What Gazelle does

Gazelle is a US-based reCommerce platform that buys and resells certified pre-owned consumer electronics - primarily smartphones and tablets from Apple (iPhone, iPad), Samsung (Galaxy), and Google (Pixel) - through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel supplemented by B2B bulk trade-in and wholesale programs. The company operates the consumer storefront at buy.gazelle.com and a separate trade-in flow at gazelle.com, and is structured as a going concern under the legal entity ecoATM, LLC, headquartered at 10121 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, California, with trademarks registered in the US. Founded in 2006, Gazelle reports it has served over 1 million customers, processed over 2 million devices, and paid out more than $289 million to sellers since inception; the business carries a BBB A+ rating held continuously since launch.

The underlying technology stack combines (i) a patent-pending dynamic pricing engine that ingests market demand, business cost, and inventory data to generate instant trade-in quotes, (ii) a multi-stage certified inspection process (variously described in source materials as a 30-, 55-, or 90-point functional and cosmetic inspection), (iii) CheckMEND integration against carrier, law enforcement, and FBI databases for lost/stolen verification - deployed ahead of competing US trade-in platforms - and (iv) data-wiping and factory-reset procedures on intake. Reverse logistics are streamlined via prepaid shipping labels and PayPal/check payouts; the certified pre-owned storefront layers Affirm 0% APR financing and Katapult lease-to-own as payment options, and attaches a WarrantyLife 1-year device protection plan sold at checkout.

Gazelle's revenue model is hardware resale margin: the company acquires devices at algorithmically quoted prices, inspects and reconditions them, then sells through its own storefront or, for lower-grade inventory, via wholesale partners. Customer segments are (1) individual consumers as the primary segment for both sell-side trade-ins and buy-side purchases, (2) enterprise businesses selling 10+ devices through a dedicated bulk program, and (3) wholesale partners purchasing 200+ device lots for global resale. Geographic scope is domestic US, with no announced international retail footprint. Public-facing marketing emphasizes SEO-led content (The Horn blog), social channels, an affiliate program, and earned media in major technology publications.

Name

Gazelle

Legal name

ecoATM, LLC

Website

https://gazelle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gazelle is a US-based reCommerce platform, founded in 2006 and operating under ecoATM, LLC, that buys and resells certified pre-owned Apple, Samsung, and Google smartphones and tablets directly to consumers and through B2B and wholesale channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Device Resale: Gazelle purchases used devices from consumers at quoted prices, then inspects, certifies, and resells them through their e-commerce platform. Revenue is generated through the margin between purchase price and resale price. The company also offers device protection plans through a partnership with WarrantyLife.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Products received in large quantities are sold to wholesale partners who aggregate and resell them through their own networks globally, generating revenue from bulk transactions.
3. Recycling Services: Devices that have reached the end of their useful life are sent to domestic recycling partners who abide by the highest standards, potentially generating revenue from responsible disposal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gazelle operates a reCommerce platform that buys used smartphones, tablets, and MacBooks from consumers through instant online quotes and free prepaid shipping. Devices are inspected through a multi-point certification process and resold as certified pre-owned electronics through the company's e-commerce storefront. The platform also offers bulk trade-in and wholesale purchasing programs for businesses and resellers.

Product overview

Gazelle is a reCommerce platform operating as a two-sided marketplace for pre-owned consumer electronics. The core offerings consist of a Trade-In Service (enabling consumers to sell used devices for cash with instant quotes and free shipping) and a Certified Pre-Owned Device Store (selling inspected and refurbished smartphones, tablets, and MacBooks). Add-on services include WarrantyLife device protection plans, bulk business sales programs, and wholesale purchasing options. The company also offers Affirm and Katapult financing for device purchases. Gazelle's business model is built on device acquisition, certification, and redistribution to extend product lifecycle and reduce e-waste.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gazelle Certified Pre-Owned Devices Pre-owned smartphones, tablets, and MacBooks from brands including Apple, Samsung, and Google that have passed a rigorous multi-point functional and cosmetic inspection, been reset to factory settings, and are offered with optional device protection plans through the buy.gazelle.com storefront.
• Gazelle Trade-In Service Online platform enabling individual consumers to sell their used smartphones, tablets, and MacBooks for cash with instant 2-minute quotes, free shipping via prepaid label, and a Price Promise guarantee, with payment via PayPal, check, or Amazon gift card.
• Gazelle for Business (Bulk Sales)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million customers served since 2006
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• WarrantyLifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGazelle has partnered with WarrantyLife to offer device protection plans. The partnership provides 1-year device protection coverage including accidents like drops, liquid spills, broken parts, internal component issues, power issues, battery malfunctions, with 100% parts and labor coverage and $50 deductible.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Swappa: Swappa is a peer-to-peer marketplace for used smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops. Directly comparable to Gazelle's trade-in and resale model with a stronger community/marketplace UX and no middleman fees in some segments.
• BuyBack World: BuyBack World is an electronics trade-in and buyback service offering instant quotes and free shipping for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. Direct peer in the online instant-quote trade-in category.
• Back Market: Back Market is a global marketplace for refurbished consumer electronics (smartphones, tablets, laptops). Most direct competitor to Gazelle online, operating a two-sided marketplace with stronger marketplace dynamics and broader geographic reach.
• Glyde: Glyde is a marketplace for buying and selling used smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles with a focus on safe, certified transactions. Direct peer in the used-electronics trade-in space.
• Decluttr: Decluttr buys used consumer electronics (plus CDs, books, games) directly from consumers via instant quotes and free shipping, then resells. Closely aligned with Gazelle's instant-quote, free-ship trade-in model in the US/UK.

Broad incumbents

• ecoATM: ecoATM is Gazelle's parent company and operates automated self-service kiosks for consumer electronics trade-in across the US. Highly comparable vertically — same parent, overlapping supply and refurbishment infrastructure.
• Samsung Trade-In: Samsung's official Trade-In program accepts used Galaxy devices for credit toward new purchases. Comparable OEM-level trade-in flow that competes for the same supply of used Samsung devices that Gazelle sources.
• Best Buy (Trade-In & Refurbished): Best Buy runs a national electronics trade-in program plus a refurbished and open-box marketplace for smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Broad incumbent that overlaps with Gazelle on used device supply and resale.
• Apple Trade In: Apple's official Trade In program offers instant credit toward new devices for used iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other electronics. Competes with Gazelle on consumer trade-in flow at the OEM level with superior convenience and brand trust.

Emerging players

• GameStop (Refurbished / Trade-In): GameStop operates a major in-store and online trade-in and refurbished-electronics business, including pre-owned smartphones via its Certified Pre-Owned program. Adjacent player with overlapping trade-in supply and refurbished-device retail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gazelle
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GoGazelle
• Facebookfacebook.com/Gazelle.com
• Instagraminstagram.com/gazelle_com
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gazelle_2

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gazelle