The Decluttr vs. Gazelle debate is one you are going to entertain at some point in your life.
Being the two largest used electronics buying and selling platforms, it’s likely you will use them someday when replacing some of those tech devices in your household or office.
So what makes Gazelle different from Decluttr? Where are you likely to sell your unwanted phone faster? And where are you likely to get more money?
There is a whole lot of important fronts to dissect and compare the two platforms on.
This article will help you make a more guided decision by comparing those fronts side-by-side.
What Is Gazelle?
Gazelle is a used electronics marketplace that deals directly with buyers and sellers instead of connecting the parties.
So as a seller, you will be selling your unwanted stuff to Gazelle, not a final user.
The company’s role will be to take the phone, laptop, gaming console, or whatever it is you have to sell, refurbish it, and sell it to a buyer.
Transactions with Gazelle are thus typically fast and convenient when there is an urgent need to sell.
What is Decluttr?
Decluttr is also a company that buys old phones, computers, and other tech devices and refurbishes and sells them.
It is similar to Gazelle in that it doesn’t just provide a platform for sellers and buyers to meet and trade. It does the buying and the selling instead.
What makes Decluttr a little different, from a general view, is its apparent eco-centrism.
Its marketing content seems to place the need to sell old tech and buy refurbished ones on conserving the environment rather than cutting back on losses.
How Gazelle Works
Gazelle mainly deals with phones, tablets, and laptops. To sell to them, you just need to go to the site and select the “sell” option on the homepage.
Then choose the device that you want to sell. The list of options is limited to Apple devices, Google phones, and Samsung phones.
The filters get more specific as you click through. For instance, if you select “iPhones,” a model menu will appear, from which you can choose the specific device you want to sell, like this:
Upon selecting a device, another filter page displays, this time asking you to state your phone carrier.
Click “Select an Offer,” to describe the condition of your device. An initial offer will display at the bottom of the page in dollars.
Next, provide your email address (to receive drop-off instructions), shipping information, and payment details, and you’ll be halfway through.
Gazelle doesn’t accept devices that are not listed on its website. So your outmoded Blackberry from 2011 will certainly be rejected.
You’re also advised against lying about the condition of your phone for obvious reasons.
Shipping is free, and you can package your device how you want.
Shipping times differ depending on the state you’re in. The longest you can wait, according to the site, is 7 days. This also applies to return shipping.
Once the shipment reaches the company’s warehouse, it will be inspected. If it is exactly how you described it, payment processing will begin within 24 hours.
How Decluttr Works
The Decluttr delivery and payment process is pretty much the same as Gazelle.
But, of course, the tiny differences can add up to change the experience drastically. So we shall break down the process anyway.
The first step, of course, is visiting www.decluttr.com and describing the device you want to sell to them.
At the center of the “sell” page, you will see a search bar, where you can key in the exact name of the device.
The site doesn’t take you through filters. It keeps a database of specific gadget makes, models, and storage capacities, which you can select with a single click.
You’re also not required to describe your device on so many levels. Its condition can only be “Good,” “Poor,” or “Faulty.” Each status is described in-depth, so take the time to see where your device fits.
Your offer will be on the right side of your screen. If you accept it, click “Sell This Device” and then “Continue to Checkout.”
From there, you will need to fill out a sign-up form to continue. You will also need to provide your shipping address and contact details.
A shipping label and packaging instructions will be sent to your email. You won’t receive any packaging materials, though.
Just use any safe box, stick the label on it, and drop off your package for mailing. And don’t forget to include accessories and chargers. Decluttr needs them!
Within 24 hours of reception of your package, Decluttr will send you a response email.
This will let you know if the official assessment of the device’s condition agrees with your own description.
If it’s not, they will propose a new offer, which you have the option to accept or reject. Return shipping is free if you choose to have your device back.
For CDs and DVDs, Decluttr has a mobile app with a scanner that offers instant valuation.
You might also like this Lionbridge vs. Appen comparison guide.
Gazelle vs. Decluttr: Devices Accepted
Gazelle accepts a very limited range of devices. As stated earlier, you can only sell them an Apple device, a Samsung phone, or a Google phone.
And while virtually all iPhones are accepted, some MacBooks, iPads, and Samsung cellphone models are not.
Decluttr is a lot more inclusive. Besides popular items like MacBooks and high-end Samsung phones and iPhones, less-popular cellphones like LG, Nokia, OnePlus, and Motorola are accepted.
You can also receive offers for CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, books, games, and gaming consoles.
