Gazelle backpedals on decision to end trade-in program

Gazelle logo (Image credit: Gazelle)

What you need to know

Gazelle is reversing course on ending its trade-in program for old devices.
It was originally announced in December 2020 that the trade-in program was ending.
The Gazelle trade-in program was dead since February 1, 2021, but it's now back.

Gazelle is one of the biggest brands around when it came to trading in your old devices to get some quick cash. Back in December 2020, Gazelle had announced that they would be ending its trade-in program on Feb. 1, 2021. But it seems that the company has now reversed course on this decision, and is reinstating the trade-in program.

The following is in an email that Gazelle sent out to customers:

Earlier this year, we announced that we will no longer be offering our trade-in option on Gazelle. After careful consideration, including feedback from customers like you, we have decided to keep Gazelle Trade-In going. Today, we are happy to say, 'We're back, baby!' Gazelle Trade-In is a pioneer of the electronics trade-in space and we are happy to continue building on our legacy by offering a simple process and immediate payouts for those unwanted devices.

Initially, back when they announced that they were ending the trade-in program, Gazelle stated that it would pivot to focus on in-store ecoATM kiosks instead. These devices are made to offer instant cash for devices. There are over 4,000 ecoATM machines across the US, and these units have collected over 25 million devices.

We usually recommend Gazelle as one of the best options out there when it comes to selling your old iPhone or even getting rid of an old iPad. We're glad to see Gazelle reverse course on this decision.

However, fans of the Gazelle Rewards program may be disheartened to hear that this won't be coming back for the time being. Though Gazelle does mention in the email that it will continue to evaluate the market conditions and inform customers if this changes.

So if you have any old iPhones, iPads, or even MacBooks laying around, then rejoice! Gazelle continues to be an option to consider for some quick cash as you upgrade to the best iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.