The estimated reading time for this post is 7 minutes
With so much new tech headed our way this fall, you may be wondering how you can afford to keep up with your desire for state-of-the-art gadgets. Whether you’re wanting an iPhone 5 , craving a Kindle, or eagerly anticipating the Microsoft Surface, your tech budget might be stretched a bit thin this busy season.
One way to afford new tech is by trading in your old tech. You may have the iPhone 4S from last year and want to upgrade but will have to pay full price for the phone. Good news, your iPhone 4S may fetch a higher price than you think.
Or maybe you have electronics lying around your home somewhere that you’re not using but others may want. Not everyone needs to have the latest and the greatest gadgets. Many people would prefer to be a generation or two behind so they can have more affordable gear.
If you’re looking to sell your gently-used tech, you have many choices these days. Deciding where to sell your stuff requires that you research the best prices and make some decisions:
- Are you willing to gamble to try for a higher price or do you want a guaranteed price?
- Do you want cash or are you willing to accept credit towards a future purchase in exchange for a higher price?
- Can you part with your tech immediately or do you need to wait until your new tech arrives? If the ship date for your iPhone 5 is two weeks away, you probably don’t want to commit to ship your current phone immediately.
Below is a comparison of different resale options for you to consider, including the pros and cons for each site, as well as sample prices for reselling an iPhone. Price matters too so I have included sample prices for an iPhone 4S 16GB Black AT&T in good condition (some scratches, normal signs of use), with the original charger, for comparison purposes.
[note]Resale prices change constantly so make sure to check prices for your tech before you’re ready to sell.[/note]
Even if you’re not selling now, you may want to check out resale prices to decide which device to buy. For example, show sites show black iPhones having higher resale prices than white ones.
Also check out Preparing Your iPad for Resale to make sure that you’re getting the most for your tech when you resell it!
Selling Online
Selling your tech at an online site can give you plenty of options. Some sites accept a wide variety of electronics while others are more restrictive. The sites show you which items they will accept and what price you will be paid for them. You’ll have to ship your items, which can result in payment being delayed by a few days to a few weeks. Guaranteed prices always depend on your item being in the condition you describe.
Amazon
Pros
- Amazon accepts a wide variety of items, including phones, Kindles, GPS devices, cameras, calculators and more. Not all items are accepted, you can check if your tech is eligible here.
- Shipping to Amazon is free
- Guaranteed price
- Price can increase if the item is in better condition than described
Cons
- You must ship your item within seven calendar days after agreeing to trade it in
- You get an Amazon gift card, not cash
iPhone price: $314.50
You can find out more details at Amazon’s website.
Best Buy
Pros
- Shipping to Best Buy is free
- Trade-In Estimator gives you an idea of how much your item is worth
- Wide variety of items accepted
Cons
- Items must be received by Best Buy within 14 days of registering
- You get a Best Buy gift card, not cash
iPhone price: $265.00
Find out more about Best Buy Trade-In at their website.
eBay
eBay offers two different ways for you to sell your tech: traditional auctions and InstantSale.
Traditional Auctions
Pros
- Chance for higher prices if bidding escalates
- Ability to set your own price through minimum bids or Buy It Now
- Payment in cash through PayPal or other methods
- Can list any item
Cons
- Risk of lower price or item not being sold
- Delay in payment until item is sold
iPhone price: Buy It Now asking price varies from $2500 to $324.99 + $14.99 shipping.
InstantSale
Pros
- Guaranteed price
- Free shipping
- Cash payment via PayPal
- Faster payment than auctions (funds are deposited in your PayPal account five business days after the item is received and the condition is confirmed)
- You can wait until October 1 to ship your phone if you use InstantSale by 11:59 PM PST on September 23, 2012
Cons
- Limited to smartphones, cell phones, laptops, digital cameras, GPS devices, mp3 players, tablets and camcorders
- Price may be lower than auction price
- You must ship your item by October 1 to get InstantSale guaranteed price
iPhone price: $216.69 (on the C Spire network, price for AT&T not available)
Find out more about eBay’s InstantSale at their website.
Gazelle
Pros
- 30-day price guarantee
- Gazelle sends you a shipping container and label
- Free shipping
- Will buy broken tech
- Variety of ways to get paid: check, PayPal, Amazon gift card (Amazon gift card gets you a 5% bonus over the stated price)
- No commitment to sell after you lock in 30 day price guarantee
- Will pay you more than the guaranteed price if your item is in a better condition than described
Cons
- Limited types of items; Gazelle won’t buy GPS devices, PDA’s, monitors, video games or systems, DVD’s, camera lenses, digital cameras, PC tablets, PC laptops or desktops, nor external hard drives. Here’s a list of phones Gazelle will buy: cell phones.
iPhone price: $277
Read more at Gazelle – Resell and Recycle Your Tech!
