Selling your old phone can make a new phone more affordable than ever. Whether you want to use the funds as a down payment for the phone or just earn a little bit of extra cash, selling your phone is quite easy. You can get a few hundred dollars, depending on the model, and you can sell it even if there are defects like a cracked screen. Read on for tips and tricks for how you can get the best bang for your buck.
Sell at the Right Time
The best time to sell your old phone is right before a new model is announced. If you have an iPhone, the best time to sell is August, as Apple tends to release new models in September. However, this year, rumor has it they will launch the iPhone 5se this month some time. If you sell before the launch, you will make more money than if you sell after. Android phones don’t have as easy of a schedule to track, but if you start hearing rumors of a new phone, it may be time to sell your old phone.
Unlock Your Phone
If your phone is tied to a specific carrier, learn how to unlock it. Some carriers will charge a little bit to have it unlocked, or they might require that you have a specific contract, but it is worth the extra resale value if it is unlocked.
Back Up Your Phone
Once you sell your phone, you won’t be able to access your information, photos, and other data. Make sure that you backup everything on your computer and on the iCloud. Right before you sell your phone, you will need to reset it to clear all of your personal data so that the next owner doesn’t get your banking information with the phone.
Take Pictures
Clean the outside of your phone to make sure that all of the lint, dirt, oil, etc. are gone. Take pictures of your phone in good light against a neutral background. Collect all cables and cases, as you can get a few extra bucks for each one.
Sell Your Phone
Decide what avenue you would like to sell your phone on. Would you like to sell it back to your provider as part of their trade back program? Or would you rather turn to an online marketplace like eBay or Amazon, or use a local marketplace like Craigslist? There are also many facebook yard sale groups that you can sell items in as well, so make sure that you utilize them. If you are selling your phone to someone in another state, figure out how much it will be to ship it, including purchasing a tracking number and shipping insurance.
