The trade-in site pays less and asks no questions. The marketplace pays more and asks three times whether you'll really ship. Both are fine – as long as you know what you're trading: money for time.
The short answer
Trade-in sites such as [momox](/en/providers/momox), [rebuy](/en/providers/rebuy) or [Wirkaufens](/en/providers/wirkaufens) quote a price immediately, you send the items in, they check and pay. Fast and predictable, but with a markdown and the risk of a lower offer after inspection. On [Kleinanzeigen](/en/providers/kleinanzeigen) or [Vinted](/en/providers/vinted) you set the price yourself, often get more, but handle photos, messages, shipping and the fraud risk.
How trade-in works
- Get a quote. Scan the barcode or specify the device; the site makes an offer. It's an offer subject to inspection.
- Send it in. Usually free shipping above a minimum value. Pack so nothing breaks; transport damage is otherwise on you.
- Inspection. The site grades the condition. If it differs from what you stated, a lower offer follows. You can decline; the return is free or not depending on the site. How each provider handles this and whether there's a consumer arbitration scheme is in our profiles.
- Payout. Bank transfer or PayPal, often within a few days of inspection.
How a marketplace works
- Listing. Good photos in daylight, an honest description including flaws, a realistic price (compare sold listings, not active ones).
- Communication. Expect price enquiries, no-shows and collectors who never come. Budget time for it.
- Payment and shipping. Use the platform's own payment and shipping. Anything steering you elsewhere ("send me your email, I'll pay by link") is a warning sign; more in [Stay safe](/en/safe-start).
- Fees. Vinted charges the buyer, Kleinanzeigen is mostly free for private sellers; shipping and packaging are partly or fully on you.
Which one when?
- Many small items (books, CDs, games): trade-in, because selling individually costs more time than the extra money is worth.
- One expensive device (phone, console, camera): marketplace, if you have a few days; the difference can be substantial. Get the trade-in quote first so you know your floor.
- Clothes: Vinted or Kleinanzeigen; trade-in sites pay little here or only take brands.
- Gone fast, whatever it takes: trade-in.
In practice
Run both numbers once: the trade-in offer versus a realistic marketplace price minus fees, shipping and – honestly – two hours of your time. What your time is worth is something you set yourself in the [time-value calculator](/en/calculator). The result is often: trade-in for the box, marketplace for the one good item.
Checklist
- Trade-in offer saved (screenshot with date).
- Condition stated honestly, flaws photographed.
- Return conditions for a reduced offer read.
- Only the platform's own payment and shipping on marketplaces.
- No ID photos, no payment by link to strangers.
- Time for listing, messages and shipping counted in.
All trade-in and selling platforms with ratings and evidence are in the [comparison](/en/comparison).