Microsoft offers Xbox owners up to $375 in Best Buy trade-in credit
Microsoft is emailing some Xbox Series X and S owners to encourage them to trade in consoles they no longer use, offering up to $375 in Best Buy store credit for a qualifying Series X. The campaign could help put more consoles into circulation while giving owners a convenient way to move on from hardware they feel they no longer need.
The article links the effort to rising console prices and RAM shortages that are expected to continue into 2028. Best Buy’s top offer requires a good-condition console and its working accessories, and the payment is store credit; selling privately may bring in more money but takes more effort. Microsoft may also benefit if a second-hand Xbox leads to new Game Pass subscriptions or digital purchases, while Best Buy’s shops make trade-ins easy to complete in person.
In short
- Microsoft is encouraging some owners to trade in unused Xbox consoles.
- Best Buy offers up to $375 in store credit for a qualifying Series X.
- RAM shortages may keep console supply tight into 2028.
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The case for
The offer gives owners a convenient way to get value from a console they no longer use, and may make gaming hardware more accessible to someone buying second-hand. Store credit can be useful for customers who already shop at Best Buy, while an in-person trade-in avoids the effort and uncertainty of selling privately.
The case against
The headline offer is conditional on the console being in good condition and including working accessories, and store credit may be less useful than cash; a private sale could bring in more. The campaign also serves Microsoft and Best Buy commercially, since recirculated consoles may lead to Game Pass subscriptions or other purchases, so owners may want to compare the trade-in value with alternatives before accepting.
Explained simply
Xbox is Microsoft’s video-game console brand, and the Series X and Series S are its current generation of machines. Best Buy is a large electronics retailer in the US that sells consoles and accepts some used devices in exchange for store credit.
Console prices can be affected by the cost and availability of components such as memory chips. A trade-in programme can give owners a straightforward way to get value from a console they no longer use, while retailers can resell traded-in hardware and Microsoft may gain customers for its games and subscriptions.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Engadget as “Microsoft really wants you to sell that Xbox you’re not using”.