Make money online with second-hand smartphones

Today, making money online has become an increasingly popular activity. People are discovering new and creative ways to increase their income, often referred to as an online side hustle. But sometimes, this side hustle doesn't even need to be groundbreaking.

One business model that has been used for years is online trading of second-hand goods. With the growing number of users and marketplaces, this way of earning money has become even easier.

In this blog, I will teach you how to make extra money online. You can do this by buying used smartphones and selling them on an online marketplace. For convenience, I'll use our own website, Valyuu, as an example. We already have multiple users who earn a little extra each month through online electronics trading.

The second-hand smartphone market

Second-hand smartphones are in demand, and the market is vast. This is no coincidence. With the constant release of new smartphone models, many people crave the latest gadgets. This results in an excess of used smartphones that are still in good condition.

Fortunately, some people realize that they can still sell their old electronics. This is where your opportunity to earn money online comes in. You can tap into the market's supply and make strategic purchases. If you do it right, you can ensure a nice profit margin.

Earning money online with second-hand smartphones: A step-by-step guide

The following steps will be important to follow when you start your online business activities:

Step 1: Buy second-hand smartphones

To start, you need to find suitable devices to buy. You can do this in various ways:

• Your own network: Inform friends and family that you're interested in buying old smartphones. Make a social media post stating that you're willing to buy old phones. Often, people have fully functional phones they're willing to sell for some extra cash. In that case, you can buy a smartphone at a good price.
• Online marketplaces: Scout online marketplaces like Marktplaats (NL), eBay, or Facebook Marketplace for deals. Here, you can find smartphones offered at low prices. But remember, the best deals sell quickly. It's important to regularly check these marketplaces.
• Search your home: You may already have old smartphones at home. Often, this is the case without us realizing it. In this scenario, you don't even need to make a purchase. So, search your own home before buying anything.

Step 2: Check the condition of the smartphone

Once you've purchased the second-hand smartphones, it's important to inspect them. Check if they are in the condition described by the previous owner. This ensures that you can easily resell the phone.

On a marketplace like Valyuu, the phone doesn't need to be in perfect condition. In many cases, we buy the smartphone from you, even if it has some damage or issues. This means you don't need to repair them; you just need to check what works and what doesn't.

To help you get started, you can easily check the following:

1. 1. Does the phone turn on, and do all the buttons work?
2. 2. Do the cameras work? Are there any damages to the lenses, or are they undamaged?
3. 3. Do the speakers and microphone work properly? Check this by making calls and playing music.
4. 4. Are the frame and back of the phone (un)damaged?
5. 5. Is the screen functioning properly? Are there (no) scratches? Does it have color or pixel issues?
6. 6. What is the battery capacity? Does it show signs of wear, or is the battery still working properly?

Finally, we distinguish between devices that are like new, almost new, or used. Consider which of the three best describes the smartphone. If you need more information and assistance, visit this page. Here, you'll find a more detailed overview of all these questions and how to assess the condition.

Step 3: Sell your smartphones online

Now that you know the condition of the smartphone, it's time to sell it. Valyuu is a good option because we've made selling easy and you can be confident in receiving fast payment.

Here are the steps to sell your smartphones on Valyuu:

• Find your smartphone: Go to our sell page and find the model you want to sell.
• Answer the questions: Easily answer all the questions about the smartphone. Fill these out as honestly as possible to ensure your selling price is accurate.
• Choose your payment method: On Valyuu, we offer two ways of payment: Best value or Fast pay:

Step 4: Shipping and packaging

Once you have your price valuation, you can package and ship the smartphone. On Valyuu, we offer free shipping, which we think is fair. Additionally, this increases your profit margin.

Make sure to package and ship the smartphone securely:

• Turn off the smartphone: Ensure you turn off your smartphone before you start shipping it.
• Remove the SIM card: Double-check that there's no SIM card in the smartphone.
• Use a sturdy box: Choose a sturdy box that's large enough to fit the smartphone. Leave some space for protective material. If you have the original box, place the smartphone in it and then put it in the larger box.
• Fill the empty spaces: Fill the box with soft material like bubble wrap or newspaper. This prevents the smartphone from moving during shipping.
• Wrap the smartphone: Consider wrapping the smartphone in a thin layer of bubble wrap.
• Label the box: Use the shipping label that we've created for you. Stick it on the box.
• Ship the box: Take the box to a nearby shipping service. Make sure to get a tracking number so you can track the shipment's status.

Golden tip for your smartphone business

When you're just starting, it can be challenging to know the prices of different smartphones. At Valyuu, we buy a large number of smartphones. You might not have heard of some brands or models. So, here's one valuable tip before you get started:

Take a look at our sales page Familiarize yourself with which models we buy and which ones we don't. Fill in a few hypothetical sales and get a sense of the prices that way.

When you find a seller online, ask them the same questions we do. Request photos that showcase the smartphone well. Fill in our price valuation in advance and then offer a lower price than what we offer you. This way, you can purchase the smartphone with confidence that you can make a profit!

Contributing to circular economy and sustainability

Trading second-hand smartphones contributes to circularity and sustainability in several ways.

Extension of lifespan: By giving used smartphones a new lease on life, you extend their lifespan. This means they are used longer before being discarded, which benefits everyone.

Less electronic waste (e-waste): Trading used smartphones reduces e-waste by finding new users for the devices, preventing them from being thrown away in landfills. In this case, you act as the middleman making this happen.

Conservation of resources: Producing new smartphones requires a lot of raw materials and energy. The circulation of used smartphones reduces the overall demand for new production.

Increasing awareness: By engaging in second-hand trading, you also promote the circular economy. You contribute to making sustainability and circular practices more mainstream by using platforms like Valyuu. You help us spread the message of sustainability and circularity!

If you want to learn more about circularity in second-hand electronics, read this blog post.

Conclusion

Earning money online by trading second-hand smartphones through Valyuu is not only lucrative but also environmentally friendly. You contribute to circularity and sustainability by giving used devices a new lease on life.

So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring this online business model today. In doing so, you can make a positive impact on our planet while earning extra money. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!