will fit your needs and budget.
What we like: Smartwatches and tablets
Trademore’s device selection isn’t just limited to cell phones. They also sell smartwatches and tablets like the Apple Watch and iPad. These devices undergo the same extensive testing that phones do, so you know you’re getting a solid product.
What we like: Unlocked and carrier-specific phones
The phones that Trademore sells can be purchased unlocked or locked to a specific carrier. Unlocked devices can be taken to any carrier as long as you can obtain a compatible SIM card and plan. Locked devices are tied to a specific carrier’s network.
If you know what carrier you will be using, it might be worth it to purchase a device that is already set up for that network from Trademore. However, if you like the freedom to change networks frequently, unlocked devices are a better option. No matter which you choose, you’ll still have to pick a plan directly from the carrier of your choice after you purchase your Trademore device.
What could be improved: Limited variety
As Trademore is a used device dealer, it does not have the same selection as larger retailers selling new devices. The company is generally limited by what is sold to it. So while you might find the device you’re looking for, it may not be available in the color you want or the condition you desire. Trademore is not alone on this as it’s something that all used electronics dealers face, but it’s still something to be aware of when shopping.
What could be improved: Few Android devices
Trademore seems to place top priority on Apple products. On the website, iPhones have a specific tab, while all other phone brands are relegated to the generic "Smartphone" tab. Additionally, as of the time of this review, only Samsung devices were available in that tab. Although Trademore buys smartphones from Google and Motorola, there were none listed for sale. So, if you have your heart set on an Android, you might have to look elsewhere if the one you want is not in stock.
What could be improved: Payment only in PayPal or Mastercard gift card
If you sell your device to Trademore, your payment will be on a virtual Mastercard gift card or deposited into your PayPal account. This is not unusual, but it is something to be aware of if you want your payment fast or to use at a physical store.
If you select the Mastercard option, you can only use it online at sites that accept that form of payment. Funds in your PayPal account can be deposited into a linked bank account, but it might take 1-3 business days for the funds to clear. Additionally, Trademore says your payment will take about five days to process after it receives your phone, but it could take up to 10 days if the device is locked. If you need cash for your old phone now, Trademore might not be the best option.
How does Trademore work?
You can buy or sell used devices on the Trademore website. Let’s dig into how each of these works below:
Buying a device
When buying a device from Trademore, you can either use the filters to specify a specific device you want or browse all to see what’s currently available. Once you find a device you like, you can then customize it based on carrier, memory capacity, color, model, and condition.
All Trademore listings are graded using four categories: Good, Really Good, Excellent, and Like New. On one end of the spectrum, Good devices might have some cosmetic flaws but are still fully functional. On the other end, Like New devices look like they were just unboxed and are almost pristine. As the grade goes up, so does the price.
After you’ve made your selections and paid for the device, Trademore sends it with free two-day shipping with UPS.
Selling a device
To sell a device with Trademore, you’ll go to the "Sell a Device" tab and fill out the required information. The website makes this easy. There’s nothing to type in and you simply click boxes about the brand, model, memory captivity, color, and condition of your device. As soon as that’s complete, Trademore gives an instant offer.
The condition options are different in the sell tab and devices must be graded as Poor, Good, or Perfect.
- Poor means the device is not fully functional or has a cracked screen or bent housing.
- Good means the device is fully functional with normal wear and tear or minor cosmetic scratches.
- Perfect means the device is fully functional and comes with no scratches or blemishes.
If you choose to accept the offer, Trademore locks in the value for 30 days and sends a free box for you to ship your phone. After they receive your device, it is inspected to ensure your description matches the terms of the offer. If it does, you should receive a Mastercard gift card or PayPal deposit in around five days.
If Trademore adjusts your offer after receiving the device–usually this is because you’ve accidentally overestimated its condition–you have the option to request your phone back for free.
Trademore customer reviews
Customer reviews of Trademore are generally positive. Most people report that they like the service and have had good experiences. That said, there have been some reported hiccups with shipping the wrong products, but that’s something that can happen with any retailer and Trademore reached out to fix the issue.
The main complaint from reviewers is that the offer they received when selling their device was lowered after they shipped their phone to Trademore. As we’ve already outlined above, this is usually because sellers inaccurately assessed their device’s condition. Most people overestimate the condition of their devices. We look at our cell phones all day long, so scuffs and scratches tend to fade into the background. If you make sure to follow the selling conditions listed above and on the Trademore website, you shouldn’t face this problem.
Trademore vs. competitors
Trademore is certainly not the only used electronics dealer out there. Let’s see how the company compares to the competition.
Trademore vs. Amazon
Amazon is one of the largest online retailers in the world and offers a robust used electronics selection. You’d think having more options means it would beat Trademore by default. However, there are some pitfalls to shopping at Amazon. Not all used products are sold by Amazon and some are fulfilled by third-party sellers. These devices may not be in great shape. If you do shop from Amazon, make sure to get an "Amazon Renewed" device or a device from a seller with high reviews. Amazon Renewed products have been tested and repaired by Amazon to ensure they work and are backed by a guarantee.
When buying from Trademore, you know exactly who is selling you the device because it’s not an online marketplace. You can also feel assured that all the devices you see are Trademore Certified. The final big advantage to Trademore is your payment for used devices is a Mastercard gift card or PayPal deposit. That gives you some freedom to shop elsewhere. Amazon’s trade-in program gives you an Amazon gift card, so you’re locked to the site.
Trademore vs. Decluttr
Decluttr and Trademore are both used electronics dealers. Decluttr is a larger site and offers more kinds of products than Trademore, like laptops, gaming consoles, and DVDs. That said, on the cell phone front, these sites are fairly similar.
Both have a large selection of cell phones in various conditions available. They both also offer similar prices if you want to sell your device. While Trademore has the Trademore Certified program, Declutter offers the Decluttr Certified Refurbished program that ensures its devices work well.
Trademore, however, has a leg up over DeCluttr when it comes to shipping. All Trademore products are given free two-day shipping with UPS; Decluttr, while also free, uses standard shipping. That means delivery might take up to four days. Decluttr’s advantage over Trademore is the payment methods when selling your device. Decluttr offers direct deposit, PayPal, or you can send your payment directly to a charity.
Trademore vs. ecoATM
This category is just if you’re wanting to sell your phone. Trademore and ecoATM will both buy your old phone. You’ve probably seen ecoATM kiosks in a store near you. They are readily available to give instant cash payments for old phones. However, there are some factors to keep in mind. While the payment is instant and in cash, you’re generally offered less money using an ecoATM than if you ship your phone to Trademore.
Trademore offers more for used devices than an ecoATM. But, remember that your payment is a Mastercard gift card or PayPal deposit and it may take a few days to get paid.
Recap: Is Trademore right for you?
If you’re looking for a less expensive used device that you can trust, Trademore might be for you. All of its devices are backed by the Trademore certification so you know you’re buying a functional product. Additionally, the company will purchase your old devices and pay you with a Mastercard gift card or PayPal deposit.
Trademore is a solid option for anyone in the market for a used cell phone. Get started with your trade-in here.
Trademore review: FAQs
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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