Trade-In Program

****SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - EFFECTIVE 6/16/22 - WE HAVE TEMPORARILY STOPPED ACCEPTING TRADE-INS. TRADE-INS ARE STILL LIMITED TO $100.00 OF TOTAL TRADE VALUE PER MONTH PER PERSON/HOUSEHOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. IF YOU SEND TRADES WORTH MORE THAN THIS, THEY WILL BE ADDED TO OUR QUEUE FOR PROCESSING ONCE ENOUGH TIME HAS ELAPSED.****

At Back River Gifts we accept trade-ins for most items. If you've got an item you want to trade for store credit, we'll be happy to help you out!

So how do trade-ins work at BRG? Well, each item that is eligible to be traded in has its trade value listed on its item page. So for example, if you were to look up an item that was priced at $39.99, it's trade value might be listed as $20.00. That means you'll get $20.00 in Store Credit (in the form of a coupon code), which can be used for future purchases with us. In order to trade in items to us, you have to have an account on our website (it's free to sign up). This is needed so we can make sure you get the Store Credit. You can also use the same account to make purchases from our site.

Trade values are updated periodically, so be sure to check the site for the latest values before you send us your trade. Please read through the following guidelines for trading in items to BRG. BRG reserves the right to update this page and our trade-in program's rules, regulations, and information as needed and as determined by management.

Last Updated: October 2nd, 2021

Trade-In Rules & Regulations

  • Please view the trade-in request form here. Fill this out and please send one copy to the address below and retain a second copy for your records.
  • All trade-in credits listed (both store credit & "cash") are assumed to be for complete-in-box copies of the item (where applicable). All items that are traded in without an original box/case (if it had one when purchased) will have their trade value reduced by 20%. Items without instructions (if it had instructions and if non-digital), will be reduced by 5%. Items without other contents of the original item (i.e. inserts, cords, etc.) will be reduced by 5%. Items with neither the box/case & instructions (if originally included and non-digital), will be reduced by 25%. Items with none of these will be reduced by 30%.
  • We do not currently accept trade-ins of *ANY* new/sealed items.
  • We do not currently accept trade-ins of *ANY* reproductions/fakes/etc. All traded items must be authentic. Any reproductions, etc. sent to BRG will be forfeited to BRG for no trade credit.
  • Your trade-in request with listed trade values (viewable on our website on each item's page) will be valid as long as we receive your trade within one to two weeks of the ship date. If you use incorrect trade values or no trade values, the most recent ones (viewable on our website) will be used instead.
  • As of September 2021, we are temporarily implementing a monthly trade-in limit of $100.00 of trade-in credit (either, store credit, "cash," or both) per person/group/household. We hope to be able to lift this restriction eventually. If you send us more than $100.00 worth of items in a month, the item(s) that exceed(s) your monthly allowed credit will be rolled over to the next month and the credit for these items will not be received until that month.

Bannable Rules & Regulations

  • BRG reserves the right to not accept your trade-in for any reason or no reason at all. We also cannot currently accept trade-ins of multiples of the same item from the same person/household or group of people. All trade-ins are limited to 1 trade-in of 1 particular item per person/household/group per day.
  • We also reserve the right to refuse trade-ins on merchandise which was clearly purchased from another retailer with the sole intention of trading-in. this includes, but is not limited to, sealed/new items.
  • All items traded-in and trade-in funds will be held for 30 days before being finalized and distributed. This includes both store credit as well as "cash" (PayPal, Check, or Money Order) payments.
  • Person(s) who violate these rules will be permanently banned from trading in to Back River Gifts and will forfeit any/all trade-in credit and/or pending "cash" payments.

How To Send In Your Trade-Ins

  • Looking to save some money? If your trades total $50.00 or more, you're eligible to receive a free shipping label. Simply contact us with your trade request and we'll send you a label. Please note, if you wish to use a free label, you will need to provide us with the total weight and dimensions of your items once they have been packed in the box you will be sending them to us in.
  • Send your trades to:
    Back River Gifts
    Attn: TIP
    PO Box 7092
    Hampton, VA 23666

Trade-In FAQ

  • Can I trade-in a new/sealed item?
    Unfortunately no, due to laws and regulations regarding pawning items. While we'd love to accept your trade-in, we have no way of knowing if the item was stolen (even if years or decades old) or if the item (or parts/contents of it) was/were removed and re-sealed. We're not trying to say you stole anything, just trying to protect our company/business from a legal standpoint.

    If you still wish to trade an item like this in, you will need to open the item at least 24 hours (1 day) before your initial request. Assuming everything is still there once opened, you would get the full trade value for the item for whichever payment method you chose.

