Why Did Decluttr Shut Down? Hereโs Where to Sell Your Old Tech Instead
First opened in 2013, Decluttr quickly became a reliable platform for people looking to quickly and fairly sell their used tech. Fast forward to June 2025, 12 years later, with no prior notice, Decluttr officially announced on their website that the company was shutting down.ย
So what happened?
Why the sudden shutdown?
And more importantly, are there any good Decluttr alternatives where you can sell your old tech for the best price?
What Happened? Why Was Decluttr Shut Down?
Quick context: Decluttr was a buyback company that bought a number of items, from tech to Legos, books, and even DVDs. But what many people didnโt know is that Decluttr was owned by MusicMagpie, a company that basically offered the same services as Decluttr but operated in the UK with a very similar website.ย
Then in October 2024, AO (formerly Appliances Online), a UK-based online electronics retailer, secured the acquisition of MusicMagpie for $13.3 million. At the time of writing this article, MusicMagpie (Decluttrโs parent company) still operates and has remained mostly unchanged.ย
Another point worth addressing is the steady decline in Decluttrโs service quality. Before the shutdown and even before the acquisition, the quality of Decluttrโs service and products seemed to fall below standard. This can be observed from Decluttrโs numerous 1-star reviews on several sites like SiteJabberย and ResellerRatings. However, they still maintain over a 4 star rating on Trustpilot.ย
Then in March 2025, Austin Evans, a YouTuber with over 5.6 million subscribers, made a video showing his experience buying and selling tech on Decluttr. Letโs just say it wasnโt a good look. Most of the products fell short of Decluttrโs stated standards and didnโt even match their listed descriptions.
Why Was Decluttr Closed?
At the time of writing this article, the exact reason for Decluttrโs sudden closure hasnโt been officially confirmed. However, looking at recent events, itโs clear that a lot was happening behind the scenes. The abrupt closure likely stemmed from a mix of challenges, especially following AO’s acquisition of Decluttr’s parent company, MusicMagpie.
While the full story might take time to surface, it seems the decision to pull the plug on Decluttr was rushed, leaving many customers shocked and caught off guard.
The Best Decluttr Alternative: Where to Sell Used Tech
If youโve been left wondering where to sell your old tech now, thereโs good news. SmartphonesPLUS is the best alternative to Decluttr, and in many ways, itโs even better.
According to recent trade-in comparisons, SmartphonesPLUS pays up to 25% more than competitors, including carriers. Plus, with the express payout option, customers receive their payout within one business day.
To keep things short, SmartphonesPLUS offers a simple, transparent, and reliable platform for selling your smartphones, tablets, handheld consoles, smartwatches, and more. They have a dedicated trade-in team that ensures you get the smooth experience you expect. Check out some recent reviews of the SmartphonesPLUS trade in platform on their Trustpilot page.
How SmartphonesPLUS Works
Itโs really easy to sell your tech on SmartphonesPLUS. You can get it done in less than 2 minutes, and your payout comes fast too. All you have to do is:
- Go to SmartphonesPLUS.com
- Select your device and its condition
- Get an instant quote
- Ship your device
And just like that, your device is sold. Another great part about selling your device to SmartphonesPLUS is that there is a wide variety of ways for you to get paid. From the standard bank transfers and checks to gift cards and prepaid cards.
Is Decluttr Coming Back?
Decluttrโs website clearly states that it is closed. No rebranding, no repurposing, just closed. That doesnโt mean things canโt still change, so weโll have to wait and see.
All their social media pages are still online, but they haven’t posted in a long time.
Final Thoughts
Decluttrโs sudden shutdown left many customers stranded, with no clear explanation. But while the platform may unfortunately be gone for good, the need to safely and easily sell old tech remains.
SmartphonesPLUS is the perfect alternative, offering even better prices, faster payouts, and a smoother, hassle-free process.
Got an old phone or gadget lying around? Get an instant quote at SmartphonesPLUS.com and turn it into cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the competitors of Decluttr?
Decluttr’s major competitor was SmartphonesPLUS. Other competitors include Gazelle and ecoATM.
Which is the best alternative to Decluttr?
SmartphonesPLUS is the best alternative to Decluttr. SmartphonesPLUS offers high payouts, a smooth and transparent experience, free shipping, and even buys broken devices.