Gazelle vs. Decluttr: Loyalty/Rewards Program
Gazelle launched its rewards program in 2018. Both buyers and sellers can use it, as it is primarily based on one’s frequency of buying or selling from the site.
The program is point-based. As a seller, you will earn a point for each dollar you earn from a sale.
You will also earn 100 points for signing up for the program and an additional 50 points for your first trade-in.
This means if you sell your iPhone for $200 as a first-timer, you will earn 350 points.
You can increase your points by referring a friend, connecting with Gazelle on social media, or simply visiting the site.
You can redeem your points during a trade-in, but only if you have at least 250 points ($5).
Decluttr’s loyalty program isn’t anything as comprehensive as Gazelle’s. You can only earn benefits from buying an item as a student or referring a friend.
Each friend you refer to Decluttr earns you an instant $5. They will also earn $5. There is no information on whether you will receive additional bonuses if they in turn invite their friends.
Your bonus is added to and sent together with your payment for the next sale.
Gazelle Vs. Decluttr: Item Returns
Both Gazelle and Decluttr offer free return shipping.
Returns usually occur when an item is delivered in a condition worse than described initially, and the seller refuses to accept a revised offer.
Decluttr will return your item within 48 hours of you declining a new offer. So it should be back in your hands within 7-10 business days.
Similarly, Gazelle will send you an email with a revised offer and a justification for the revision.
There is no room for negotiation, apparently, and if you don’t respond within five days, the revised offer will be automatically approved, and the payment sent.
Gazelle Vs. Decluttr: Payment
Gazelle offers three payment options to sellers: check, PayPal, and Amazon Electronic Gift Card.
Checks are shipped with USPS and can take up to 10 days to reach you, depending on your location.
PayPal cash and Amazon EGift cards will usually reach you within two days. They’re costlier, though, so weigh your options, especially if it’s a small payment you’re expecting.
With Decluttr, you can receive your payment via direct bank deposit, check, or PayPal.
You will be needed to provide your payment details during registration, but you can make updates anytime afterward.
Reviews And Ratings
Gazelle
Gazelle has a rating of 3.9 stars on Trustpilot and 2.19 stars on ResellerRatings.
Thankfully, most of the 1-star and 2-star reviews I found were from buyers, so the ratings may not necessarily represent a seller’s experience.
Many of the negative reviews from sellers were from people who received revised offers they didn’t like. Here are examples:
Another common complaint I picked up involved delayed or unsent payment.
While we can’t dismiss these complaints, it’s also important to understand that sellers might get the valuation of their devices extremely wrong.
A lot goes into refurbishing phones and laptops, and even tiny scratches can necessitate whole-body overhauls.
There is no excuse when it comes to delayed payments. But again, there is not enough feedback to show that this is indeed a common experience for sellers.
At best, it looks like something only a few people have genuinely ever experienced.
Decluttr
Like Gazelle, Decluttr doesn’t score highly on ResellerRatings. It has a 1-star overall rating and plenty of negative comments coming mostly from buyers.
On Trustpilot, the story is different. It has a 4.3-star rating and loads of happy, smiling backers. Here are some of the reviews with the most echoed sentiments:
Gazelle vs. Decluttr: Verdict
So who wins our Decluttr vs. Gazelle debate?
Well, it depends on a number of things, from what you are selling to where you are shipping it from and how much you expect to make out of the sale.
Decluttr accepts more devices than Gazelle by far. This, in my opinion, is its biggest win. It accepts laptops, a wide range of phones, books, CDs, DVDs, and even Legos.
Gazelle is only interested in things with high resale value, like iPhones, iPads, Samsung phones, and MacBooks.
Paradoxically, Decluttr gives better initial price offers than its rival as well. For a flawless 1TB iPhone 14 Pro Max, Gazelle offered $700, while Decluttr offered $916.
Unfortunately, it accepts items from the 48 mainland US states and the UK only, which is a big disadvantage to Hawaiians and Alaskans.
Also, you have to sign up first to use it, unlike Gazelle, which lets you sell items even without signing up.
Clearly, location and device type hold a lot of weight in this comparison. If you want to sell a Nokia or a couple of CDs, for instance, you don’t have the option to use Gazelle, so Decluttr would be the better option.
On the other hand, if you are located outside mainland US, you only have Gazelle as an option, but again, only if you are selling one of the few things the site accepts.
They both have their flaws. However, if I had to pick a winner, I would go with Decluttr for its better offers and bigger range of accepted items.
