Why you should start buying and selling pre-owned electronics
Written by Ferhat Topuz
In our fast-paced world of technological innovation, the rapid turnover of electronic devices has become the norm. As we upgrade to the latest smartphones, laptops, and gadgets, the old ones often find themselves collecting dust. This adds to the growing pile of consumer electronics being unused, while many of these gadgets still function and have worth.
At Valyuu we believe it's time to break this cycle and embrace the concept of circularity. This means reselling your old devices and purchasing more pre-owned. You contribute to sustainability, a circular economy, but also benefit personally. In this blog I'd like to explain why exactly we should embrace this circularity and what's in it for you.
Reducing electronic waste
The issue of electronic waste (or e-waste) has escalated into a global environmental challenge. To make it visual for you: an Eiffel Tower of e-waste pops up every 2 hours. That comes down to 53 million tons of e-waste per year. E-waste consists of harmful components like lead, mercury, and other toxic materials. Not as pretty a sight as the Eiffel Tower, that's for sure.
However, we are able to do something about this. Before electronics become e-waste, we are able to step in and make use of them again. I believe we are too quick to categorise our electronics as useless or worn out. In fact, 80% of electronics is still functional and valuable when we switch devices.
By reselling your electronics or buying a pre-owned device, you actively participate in reducing the demand for new devices. This reduces the total amount of e-waste that mounts up on our planet.
Extending product lifecycles
In a world where innovation drives consumption, we often forget that our devices can serve us well beyond their initial phase. Of course, you can purchase the newest iPhone on release day. But, realise that the iPhone you currently have most likely functions completely fine. It is definitely not at the end of its product lifecycle.
Reselling old electronics extends this product lifecycle, making the most of the resources and energy that went into manufacturing them. This not only conserves valuable resources but also minimises the carbon footprint associated with the production of new devices.
Make money reselling your electronics
Reselling old electronics isn't just environmentally responsible; it's also financially savvy. When you resell your devices, you are essentially unlocking hidden value in your possessions. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, 80% of your electronics still hold value. The other 20% is functional after a touch-up or is valuable for their raw materials.
In fact, some of our users have made a business model out of it. They purchase smartphones via online marketplaces or friends, to then resell them online via Valyuu. This method often leads to quite the profit margin. I will share more insights on this method soon, on buying and selling electronics and on how to maximize your profits!
Promoting modular devices
If this was not convincing enough, it's interesting to know that the impact of reselling old electronics extends beyond individual actions. When more consumers start to recognise the value of circularity, electronic manufacturers will most likely follow suit.
Manufacturers may release more modular designs that make repairs and upgrades easier, reducing electronic waste at its source. Moreover, increased demand for pre-owned electronics could fuel innovation in circularity and recycling technologies. This creates new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to make their contribution to a more sustainable tech environment.
How to sell your pre-owned device
Convinced of the value of reselling old electronics? Here's how to start reselling:
- Assess the condition: evaluate the condition of your electronics. Clean them, ensure they are in good working order, and gather any original accessories or packaging.
- Choose a platform: numerous online platforms facilitate the resale of electronics, such as dedicated marketplaces or social media groups. Pick a platform that aligns with your needs. At Valyuu we offer a fast and reliable way of selling your electronics, without the need to find a buyer.
- Get a fair price: you can research the current market value of your device to determine a reasonable resale price. However, this is sometimes hard to assess yourself. You can go to this page on our website to get a fair price for your specific device.
- Provide the details: in case of creating a product posting, be clear in the details of your device. This makes sure you attract serious buyers that are willing to pay a good price. On an online marketplace like Valyuu, you can simply fill out the asked specifications, features, and any malfunctions of your device.
- Make the sale: the most exciting part and the final step towards getting your extra cash. Depending on the platform you should take the final steps needed in making the sale. The convenience of an online service such as Valyuu is that there is no final negotiating needed. The price is set and you are able to ship your product completely free and secured to us.
How to buy a pre-owned device
Buying pre-owned is more straightforward. One way is to keep an eye on social media platforms and social marketplaces for a good deal. The downside here is that investigating the condition of a device can be hard to do yourself.
That's why I always recommend people to purchase pre-owned devices from an online marketplace where they test devices. This ensures that the device you end up purchasing functions well. If any problems do come up, you can always contact the service you bought it from.
Embracing circularity
Embracing circularity through the resale of old electronics is a small step that can lead to significant positive change. By reducing electronic waste and extending product lifecycles you are contributing positively to the environment, but also your wallet. I can think of no better incentive than that!
If you have any questions after reading this blog, feel free to reach out. Me and my team are more than willing to help.
