Your old electronics that you are considering throwing away may be someone’s treasure.  In this post, you’ll discover ways to sell electronics, recycle electronics, and donate electronics.

Recycle Electronics -- Donate Electronics

One of the fastest growing waste concerns our world faces is consumer electronic trash.  This trash includes: old computers, cell phones, PDAs, office equipment, and other devices.  This stuff is getting dumped into landfills daily.  Unfortunately, it sticks around our planet for a long time! However, sometimes these old electronics can be sold, donated, or recycled a few times before hitting the landfills.

Sell Electronics

Sell your old electronics on eBay and Amazon.com.  If you plan on selling something new or nearly new choose it sell it on Amazon.com first.  Do some price-point research and you’ll see what I am talking about.  For new items, you typically get the most money there.

For the other items you can sell them on eBay.  Just put up a listing, sell the item, and ship it out.

Don’t have an account on eBay or Amazon?  No problem.  It is quite simple to set up an account on either site to sell your items.  Just check out each site’s membership sections.

If it sounds like a big hassle to list, sell, and ship your electronics consider hiring out a third-party.  There are plenty of online trading assistants out there.  I think it is quite expensive but could be an alternative for you.  Look into ISoldIt or check out Craig’s List.  Either way, you can recycle electronics for cash.

Check out this Howdini Video on Recycling Electronic Products:

Recycle Electronics -- Donate Electronics

If you want to sell back a cellular phone look into Capstone Wireless.  This company buys back lots of phones.  If it powers up and the LCD is good they usually buy it.  I have mentioned Gazelle before in other posts.  Gazelle buys back loads of electronics too.

Apple-user? If you have an Apple product you would like to get rid of check out Apple’s gift card program.  Last I checked, you can exchange your Apple computer for a gift card.

Donate Electronics

You can donate your desktop and peripherals to the National Cristina Foundation and the World Computer Exchange.

For cell-phones, consider ReCellular. These folks find phone buyers and recycle the rest.

Sidenote: Most people that donate electronic equipment want an idea of how much they are worth for tax purposes.  If you want to establish the value of the electronics you plan to donate check out ItsDeductible.  It is a tool created by TurboTax.

If you just want to give your electronic device or computer away to someone off the street join your local Freecycle group.  More than likely, there will be someone out there that wants your old computer or device.  Free electronics recycling at its finest.

Recycle Electronics

Many manufacturers take back electronics for recycling purposes.  For example, Dell Computers has deals set up with Goodwill and Staples to collect products in-store.  A good starting point for manufacturer takeback programs is the Electronics Takeback Coalition.  This site specializes in finding  recycling programs.

Some of the retailers recycle also.  The Best Buy electronics recycling program accepts most electronics. Then, they either resell or recycle the item.  Staples Office supply stores accept personal electronics like cell phones, digital cameras, and PDAs for free.  If you have office electronics they’ll accept those too.  However, they typically charge $10 to take these items.

Recycle Electronics -- Donate Electronics

One other option is to check out a company named Call2Recycle. This is one of the most well-known electronics recycling companies. These folks pick up cell phones and rechargeable batteries from select locations.  Visit their website to find out where these spots are.  Currently, they do pick-ups at loads of places like: Radio Shack, Whole Foods, Lowes, Best Buy, Sears, and Home Depot locations.  They also have pick up at specialty shops like Fastenel.

Lastly, if you want to find places to recycle electronics by your zip code check out www.earth911.com.  You can also look into state electronics recycling programs too.

So, if you want to sell electronics, donate electronics, or recycle electronics the resources listed in this post should really help.  Let’s use these tools to clean up our environment and possibly make a little extra cash!

Before taking the plunge and getting that extended warranty coverage read this post on extended warranties.  Make sure you get the protection you pay for.

Extended Warranty Coverage | Extended Warranties

Big Bucks for Retailers

Did you know that retailers sometimes make more money from their extended warranty coverage profits than they do on the appliances and major electronics they sell?  This is why salespeople consistently pitch extended warranties as strong as the product they sell.  According to the Service Contract Industry Council you will pay around 10-20% more for a product (on average) when you extend a 1-5 year manufacturer warranty.  The retailers simply sell off your contract to a third-party warranty administrator.  They pay them around half of what you paid for the warranty extension. This arbitrage technique is an easy money maker for retailers.

Usually Don’t Need It

According to Consumer Reports, most major appliances and electronics don’t break down within the extended-warranty period.  They also claim that when the devices break down the repair costs usually equal the cost of electronics extended warranties.  However, there are exceptions.  The exceptions include: electric wall ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators with ice-makers.

Extended Warranty Coverage | Extended Warranties

Sure You Aren’t Covered?

When you pay with a credit card you may already be covered.  Most Visa Signature and Mastercard credit cards double the product warranty!  If you pay with American Express you get up to a one year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty.  Companies like Costco extend manufacturer warranties too.  If you purchase TVs, computers, or projectors from them you’ll get protection two years from the purchase date.  You’ll want to make sure to check with the manufacturer also.  Sometimes, the problem you are having is a reported issue that hasn’t made it to the complete recall level.  The manufacturer often fixes the issue or fixes the problem at a discount.  For example, my buddy owns a Lexus.  This Lexus had a specific problem that occurred on a small sample set of his model vehicle.  So, it was cheaper for Lexus to fix the problem at no cost to him.

Consider a Local Warranty

Let’s face it.  Most third-party extended warranty companies just don’t handle their business.  Yes, buying a warranty extension usually gets you in front of other folks without one.  However, it is usually a better idea to buy local and get an extended warranty from the local shop.  Most local shops with a service department sell their own warranties. When you buy from them they service the product.  You typically get quicker response from a local service provider.  These folks have access to the repair knowledge, the parts, and usually get the job done fast.  Most of the time, you don’t have to deal with all the crazy paperwork or the slow-pay of a third-party administrator.

Read the Fine Print

Yes, it is cliché.  However, before you consider buying an extended warranty make sure you ask a few questions.  Who will provide the service?  Any deductibles?  Service call limits?  Any cancellation triggers? Any coverage exclusions?  Will they replace an item if it can’t be repaired?  Then, if you can live with the conditions then do some online research.  A simple search online will give you an idea of a company’s credibility and service times.  Check out Angie’s List too.

Extended Warranty Coverage | Extended Warranties

Dump the Warranty
Most states require a 30-day “free look” of an extended warranty (some even provide up to 90 days). If you buy an extended coverage warranty the companies must allow you to cancel and give you all of your money back.  If you go beyond that date you can still cancel.  You usually get a prorated refund and the administrator usually charges a cancellation fee. Check out your local consumer protection department to find out more about state law pertaining to extended warranties.