Whether you’re decluttering your home or buying a new device, it’s always a good idea to sell old gadgets. But even if you weren’t planning on using the return to pay your rent, it’s always smart to maximize the cash you earn back.
Not only that, but you might even subvert the possibility of having your gadgets fail the inspection completely.
There’s a lot more to selling your device than simply sending it in. Knowing its value and how to prepare it for the inspection can heavily impact its selling price.
So keep reading to learn more. Below, we’ll explain five things you should know before you sell your electronics!
1. Do a Basic Clean
Even if you’re unable to confidently take apart your device, do your best to make it look presentable. Labor is also a factor when it comes to cost. Designating cosmetic maintenance to the shop you sold your device to may lower the return you get for your electronics.
So although your device may be in tip-top condition otherwise, clean and dust it the best you can. You can buy a screen-cleaning solution or use a good DIY cleaning solution, such as one that uses:
- A few drops of dish soap
- Warm water
Wet a soft, microfiber cloth with this mixture before squeezing out as much liquid as possible. The cloth should be almost dry. After that, you should clean your screen, keyboard, and exterior of your laptop with the almost-dry rag using gentle pressure and circular motions.
It’s also best to use purified/distilled water rather than tap water. This will prevent mineral streaks from staining and even eroding your electronics’ surface.
You might also want to use a small vacuum to vacuum up any loose dirt or debris, especially from your keyboard. Using cotton swabs in the aforementioned cleaning solution for hard-to-reach crevices will also help you achieve a more thorough clean. Whatever you do, never use an all-purpose glass cleaner on your device as it can damage your screen.
2. Original Packaging Matters
Although the boxes your devices came in are probably long gone, they increase the value of your return. This allows the shop to sell electronics in the most appealing condition possible when reselling them to customers.
What consists of your original packaging doesn’t only include the box. This also includes the owner’s manual, connector cables, remotes, etc. Simply keeping the original packaging around can benefit you in the long run when you’re trying to put more money towards a new device.
So even if it’s too late now to make use of this advice, remember it for future reference. After buying a new device, keep the original box and all the parts it came with. This way, you’ll be able to make the most of it when it’s time to retire your device.
3. Used =/= Used Up
When you’re considering your strategy to sell used electronics, understand the difference between selling a used device and selling a collection of parts. A huge difference, in fact. While a working device that looks a little worse for wear can still land you a decent amount of cash, the same can’t be said for devices that aren’t operational anymore.
There’s a slim chance that the shop you sold your electronics to can figure out a way to make it work. But once again, labor is a factor when it comes to cost. That, along with the poor condition of your device, might leave you with a quote that’s only a mere fraction of the device’s original retail price.
At the very least, prepare yourself when selling electronics whose level of usability you’re not confident about. And if you still want to make the most out of your returns out of a completely broken device, consider selling it for parts.
4. Sell ASAP
This is a particularly useful tip for those with Apple devices. Tech companies pump out new models at a quick pace and can devalue models of older generations very fast.
So waiting even a few months to sell a laptop could lower the return you get when you sell electronics online. If a new model of the same device is coming out within that time, you’ll have a lot less demand for the device you’re selling.
5. Pack Your Items Well
You don’t want to worsen the condition of your devices through bad packaging. When you’re packing your items to send off to an electronics shop, make sure that you pack your items the best you can to preserve their condition. Otherwise, you might be forced to accept a lower price for the devices should anything happen to them during shipping.
After you’ve cleaned your devices, it’s a good idea to wrap them in something like a plastic sleeve to prevent staining if you’re not storing them in their original packaging. Then, find a box that’s bigger than the device(s) you’re shipping off. You want plenty of room around the sides, top, and bottom of the devices to place any packing material.
Cushion the bottom of the package with your packing material. This could be crumpled newspaper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, etc.
You should then layer your device(s) with the material above and below, even buffering your devices from the top of the package with the material. Make sure that the packing is also placed at the sides of the device so that they don’t hit anything too hard during shipping and cause internal damage.
Sell Your Electronics With Great Returns!
When it’s time for you to retire your device, you want to ensure that you receive a nice farewell with your gadget. For many, this farewell includes getting a decent amount of cash to use towards a new device.
At Recharge Electronics, we understand that locals in Dallas, TX want to get the best return for their old electronics. That’s why we automatically buy from any customer that wants to sell used electronics. So if you want to sell your electronics, contact us today!
