SAN ANTONIO -- Just in time for the holidays, Best Buy is among retailers offering to buy back consumers' gently used laptops, iPods, cell phones and other electronics.

Under Best Buy's program, consumers can bring to a store any laptop, iPod or cell phones purchased from the retailer and receive either a store gift card or a check to be mailed.

Olivia O'Connor has her eye on a new digital camera. She could also get some cash for her old one.

"I didn't know (about it). This is the first I've heard (of it), " O'Connor said while looking over the camera display at a Best Buy on Southwest Military Drive.

While receipts are requested, the store can research the purchase in its database.

Best Buy will also buy cameras, game consoles, mp3 players and most electronics through its online trade-in program. Those items need not have been purchased at Best Buy.

San Antonio is one of the first markets to roll out the program.

"So far, we've had really big demand for the trade-in for cell phones," said store manager Micah Ward.

The condition the device is in helps determine the market value and the amount of money the consumer receives. For example, an iPhone in good condition would be worth an instant $85 store gift card or a $55 check to be mailed in about 10 days.

"When they bring in their cell phone, they can almost get the value of a new cell phone with the discounts that come with getting a new cell phone," Ward said.

Similar to Best Buy's program, Nextworth.com also pays for gently used electronics. Consumers can look up their device on the Web site, answer a few questions and get an estimate.

For example, a Nintendo DS showing normal wear would fetch about $24 and a fourth-generation iPod Nano in new condition would get about $77.

Customers mail the device to the company and once received and verified, would receive their check or a gift card to a specified retailer.