Timpson, a renowned shoe repair chain, has introduced a new service for trading in mobile phones. Teaming up with gadget resell company musicMagpie and its parent company AO, Timpson now offers a quick cash exchange for unwanted smartphones at their stores. Recent research indicates that 73% of adults in the UK possess at least one unused smartphone at home, with an average trade-in value of approximately £250, totaling an estimated £10 billion in unused smartphone value.
While online resale options abound, Timpson aims to cater to individuals who prefer face-to-face transactions. A survey revealed that 68% of people prefer in-person device trade-ins, with a significant portion valuing immediate payment.
The trade-in service, initially trialed by Timpson and musicMagpie four months ago, has now been expanded to over 1,300 Timpson outlets across the UK. John Roberts, the CEO and founder of AO World, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the convenience and speed of the cash exchange process for customers. He highlighted the potential benefits of combining musicMagpie’s refurbishment expertise with Timpson’s extensive network.
Steve Oliver, the managing director and co-founder of musicMagpie, described the partnership with Timpson as a significant milestone, enhancing customer reach and convenience. Sid Hubbard, Timpson’s group director, emphasized the long-standing commitment of Timpson to repairing and enhancing customer goods, now extended to smartphone trade-ins in collaboration with musicMagpie.