Turn your trash into cash, they say. Did you know you can earn cash for your old gadgets?  Electronic Gadgets cost a lot.  But when the latest mobile phones get introduced into the market, consumers cannot seem to restrain themselves from shelling out more money for these new models and letting old mobile phones go to waste.

Some people choose to sell their old mobile phones and use the money to buy newer models.  But, there are also those people who do not think twice about throwing their old phones in the trash.  Unknowingly, they contribute to the growth of the harmful electronic waste polluting the environment.  I’d like to make a difference in my own little way and so when I found the need to replace my old mobile phone unit, I looked for places where I can sell my mobile phone.

Value

Like any other thing, gadgets get dirty, slow, or not at par with how it has performed for you before. Put in mind, that there’s always a demand for technology, even for second-hand ones. Someone would be willing to buy used gadgets – even if for a fraction of the original price. This is why it’s important to care for your gadgets, to not degenerate its value as much.

Traditional Online Selling

There’s of course the more traditional way to sell your old gears.

Ebay would be the most established platform for selling used items. But, there are also free websites to list down items you are selling. You can list items on multiple platforms and see which would get you the best value for your gadgets. Always look into the fees, or what it would cost you to sell your items.

Gadget Buyers

I was not disappointed to find a website that actually buys used phones, tablets, and such. Another website even sells refurbished phones along with second-hand ones. There has been a rise in such a business model around Europe, and people are loving it: both for its practicality and environmental impact.

Before we go on, let’s define what the term “refurbished” means. There’s a connotation that items tagged as refurbished equals second-hand products. Per Wikipedia: “Refurbishment is the distribution of products (usually electronics) that have been previously returned to a manufacturer or vendor for various reasons. Refurbished products are normally tested for functionality and defects before they are sold.”

In essence, refurbished gadgets are unused, as opposed to used or second-hand gadgets. Items used in sales display fall under the refurbished category. Refurbished doesn’t have defects while second-hand pieces might have had a problem or two.

Trade-in

The entire process was easy, as you can do it online.  I simply had to do a search for my mobile phone brand and model to find out what the buying price is.  The next step was to fill out the contact details form online.  Within a short time, I got the confirmation email with further instructions on how to proceed.  When I got the pack that was sent to me by the company, all I had to do was to slip my mobile phone unit inside the pack, seal it, and then send it back.

I got my payment within five days.  That’s money for something that has been sitting inside my desk drawer for months.  It was money waiting to happen.

Earn Cash for Your Old Gadgets From These Outlets

Aside from Ebay, as mentioned above, there are specific platforms where you can sell your gadgets. Sure, there are physical stores offering up-front pricing but online shops most of the time pay more. For an easy scan, we recommend using Flipsy. Flipsy is a trade-in comparison site that will let you know where you’ll get the most money for your item.

Otherwise, here are some of the outlets to look into if you’re looking to earn cash for your old gadgets:

– Decluttr

Decluttr is perhaps the best when it comes to pricing. They don’t only buy iphones, tablets, and other gadgets, they also buy books, dvds, games, and even lego!

– Swappa

Swappa is a buy and sell newish tech. They go by the motto “No junk, no jerks.” To keep their marketplace safe, they don’t allow broken items. On Swappa you buy and sell directly with other users. Cutting out the middleman means you join a community market with the best prices and highest value. Thus, they charge lesser fees for their services compared to other outlets.

– Top Dollar Mobile

Top Dollar Mobile has been operating for over a decade and a half, working with their extensive global network in promoting the recycling and reuse of old mobile phones.  They carry the necessary certifications and licenses to attest to their capability to recycle mobile phones through a process that is compliant with international environmental standards.

– Operator Buyback Programs

Apple offers a trade-in for its patrons. Trade in you old device when you buy a new product and they’ll apply the value toward your purchase. If your item is not eligible, they will then recycle your device for free. Apple says it best with “we can turn your device into something good for you and good for the planet.”

There are other networks that offer buybacks for gadgets. They would either give you cash or store credit for your device.