It's an affliction that all of us succumb to at some point in our lives. Termed the 'disposal anxiety syndrome', it stems from the need to dispose of outdated or unwanted gadgets and is the direct fallout of the rapid turnover in the gizmo market. After all, what is one supposed to do with a six-month-old mobile handset when the latest touchscreen beckons?
How does one get rid of the slim CRT TV bought a few years ago when LCDs seemed out of reach? Throw them? Hope for exchange offers on Diwali? Or sell them to junk dealers at dirt-cheap prices? The best course is resale and the obvious recourse is the Internet, which throws up ready options such as ebay.in, erodov.com and techenclave.com. You can also approach local dealers as they are likely to give you a better price. This is because they usually resell to corporates or in smaller towns after giving the device a makeover. Whichever option you pick, the important thing to remember is that gizmos are sold at market operating price (MoP), not maximum retail price (MRP).
So, before you approach a dealer, track the latest MoP. While you can get 40-50% of the MoP, what you take home depends on the product and the brand's popularity. Here are some tips on getting the best price for your product. MOBILE PHONES "Though the number of secondhand buyers has reduced in the past year-and-a-half, I still get nearly 20 such customers every month," says Mohit Wadhwa of Telecare, a retail shop-owner in Delhi. The high demand for used cell phones is due to the fact that these are among the fastest moving gadgets. To ensure good value for your phone, you should let the shopkeeper quote a price around which you can negotiate. There are some other factors that should be kept in mind:
Best selling models: While brands mattered the most a few years ago, today it is the most sold phones that fetch a higher price-up to 75% of MoP. So, even as Nokia fetched up to 50% of MoP earlier-Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson didn't quite count-today, the brand's N86 or N96 models don't sell, but N97, E63 and E72 are readily lapped up. With the increase in Samsung's market share in the past two years and introduction of models like the Corby, Jet and Star, their resale value has gone up.
A Star retailing for Rs 7,000-8,000 can be resold for Rs 4,000. BlackBerrys sell just as well. But if you want to dispose of an HTC, Asus or LG phone, you may get a 40-70% slashed down price on MoP. Indian brands like Micromax and Intex go for peanuts.
Physical condition, add-ons: If the device isn't scratched, the battery is original and you have accessories like headphones, you will get a higher price. Proferring original packaging with proof of purchase will fetch you a few hundred rupees more. LAPTOPS With personal computing devices becoming more affordable, the resale market is almost dead.
This doesn't mean you cannot get rid of your old laptop. Here are the factors that will make the difference between a good and bad resale. Configuration: Unlike cars and cell phones, where brand plays a vital role in determining the resale value, in computers, it's the configuration that matters most. So, older systems with 1 GB RAM will fetch less than the ones with 2-3 GB RAMs. Similarly, latest processors, higher memories and bigger hard disk capacities will get you more.
Physical condition: The looks are important. So, get your laptop cleaned before approaching a dealer. Assemble the accessories, wires, adaptor and carrying bag that came with the unit. Dr Rajesh Gupta, who sold his laptop recently, says, "The display of my two-yearold laptop wasn't working and the repair estimate was Rs 8,000. So I sold it to the local dealer, who estimated its resale value at Rs 15,000. He deducted the repair cost and handed me the rest of the amount."
Original software/receipt: You can negotiate a better deal by handing over the original software and purchase receipt. These help prove that the unit isn't stolen. LCD/PLASMA TVs Technology: LCDs and plasma displays sell much more easily than CRTs and flat panels. Brand: LG, Samsung, Sony and Philips LCDs/plasmas can be easily sold for around 50% of MoP. Even if the model is no longer in production, you can get up to 50% of MoP after it leaves the shelves.
REFRIGERATORS Model: The value of double-door fridges and water dispensers is higher compared with that of standard models. Brand: Popular brands such as Samsung, LG and Hitachi are preferred to, say, Godrej and Whirlpool. For a Rs 40,000-50,000 fridge, you can get Rs 10,000-15,000. If it cost Rs 20,000-25,000, you could get back Rs 5,000-8,000. For fridges that came for less than Rs 20,000, expect around Rs 5,000. CAMERAS Technology: While the resale value of a DSLR is 30-50% of the current MoP, that of prosumers and pointand-shoot cameras is low as new models are introduced and old ones phased out at a rapid pace. Physical condition, usage: An unscratched camera with lesser usage period will get a better value. Bill/receipt: Carry these to prove it's not a grey market product.
Source: Money Today