Earn the biggest return from your old phone or tablet.
Each year millions of devices are lost and not generating any income for their owner.
Most people don’t even realize that they have money in their hands just by selling those devices sitting in their drawers or bags.
So how do you get started with selling your mobile devices?
A device buyback program is the easy option to offload your old devices and make the most money possible from them.
When compared to other methods, a device buyback program is one of the easiest ways of monetizing those old electronic devices.
Read further to learn more…
What Is A Device Buyback Program?
A device buyback program is a service that buys your old or unwanted electronics for cash or credit.
Easy, right?
Device buyback programs usually buy any kind of device that has a battery.
They offer cash for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches.
Factors such as condition, model, age, and market demand all determine the value of your device buyback offer.
Another good thing is that when you use a smartphone buyback service, you are not just getting paid for a device that you no longer use. You are also stopping e-waste and helping to reduce pollution for a better and cleaner world.
Research from the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor shows that only 22.3% of e-waste was collected and recycled in 2022.
Billions of dollars of recyclable material are thrown away every year.
Why Timing Is Everything
Most people make one very big mistake when it comes to selling old devices.
They wait too long before they trade in their phones or tablets.
When you trade in your device as soon as possible, you will get the most money for it.
Smartphones depreciate in value quickly. Studies show that an iPhone 16 loses 48% of its value within the first year after its release to market. Samsung phones drop even quicker, with some models losing up to 70% of their value during the same period.
Here’s the important part for you to note:
- Wait for new models to be announced and trade in before the release event
- Don’t wait until your phone is at the bottom of the recycling chain
- Keep an eye on buyback prices and don’t leave it until the last minute
The best time to trade in your device for maximum value is within the first 2-3 years of ownership.
After that, value drops quickly and you leave money on the table.
How To Get The Best Value For Your Device
Getting top dollar for your device isn’t hard. You just need to follow a few steps to ensure you get the highest possible payout.
Keep Your Device In Good Condition
This one is so obvious, but it really does make a difference to the value of your device. Devices with cracked screens, water damage, or lots of wear and tear get much lower offers than devices in good condition. Laying down money and buying a case and screen protector from the start can easily save you hundreds of dollars later when you sell your device.
Back Up And Wipe Your Data
Ensure you back up and wipe all of your data off your device before you sell it. Back up your photos, contacts, passwords, and more. Make sure all of your data is off the device and do a factory reset before you send it off. Most device buyback programs will only accept your device after a factory reset.
Compare Multiple Buyback Options
Prices for buyback can vary greatly between companies. The same device can have different offers, and the difference could be huge. Don’t settle for the first offer. Get multiple quotes and compare them before selling. There are tools online that will help you to do that.
Gather Original Accessories
Try to find your original box and charger. Some programs offer a small premium for having those accessories. If you can’t find the box, at least throw in the charger, especially if it is the original charger for the device.
Check Battery Health
Battery condition also has an impact on the value of the device. Most programs will check the health of your battery. If the battery health is low, then this can affect the offer you will get.
Common Mistakes That Cost You Money
What is the difference between people who get top dollar and those who accept a lowball offer?
It’s all about the mistakes that they make or don’t make…
Below is a list of mistakes people make, which end up costing them money:
- Waiting until the last minute: Waiting until the value of the device has tanked before you trade in is the biggest mistake of all. Set a recurring alert to review the value of your device every 6-12 months.
- Not shopping around: Getting a quote from the first buyback program you come across without checking other options is like leaving money on the table.
- Not taking care of the device: Thinking that a few scratches and dents don’t make a difference is a mistake. Every ding and scratch chips away at the final offer value.
- Forgetting to remove accounts: Leaving your iCloud or Google account signed in and linked to the device will cause buybacks to reject your trade-in or delay the final payout.
- Missing carrier unlock requirements: Carrier-locked phones sometimes receive lower offers. Make sure your phone is unlocked to get the best offer.
The Environmental Factor
Factor in the environment, and device buyback programs start to become even more attractive.
Electronic waste has been one of the biggest problems in recent years, and how we deal with that waste will determine the quality of the planet for future generations.
Generation of e-waste has been increasing at an alarming rate, estimated at 2.6 million tonnes a year. If that pace continues, by 2030 it will reach 82 million tonnes.
It is a major problem that not everyone is aware of, and that is why it’s a good idea to educate yourself, learn what your device is worth today, and take the time to properly sell it and make some extra cash.
Another factor is that when devices are bought back and refurbished, they could be sold on and stop becoming e-waste at all.
The more people learn about e-waste and what a difference the right decisions can make, the better the world we live in will be.
Making The Most Of Your Trade-In
The second-hand market is growing when it comes to mobile phones and other electronic devices. It is estimated that by 2029, one in four mobile phones shipped will be second-hand. There are so many devices being put up for sale and buyback that it has never been a better time to sell.
For maximum experience when trading in old devices, follow the steps below:
- Capture the condition of the device with photos before you ship
- Use tracked shipping so you have a paper trail
- Keep copies of all emails and tracking numbers
- If the payment is late, follow up and ask questions
Wrapping Things Up
When you trade in your old devices using a device buyback program, you are benefitting both yourself and the environment.
The value you get for your device will be the best when you keep the above-mentioned points in mind and do your due diligence when it comes to selling your old phones or tablets.
Don’t let your old devices continue to depreciate. Check their value out and sell them so that you can pay for that new phone.
