Used iPads Selling Quickly Online | Hacker News Reader

Used iPads Selling Quickly Online

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15 pointsjamesjyu17 comments

Can you put the Android OS on an iPad?

I know it's been done with an iPhone, so at least theoretically it's possible.

Apple hardware has always held its value extremely well. I've never had trouble selling my old Macs on Craigslist for a substantial fraction of their purchase price after upgrading to the latest model.

Can you describe the process? I'm looking to sell my late-2010 MacBook Pro 15-inch, but I'm apprehensive about being scammed.

I don't do anything special: just create a listing on Craigslist with pictures and a good description, then wait for someone to express an interest. I always keep the original box and accessories to make it more attractive.

Once somebody bites, I meet them in person and insist they pay cash. Haven't had any problems so far.

The best way to get absolutely top dollar for your used machine is to offer a high value package of hardware and software and advertise it in a persuasive and aesthetically pleasing listing. I've had tremendous success with this method selling my old Macs.

First you'll want to clean the machine: Remove all the dirt, dust, and hand oils. Make sure that the hardware is as clean and close to new as you can make it. Of course, you've probably already overwritten the drive by mounting it in target disk mode and using Disk Utility. When you reinstall the OS, name the user "Admin".

Next, take some well composed, focused and tightly cropped photos of the machine against an uncluttered background. If you have any accessories you can include in the sale (which will really help differentiate your listing on Craigslist) be sure they're clean and photograph them too. Host all your photos somewhere you can hotlink to from Craigslist, so that your prospective buyer can view them in glorious hi res. Be sure to photograph any scratches or dents.

Write an easy to read, factual and persuasive ad describing the main features and benefits of the package you're offering, and the general history of the machine. Include details about its warranty and repair history. Point out any damage, scratches or dents. Include the original retail value and purchase date. Link your images. Price it a little higher ($50-100) than you're comfortable asking. Post!

Write up or download a simple bill of sale to use for the transaction.

It's best to screen your buyers through email and then speak to the motivated ones on the phone. Get a feel for if they're serious, and whether they have the cash on hand. I prefer to agree on a price before meeting (another reason for the hi res pics), and will usually knock off that extra 50 or 100 bucks over the course of negotiating over email. Accept only cash, and meet in a public place like a cafe for the sale. Ask to see their license when they sign the bill of sale, and show them yours too. Bring a nice shopping bag in which they can carry their new used computer away.

Bottom line: Most listings look like crap, many machines sold are dirty, and some buyers are insecure. Take some time and you will get both a good price and make someone's day by providing a good value and experience!

What's a bill of sale? I assumed the transaction was just "you give me the cash, I give you the laptop".

Its a form of receipt that is typically used between individuals when buying and selling relatively expensive items. It has the names and signature of both parties, a serial number and description of the goods sold, the form of payment, the date of the sale, whether the seller is providing any warranty, whether the transaction was witnessed and by whom, etc.

IANAL, but the purpose of it is to provide some protection to the buyer from fraud. (E.G. the computer/vehicle/aircraft you sold me doesn't match what you advertised). It can also protect the seller from potentially frivolous claims and provides some proof of non-ownership should the goods you sold be used in a crime.

[Edit:] There are lots of examples available online, and you might try looking for something from Nolo Press, my favorite source for easy to understand law reference materials.

Also, Sellout.Woot has had an iPad 16 WiFi today and at least one WiFi+3G model during today's WootOff. People looking for sub-400 iPads are in luck.

Protip: If you find someone to buy an iPad, don't delay giving it to him till the day of the launch. Lesson Learned :)

Where do these devices go when purchased by these sites like Gazelle and eBay instant?

To people too cheap to get a new iPad, like me.

I meant: where do these units get resold?

Gazelle says they resell on eBay / Amazon. Probably works out better for everyone, since who buys expensive electronics from a low experience seller on eBay?

I sold a Nokia phone for $280 with 0 ebay experience. http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&#...

I would guess Gazelle is banking on the iPad 1 stream from Apple drying up, at which point those iPads they bought for $300 are going to be easily sellable at $350+. It's not an iPad 2, but it's also not $500.

Likely eBay. Which is why you should never sell your stuff to Gazelle. They consistently, ahem, ALWAYS underprice items.

The best tip for finding what the value of your item is to sign in to ebay (yeah, make an account). Search for your item, then click in the Advanced search options to the right and choose to view Completed Listings.

Make sure to filter by auctions only that have ended most recently. Those prices are often the best you are going to get, and you can average out similar listings to get an average price.

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