sell with us
The SellBroke guide to sell laptops online:
Let's get back to the subject of selling your laptop if you really need to.
- First we'd like to say that we're not trying to encourage you to sell your laptop right now. In our opinion, you don't need to sell your laptop and get a new one every time the newest model comes out. Actually the opposite; we want you to keep your laptop as long as it serves its purpose for you.
- If you use your laptop for work and need a newer, better, faster machine for more demanding software, we understand. Maybe your laptop is old and you really do need a new computer to upgrade? We understand that too. Our job is to offer the most convenient way to sell a laptop online.
- A good rule of thumb is if you don't need it, don't do it! If a TV commercial makes you think that it's time to upgrade your computer, don't listen to it! Your existing laptop may still be good enough for your social media needs, entertainment, shopping, studying or simply browsing the web. In many cases, your existing model will do just fine.
- Taking care of your laptop computer is vital for good resale value. Cosmetic wear and other slight cosmetic issues that may look harmless to you is not how the new user is going to see it.
- Having a protective sleeve on a laptop may be a good idea, especially on an expensive MacBook with a body made of aluminum that's easy to scratch and dent.
- To judge condition when selling your laptop online, you need to be able to look at your computer from a customer's perspective, regardless of whether you want to sell it locally on Craigslist, list it on eBay, or sell it to an online recycler like us.
Things you need to check and consider before selling your laptop:
- Check the display: If it doesn't have dead pixels and discolorations, it could have blemishes from moisture damage if you like to use it in your bathroom or kitchen. It's a good idea to wipe the screen down and check for scratches and even tiny cracks that may have gone unnoticed when covered with a "protective" dirty layer.
- Test all the ports and connections: Use an external device to test USB ports and video ports. Also test WiFi and bluetooth connections.
- Check for a faulty hard drive: You can test your drive in Windows by using CrystalDiskInfo Portable. With older laptops, when you hear a funny noise from the hard drive bay it's very likely that your hard drive is going bad!
- Test your memory: You can download a free version of Memtest or use the Windows memory diagnostic tool to check your memory (we use Memtest because it's more precise and efficient).
- Test the battery life and charger: Make sure the power jack doesn't lose connection when you move the laptop around.
- Passwords: Don't forget to erase all passwords (BIOS, Windows, etc). Otherwise your laptop may become useless!
- Condition: When selling a laptop online honesty is crucial, saving both time and money. If you don't disclose something bad about your computer's condition and then sell it on eBay, be prepared to receive it back and pay for shipping both ways. This is a situation you want to avoid!
- Packing: After a successful online transaction, pack your laptop very well so that the buyer receives it in the same condition you ship it in. Have you seen the crazy YouTube videos about delivery drivers tossing and kicking boxes? We don't want them to handle our packages poorly but you never know...
- Include your charger: Remember to include the charger so that the next person can actually use the laptop you sell.
- Clear your data: Before you ship it off, wipe the hard drive or do a full system reset so you don't pass your private data to the next buyer.