Shoe repair chain Timpson has introduced a new service for trading in mobile phones. Partnering with gadget resell company musicMagpie and its parent company AO, Timpson now allows individuals to bring their unwanted smartphones to any of their stores and receive instant cash. Recent research by Censuswide indicates that 73% of adults in the UK have at least one unused smartphone at home, with an average trade-in value of approximately £250, totaling an estimated £10 billion in unused devices.
While online options for reselling exist, Timpson aims to cater to those who prefer in-person transactions, a preference shared by 68% of individuals surveyed. Immediate payment upon trade-in is considered crucial by one in four participants. The trade-in service, initially trialed by Timpson and musicMagpie four months ago, is now available at over 1,300 Timpson stores nationwide.
John Roberts, CEO and founder of AO World, emphasized the convenience of the new service, stating that bringing old tech to Timpson for cash is now a straightforward choice for customers. The partnership between musicMagpie and Timpson leverages the refurbishment expertise of the former and the extensive network of the latter, offering customers instant value for their old devices while promoting affordability and device reuse.
Steve Oliver, managing director of musicMagpie, expressed excitement over the milestone achieved by expanding their presence to 1,300 Timpson stores, enhancing convenience for customers significantly. Sid Hubbard, group director of Timpson, highlighted the trust and reliability of Timpson’s staff in providing a positive high street experience for customers. Extending their traditional service of repairing goods to include smartphone trade-ins aligns with Timpson’s commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation.