After you get a new iPhone, you're probably wondering what to do with the old one. Thankfully, many services facilitate the selling of your phone and getting the most for it. The last thing you want to do is simply put your device in the trash. Not only would you almost literally be throwing away money, but disposing of electronics in such a manner is bad for the environment. It helps you and the Earth to undergo disposal in a more responsible fashion, and since doing so can be profitable, there's no reason not to take the better route.
First, if your iPhone is particularly old, like the original 3 or below, it is unlikely you can get anything more than $5 or $10 for it, if that. In these cases, you should find one of the many electronic disposal sites in your town and drop your phone there. Such bins often exist in many places throughout a city, so it's not difficult.
For anything above the iPhone 3, you can definitely find an attractive offer. For the fastest way to sell, nothing beats Craigslist or a similar classified ads site. It only concerns people in the local area, so all you need to do is drive not more than ten or twenty miles to meet someone who wants it. Many people choose to meet in a public area for general security purposes, although the vast majority of individuals using Craigslist are honest. You shouldn't have a problem if you choose to take this route.
Of course, if you would rather ship the item, then eBay is doubtless your best bet. iPhones can go for surprisingly high prices, and if you set your listing to less than a week, you do not need to wait long to sell it, as eBay puts listings with the least time left at the top of search results. You can also usually make more money from eBay than Craigslist, which is another reason many people opt for the auction site. It's up to you whether you value speed or convenience more.
There are also a variety of websites dedicated to purchasing iPhones and related technology. You can sometimes get as much as you would get on eBay from these sites, and they make the process as easy and seamless as possible. If you want the surest path to a guaranteed return and quick service, dedicated services are the way to go. But if your goal is to make the absolute most money, eBay should be considered.
Justin Kander is the marketing manager for SellMyOldTech, a firm specializing in purchasing iPhones from the general public. Interestingly enough, Kander is an Android user, but could be swayed by a better iPhone in the future.
