Used Gazelle for the first time a couple years ago to trade-in my iPhone 7. No issues at all through the process.
Used Gazelle again to trade-in my iPad. Totally different experience. I was informed that my iPad was severely scratched. I disputed their review, sent them photos I had taken of the iPad prior to sending, and requested photos of the alleged scratches.
Their assessment then changed from scratches to dead spots on the display. Again, I disputed it, sent them photos I had taken of the device powered on, and requested photos of the alleged dead spots. I received a blurry photo with what looked like reflections from the overhead lights circled as the problem areas. At that point, I asked to have my iPad returned, which they did.
I took it to Best Buy and did a trade-in there without issue.
The dumb thing was that Gazelle likely spent almost as much on the back-and-forth shipping as they were trying to gain by gaming the condition of the iPad they received.
Even after that experience, I tried them one more time with another iPad. Same thing happened — received an email stating that the condition didn’t match and they were lowering my value. I contested it with photos and asked them to return the iPad — the next day, received an email stating they made ”an error” and would honor the original trade-in.
All that being stated, I’m sure they had their share of customers trying to cheat them with damaged and/or stolen goods. Just like any trade-in program, they are taking on more of the risk. If you’re willing to take more of the risk, you’ll be rewarded with higher values via a private sale.