Laptop manufacturers keep rolling out new models with upgraded features, and much like with mobile phones, they force consumers to upgrade more than once every two years. But what happens to your old laptop once you’ve purchased the latest model? It shouldn’t just gather dust in a drawer, that’s for sure. Instead, you can turn your old tech into profit by selling online.
Before Selling Your Laptop
Before cashing in on your old laptop, remove your photos, login information, and passwords. Take a moment to reformat and restore the computer factory settings to ensure your information is gone.
Additionally, make sure that your hardware is in good working order. You can still sell a broken laptop for a decent amount, but you must be forthright and honest in your listings, so identify any potential problems beforehand.
Where Can You Sell Your Laptop?
When you decide to cash in on your old laptops, the first step is to consider how much time you can dedicate to the sale. This will determine where you sell your gadget.
If you want to try and secure the highest payout and have time to deal with interested parties and negotiations, consider selling the computer yourself via classifieds or local marketplaces. But if you don’t want to put in all that work and are okay with a fixed price, you can utilize online services that buy outright.
Option 1:
Bidding and Bartering
If you choose to sell your laptop yourself, you can usually get the biggest payout on sell-it-yourself sites. However, this method also requires the most work. You will need to list your device, haggle via messages, and deal with unreliable and sometimes downright sketchy potential buyers. If you want to try this route, look into eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.
To price your pre-owned electronics on these platforms, skim through existing and closed listings to check current asking prices from other sellers. If you price your gadget on the lower side of the existing range, you will surely attract more interest. Offering an attractive price also usually speeds up the sale.
Option 2:
Convenience and Ease
If you don’t want to deal with the stress of selling your laptop yourself, you can use an online service to cash in your tech at a fixed price. This price is usually lower than what you could get from eBay and other sell-it-yourself sites, but it also removes the hassle of dealing with customers directly. If you are willing to forego a bit of profit for speed and convenience, then this is the option for you.
Look for reliable online dealers and check their ratings. Once you settle on a platform, look up how much your old laptop is valued directly on the site. Most buyback sites will display the offer immediately. Knowing the price range you are comfortable with beforehand will help speed up the selling process.
Cashing in on Your Old Laptop: Conclusion
Whether you sell your laptop yourself or utilize an online service, you can get a good deal with some patience and some elbow grease. Don’t let your old tech become e-waste in your home. Study your options and turn your old laptop into new money.
Cesar is a Product Manager at Gadget Salvation, a leader in the refurbished electronics industry. An avid technology enthusiast, he’s always on top of the latest tech trends and applies that knowledge to drive product innovation.
