EXCHANGE OLD ELECTRONICS FOR GROCERIES AT COSTCO

Matt Case - January 16th, 2026 

Old electronics collecting dust in a drawer could soon help put food on the table — literally.

Costco shoppers can now trade in used electronics for grocery credit through a program run by Phobio, a company that specializes in device buybacks and trade-ins. The program allows customers to exchange qualifying gadgets for Costco Shop Cards, which can be used toward groceries and other purchases.

The trade-in program accepts devices across six categories: smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, desktop computers, and media players. Depending on the device and its condition, some trade-ins could be worth as much as $2,550.

Getting started is fairly simple. Customers fill out an online form through Phobio’s website, providing details such as the device brand, original purchase date, and current condition. Once approved, the device is shipped in, evaluated, and the credit is issued.

In other words, that old phone you’ve been hanging onto “just in case” might finally earn its keep — this time in the form of groceries from Costco.