Microsoft is encouraging some Xbox owners to trade in unused consoles.
Microsoft is emailing some Series X and S owners about Best Buy trade-ins as memory shortages put pressure on console supplies and prices.
Microsoft is promoting an Xbox trade-in offer to some owners who have left their consoles unused. The emails direct Series X and S users to Best Buy, advertising returns of up to $375.
However, the retailer pays in store credit rather than cash. Its highest listed offer applies to a good-condition Series X console with the required accessories.
The campaign comes amid pressure on console supplies and prices from strong demand for RAM in the artificial intelligence sector. Microsoft announced another Series X and S price increase in June, following an earlier rise in October.
What the Xbox trade-in offer includes
Microsoft’s emails ask recipients whether they have gone some time without playing on their consoles. They then point users towards Best Buy’s trade-in service as a way to get value from unused hardware.
Best Buy lists $375 as its maximum offer for a qualifying Series X. To meet those conditions, owners need a working controller, power cord and docking station alongside the console.
Although the promotion targets both Series X and S owners, the advertised ceiling applies to the Series X. Owners should also distinguish the store-credit value from a cash sale when comparing their options.
Trading in offers convenience, while selling through a marketplace such as eBay requires more effort. However, a private sale can bring a higher return, particularly when the package includes extra controllers or docks.
Memory shortages put pressure on hardware
Microsoft listed trade-ins among measures intended to soften the impact of its June price announcement. The email campaign now puts that approach directly in front of selected console owners.
Meanwhile, continued AI-sector demand for memory has contributed to tighter console stocks and rising costs. Returning unused hardware to circulation could give buyers another route to an Xbox without relying on new stock.
Microsoft can also earn revenue from Game Pass subscriptions and digital purchases when another player uses a resold console. The company already operates its own trade-in programme and sells refurbished consoles through its website.
Best Buy, meanwhile, has a large physical-store network across the United States. That gives owners an in-person option rather than arranging postage for a sale.
