Keeping up with the latest in technology is a passion of mine (it must stem from growing up in the heart of Silicon Valley). Technology can get expensive and hard on the environment fast though if you’re upgrading your gadgets often.
I like my tech to be reasonably up to date. I’ve never kept the same cell phone for two years and I budget for a new computer every three years.
So how do I keep my passion for up to date consumer electronics frugal and green? eBay!
When I buy a new consumer electronic item, I sell the old one on eBay. By selling it on eBay:
- I can roll it’s remaining value into it’s replacement
- someone else can make use of it
- I keep it out of the dump (because lots of stuff that gets sent to electronics recycling never actually gets recycled)
Surprisingly you can sell and make good money off not only used but also broken electronics.
About a year and a half ago, half of the touch screen of my first iPhone stopped accepting touches. It was a year and a half old at that point so my basic one year warranty was up so a repair would’ve run me about $100. A new model was already out and it had some features that my current phone didn’t have that I thought were worthwhile so I upgraded.
After upgrading I restored my old iPhone to it’s original factory settings and gathered all of it’s original accessories (I didn’t include the headphones since they’d been in my ears and I thought someone else using them would be a bit gross, I mentioned that in the auction description) and listed it on eBay.
As with all items on eBay, it’s very important to be very specific, detailed, and honest about the condition. Even with half the touch screen not working, it sold for over $100.
There is a huge market on eBay for broken electronics. Certain people will use those broken items for parts to repair other broken items.
I’ve had great success over the years selling used (and sometimes even broken) cell phones, digital cameras, iPods and other mp3 players, PDAs, laptops, and even my old iMac.
Some eBay tips to help maximize your success:
- The better your feedback the more successful you will be. My account is 8 years old with almost 800 feedback at 100% positive, my other family members don’t have as much feedback as I do so when they want to sell their old electronics I list them on my account.
- Keep the original packaging if you expect you’ll sell the item later. My iMac would’ve been almost impossible to ship safely if I didn’t have it’s custom cut foam that it was originally shipped in to me.
- Take lots of pictures, especially of any damage or problems and describe any damage or problems in as much detail as you can. eBay now lets you post up to 12 pictures per item at no additional cost.
- Check completed auctions for similar items so you know what to expect before listing. If similar items aren’t going for a price you’d accept don’t waste your time and money listing your item.
Disclosure: Some links in the post are affiliate links and I will receive a small compensation if you make a purchase or sign up for a service by clicking through those links. Affiliate links are an easy way for you to support It’s Frugal Being Green at no additional cost to yourself.
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