(ThyBlackMan.com) Selling your phone is like selling a piece of your soul. For most people, their cell phone is one of the most important parts of their lives. Almost everyone on the planet uses their phone to send messages, surf the web, and talk. In some cases, it is even possible to work from home or remotely out of the office. The fact is that your phone is a huge feature in your life, and selling might seem like treason. However, there are times when an old phone becomes a hindrance. Old and outdated phones are obsolete, and they don’t add any value to your life. If that is the case, you need to sell as soon as possible. But, before you sign on the dotted line, you need to make sure you get the best price. After all, there is no point in accepting a lower offer if there is a higher one on the table. For those of you that don’t know how to get a good deal on an existing phone, you need to take a look at the tips underneath.
Act Quickly
The phone industry is a volatile and ever-changing industry. Technology is always advancing, which means that there is a new version of your phone coming out soon. Just take a look at the iPhone if you don’t believe that statement. Within a couple of months to a year, there is always a new phone with new additions. From your point of view, that isn’t a good thing as it will lower the price. As soon as the manufacturers release the new phone, the 
demand for you edition will decrease. When you try to sell it, you might only get two-thirds or half the price you expect. So, you have to act quickly if a new release is on the horizon. Otherwise, you will end up with a lot less money. To make sure you don’t get blindsided, you should keep abreast of the industry. Then, you will be able to act promptly.
Or Take Your Time
You only need to sell your phone quickly if there is a new competitor on the market. If the market is unusually calm for now, there is no need to rush. In fact, it is better if you don’t rush because that is when you make mistakes. For instance, you might want to sell quickly and accept a bad deal. You didn’t know it was a bad deal because you didn’t have the time to do your research. Plus, you didn’t have the time to talk to other buyers and increase the price. Buyers will play off your desire to sell as soon as possible, and that is how they get a good deal. They manipulate you into thinking that you won’t get a good price unless you sell this very instant. The truth is that you can almost always get the same price a few days or weeks later. As long as the market doesn’t change, the demand will stay the same.
Unlock The Phone
Some phones only work on certain networks. Anyone that has a locked phone will understand the annoyance factor. When you buy a cell, you just want to insert your SIM and get on with your life. However, a locked phone won’t let you do this because it needs unlocking. For obvious reasons, no one wants to go through this procedure when they buy a phone. As a result, buyers will pay a lot more for a phone that is unlocked. Or, they will also pay more for a phone that has multiple networks. The fact that they don’t have to go through the hassle means you can increase the price. Although it only costs a couple of bucks, people don’t have the time or inclination in this day and age. A dash of time and inclination on your behalf, however, will make you some extra money.
Avoid Brand Stores
Don’t worry – this trick doesn’t involve anything sneaky or illegitimate. The thing with brand stores is that they charge a lot less for a phone. Why? It is because they have to make money when they sell it on afterwards. As such, they will offer you the lowest possible price so that they can make a profit in the future. It is easy to see that there isn’t much money in transactions like this from your standpoint. No matter how expensive the phone, they will never pay the asking price. For that reason, you want to go to stores that don’t just deal with cell phones. If you can find a buyer that can make money out of it another way, you might get a great deal. A person in the computer industry, for example, might want the phone for extra parts. If those extra parts can make that person a few hundred dollars, they will offer a lot more for the phone. Phones also have metal in them, and a scrap metal expert might be another option.
Compare Prices On The Web
To get the most money, you simply need to know which buyer will offer the most money. As far as trade-in tips by GadgetValuer and other experts go, this one is pretty obvious. What isn’t obvious is how you can find this information without the hassle. The last thing you want to do is call every potential buyer in the area and ask for a quote. Although it is a viable option, it is a long winded and arduous process. What you need is a comparison website that will do all of the hard work. Companies like GadgetValuer do have comparison services that find the best deals. All you have to do is type in your details and wait for the results. You should note that comparison sites aren’t infallible as there might be a better deal elsewhere. Still, they are a good place to start.
Clean It Up
Phones that don’t look the part don’t sell for as much money. The logic is simple, and there are no caveats. The condition of the phone’s exterior plays a big part in the price because it is an indicator of quality. At least, that is what a lot of people think when they buy a phone. They don’t see a dirty, grimy cell and think, ‘wow that has a lot of potential!’ They see it and think, ‘I best avoid that phone because it looks old.’ Whether you like it or not, your phone won’t sell if it looks like you use it to clean the toilet. With that in mind, you need to do your best to make it sparkle. Try and buff as many as the scratches and dents out of the phone as possible, and wipe it down with a wet cloth. A good tip is to buy a new case to cover the phone. Hopefully, the case will cover a lot of the blemishes and make it look more presentable.
Add Value
A responsible buyer will check out the phone’s specifications before a deal. In laymen’s terms, they will see how effectively it works. It goes without saying that the most effective phones sell for the most money. After all, no one wants to buy a phone that is going to break in a couple of days. The entire point of finding a good second-hand phone is to pay less for a solid model. As the owner, it is your job to make sure that the phone works properly. That means you need to add value by cleaning up the phone’s software and hardware. For example, you can install antivirus software that protects people on the internet. Also, you can add more memory with a Micro SD card. These little extras are everything that buyers look for when they want a phone. And, if they find them, they will pay a lot more for the privilege. What’s even better is that the extras won’t cost you much, yet you can add on more money to the price.
Don’t Forget The Accessories
Phones come will all kinds of accessories like manuals and power cables. Although they aren’t important to you anymore, they are important to new buyers. Without these accessories, they don’t get much value from the deal. Ultimately, what is the point in buying a phone that they can’t charge? There isn’t one, even if they can find a charger for a small sum on the internet. They know that these things are an integral part of the deal and should come included. If they don’t, they will look elsewhere for a deal. They will want a discount because they will have to spend time and money finding a replacement. So, start looking for the original box and all the original items. If you don’t have them, replace them for a small fee.
Just because your phone is used and getting old doesn’t mean it is worthless. You can get a good deal for any phone if you use these tips.
Staff Writer; Chris Green
