Was it the iPhone 4 or the iPad that really got you? For me it was the iPad – I already have a 3gs iPhone and the idea of video conferencing is really interesting but I don’t trust AT&T’s network to pull it off and I’m never around free WiFI connections to really make use of the new face time features.
So I decided to trade-in or sell my iPod for some fast easy cash and invest it back into an iPad. I’ve found one of the most effective strategies for earning some extra cash on the side is to simply sell your iPod (or iPhone) on a good site like eBay or Craigslist.
There’s competition for selling this stuff but they almost always sell IMO. The key is to write a clever ad that really conveys a sense of trust to your potential buyer so you can get the most for your old Apple gadget. After all – if they trust your ad and know they’re going to get a good working 2nd hand product they are willing to give you more money so you can fund your Apple Addiction.
Here are 5 Killer Tips for earning trust in an eBay auction or Craigslist advertisement:
1. Use high quality pictures. If people can see your iPod or iWhatever from many different angles they’ll know for sure what kind of quality it is in. Don’t be afraid to use high resolution pictures – I’ve actually found the better the pictures the more bidding I get!
2. Film a short video and post it to YouTube. In addition to high quality pictures a video posted to YouTube also helps. What’s really funny about this is that I usually get comments on my videos from people on YouTube asking me how much for the gadget!
3. FULL DISCLOSURE! If something is wrong then disclose it. People are willing to buy a broken or damaged product as long as they know what they are getting into.
4. Start the bidding at $0. If you’re going the eBay route over Craigslist you’ll want to start the bidding off super low. This creates a lot of interest and people will automatically start tracking your auction and feel tempted to start bidding on it.
5. Give a ‘Buy It Now Price’. If you know exactly what price you want then go ahead and list it!
If you do decide to sell your iPod – it’s best to get it super duper clean before the new owner gets it. Here’s a nice YouTube video on the subject: