Timpson Group and MusicMagpie have today announced a partnership that allows consumers to trade in their unwanted smartphones in stores across the UK.
Those using the service get will receive payment in around 15 minutes, with research from MusicMagpie estimating people in the UK are sitting on a combined total of £10 billion worth of no-longer-used old tech in their homes.
Smartphones can be traded in at circa 1,300 locations across the UK, adding to the postal trade-in service already offered by MusicMagpie and the ‘smart drop’ kiosks available at partner sites. People can walk in with their old smartphone, have it assessed on the spot, and exchange it for money – although they do need to set up their trade order online first and select Timpson as the drop-off point prior to visiting stores.
The MusicMagpie research found 68% of consumers said they would prefer trading in their old tech in person rather than sending it off by post. Speed of payment was cited as a key factor, with one in four Brits saying receiving their money ‘straight away’ is very important to them.
Steve Oliver, managing director and co-founder of MusicMagpie, which was acquired by AO.com parent company AO World for £10 million in December 2024, said: “Rolling this scheme out to 1,300 stores in the Timpson network is a huge milestone for us, and it’s great to see that so many customers are choosing to trade in their old phones in a way that’s as good for the planet as it is for their wallets.
“Our research showed that the majority of Brits want the ability to trade-in their unused tech in person, so it’s brilliant that this partnership will now allow people to do just that and receive cash in their bank accounts within minutes.”
Sid Hubbard, group director at Timpson, commented: “Customers across the UK can now add smartphone trade-in to the list of services available at their local Timpson shop.
“For over 150 years our focus has been to provide an exceptional customer experience whilst carrying out jobs that make your life easier, from key cutting to dry cleaning and shoe repairs. Unused tech sitting around the house is a common theme for millions of us, so we are excited to offer an easy, trusted solution on the high street.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
