What is Optus’ trade-in scheme?
Did you know that Optus has a trade-in scheme for customers who want to get rid of their old phones and tablets? The telco allows users to exchange their old devices for credit toward their bills.
Optus’ trade-in scheme is convenient – you can either walk into an Optus store to trade in your old device or complete the entire process online. And if you need more help, you can also give Optus a call to complete the process.
You can trade in your device to Optus regardless of whether you’re a new or existing customer. However, if you’re a new customer, you must sign up for a billed service before processing a trade-in request with Optus.
And if your old device was linked to another network, Optus will still accept it for a trade-in. However, Optus only accepts devices that can power on and still have a functional factory reset button. Optus gives quotes based on your device’s condition.
Read on for more information about trading or selling your old mobile devices.
Here’s how Optus’ trade-in scheme works:
- Check your old device to ensure it is in good working condition. Remember to back up and delete all important data before handing your device over to Optus.
- Head to https://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/deals/trade-in and use the search function to find your old phone or tablet. You’ll be asked a few questions to determine your device’s condition.
- If you agree with Optus’ evaluation, the telco will send you a prepaid satchel for mailing your old device. You can also visit an Optus store to trade in your device or give the telco a call.
- When Optus receives your old device in the post, you’ll receive a credit for the agreed amount on your bill. The credit can be used towards your monthly bill and other Optus account-related expenses.
Trade-in vs Trade-up schemes: What’s the difference?
All three of the major Australian telcos offer options to allow you to exchange your phone for something else. But it’s important to note the difference between a trade-in and trade-up scheme, so you can choose the right option for getting rid of your old device.
- A trade-in scheme allows customers to exchange their phones, tablets, or other mobile devices for credit on their monthly bills. The Optus exchange option discussed in this post is a trade-in scheme – that is, the telco will give you credits towards your bill in exchange for your old device.
- A trade-up scheme also allows customers to hand their mobile devices to the telco or other retail shops. The difference, however, is that a trade-up system gives the customer credit towards a new device instead of their monthly bills. Trade-up schemes are best for customers who wish to upgrade their old device to a more recent version.
Other telcos that offer trade-in schemes
Several telcos offer trade-in and trade-up options to customers, as long as the device is in good condition and under a few years old.
Here’s a brief look at Telstra and Vodafone’s trade-in schemes:
- Telstra’s trade-in scheme, provided by Kingfisher, offers customers up to $1150 in credits towards their phone bills within two billing cycles. You’ll need your Telstra ID to log into the My Telstra portal to initiate the trade, get a quote, and receive mailing instructions. Telstra will transfer the amount to your credit or debit card if you’re on an Upfront or data-only plan.
- Vodafone’s trade-in scheme is provided in partnership with Asurion. The telco allows customers to either “trade-in” their phone for credits toward their bills or “trade up” to an upgraded device. For instance, we ran an iPhone 13 with 512GB through Vodafone’s quote tool and received an offer of $750. If we go through the process, that $750 can be applied to future bills or a new device.
For more information on what to do with your old phone, read our article about trade-in options for your old phone.
Other options – Selling your old phone
Second-hand mobile phones now make up 10 per cent of the Australian market. You don’t have to trade in or trade up your old device – you can also sell it for outright cash. You’ll find several platforms for selling your old phone, including eBay, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace.
If your device is too old or damaged to be traded or sold, you can recycle it or give it away. Optus offers a recycling option called the Mobile Muster program and the Donate Your Device feature on the Optus Living Network.
Final words
Hardware trade-ins are convenient for phone shoppers but difficult for telcos to manage. Phone companies really want to sell you airtime and Gigabytes of data, not hardware like iPhones or Samsung Galaxy devices.
Why? Because implementing processes to standardise returns is expensive – what industry insider call refer to as non-core activity.
For users, you’re probably better off putting your old handset up for sale on eBay instead of trading it in with a phone company. It’s a bit more hassle to sell, but you’ll get more money for your device. Plus, unlike the trade schemes operated by phone companies, you’ll be able to use the money where and when you want to if you sell your device for cash instead.