Glyde
Pros
- Can buy and sell items using Glyde
- Easy to list an item
- Glyde sends you a shipping package and label
- Can set your own price
- Can get a guaranteed price using Speed Sale
- You are paid cash into your bank account or through PayPal
Cons
- Must ship within 24 hours of receiving shipping materials
iPhone price: $269 using Speed Sale $312.75 using Regular Sale
Glyde provided me with this price chart for resale prices for the iPhone:
Read more at Craving an iPad? Glyde Is on Your Side!
Selling In Stores
Selling in stores has many advantages. You can be paid instantly when you hand over your item. There is also no guesswork involved in judging the condition of your item nor any worry that your item will be lost in transit. Make sure to research prices before you head to the store to make sure the price you’re offered is competitive.
Game Stop
Pros
- You can get a price quote online before traveling to the store
- Higher prices are given if cables, original boxes and other extras are included
- Items will be accepted at any Game Stop store
- Can get cash or store credit
Cons
- Store credit price is significantly more than cash price
- Accepts only iPhone, iPads, iPods and select Android tablets
- Must trade in your item the day you receive the price quote
iPhone price: $329 in-store credit or $263.20 cash.
You can learn more about Game Stop’s trade in policies at their website.
Radio Shack
Pros
- Wide variety of items accepted
- Online trade-ins accepted as well
Cons
- Price is set when you visit the store
- Payment is given in store credit
iPhone price: $250.80
You can find out more about Radio Shack’s trade-in program at their website.
Bottom Line
Here are the prices for the iPhone 4S 16 GB Black AT&T in good condition with charge cord, listed from highest to lowest:
eBay Auction Buy It Now Asking Price – $2500 (good luck getting that price!)
Game Stop In-Store credit – $329
Amazon – $314.50
Glyde – $312.75 (Regular Sale)
Gazelle – $277
Glyde – $269 (Speed Sale)
Best Buy – $265
Radio Shack – $250.80
Game Stop Cash – $263.20
eBay InstantSale – $216.69
Your prices may vary so be sure to check out these sites before you commit to reselling your tech.
Do you trade-in your tech to help you purchase new tech? Have you ever sold your tech to any of these sites or stores? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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I took off my tech hat and put on my parenting hat, writing a guest post for Harleena Singh at Aha-Now! Please check out Don’t Get on That Train! at her wonderful blog.
Hi Carolyn,
Interesting post. Used prices tend to be lower in the UK. I saw my camera on Amazon for £60 which is about half price, but I paid about £200 with card and case. I think if you throw in accessories, you’re more likely to get a sale. Someone told me he got a DSLR on EBay for £100, but I haven’t seen any that cheap. My tech is so worn out I struggle to give it away when I’ve finished with it! My last laptop, my nephew stripped down and replaced a few parts, like the hard drive and is still using it I think.
I was interested to read that Microsoft office is licensed and so you aren’t supposed to sell it used. From 2013 they will sell it or you can rent it for a monthly payment. The price to buy or rent it seemed high to me. I was told that I would need the latest version of Office when I bought this laptop, but a little messing around and my 2003 version worked fine and saved me over £80.
I like the part of this blog that says some people don’t mind tech that is a little out of date. That is true. I don’t feel the need to have the latest gadget. I warned my friend to buy a older car, he wanted the later model. Now he is short of money and can’t afford the insurance. When an emergency arose he called me!
I like the advert for Aha-Now! I have a idea for graphics like that advertising blogs that go in the sidebar, but change with time zones and with the category of the displayed blog. I wish I could code PHP! The idea might get us more traffic.
Hi Mike, I’m glad you enjoyed this. You’re right a great way to save money is to buy gently used tech too. Amazon, eBay and Glyde offer used tech for sale at discounts over the new models. Apple also sells refurbished tech at a lower price than the new models.
Yes, I was very proud to be the first guest author at Harleena’s blog. Her words are very inspiring so it’s an honor to be published there, especially since I wasn’t writing about tech!
Open Office and Google Docs are free alternatives to Microsoft Word you may want to consider. But if your older version of Office is working fine, no need to switch!
Wow Carolyn! That sure was another awesome post!
