How to Sell a Computer

For many people, a computer can be almost an extension of themselves. When the time comes for you to replace it, however, you can enable your old computer to find a new life--and a loving home--with a new owner. Selling a computer is fairly easy and can be done with only a modest understanding of computers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer to sell

Sell a Computer

1. Be knowledgeable about the computer. While an advanced understanding of computer operation is certainly not necessary to sell a computer, basic details about the machine's capabilities are necessary. Details like the processor speed, hard drive capacity and amount of memory (RAM) are essential for selling the computer, and additional details like the number of ports and video card type may make selling the computer easier.

2. Set a realistic price. When selling a new computer, it is often tempting to set a price close to the machine's original cost. Because technology evolves very quickly, though, and prices fall just as fast (a phenomenon known as Moore's Law), chances are that the computer will sell for much less than its original price. Before setting a price, get an idea of what computers with similar specifications are selling for by browsing local classified advertisements. Then set the asking price accordingly.

3. Clean up the hard drive. Many people store items on a computer that they would likely never share with others. Personal data ranging from financial information to social security numbers to racy photos should be deleted, and secure deletion applications like SDelete or Active@ Delete will ensure the sensitive data is not recovered. For true peace of mind, format the computer's hard drive and reinstall its operating system.

4. Place an advertisement. Local classified ads are often an excellent resource for selling computers, and price-conscious consumers frequently browse these listings. Online classified sites like Craigslist can also be a resource, and these sites have the added advantage that they are visited by individuals who already have some familiarity with computers. Some individuals prefer selling computers through auctions, either live or online, though these venues can produce some unexpected price fluctuations.

5. Ship or deliver the computer. After providing information to prospective buyers and answering any questions about the computer for sale, most sellers ultimately find a new home for their machines. If the buyer is local, simply arrange a place and time to meet, then take the computer (and any peripherals like the keyboard and mouse) to the buyer to complete the purchase process. If the buyer is not local, collect payment through a reputable payment processor, box up the computer with sufficient padding and ship the machine to the new owner using a courier service like UPS, FedEx or the US Postal Service.

Tips & Warnings

• Providing more details about the computer will increase the odds that it will sell. Local newspaper classifieds provide an excellent venue for selling computers, but often at a cost; consider using free resources like Craigslist to save money.
• Never accept offers from foreign buyers who want to send a cashier's check for the computer, as this buying process is a common scam. Use caution when meeting the buyer, as seedy individuals may use the opportunity to commit a robbery.

Resources

• How to Sell or Donate a Computer
• Craigslist Computer Listings