Some people may replace their phones only when they got so old and broken that repairing them isn't even remotely worth it. Many of us, however, replace a phone while it's still working. Instead of throwing it in a drawer and forgetting it ever existed, we can always sell it. When I decided to sell my phone, I followed a few steps to maximize the profit. There is more to selling a phone than just creating a Craigslist ad.
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Prepare for the sale
Before I went to sell my phone, there were a few things I had to do. I will share these steps with you to ensure the security of your data and get a more significant profit.
Create backup files
If you had connected your phone to your Google account, then probably all of your data and settings are stored in the cloud.
In case you neither have an account connected, nor you have transferred everything to an SD card, you need to create backup files so you won't lose your tasks, tests, contacts, and memories.
Factory Reset
You can restore your phone to factory settings, either through the device settings or by using an external app.
I can't explain what steps to follow since they might be different across devices, but Google's instructions is a good starting point.
By restoring your phone, you can make sure that the buyer can't find anything personal there.
Remove the cards
It's essential not to forget to remove the SIM card (or cards) and the SD card (as I almost did.)
If the SIM card remains on the phone then not only you will lose all of your contacts, but you also give to the buyer a catalog full of phone numbers.
Even though a PIN protects the numbers, if they fall into the wrong hands, you might run into issues.
The memory card is more important than the SIM card since we use it to store our photos, music, and videos.
However, if you decide to sell your memory card too, then it's important to delete its data according to Google's instructions.
How can I sell my phone
With a simple Google search, I found dozens of websites and forums to sell my phone, so I'll present you my favorites and most popular ones. If you prefer, you can give it to a friend or a family member.
The most known website for sales is eBay. You can buy a phone in good condition or even in parts since there are buyers from all over the world that might need spare parts.
All you need is an account, pictures of your device, and an attractive but accurate description.
You need to be careful with the selling amount you are going to set since there are shipping costs you need to take into account.
For more traditional folks I included Craiglist or any local newspaper.
The procedure is simple; you register your device for sale at the price you want, and then you wait for a phone call from someone who is interested in it.
My favorite is Best Buy. It has the Trade-In service, with which I get paid to sell my phone.
Trade In isn't for every device, especially old ones, but if you find your device and choose its condition and carrier, you can instantly see how much it's worth. I should note that you don't receive cash, but an in-store gift card.
Instead of selling it, you can also donate it. CellPhonesForSoldiers collects your old phones, even if they are not working, and they sell or recycle them.
Each phone donated buys one hour of talk time for soldiers.
How much money can I earn when I sell my phone?
I kept wondering how much I can sell my phone, but sadly there isn't a fixed number. The amount of money you are going to get by selling your device depends on various factors, so I can't give you an algorithm to calculate it.
Nonetheless, I must remind you to price your device accordingly and within reasonable bounds.
Factors as a recently bought device (within a year), known manufacturer, active warranty, original packaging and more accessories, will increase the selling price. On the other hand, a scratch on the device without a warranty will reduce it.
I tried to sell my phone a few months after it was released. So if you want to make even more money from your device, it would be better to sell it while it's still on the market.
Another factor that will reduce its price is the announcement of a new model, especially if we are talking about devices like iPhones.
The price you will set must be significantly lower than the price you bought it. No one will buy a used model that costs 10% less than a new one. You should estimate about 30% lower than the original price, or even lower, depending on the age and the condition.
One good practice to know how much you can ask for your device is to look other listings for your device model, either on eBay, or other selling sites.
Don't throw it, recycle it
If your phone is an inexpensive model, then you might not be able to sell it. But you shouldn't get desperate, though because I have a few solutions for you.
First, it's worth seeing if you can make your old device like a new one:
This way, you can use your device a bit longer or give it to your little nephew, for example.
Even if you don't care about any of the above solutions, then there's an alternative. Many companies recycle your old devices, taking care of the environment.
So, do I sell my phone or recycle it?
Have you ever sold your old phone? Do you think it's better to recycle them or sell them?
Do you know any other ways to sell or recycle a device? Share your thoughts in the comments with our readers.
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