I had never really thought that such sites could also be used to trade old stuff for new, though had heard about it. But one is always a little hesitant about the quality and efficiency of something that has already been used. Is there some way we can check that out as well?
Speaking of which, you did make things so much easier for all of us to purchase the iPhone 4, for those of us who want it to be within reach. But yes, I think iPhone 5 would be the best buy for those who can afford it too.
And, I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the first guest author at my blog . It was indeed an honor and pleasure to have you over to share your experience and knowledge as a parent with my readers. I must say the switching of your hat did suit you a great deal. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful information with all of us and for linking up the post as well.:)
And yes – how did you manage to get the header here too – amazing! But then only YOU could do that so well 🙂
Thanks once again 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, I took a screenshot of your header. It’s such a beautiful image that I thought it would show my readers how creative and stunning your blog design is.
Screenshots are easy. Here is an article about how to easily take a screenshot on a Windows computer: https://wonderoftech.com/smile-its-awesome-screenshot-time/
To take a screenshot on a Mac, press Command + Shift + 4. Easy peasy!
Hi Harleena, Yes, it can be a bit scary to buy used tech, but if you buy through a trusted retailer you can get a guarantee at least for a while that your gadget will not be a dud. As you can see from the article, the guaranteed purchase prices are only valid after the item has been checked for the accuracy of its described position.
You’re right, even buying an older model of smartphone can be expensive, especially if you’re buying it off contract. Selling your older tech can help you afford better models. Perhaps people would be able to get an iPhone 4S with 32 GB instead of 16 GB of storage by selling off their older gadgets.
Harleena, I was very touched that I was your first guest author at Aha Now! Your blog is warm, inviting and inspiring so I know your readers expect your writing when they visit. Thank you very much for allowing me to share my thoughts at your place!
Thanks so much for those warm and kind words Carolyn – that is what makes you such a special friend 🙂
It was indeed my honor to have you over and you are most welcome anytime – it would always be a pleasure to share your expertise with my readers.
I’m glad you liked the header, though I know it isn’t all that well optimized and some people suggested to change or make it lighter to fasten the speed. But I just love it for the time being myself and wanted it to be something different than the others I see.
Would head over and read your post about screenshots in a while. Thanks for sharing it, and for all your help and support 🙂
Harleena, why isn’t it optimized? Do you need to reduce the size of the image file? Have you tried WP Smush.It? That’s a great plugin!
Yes, I had Smush. It for some time, and then I reduced the plugins so sacrificed that too, as we already lessen the file size a lot when saving the file for web in Photoshop. And I observed that after doing that there isn’t much difference when you Smush.It.
To fasten the loading speed I even let go of the earlier background design (small grey-pink roses) I had at the blog and turned it to the plain present pink-grey, something I really don’t like – but then I had to choose either of the things.
Hi Harleena, Yes, if you’re reducing the size with Photoshop, then you don’t need Smush.It. Yes, I remember your flowered background, which was nice, but you’re right, loading speed is important.
Anyone want a slightly used ATT cell phone.
My new browser is working great.
Hi Jerry, I hope you got some great ideas here for selling your AT&T phone!
I’m glad you’re enjoying your new browser. 🙂
Hi Carolyn
I recently sold my old 32″ LCD TV online. It is for sure a great way to get a little money for the Tech that we don’t use anymore. I had of cause bought a new 40″ LED TV first 🙂 Actually I did the same 2 years ago: Sold my old TV and got myself a newer one.
Hi Thomas, Very cool! I’m so glad that you were able to sell your old tech to buy new tech. That’s just the way to do it. I bet you made the new owner of your tech very happy too!
I think that he was very happy with our deal. Speaking of old technology I just found not just one but two Discman’s yesterday when I was moving around my office desk. They used to be very modern and now they just make me laugh 🙂
Hi Thomas, Antique tech sometimes fetches impressive prices on eBay! You may want to check and see what those devices are worth. 😉
Carolyn – This is some serious stuff at the right time when the ever-awaited iPhone5 is out!!!! I recently bought my HTC and now after ordering the iphone for my wife, i have a feeling to change it once again!!!!!
These are some awesome options which I can go through, thanks for letting us know about them.
Hi Praveen, I’m so glad this information is helpful to you. Yes, especially Android owners must be tempted to upgrade well before their contracts are up. Trading in your phone for resale can help take the sting out of paying full price for a new phone!
I usually ride mine into the ground; not much love left in them when I’m done. Of course, most of it is ‘LUI’ equipment, but beggars can’t be choosers, huh?
