Peace of Mind Organizing

Cash for your unwanted gadgets

27 March 2009

What’s that old saying? One person’s trash is another person’s treasure? That’s how those of us who are decluttering our lives can actually make some money. Your old digital camera may not be valuable to you after you upgrade to a snazzier one, but someone else may find it perfect.

I experienced this first hand when I sold my retired Palm T|X handheld device on the fabulous website Gazelle, which offers cash for your old gadgets. I had replaced my Palm with an iPod Touch and the Palm was just sitting in a drawer.

Gazelle buys used electronics. In a very clear user interface, I told it about my Palm, answered a few questions, and received an offer of $81 for it. $81! They sent me a postage-paid box and I sent them the Palm, its manual, software and cables. I received an email saying they’d received it and they were checking out its condition. A day or two later, I received an email saying it checked out and their offer of $81 held. In the sales process, I had elected to receive my money in the form of an Amazon gift card. A day or two after the transaction was completed, Gazelle emailed me my gift card. I’ve redeemed it. I’m happy!

Here’s how it works: Just identify a gadget (MP3 player, laptop, external hard drive, camcorder, gaming console, digital camera, cell phone, etc). Find it on Gazelle, answer some questions, and immediately you’ll get an offer. If your item isn’t worth anything to Gazelle, they’ll offer to take it from you to recycle. (I’m assuming you have to pay the postage in that case.) If you accept their offer, they mail you a box for mailing the gadget to them.

What does Gazelle do with the stuff it buys from people? According to their website, they sell it on eBay and other online marketplaces.

My experience with them was seamless and I’m delighted to share what seems like a great resource.

Tagged with: decluttering, gazelle, websites

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