Are you up to your ears in old laptops and tablets? Or maybe you just have a laser that you’d love to sell to someone who will appreciate it as much as you do. Whatever your reason for putting your geeky gadgets on the market, here are just a few places where you’re sure to find buyers.
Auction Sites
These are often the simplest ways to unload your tech. Sites like Craigslist will showcase your goods to the entire city; sites like eBay will put them on display for the entire world. If there’s another soul out there hankering for a USB turntable, auction sites will put the two of you in touch with one another, and you can negotiate prices one-on-one for a mutually satisfying deal. Another great option is SellCell.com.
Specialty Forums
Let’s say you have something really obscure or really valuable, like the newest iPhone or an electronically adjustable light bulb. Will the average Joe appreciate them? Probably not. For your best chance at finding active, interested buyers who truly understand the value of what you’re selling, visit forums that specialize in that topic. For example, with your light bulbs, find a forum dedicated to so-called “smart homes.”
Ecommerce Sites
While there’s a bigger market on Etsy for things like homemade tea cozies, there’s also a “technology” section where you can sell everything from auto flash units to tricked-out tablet docks. Sites like these are your best bet for selling custom-made gadgets or things that you can’t trade into Amazon because they’ve been modified or slightly damaged.
Buyback Companies
What if you’re tired of dealing with consumers? Or what if you’re just looking for the most painless way possible to convert your gadgets into cash? Check out sites like Gazelle and BuyMyTronics. They’re run by companies, not individual vendors, and they’ll give you a good price for your phones and laptops as long as they’re functional and semi-current.
Real-World Sales
Not all sales have to be conducted in the digital realm. Put up flyers at the local library during computer week; target bargain-hungry students by advertising your gadgets on college community boards; let your friends at the technology club know that you have some goodies for sale. The only limit is your imagination.
Your Personal Blog
Last but not least, never underestimate the power of your personal blog. Even if you don’t have a large readership, you never know when a lurker with a love of 3D printers might be browsing your posts. Best of all, you can keep your ads displayed at no charge to you until the item finally sells. You don’t have to worry about constantly renewing or re-uploading it.
These are just a few ways to make some money off your geeky gadgets. As you can see, there are plenty of methods for converting your electronics into cash, so feel free to experiment with them until you hit the one that pays the most.