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bill, That’s great, you stick with what you like. No need to upgrade constantly if you don’t want to. But if the tech bug bites, then you may want to consider these resources instead of your favorite pawn shop… 😉
Hi Carolyn,
The moment i read this post i was thinking is my iPhone ready to get away from me…..and you know what he is not going to leave me lol 🙂 .
Jokes apart,i wonder how these sites are growing their reputation by providing everything new every time.Amazon is the best everyone knows,but if i talk about other site i would like to add OLX to the list.This site has gained a lot of appreciation here in India.Buyers and sellers meet each other directly here.
The rest portals are amazing as well,but i guess Amazon wins the race.
Hi Aditya, Thank you for sharing OLX. I am unfamiliar with resale sites in India and I appreciate your sharing your knowledge with us here at The Wonder of Tech!
Just as i am unaware of Gazelle and Glyde.I guess knowing new things on the wonder of tech is the best thing which make all glued to it Carolyn.
Lol, thanks, Aditya! 🙂
Woah, Girl; look at all the time and research you put in to this piece. You wow me and thanks so much!
How do you have the ability to make posts like this sing with all the family in your house and your professional life, too?
I haven’t heard of 1/3 of these outlets, but you’ve given me a nudge to get rid of my electronics, for sure! Thanks for this.
Hi Jayme, Thank you so much for your very kind words! It means a lot to me that you were wowed by this post. That says a lot coming from you! 🙂
Yes, there are a lot of places to resell your tech, but it’s important to entrust your tech with the right company. These are the companies that I would trust with my tech, if I didn’t have three daughters nipping at my heels for my used gadgets!
By the time I’m ready for something new, mine doesn’t work anymore. It’s usually more ready for the recycle bin then anything but I do know people who eagerly await the next new thing and they are off to purchasing the latest and greatest.
These tips you’ve shared Carolyn they should be happy to learn! I’ll have to send this to my nephew. Usually my brother gets his hand me downs but sometimes he doesn’t.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, I don’t blame you a bit. Some people are like that with cars, too. They want to keep their cars until they don’t run any more. People can save a lot of money that way.
Others want the latest and the greatest tech. But unlike cars, people don’t think of trading in their tech. I wanted to let people know that you can trade in your tech and where and how to do it.
I hope you continue to enjoy the tech you have, Adrienne!
Amazon is without-a-doubt the best place for getting deals on tech, gadgets, tools and just about anything else. I have been using Amazon to shop online for several years and have never had any problems. If you take advantage of Amazon Prime and get free 2 day shipping and discounted overnight delivery, then the savings are unbeatable.
Hi Jeffrey, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I agree, I’m a big fan of Amazon, including Amazon Prime. So getting an Amazon gift certificate for my used tech would be great!
Thanks for listing the pros and cons … I’ve wanted to upgrade some of my stuff but really didn’t now how to go about it while getting rid of my older stuff. Thanks for the write-up!
Hi Jessica, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you found this article useful. Have fun trading in your tech! 🙂
That’s great tips Carolyn. I usually don’t sell my old gadgets, but I give it to my wife or kids. And now they’re telling me to buy the new iPhone and a new Mac 🙂
Hi Jens, My family is the same way. My kids get my older tech so they are very supportive when I want to upgrade! They don’t have an iPhone yet though because I waited so long to upgrade to the 4S that they had new Android phones by then.
Technology is fast obsolete. With every new launch, old versions are thrown away at half their prices or even less than that. It’s good to know that there are takers at these rates above mentioned.
Hi George, Yes, nothing becomes obsolete faster than old tech. Well, except for egg salad out in the sun, but that’s for a different blog…
Yes, older tech may still have some value so it’s worth investigating to see if you can get some money for the gadgets you have lying around the house!
Somehow I feel that second hand tech devices and gadgets should not be bought. However, when it comes to selling our used devices we do not think much. You have suggested some great platforms in order to get extremely satisfying deals for our used tech. Thanks a lot for sharing this information.
Hi James, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, it can be risky to purchase used tech. You want to be sure you get some sort of warranty so that the device is working when you receive it. But many people don’t want to spend the money to buy new devices and like the discount they can get by buying slightly used tech. My first smartphone was used, I bought it on eBay at a big discount and I used it for years without problems.
Hi Carolyn.
Thanks for your great research on buying and selling newer tech stuff.Its a fascination concept and I’ll certainly check out Glyde when I’m looking for my new ipad
keith
Hi Keith, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you found this article helpful. Enjoy your new iPad!