Take a look in a closet or drawer and there’s a good chance you’ll find at least a few broken or old electronic items stashed inside. They once were things you probably couldn’t live without, but now you may be wondering why you’re hanging onto them. Many people don’t know how to safely get rid of old electronics, so they put them aside and plan to deal them later.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can trade in those gadgets for cash or upgrades to simultaneously get rid of clutter and pad your wallet.
Sell them on eBay
This popular site is a good choice if your gadget is in relatively good condition. The amount of money you can expect to sell it for depends on the item and how many other people are offering similar items. If desired, you can allow people to buy the item at a set price, rather than dealing with the often-unpredictable bidding process.
Trade in Your Mobile with SellCell.com
If you want to be guaranteed to get the best price when selling your old phone or tablet check out SellCell.com.
They compare the prices and user ratings from all the main buyers in the US, saving the user time and hassle
SellCell offer the user a best price guarantee and will pay double the difference back if they find a price elsewhere that is higher on another site
Join a Facebook Group
If your gadget still works, or could at least be used for parts, consider joining a Facebook group for people who are buying or selling electronic items. Usually, it’s possible to find one in your community, which could help you save on shipping costs. However, some Facebook groups are only intended for people who want to give away items, rather than sell them, so you’ll need to read the rules carefully before posting.
Use the Amazon Trade-In Program
Amazon allows customers to take part in a trade-in program that accepts items including DVDs, electronics, and textbooks. A successful trade can earn you an Amazon gift card, and since the website is known as “The Everything Store,” you’ll probably be able to find almost anything you could ever need. Be sure to use the search feature beforehand to get a good idea of the amount you’d expect to get from the unwanted items.
Head to a Best Buy Store
Best Buy is another one of the many major retailers that offers a trade-in program, so people can exchange their old electronics for gift cards. This approach is a good route to take if you already have your sights set on a newer tablet or other gadget. There’s even an online calculator that allows you to estimate your average trade-in value, which could be helpful in determining whether this option is worthwhile.
Trade in Your iPhone at a Smartphone Shop
As technology advances, old standbys become replaced. Apple’s iPhone has experienced many changes that led to better battery life, improved screen brightness and faster processing speeds.
There are numerous places where you can trade in an old iPhone and upgrade to the latest model without shelling out too much cash. You may be able to receive a discount for several hundred dollars by trading in a like-new iPhone at one of the major smartphone retailers, such as T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless.
Responsible Solutions for TVs
Many people want to upgrade their TVs to new models because LED’s have a better picture quality, a larger screen size and the devices last longer since 70-80% of power is converted to waste heat. But what do you do with the old one?
If you don’t know of any relatives or college students looking to take your old TV off your hands you may be stuck with it. Why? In most states it’s actually illegal to toss older TV screens because they may contain toxic materials. Some stores, like Diamond Case Home Theatre, participate in recycling programs also offer store credit towards a new TV, which could save you a couple hundred dollars. Best Buy’s trade in program, as mentioned above, is another solution to consider. Then even offer home pick-up for larger items!
Get Acquainted With Gazelle
Gazelle is a well-known website where you can buy and sell used devices ranging from MacBook laptops to smartphones. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been paid out to the site’s users, and there is a 30-day risk-free guarantee for peace of mind if you’re in the mood to buy.
Give Your Worn Earbuds to Earphone Solutions
Earphone Solutions is a website that sells high quality, upscale listening accessories such as earbuds. If yours are worn out or broken, take advantage of the trade-in program that could give you as much as $100 off a new pair.
Don’t Overlook Recycling
Don’t forget that recycling is a smart alternative to selling or trading your used devices. This is especially true if your items have little or no value. Recycling electronic items responsibly is important. If they’re discarded, they may leak harmful substances that can hurt the environment.
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition is one example of a campaign that’s making it easier for consumers to recycle their gadgets. It will help you find a verified recycling company in your area or locate a retailer that conducts a drop-off program.
Thanks to these resources, there’s no need to let your gadgets continue to gather dust. Start spring cleaning with enthusiasm to get rid of useless electronics, and you may end up with some extra cash too!
