Trade in an old mobile or sell it - What's better?

arte

Hello forum,

I've been thinking about purchasing the new Pixel 6 and I'm looking into what could be the best option to maximise the value of the Pixel 5 I currently own.

I bought this Pixel 5 back in March, and it's in pristine condition. I saw that Google Store offers a trade in option, and so do some other sites. I never used these kinds of offers, though, and I wonder if anyone had any advice on what is best to do.

What's better, selling it on some site and then using the money toward the new phone or using one of those trade-in options? 

Thanks

cx6

In my experience you would probably get more if you sold it on, say, eBay than trade-in.

That said, the eBay experience has a low but significant probability of having hassle and even downright scamming -  phones are a particular target for scam buyers.

To balance that, I have traded-in two phones over the last 'n' years and in both cases the seller of the new phone (Samsung) reduced the offer price of the trade in once they had received it. 

ballyblack

why not try MOBILE board??

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/mobiles

Sandtree

As always, you will get more money by private sale but it comes with certain risks and hassle. Up to you to decide if the extra monies is worth it or just have the simplicity of trading it in (same goes with cars and everything else)

Jenni_D

Advertise on FB Marketplace / your town's FB page? That way you could get someone "local" to buy it, hand it over in person (so they can inspect it and can't later claim it is scratched/damaged) and they can give you the cash/bank transfer there and then.

I know there are also potential pitfalls here, but possibly less chance of being scammed.

arte

cx6 said:

In my experience you would probably get more if you sold it on, say, eBay than trade-in.

That said, the eBay experience has a low but significant probability of having hassle and even downright scamming -  phones are a particular target for scam buyers.

To balance that, I have traded-in two phones over the last 'n' years and in both cases the seller of the new phone (Samsung) reduced the offer price of the trade in once they had received it. 

Can they reduce the price they offered for the trade in? Thanks for the warning, I didn't think they could do that. 

EssexExile

The MSE way would be to keep using the phone you've only had for 8 months.

cx6

In my case they offered, from memory, £120 and when it arrived said it has slight screen burn and offered £80 or a free return back to me.

By then the new phone had arrived of course.

Coffeekup

Personally I always keep my previous phone... Just in case I damage/lose the new one. Then I have a back up one I know will work. 

A few years ago I sold the previous phone and dropped the new one. I paid through the nose to get a phone back in my hand within a day.

Sell the the phone that's 2* previous... You won't get as much but the value saved from trying to replace a brand new one for me is better.

KxMx

If you want to sell it on then avoid eBay and go for a business like Cex or Music Magpie.

(I always keep a spare handset around too). 

chrobakx

I would try to sell it first on FB marketplace - no fees, then eBay.