5 Reasons To Sell Your Used Laptop

In this post, we will explore the main reasons for selling a pre-owned laptop and the benefits of doing so. We will also share some options for selling a laptop to recover the best possible value.

In this day and age, almost everyone has a laptop computer. Laptops are very useful for work, study, and even entertainment, as they offer plenty of mobility. There are laptops for all types of budgets and uses. For example, some laptop models are better suited for either gamers, business, students, creators, or basic home use. However, technology quickly becomes outdated, and laptops are no exception. So, if you took good care of your laptop and don’t snooze for too long, you can resell it, using our tips.

Below, we will compare the benefits of selling a used laptop for cash versus trading it in for store credit. But before we dive in, why sell?

Why Bother Selling an Old Laptop?

1. Environment-friendly

All electronics contain dangerous toxic chemicals that are harmful for the planet. For example, to manufacture laptops, natural resources such as copper, gold, aluminum, and iron must be extracted to build a new device. You can easily reduce energy and natural resource use by recycling your device. The internal parts can be scrapped, and their valuable components reused. There are plenty of places where you can recycle any electronic device, often for free.

Another way to help the environment is to resell your pre-owned gadgets. Selling used laptops is an environmentally friendly practice for several reasons. Not only are you helping to reduce the electronic waste, but you are extending its life cycle. Plus, buying second-hand is wallet-friendly: the price of a used laptop will be significantly lower than at any retail store. And it does not mean that a used gadget will be in bad shape. On the contrary, you can find pre-owned laptops in flawless condition and for a good price.

2. Salvaging a Residual Value

For many people, selling their used laptops is a great way to make a few extra dollars. And really, who doesn’t want to get some extra cash for a device they no longer use? Especially if it is made easy. You’ll find plenty of buy-back websites where you can sell used laptops, iPhones, smartphones, and more, in order to get paid either cash or in the form of store credit. Either way, you are benefiting financially and saving the environment.

However, bear in mind that you won’t get back the amount you originally paid for your device, because, like everything else, laptops do depreciate. Fast electronics depreciation is the result of technological advancement and increasing demand for new gadgets. Nevertheless, selling your older laptop will help you reduce the cost of your upgrade.

3. Selling Laptops is Easy

It has become very easy to sell anything online, using a third-party service and numerous e-commerce platforms. If you decide to use an online buy-back service, the selling process will be quicker, and you will be paid much faster. While selling it on your own requires you to put in some time and effort. In either case, online platforms can help you connect with potential buyers, all from the comfort of your own home. Besides, there are plenty of brick-and-mortar locations accepting old electronics for store credit. But before you head over, we suggest checking with the location to make sure that your laptop computer is eligible for a trade-in.

4. Ability to Upgrade

You can benefit from selling your used laptop for cash if you missed the in-store return window, for example. On one hand, you probably won’t be getting as much money back as you had originally paid for it. But, on the other hand, selling that device for cash will allow you to buy the one you actually want instead. Plus, you can always sell a laptop and use that extra money towards the new upgrade.

5. Create a Circular Economy

In opposition to a linear system, the circular business model proposes that the waste. It is non-existent, and it can be productively used again to keep its material within the economy wherever possible. In the case of tech, most electronic gadgets can extend their lifecycles through reselling, refurbishing, recycling, or buying second-hand. When you sell a used laptop, you are part of a circular model that helps reduce carbon footprint and waste. What’s more, if you are interested in changing your habits, we recommend that you read our article about how to cultivate zero-waste habits during the pandemic.

How to Sell Used Laptops Online?

There are tons of options when it comes to selling used laptops online. For example, you can try to sell it on your own, but you would have to deal with the whole selling process yourself, and it is often costly and time-consuming. If you are looking for quick payment, then use a buy-back service. Third-party services are a convenient and hassle-free way to sell your used electronic gadgets. We will list a few platforms below. Just don’t forget: if you are selling a laptop, make sure to carefully prep it first. Here is a guide on how to sell my laptop for the most money.

Buy-Back Sites

Instant Cash Offer: Gadget Salvation

Gadget Salvation is an e-commerce platform built to help users sell their unwanted tech, such as laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and more, for cash. The company accepts a variety of brands and has a fair quotation system. The service is convenient and virtually contactless. All that you have to do is check out online and send your laptop in. Online valuation, inspections, shipping, and returns are included in the service with no extra cost.

To sell used laptops or other electronic gadgets, use their online catalog to match your brand, model, and configuration. Then, answer a few simple questions about the condition of the device you are selling, and the system will calculate an instant cash offer. If you like what you see, complete the checkout form to receive a prepaid UPS shipping label. After delivery and inspection, Gadget Salvation will issue your payment via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle (Chase QuickPay), or will mail a paper check. The choice is yours. And if your device has no sellable value, we’ll recycle it free of charge.

To give you an idea of how much a used laptop can be sold for:

• Used Dell Precision 7730 Series Mobile Workstation with an Intel Core i9 8th Gen CPU yields up to a $638* offer.
• The LG Gram 15-inch laptop with touchscreen display and 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor gets up to $331*.
• A flawless, fully functional Acer Nitro 5 Series AN515 Intel Core i5 8th Gen-based laptop yields a $215 offer*.

Store Credit: Best Buy

You can trade in your used laptop online or in-store for a Best Buy gift card. Like other online buyback services, you’ll get a quote to purchase your used electronics based on the information you enter on their website. The company provides you with a free shipping label to send your goods. However, you can go to the nearest Best Buy around your area to trade in your gadgets in-store for store credit. We recommend that you check their site to see if your device is eligible for trading in. As for the payment, you will receive a Best Buy gift card that you can use online or at any Best Buy store.

Trade In for a Gift Card: Amazon

Amazon has only an online trade-in service for old electronics such as laptops, cell phones, TVs, and more, in exchange for a gift card. Check whether the device is eligible for trade-in on their website, and if it is, complete the valuation sheet form to get a quote. All that is left to do is to send the device in for inspection. Shipping expenses are prepaid. The whole process takes about two weeks to complete.

Sell Used Laptop On Your Own

eBay

eBay allows you to take charge of the selling process. You will be listing, pricing, and negotiating with potential buyers, pretty much on your own terms. However, it is important to remember that eBay charges a selling fee, and you are responsible for all associated costs, such as shipping and returns. This one is one of the oldest and most popular buy-and-sell platforms, but it has its drawbacks, and it is also not the safest one either.

Craigslist

Craigslist is the most famous online classified site, available worldwide. You can put up an ad there, and you don’t even have to create an account. Having an account, however, allows you to edit and modify your ad whenever needed. Just like on eBay, here you have to write an accurate description of the item you are selling, take and upload pictures of it, research the price, and arrange meetups. In other words, it’s work.

The benefits of using the Craigslist platform are that you have the chance to connect with a wider audience and ultimately have control over the whole process. The downside is that you might get scammed, so you must be extra vigilant, especially with payments.

OfferUp

Download the free app OfferUp on your smartphone and sell locally whenever and whatever you want. Laptops included. The app is easy to use, and if you are selling something, simply snap a few photos of it, describe it, set your asking price, and you are good to go. You will need to create an account and verify it with a valid state-issued ID and your Facebook profile in order to start selling on OfferUp.

In Conclusion

There are several reasons to sell your used laptop. The most obvious one is that you can either score some extra cash for it or trade it in for store credit. But most importantly, selling used tech is the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint! So, if your laptop is still working but you don’t use it much anymore, why not resell it? Don’t let it sit in the drawer collecting dust for too long. Get rid of it while it’s still worth something; it really pays to be green!

*Priced on 05/24/2021. Subject to change.