Got an Old Laptop? These 7 Sites Could Help Turn it into Cash
As I write this article, my beloved 2012 MacBook Air model sits nearby, collecting dust, waiting to be sold. I know I can get at least a few hundred bucks for it; I just need to narrow down my options and figure out which site to sell it on.
Even if your laptop is older than mine, and you’re skeptical about how much you can get for it, it’s worth checking out the following sites — especially the ones that only sell tech products. They make it convenient to sell and can even give you an estimated selling price.
If you’re ready to get rid of your laptop, here are the best sites to sell your laptop for cash.
1. eBay
In 2017, eBay reached 170 million active users. The online auction site is a great place to sell your laptop, especially since tech is one of its hottest-selling categories.
I’ve used eBay since 2008, and I’m delighted by how much the platform has changed for the better and how it’s become simpler for sellers to list items.
I think eBay’s recommendation tool for setting a price is quite helpful. You can easily post your laptop with eBay’s expert advice on a start price for the auction. It even predicts the likelihood of selling your item at the asking price.
A common misconception from people who aren’t familiar with eBay is that everything must be bought and sold in an auction format. Not true. There is a “Buy it Now” option that also allows buyers to submit a best offer.
eBay fees depend on the item’s final price.
2. Facebook Marketplace
The idea behind Facebook Marketplace is to sell locally on a more trusted platform than sites like Craigslist, where scammers (and flakers) can be prevalent.
Buyers can make payments directly through Facebook or any other form, like PayPal or cash, as long as the seller and buyer agree.
There are no fees to sell on Facebook Marketplace.
3. Amazon
Amazon is the world’s largest internet retailer, so why not take advantage of this marketplace powerhouse to get rid of your laptop?
Selling your used stuff on Amazon is a straightforward process that starts with setting yourself as an Amazon seller. Because the item up for sale is a laptop, chances are, it’s already been sold on Amazon. If that’s the case, you can search Amazon to find the same model and list it with ease.
If your laptop is an obscure make and model that’s not on Amazon, you’ll have to create your own product file.
For individual selling plans, Amazon charges 99 cents per item plus referral fees and variable closing fees.
4. Swappa
Swappa claims an edge over eBay because it does not charge seller fees. It has a robust and easy-to-use platform that gives you an estimated selling price for your laptop.
Swappa’s laptop selling page features images of MacBooks and Chromebooks, making it simple to put together your sale. For my MacBook Air, Swappa estimated I would sell it for $407. Not too shabby for a nearly 6-year-old computer — a grandma in tech years.
You can sell other gadgets, like mobile devices, tablets and smartwatches, too. They don’t allow sellers to list non-functional items.
5. Gazelle
Gazelle is a convenient solution for sellers who are in a hurry. Similar to eBay and Swappa, you can get an estimate, but it also asks you for the laptop’s serial number.
The $216 price estimate Gazelle offered for my MacBook Air was much lower than Swappa. It’s probably less because there are more overhead costs in the advertised conveniences Gazelle promises sellers, including sending me a shipping box and covering the cost to ship my MacBook to the company.
If you don’t want to ship your item, Gazelle also has drop-off kiosks. There were more than 10 kiosks in the San Francisco area, but the closest one to me was 10 miles away.
6. OfferUp
OfferUp is a free local marketplace app where people sell all kinds of new and used items, from snowboard equipment to tech gadgets.
After downloading, you can snap photos of your laptop directly from the app and post it, along with a brief description.
Similar to Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp is a step above Craigslist and gives you peace of mind because each profile is validated with a state-issued ID and Facebook profile.
7. LetGo
Similar to OfferUp, LetGo is another useful app if you want to sell locally. The company, now worth over a $1 billion, shows you consumerism at its best with tons of items for sale, from clothing to cars, in a Pinterest-like feed.
The app will automatically suggest messages buyers and sellers can send to each other, such as, “Is this item still available?” or “Is the price negotiable?” Buyers and sellers can also use the app to send custom messages to directly to each other.
I’ve used LetGo to buy a used snowboard, and thought the whole process was really simple and the app was easy to use.
If you’re not in a hurry to sell your laptop, sites like OfferUp and LetGo might be the easiest since you don’t have to mess with shipping or fees. If time is of the essence, sites like Amazon, Facebook and Gazelle would be best.
Claire Tak is a content strategist and regular contributor at Well Kept Wallet and when she’s not working, she’s planning for her next trip. You can find her shenanigans on Clairesholiday.com.
