Technology changes fast. And that means most families have electronic clutter — cellphones, cameras and calculators, laptops, tablets and e-readers, talking toys, video game systems, and media players. One website estimates that the average American household has no less than 24 electronic devices, many of them sitting unused in drawers and cupboards.
Such items aren’t likely to sell well at a traditional garage sale, but they can be a source of cash, sometimes surprising amounts of cash. The market for refurbished and rebuilt devices is strong, especially overseas, and a flourishing community of buyback websites will pay for unwanted gadgets without the hassles associated with real-world garage sales.
Getting rid of electronic debris is an ideal end-of-summer project. Not only will you declutter the house, but you’ll probably earn enough to defray at least some of the costs for new back-to-school gadgets as well. Enlist your kids to go through closets and play areas, gathering up any unused object that needs a battery, a charger, or a power cord. Even items that no longer work may have value. Use a damp cloth to clean off grime and fingerprints. Locate cords, accessories and, if possible, manuals and original packaging.
Then, head to the websites below to see what your items are worth. (You may want to recruit an adolescent to do this research. Just offer a percentage of the proceeds.) Because prices vary a great deal, it’s a good idea to start at Pricenomics.com, a website that quickly surveys the Internet to determine a fair price range for used items in a wide range of categories. Usell.com is also helpful. By aggregating information from a number of reliable buyback sites, it helps you zero in on the best offer.
Buyback websites accept different items. Most provide a detailed list with menus that help you identify the precise model you have in your possession. (For videos and games, you may also need the ISBN number.) You, in turn, answer questions about the condition of what you have to sell. The more accurately you answer these questions, the more likely it is that you will get the full price offered by the site.
If you agree to the price, the company should pay for shipping, either by providing a mailing label or by sending a carton for larger items. Before shipping, erase personal data from computers and cellphones. Even though some companies promise to do this for you, you don’t want to take the chance that information will wind up in the wrong hands. To find instructions, search for “wipe data” and the name of your device.
For peace of mind, make sure the website you use has a customer service phone number, as well as a street address, just in case you need to track down payment. Because payment procedures vary, you’ll want to keep copies of shipping labels and other paperwork. Some companies send a check; others deposit funds into a PayPal account. A few offer gift cards to Amazon, Target, or other companies, and some give credit toward new merchandise. Bestbuy.com, for example, will trade in anything it has ever sold for a store credit. The website you choose depends in part on what you have to sell. Here are some suggestions:
• Cellphones. Apple products, including iPhones and iPads, are in high demand at sites like Newtonshead.com and Tunecycle.com. Swappa.com specializes in Android devices. For cellphones of all kinds, check out Securetradein.com, Cellitused.com, or Gazelle.com. Gazelle allows you take payment in the form of an Amazon giftcard and also makes it easy to donate the value of your phone to one of its approved charities.
• Video games. Secondspin.com offers cash for used games, CDs, and DVDs. Spun.com gives credits that can be used toward other games. Amazon also has a trade-in site that accepts all kinds of media, including books.
• Electronic toys. Interactive toys like Leapster and Hexbugs sell reasonably well on Ebay. Checking Whatsellsbest.com will give you an idea of which items are worth listing and will help you avoid selling valuable collectibles for less than they are worth. The site also has a Toy Selling Guide with useful pointers. To avoid the hassle of setting up an auction, check to see whether an electronic item is eligible for Ebay’s Instant Sale option (instantsale.ebay.com).
• Gadgets of all kinds. If you have a grab bag of items, you’ll do best with a site that accepts everything from camcorders to headphones. Buybackworld.com has a good reputation for paying as promised, and it offers a fundraising option for parent clubs and other organizations. Nextworth.com has a partnership with Target that allows you take electronic items directly to a store and get a giftcard on the spot. Buymytronics.com has the endorsement of the Better Business Bureau and offers to match prices from other sites. Guzu.com plants a tree for every successful transaction.
Electronic devices don’t belong at the back of the closet or the bottom of the toy box. Someone, somewhere, wants your stuff and, with the help of these websites, you can enjoy the financial rewards of a garage sale without ever setting up a card table.
Carolyn Jabs, MA, raised three computer-savvy kids, including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for 10 years. Visit www.growing-up-online.com to read other columns.
