PayMore Encourages Families to Check Their Junk Drawers Before Buying New Tech This Back-to-School Season

Trading in unused electronics can help offset back-to-school technology costs while making reliable, affordable devices more accessible to other families.

MASSAPEQUA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Back-to-school shopping has evolved far beyond notebooks and backpacks. For many families, laptops, tablets, smartphones, calculators, headphones, and other technology have become essential classroom tools, making back-to-school one of the biggest technology shopping seasons of the year—and one of the most expensive. With manufacturers now warning of rising technology prices driven by ongoing memory chip shortages, many families may find this year's purchases even more expensive than expected.

At the same time, millions of households are sitting on an overlooked source of savings. According to a recent consumer survey, 39% of Americans keep old electronics tucked away in drawers instead of selling or recycling them, often because they're unsure how to securely erase their personal information or simply don't know what to do with them.

PayMore is encouraging families to rethink those forgotten devices by turning them into cash, trading them toward an upgrade, or responsibly recycling them—all while offering professionally tested pre-owned technology at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

As part of its annual Back-to-School campaign, PayMore is offering $10 off qualifying purchases of $100 or more from July 6 through August 31. Combined with the value customers receive from selling or trading in their old devices, the promotion gives families another way to make their technology budgets go further.

"One of the easiest ways to lower back-to-school technology costs is to use the technology you already own to help pay for the technology you actually need," said Erik Helgesen, President and Co-Founder of PayMore. "We see customers every day with phones, tablets, laptops, gaming systems, and other electronics collecting dust at home. Those devices often still have real value, and that value can go directly toward this year's back-to-school shopping."

Unlike retailers that only sell electronics or companies that only recycle them, PayMore gives consumers one trusted destination to buy, sell, trade, and responsibly recycle technology. Customers can purchase professionally tested pre-owned technology, receive instant cash for electronics they no longer need, trade in devices toward future purchases, or responsibly recycle electronics that have reached the end of their useful life.

Every device brought into PayMore is professionally evaluated to maximize its useful life. Before any eligible device is prepared for resale, it undergoes secure data removal to help protect customers' personal information. Whenever possible, electronics are repaired, refurbished, and resold, extending their lifespan while making quality technology more affordable for the next owner. Devices that can no longer be reused are responsibly processed through PayMore's growing network of certified downstream recovery partners, helping recover valuable materials while reducing unnecessary electronic waste.

"One of the biggest reasons people hold onto old electronics is uncertainty," said Stephen Preuss Sr., CEO and Co-Founder of PayMore. "They're worried about protecting their personal information or they simply don't know where to take them. Our goal is to remove those barriers by providing one trusted destination where customers can buy, sell, trade, and responsibly recycle technology with confidence."

The initiative also reflects the continued evolution of PayMore X, the company's long-term vision to create a complete technology lifecycle ecosystem where consumers can buy, sell, trade, recover, refurbish, and responsibly recycle electronics through one trusted destination.

As PayMore continues expanding throughout North America and internationally, the company is bringing affordable technology, trusted electronics recovery, and responsible recycling to more communities than ever before. The company recently surpassed 100 multi-unit franchise agreements signed, reflecting continued demand for its technology resale and recovery model while opening new locations across the United States, Canada, and internationally.

For more information about PayMore's Back-to-School promotion or to find a nearby location, visit PayMore.com.

About PayMore

PayMore was founded in 2011 in Massapequa, New York to obtain and repurpose old electronics and recirculate them back into the marketplace instead of having them pile up in landfills. What started as a mission-driven store on Long Island has quickly become the fastest-growing electronics franchise in the country. By offering customers a boutique retail experience where they can safely sell unwanted electronics and buy new devices.

The brand began franchising in 2020 and now has over 130 operating locations in North America with nearly 500 in current development. In 2025, PayMore was named Gold Stevie® Award Winner – Company of the Year, Green and Clean Technology, recognizing its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the electronics resale industry.

PayMore Stores is a new-age global franchise driving the modern evolution of elevated retail—disrupting the second-hand industry with nimble brick & mortar locations propelled by technology, data, and e-commerce.