You can now recycle your phone and get cash at common high street shop

CUSTOMERS can now recycle old mobile phones and get cash back at a common high street store.

MusicMagpie has launched a partnership with Timpson to allow anyone to exchange phones for cash in just a few minutes.

The service is now available at more than 1,300 Timpson stores across Britain.

Timpson staff will assess the phone on the spot.

The average unused smartphone languishing in a drawer at home is around £250, according to musicMagpie.

“We know that apathy is the biggest barrier to trading in old tech,” said John Roberts, chief executive and founder of AO World, which owns musicMagpie.

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He added that the new scheme “makes it a no-brainer for customers who can get cash in only a few minutes”.

He continued: “By combining musicMagpie’s refurbishment expertise with Timpson’s trusted nationwide network, we’re helping customers unlock the value in their old tech instantly, while keeping more devices in use and making them more affordable for every pocket.”

Sid Hubbard, group director of Timpson, said: “Repairing worn, old or damaged goods has been at the heart of the Timpson service offer for over 150 years.

“We are pleased to extend this to smartphone trade-in for our customers on behalf of musicMagpie.”

How to get cash for your old phone at Timpson

• First, go to the musicMagpie website and fill out a form with details about your phone here. You’ll get a valuation then.

• If you’re happy with the valuation, take your phone to the nearest participating Timpson store. You’ll need to bring the musicMagpie confirmation email, and a form of ID. Make sure you reset your phone back to its factory settings too.

• A Timpson staff member will check the email confirmation and assess your phone.
• They will confirm the make and model, check the IMEI number to make sure it’s not lost or stolen, make sure it’s not locked to your iCloud or Android account, and check the condition. Any issues and you may receive a lower valuation.

• You’ll then be paid within 15 minutes via bank transfer.
• If you’re not happy with a lower valuation, you’re free to reject it and keep your phone.

At the moment, Samsung and Apple phones are accepted.

Old phones can also be recycled for cash at a few different places.

Apple and Samsung will offer to buy your old phone in exchange for a discount on a new one.

ASDA also allows shoppers to exchange their phones for cash through a similar partnership with musicMagpie.

Many stores now have a kiosk that allows you to get an instant price for your phone and sell it on the spot.