Tip: Get Up to $250 Off Microsoft Band 2 When You Trade-In Another Wearable

You can get up to $250 off the cost of a Microsoft Band 2 when you trade-in an eligible smartwatch or fitness tracker. But you have to act fast: This deal is available through the end of this month only.

And sorry, holiday buyers: The deal is available only on those Microsoft Band 2s purchased from January 4, 2016 onward. So that Christmas gift for my wife is not eligible.

So here’s the story: If you buy a Microsoft Band 2 at the Microsoft Store online only (meaning in the US, including Puerto Rico, which we can all agree is part of the US, and Canada), you “can receive full store credit towards the purchase of a new Microsoft Band 2.” The site says that the trade-in credit is worth “up to $35,” but if you click through to the trade-in site, you can see that it’s actually worth up to $250.

Of course, to qualify for the heady $250 trade-in value—e.g. the actual cost of a Band 2—you must trade-in a n expensive Apple Watch (38MM Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop band). That wearable retails for $650. But you can also get $200 for an Apple Watch (42MM Stainless Steel Case), or $150 for the Apple Watch Sport I happen to own. As for fitness bands, a Fitbit Charge HR is worth $75 on trade-in, and a Fitbit Flex will get you $10. There are many more trade-in devices available, so check the site.

“To be eligible for trade-in, you must own the qualifying device, device must power on battery must hold charge and not be required to be plugged in to operate, and be in fully functional, working condition without broken/missing components, cracked display/housing, liquid damage, modification(s) or have device warranty seal broken to be considered working,” Microsoft notes in the fine print. “Appraised value will be determined at trade-in and provided as a Microsoft online store redemption code and is valid online only. The online redemption code will be sent via email [and] will be valid until March 15, 2016.”

What that last bit means is that you must start the trade-in/Band 2 buying process before the end of day on January 30, 2016, but you will then have until March 15 to make the actual purchase, once you’ve received a trade-in value and accepted it.

Finally, there is a limit of one trade-in per new Microsoft Band 2 purchase per customer.

So, should you do this? I jumped on the Band 2 as a gift for my wife when Microsoft had a $50-off sale over the holidays, and felt like that was a very good deal. Looking at the trade-ins available, you’d have to already own a pretty expensive wearable to qualify for a deal that is as good or better than that, and I’m not sure that $10 to $25 off the Band 2’s price would be enough for me. Not to mention the rigmarole of going through this redemption process. But… what the heck. If you’re in the market and can wait to get Band 2, it’s better to get a deal than not, of course.