With new iterations of every major gadget coming out annually, many of us have a few spare phones or old gadget lying around. While you may want to collect and induct your old tech in a hall of fame, you can also sell them to get some of your money back.
However, if you’re looking to make as much money back as possible, you’re going to have to put in some work. In this article, we’re going over a few things you should keep in mind when listing your old gadgets for sale online as well as five places where you can sell your gadgets easily.
Also read: Refurbished vs Used vs Certified Pre-owned: Which one to choose?
Checklist before you sell your laptop
Here are six things you should keep in mind and go through before listing your laptop, phone or any other electronic for sale online.
Sell your gadgets yourself
Plain and simple, if you want the most profit out of your device, you’re going to have to sell it yourself. There are a bunch of sites on the internet where you can create a listing for your device, add a few photos, write a description, set a price, and someone will pick it up sooner or later.
Do keep in mind that you can’t get away by being lazy here. Remember, you’re the seller here, and it’s your job to make your device look like it’s a good deal for the price. So put some work in your listing, write a good, concise description, take a few high-quality pictures and set a realistic price.
Reset your devices
One of the most obvious things you should keep in mind, especially if you’re selling something like an old phone, is to make sure you’ve formatted the device. Do a factory reset to wipe out all the data from the device and make sure it’s in a factory state, at least when it comes to software.
Next up, you also need to make sure that nothing is broken on your device. If you’re selling a phone, make sure all the buttons and ports work fine and that there are no cracks on the screen or the back. In case of a computer or anything else, make sure the device is held together properly and doesn’t have any major damage.
You can get away with minor scratches and bumps here and there. Most people who’re buying second-hand gadgets will already expect some physical wear and tear but nothing too big or something that might hamper functionality or ease of use.
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Clean your gadgets
No one wants to buy gadgets that look old. Sure, you’re selling something that you’ve used for some time, and it’s definitely going to be old, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put in the time and effort to clean your gadgets of all the dirt and grime they might’ve accumulated.
Take off any stickers you might’ve placed, carefully and with your hands, so you don’t scratch the surface. Use an alcohol swab or some isopropyl alcohol to clean the thing. A little bit of careful wiping down can go a long way down in shining up an old gadget.
Take good pictures
When you’re selling so something online, the pictures you take will make all the difference. Since the buyer can’t really see the product in person, it’s entirely up to the pictures you take to sell your listing.
Take good, high-quality pictures. Ensure there’s adequate lighting, the background isn’t too cluttered and that your device is in clear focus. If you’ve got a DSLR or camera lying around, now is the time to bring it out. Even if you don’t have a flashy camera, pictures taken from your phone will do just fine.
You don’t need to take a thousand pictures either. Just make sure you cover all the basics and get your device from all the angles. If there are any accessories you’re selling with the gadget, make sure you get them in the pictures as well.
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Write a good description
The second most important thing when it comes to online product listings is the product description. A good, well-written and concise product description can go a long way in summing up what the buyer is getting into and, in turn, convincing them to actually buy whatever it is you’re selling.
Briefly list important details such as the device configuration and any important specs relevant to the buyer. Also, make sure to clearly indicate the age of your product and any damages that it has.
Another important thing to keep in mind is to make sure you get your information right. In the case of a phone or tablet, simply looking up the model name will give you all the relevant information you need to list. The same goes for computers or laptops. If you’re selling something broken, make sure you list internal components, too, as someone might be interested in buying a broken gadget and salvaging it for parts (I know I have).
Figure out a good price
Finally, you need to fix a good price for your product. Do some research and look for similar listings to get an idea of the current market value of your device. Once you’re there, depending upon your product’s age and condition, you can set a price somewhere around that.
You need to make sure your listing is competitive. Otherwise, no matter how good your product, it won’t sell. The second thing you need to keep in mind is selling your product at a fixed price or going for bidding.
The answer is simple. If you want to make the maximum profit, it’s best to go for a fixed price. If you’re looking to get the product off your hands, bidding is the way to go as they tend to sell out quickly. You may, however, not make as much money.
Also read: Top 7 sites like Craigslist
Where can I sell my laptop and other gadgets?
Now that you’ve gone over the checklist, here are five places you can sell your gadgets online.
Amazon Trade-in
For those of you who didn’t know, Amazon will happily take several products off your hands and pay you back. The only catch here is that you’ll receive the money in terms of an Amazon gift card, which means it’s pretty much locked to the site. Nevertheless, it’s still a good, easy and quick way to sell your old tech.
You can check out Amazon Trade-in offers here
Apple Trade-in
Much like the aforementioned Amazon trade-in, Apple’s trade-in offers work in the same way. You get paid in terms of Apple Store vouchers which is a bit of a bummer, but if you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to use it to your advantage.
You can check out Apple Trade-in offers here
Best Buy Trade-in program
Same deal, different platform. However, trading in on Best Buy does give you a wider range of options you can turn in. Payment is made in terms of Best Buy vouchers, but once again, you can buy just about anything from there, so that’s not too bad.
You can check out the Best Buy Trade-in program here
ItsWorthMore
Unlike other listings here, ItsWorthMore doesn’t offer you credits or vouchers. Instead, you can get your money through PayPal, Zelle or a check. The selling process is actually rather simple, all you need to do is answer a few questions about the product you want to sell, and you’ll get an offer.
If you accept, you’ll have to ship your product, and they’ll pay you within 72 hours of receiving the shipment. You can pay an extra $15 for a 24-hour turnaround and two-day shipping.
You can check out ItsWorthMore here
BuyBackWorld
Like ItsWorthMore, BuyBackWorld gives out payments via PayPal, a direct deposit, prepaid debit card, check or a BuyBackWorld gift card. What’s more, you can even get a custom quote for items that aren’t exactly listed on their site for sale.
Turnarounds happen within 48 hours of product inspection, so you can expect payment rather quickly once they receive your product.
You can check out BuyBackWorld here
Also read: Top 7 sites like eBay
How about computer parts? Like gaming video cards.
Hi Jim,
Based on where you live, online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are usually great choice if you’re looking to sell (or buy) used computer parts.