It’s late summer, which means new phone season is upon us.
If the rumors are true, the newest version of the iPhone is due to be announced in early September, likely on the 9th. Samsung’s new version of its popular Galaxy phones hit the shelves last month. Motorola, HTC and LG have also announced new phones coming soon.
Even if you don’t plan to join the line to buy the newest phone, odds are you’ll sell a smartphone at some point. Since 55% of U.S. mobile subscribers now own smartphones and you don’t need two, selling off your current phone can help defray the cost of your new phone.
Here are five tips to help you get top dollar for your old phone.
1. Start Early
Timing is everything.
“We always get a rush of people who wait to get a quote until they have the new [iPhone] in their hands,” Jeff Trachsel, chief marketing officer for cell phone reseller NextWorth, told CNNMoney. “But as the volume increases, the value of your phone declines.”
To get the best deal, beat the rush, whether you’re using a resale dealer or selling it yourself. Pay attention to release dates and lock in a selling price three to four weeks in advance.
If getting the best price means selling your phone before the newest model hits the market, buy a cheap phone to tide you over. Then keep it as a spare for emergencies, like when you drop your phone in water.
To pull this off, you need to know when new phones are coming out. For the iPhone, we’ll likely find out soon. But for future reference, here are some sites that tend to track this kind of thing:
- CNET: Running list of iPhone rumors and other release dates
- PhoneArena.com: Release dates by carrier
- Digital Trends: Posts quarterly upcoming lists and other news
2. Check Prices on Dealer Websites
Several resale dealers buy old handsets. A few of my friends swear by this method because it’s the easiest way to unload your phone for cash. All you have to do is request a price quote, ship the phone within the time frame, usually three to four weeks, and wait for payment.
But you’ll have to shop around to get the best deal. Resellers such as Gazelle or NextWorth can have sharply different prices for your old phone — and sometimes they give you a lot less than if you sold your phone yourself.
3. Sell It Yourself
You might get a higher price if you sell your phone yourself on an auction or resale site. Amazon, Craigslist and eBay are good places to start.
There’s no guarantee, however, that you’ll get the price you want. No one may bid, or your auction might go for lower than you hoped. And most sites charge fees, which cut into your profits.
If you’re willing to take the risk, here are a few sites worth checking out:
- eBay: Attracts millions of potential buyers but charges fees.
- Amazon: You can set your own price, but you’ll pay listing and referral fees.
- Bonanza: Works like Amazon, but smaller. There are only a handful of phones for sale, but they charge a smaller selling fee.
- Craigslist: Connects local sellers with local buyers. Free, but you’ll have to meet the buyer in person to close the sale.
4. Ask Around
Going online isn’t the only way to find buyers.
Recently, my friend tried to sell her old phone on a resale site, but wasn’t satisfied with the $45 offer. So she posted an ad on the bulletin board at a local college offering to sell the handset for $100 or best offer. Within a couple of days, a student offered her $90. She doubled her take — without paying any fees.
Selling to someone you know is usually easier than selling online. Start by asking friends, family and co-workers. If you don’t have any luck there, try posting an ad on bulletin boards at colleges, churches, libraries and community centers.
5. Trade In
Most resale dealers and private buyers look for newer-model phones in good condition, but that doesn’t mean your old or broken phones are worthless. You could still get cash or gift certificates through a trade-in program.
One of my favorites is ecoATM. You drop your old device into an ATM-like machine, which tests it and offers you a price. If you accept, you get cash on the spot. You can find nearby locations using their locator.
Retailers also offer trade-in programs, but they don’t always pay in cash. For example, Best Buy and Walmart offer store credit. Target used to offer cash, but they’ve gone the store credit route, too. You can also trade in your phone for an Amazon gift card.
Before You Sell
Now that you’ve locked in a price, take some precautions:
Back Up Personal Data
Transfer photos, videos and MP3s to your computer or external hard drive. Sometimes the easiest way is to connect the phone directly to a computer and move the files manually.
(This is also how you’ll transfer your apps, especially ones you’ve paid for, to your new phone.)
Wipe Your Handset
Perform a factory reset on your phone to remove any personal information. CNET has a good article on resetting Androids, and Apple shows you how to reset its phones.
Don’t Ship Until You’re Paid
If you’re selling your phone yourself, don’t get scammed. Always wait until you receive the full payment (and the check or eCheck clears) before you ship your phone.
Your Turn: Have you sold your old phone? Are you planning to grab one of this fall’s new phones and turn your old one into cash?
Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!
This post originally appeared on Money Talks News. Since 1991, MoneyTalksNews has been producing both video and print to help you make more, spend less and avoid rip-offs.
The post Buying a New Phone? How to Sell Your Old One for the Most Money appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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