Is the Cricut Trade-Up Program a good deal? Let’s break it down today! This post contains affiliate links.
First, I should admit that I am a sucker for trade-up programs. I encountered my first one when my kids were small. A popular baby item store offered a trade-up program for baby gear. I had an old model baby bouncer, and I dropped it off by the store in exchange for a percentage coupon off of a new baby gear item. I was able to get rid of something that wouldn’t work for the triplets and get a new item that that we could utilize at a discount. Ever since then, I have always liked trade-up programs. When I received a recent email from Cricut announcing a Trade-Up program, my curiosity immediately piqued. How would one trade in a Cricut? How much would the discount be? Would the Cricut Trade-Up Program be a good deal?
How does the program work?
Customers wanting to upgrade take two photos of their machine: one of the machine itself and one of the serial number. Email those photos (along with other pertinent information) to Cricut. Within 2 business days, Cricut will send the customer a $50 off discount code for a Cricut Explore Air Mint Everything Bundle. For more information on what to email and the email address, see this page.
What machines are eligible for the program?
Initially, I thought that the program would only be for Cricut machines. But it’s not! Customers can trade-up a large variety of Cricut machines, Silhouette machines, and other cutting machine brands like Sizzix. See this post for a complete list.
What is included in the Cricut Explore Air Mint Everything Bundle?
The bundle is awesome! It literally includes everything that a Cricut user would want for crafting!
• Cricut Vinyl Transfer Tape 12×48
• Cricut Replacement Blade x2
• Cricut Basic Trimmer
• Cricut Vellum Metallic Sampler 12×12
• Cricut Printable Iron On Light, 4 sheets
• Cricut Window Cling 12×48 Black
• Cricut Printable Iron On Dark, 4 sheets
• Cricut Printable Sticker Paper, 8.5×12
• Cricut Faux Leather, Wood Grain Sampler 12×12
• Cricut Poster Board Metallic, 6 sheets
• Cricut Premium Outdoor Vinyl, Light Blue 12×48
• Cricut Dry Erase Vinyl 12×48
• Cricut Window Cling, White 12×48
• Cricut Vinyl, Home Sampler 12×12
• Cricut Tools Basic Set
• Cricut Metallic Pen Set
• Cricut Multi Pen Set, Gold
• Cricut Scoring Stylus Tool
• Cricut Deep Cut Blade With Housing
• Cricut Cutting Mat, Variety 3-pack 12×12
If purchased separately, the items are $595.77. But together in the bundle, the price is $329.99. Subtract the $50 from the Cricut Trade-Up program, and the price is $279.99.
Is this a good deal?
With the discount from the Trade-Up program, the short answer is DEFINITELY YES! A Cricut Explore Air 2 by itself is $249.99 on Cricut.com. The Cricut Explore Air 2 + Ultimate Machine Set and the Cricut Explore Air 2 + Deluxe Starter Kit are $299.99 and $289.99 respectively, and these sets do not have nearly as many accessories and cutting materials included. The good deal is also true when compared to Amazon kit prices.
But is it a good deal for me?
This is definitely dependent per person. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Am I in the market for a new machine?
- Can I afford the price?
- Do I plan on purchasing a large variety of cutting materials to use and to experiment with?
- Do I own an original Cricut, a Cricut Expression, or a Cricut Explore?
- Am I a Silhouette owner (or other cutting machine) who wants to switch to team Cricut?
If you answered “Yes” to the above questions, then now is definitely the time to make the purchase. I’ve been a Cricut crafter for a long time, and this is truly a good deal when taking in consideration all of the cutting materials that are included.
For those who already own a Cricut Explore Air, upgrading may not be the best value for you. The Cricut Explore Air 2 primarily cuts faster for some materials and has new dial options, but both of these are not necessarily enough reasons to upgrade unless you just want to have the newer model.
The Cricut Trade-Up Program lasts until 5/23/17. Let me know if you participate and post a photo of your Cricut #HappyMail shipment on my Facebook Wall!
Do you send in your old machine
No, you do not have to send in your old machine. You only send in a photo and the serial number.
Where do you email your pics to? Where can you purchase the new Cricut Explore Air 2 + Starter kit?
I apologize. I accidentally left that information off. The email address is [email protected] . You can see the full list of information HERE. You can only purchase the Cricut Explore Air Mint Everything Bundle on the Cricut website. The Cricut Explore Air Mint Everything Bundle is only offered there, and the code is only valid on their website. There are a few different starter kids, but the only eligible one is the Cricut Explore Air Mint Everything Bundle as seen on THIS PAGE.
I wish this was available for just the machine! I already have all of the accessory type things I need!😢
Hi, Kathy,
I completely understand. If you are interested, Cricut released a 10% off deal code to me for those just wanting the machine. You can read about it on this Facebook post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1458478707546438&substory_index=0&id=560322860695365
I wish they would let one trade for $50 credit to their store. I have the original and the Air Explore !
I just read you could stack discounts for just the Explore air 2, What discounts are stackable?
Hi, I currently have a 10% off code for Air 2 machines. The code is MACHINE2017 . If you are already a Cricut Access subscriber, then you get a percentage off of all purchases and can stack this discount with the MACHINE2017 code.
can you trade in the cricut cake machine? And also since we get to keep our old machines will they continue to work with cricut craft room? Thank you
Hi, yes, you may trade in the Cricut Cake. You do get to keep your old machines and they will still work as they already do with the Cricut Craft Room. The new Cricut will work with Cricut Design Space.
Hi Melanie,
I really appreciate the information you included here. I noticed your “Pin” the same day the Trade-Up offer hit my email. Therefore, the information was very helpful in my decision making process. I have the Original Cricut and the Expressions 2. I have contemplated whether I would want to upgrade for a considerable amount of time. Although I have an abundance of supplies, I find this is the ideal time to upgrade. I sent the email with the required photos today, and look forward to ordering the “Everything Bundle” once I have the $50 promo code. I believe the Explore Air 2 will add to the enjoyment when I “Get my Cricut On.” (so to speak :o)
Thanks so much for your very helpful information.
Cindy Smith
I hope that you enjoy your new Cricut. I use mine multiple times a week. Happy crafting!
Hi. Any idea how long they take to issue the trade up offer? I emailed them my pictures Thursday of last week and still haven’t heard back. Thanks.
It is supposed to be a few business days. I wouldn’t count the weekend. Thanks!
If I have the cricut explore 2 already can I use this to upgrade to the cricut maker machine?
Hi, this program is only offered a few times a year, and it is not currently offered.