Edward Kirk
June 3rd, 2008, 09:26 PM
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While it's widely accepted that there will probably be a new iPhone launched this month, if not at least announced, the possibility exists that there won't be, so the decision to take the risk of selling your iPhone ahead of any announcement is something you'll have to decide for yourself. However, when the time comes, Gizmodo's Christopher Mascari has a few things to remember about selling your 1st generation iPhone. If you play your cards right, you might even get more than what you paid for it.<!--break-->
Despite the fact that you and your iPhone have been together for a while already, it can still fetch a good price. If you follow these points, you should get a decent price:
<ul>
<li>Include all (or as much as possible of what you have) of the original accessories and packaging. Your auction will be going up against new iPhones with all new stuff, and buyers want a complete set.</li>
<li>Unlocked iPhones will sell for more money than locked ones. An unlocked 8GB iPhone usually sells for more than $400, and a 16GB for over $500, sometimes significantly more.</li>
<li>Shorter selling time is better. It puts pressure on the buyer to make the purchase. Of those examined, the 1-day selling time had the best results.</li>
<li>A low starting price is better. So is not listing a reserve price. It attracts more watchers, and although the lack of a reserve price <em>could</em> mean that it gets sold for way less than you bought it for, it's unlikely and hasn't happened so far.</li>
<li>Allow worldwide shipping for the device. Many of the people who want an
unlocked iPhone don't live in a country that doesn't have the iPhone yet. That said, it is unusual, but most of these get shipped to the US anyway. Still, it seems to help.</li>
<li>It's important to include words that people will be watching for in the title and keywords, like "no reserve", "NR", "Unlocked", "Jailbroken", "Any GSM SIM," "Original Box" and "Accessories", for instance. Make sure that if you ship worldwide that it shows in the title. Adding a subtitle for an extra 50 cents isn't a bad idea. Something like this would work:
<blockquote>"<b>UNLOCKED Apple iPhone 8GB Jailbroken Any GSM SIM
Original Box and Accessories SHIPS WORLDWIDE</b>"</blockquote></li>
</ul>
Using the above tips, Christopher Mascari was able to sell his 8GB iPhone for US$425 ($410 after expenses).
[via <a href="http://gizmodo.com/394668/how-i-sold-my-iphone-in-24-hours-for-more-than-i-paid" target="_blank">Gizmodo</a>]</div>
While it's widely accepted that there will probably be a new iPhone launched this month, if not at least announced, the possibility exists that there won't be, so the decision to take the risk of selling your iPhone ahead of any announcement is something you'll have to decide for yourself. However, when the time comes, Gizmodo's Christopher Mascari has a few things to remember about selling your 1st generation iPhone. If you play your cards right, you might even get more than what you paid for it.<!--break-->
Despite the fact that you and your iPhone have been together for a while already, it can still fetch a good price. If you follow these points, you should get a decent price:
<ul>
<li>Include all (or as much as possible of what you have) of the original accessories and packaging. Your auction will be going up against new iPhones with all new stuff, and buyers want a complete set.</li>
<li>Unlocked iPhones will sell for more money than locked ones. An unlocked 8GB iPhone usually sells for more than $400, and a 16GB for over $500, sometimes significantly more.</li>
<li>Shorter selling time is better. It puts pressure on the buyer to make the purchase. Of those examined, the 1-day selling time had the best results.</li>
<li>A low starting price is better. So is not listing a reserve price. It attracts more watchers, and although the lack of a reserve price <em>could</em> mean that it gets sold for way less than you bought it for, it's unlikely and hasn't happened so far.</li>
<li>Allow worldwide shipping for the device. Many of the people who want an
unlocked iPhone don't live in a country that doesn't have the iPhone yet. That said, it is unusual, but most of these get shipped to the US anyway. Still, it seems to help.</li>
<li>It's important to include words that people will be watching for in the title and keywords, like "no reserve", "NR", "Unlocked", "Jailbroken", "Any GSM SIM," "Original Box" and "Accessories", for instance. Make sure that if you ship worldwide that it shows in the title. Adding a subtitle for an extra 50 cents isn't a bad idea. Something like this would work:
<blockquote>"<b>UNLOCKED Apple iPhone 8GB Jailbroken Any GSM SIM
Original Box and Accessories SHIPS WORLDWIDE</b>"</blockquote></li>
</ul>
Using the above tips, Christopher Mascari was able to sell his 8GB iPhone for US$425 ($410 after expenses).
[via <a href="http://gizmodo.com/394668/how-i-sold-my-iphone-in-24-hours-for-more-than-i-paid" target="_blank">Gizmodo</a>]</div>