Costco Will Now Let You Trade Your Old Tech for Groceries
If you’ve got a drawer full of retired phones, an old laptop collecting dust, or a tablet you haven’t powered on in years, Costco has found a way to turn that clutter into something genuinely useful: groceries.
The warehouse retailer now allows members to trade in eligible electronics for Costco Shop Card credit, which can be used on food, household staples, and nearly anything else sold in-store or online.
This is an ongoing program that converts unused tech into real spending power, and depending on the device, the payout can be surprisingly substantial.
How The Costco Tech Trade-In Actually Works
Costco operates the program through a partnership with Phobio, a platform that specializes in device buybacks, refurbishment, and recycling. The entire process is handled online and starts with a simple valuation.
Members visit Costco’s trade-in portal, choose a device category, and answer a few questions about the brand, model, storage capacity, and condition. An instant quote appears based on those details. If the offer appears favorable, the device is wiped, packaged, and shipped using a prepaid shipping label.
After Phobio receives and inspects the item, the payout is issued as a Digital Costco Shop Card. From shipment to credit, the process typically takes 9-15 business days.
The Shop Card can be used both in-store and online. While it isn’t cash deposited into a bank account, it functions almost the same way for members who already rely on Costco for groceries and household essentials.
What Devices Are Eligible, And How Much You Can Get?
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The program accepts a broad range of electronics, including phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, smartwatches, and select media players. Major brands such as Apple, Samsung, and Google are supported, though eligibility varies by model and condition.
According to program details, laptops can earn up to $2,550 in Costco credit. Phones, desktops, and wearables also have meaningful upper limits based on their specifications. Even devices with cosmetic wear and, in some cases, cracked screens may qualify, though at a reduced value.
Older electronics won’t command top-dollar offers, but that’s part of the appeal. A phone with little resale value elsewhere can still offset a grocery bill or help cover the cost of everyday Costco staples.
Why Costco Is Pushing Trade-Ins Now
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From Costco’s perspective, the program serves two clear purposes. It adds measurable value to membership at a time when grocery costs remain unpredictable, and it keeps old electronics out of landfills by directing them toward reuse or responsible recycling.
Electronic waste contains valuable materials such as gold, copper, and lithium, along with hazardous components that don’t belong in trash dumps. Trade-in programs reduce demand for newly mined resources and lower the environmental cost of constant device upgrades.
For members, the benefit is straightforward. You’re exchanging something you no longer use for something you already need, without listing fees, negotiations, or uncertainty about resale.
Other Stores Offering Similar Programs
Costco isn’t alone in the trade-in space. Retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target also offer electronics buyback programs, while manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, provide trade-in credit tied to new purchases.
If clearing out your old tech has been sitting on your to-do list, this may be one of the simplest ways to turn yesterday’s devices into tonight’s dinner.