    For example, if you traded in a item that sells for $59.99 brand new, the store credit trade value would generally be around $39.00 with everything included, whereas if you chose to be paid in "cash" (i.e. PayPal, check, or money order), then the trade value would generally be around $29.00 with everything included. If the box or instructions (assuming the instructions aren't digital only), is missing, the trade value would be reduced.

    As always, BRG holds the final say in what is or isn't allowed to be traded in. Any items that are not allowed for trade-ins, will be returned to you unless otherwise stated.
    Can I trade-in an item that doesn't list a trade value on the website?
    It depends. We do not accept trade-ins on things like T-Shirts, Hats, Wallets, Magnets, Cups, etc. If you have an item that's not listed on our website, you're welcome to contact us and we'll give you a trade-in estimate.
  • I don't want Store Credit, can I get a PayPal payment, check, or money order instead?
    Yes! As of December 2020, BRG is offering PayPal, check, and money order payments for trade-ins! However, these trade-ins will receive 25% less value than our Store Credit ones. So for example, if an item's Store Credit value is $20.00, you will only receive $15.00 if you select to be paid by PayPal, check, or money order.
  • I found the same item with a higher trade value elsewhere, will you match it?
    Yes, Back River Gifts will meet or beat most advertised trade-in values for any items we accept trades for. For example, if you were wanting to trade in item that had a listed value of $50.00 and you found the same item on another website or in a store flyer or e-mail and it showed $55.00 for the trade value, we'll give you the higher trade value of $55.00 or perhaps even more depending on the demand for/supply of the item(s) you're trading.

    For our purposes, advertised means the trade-in value has to be listed somewhere on the business's website, in a printed store sale advertisement/flyer, or in an official e-mail from that business. To get your trade matched or receive more, you must send us the link to where the item's trade value is viewable on their website, or forward us the e-mail you received.

    Please Note: BRG holds the final say on what is considered a valid advertised trade-in value.
  • How are your trade-in values determined?
    We use a variety of factors to determine our trade-in values. One such factor is supply & demand. If we have 20 Santa ornaments & 10 Snowman ornaments, the Snowman ornaments will likely have a higher trade value because we have less of them available.

    Similarly, if lots of people are looking to purchase a particular used item, that will make the trade value higher because we want you to trade in your items so we can fill other customers orders/requests.

    The trade values shown on our website for new items assume that you are trading in a complete item (i.e. you've included the box, instructions, etc.). BRG reserves the right to lower your trade value if these items are not included with your trade.

    For used products, the trade value shown assumes you are trading in only the main content of that item (i.e. if it comes in a box when brand new, then the box isn't counted in the shown trade value for a used item). If you happen to have the instructions or box/case, BRG reserves the right to offer you additional trade credit for those items if you also wish to trade those to us.
  • I have a question, comment, or concern that's not listed here. Can you help me?
    Sure! Simply visit our contact us page or give us a call at 757-759-1914 during business hours (M-F: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST/EDT or Sat-Sun: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST/EDT) and we'll do our best to help you.

Miscellaneous Info

  • All items you wish to trade to BRG must be in good, salable condition. Damaged items (not including minor problems) are ineligible for trade.
  • All trade-in items that have some sort of mechanical functionality (i.e. items that light up, make sound, etc.) will be tested by BRG staff. If an item you sent us doesn't work during our initial test, we will re-test it two more times and if it fails all three times, that item will be ineligible for trade and will be forfeited to BRG for no trade value/Store Credit.
  • Please make sure you pack your trade-in items carefully. We are not responsible for trade-ins damaged while they are in transit to us.
  • If your trade-in item(s) is/are damaged when we receive it/them, your item(s) will be ineligible for trade.
  • To receive your Store Credit, you are required to fill out our Trade-In Request Form in its entirety (minus the order #, date, customer ID, and received by BRG fields). This form must be included with any/all trade-ins you send us. If your trades require more than one box, you must include a separate form for each box.
  • BRG reserves the right to decline any trade any reason. All trades are final, we do not return damaged items. Trade values are updated periodically.
  • Trade-in values on your Trade-In Request Form are valid for up to one week. We must receive your trade within a week of the ship date, otherwise the trade values shown on our website at the time your trade is received will be used.
  • If you are a Navigator Member, you're eligible to receive bonus trade-in credit. Regular members get 5% bonus trade-in credit on any trade-ins. Super members get a 15% bonus and Mega members get a 25% bonus. For more info on our Navigator Membership program, click here.
  • If you have questions, comments, or concerns,  please e-mail us via our contact us page or give us a call at 757-902-3602 during business hours, M-F: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST/EDT or Sat-Sun: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST/EDT.