Mintro

Buying and selling pre-owned tech, gold and jewellery in the north of England

Mintro is a chain of stores dedicated to buying, selling and buying back pre-owned items: phones, laptops, tablets, consoles, smartwatches, audio, watches, jewellery and gold, as well as designer handbags. The company operates eight locations across North West England and Yorkshire, and combines online sales with in-store service.

Its offering is built around three operations: selling items to the customer, buying used items, and offering a buyback option. In all cases, the company insists that prices are confirmed by a real specialist and not by an algorithm.

Buying: items tested and graded by condition

The sales catalogue covers phones, laptops, tablets, consoles, smartwatches, headphones, watches, jewellery and gold, and designer handbags. Every item undergoes professional testing before being listed and is graded according to its apparent condition: Excellent (minimal signs of use), Good (light wear) and Fair (moderate wear). The company clarifies that the grade describes appearance only, so a Fair item works just as well as an Excellent one.

The photographs on each listing correspond to the specific item for sale, not stock images, and any relevant cosmetic details are noted on the listing. Tech products include a Blackbelt Tested certificate. Watches over £500 are certified through Cheshire Watch Company, and designer handbags are authenticated with Entrupy certification.

All purchases are covered by the 24-month Mintro Guarantee against faults, which does not cover accidental damage. Orders are dispatched within one working day with tracked and insured delivery, and usually arrive in two or three days. Each item is offered as a unique physical unit: if it is visible, it is available.

Selling to us: valuation, price lock and payment

To sell tech, gold or jewellery, the process begins with an indicative online quote. The customer can then lock the price by sending photos via WhatsApp before posting the item, or go directly to a store. Postage is free and insured, and in-store drop-off is also accepted.

For tech, the customer selects device and condition, and the price updates in real time during the valuation. For gold, jewellery and scrap gold, the valuation is calculated from the live spot price, based on carat and weight, and as many items as desired can be included. Insured postage is handled via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

A specialist confirms the final price after checking the item's condition, and payment is normally made the same day the item arrives, by bank transfer.

Layaway and buyback

Mintro offers two unique options. The first, Layaway, lets you reserve any item with a 20% deposit and pay the balance over up to 12 weeks, with no credit checks, interest or admin fees. The 20% deposit is non-refundable, while any additional payments are refunded if the customer changes their mind. The company holds the item until it is paid in full.

The second, Buyback, involves selling an item in exchange for instant cash with the option to buy it back within 28 days. Mintro holds the item during that period. The company stresses that this is not a loan, it does not accrue interest and it carries no obligation.

Catalogue and brands

The catalogue includes collections from brands such as Apple (iPhone, iPad, iPad Air, Apple Watch in various generations, AirPods and AirPods Pro), Acer, ASUS and Akai, among others. At the time of analysis, the store showed models such as iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 17, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and iPad Air, with price ranges visible on each listing. In jewellery and gold, pieces included 14-carat gold rings with cubic zirconia or blue stone, with prices ranging from £174.99 to £314.99 depending on weight and size.

Shipping, returns and payments

Shipping is calculated based on location and the items in the order, and the cost is shown before checkout. The company offers free shipping on sell-to-us transactions and returns within 14 days. Accepted payment methods include American Express, Apple Pay, Diners Club, Discover, Google Pay, Klarna, Maestro, Mastercard, Shop Pay, Union Pay and Visa.

Presence and sponsorships

Mintro presents itself as a sponsor of Stockport County. The company has a contact page and a store locator on its website, and has published terms and conditions, a data protection policy and a privacy policy.