Turning your old tech into cash
If your junk drawer or cupboards are filled with old tech, you may just be able to turn that tech-trash into some cash.
Marc Saltzman, tech expert and the host of 580 CFRA’s Tech Talk, joins us regularly on CTV Ottawa’s News at Noon to keep us up-to-date on 'the updates.'
I asked Marc about if he could tell us about potential "tech treasures" stuffed into our closets and attics.
"There are some rare items that can get you a lot of money but it’s not even just tech, anything you have in your home at spring cleaning season, could be valuable to somebody," says Saltzman.
"Not only are you decluttering in your home, which feels very refreshing, but you’re also putting some cash back in your pocket."
Saltzman explains the free on-line classified sites like Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and eBay make selling easy.
Know what you are selling and present it well, advises Saltzman.
While a lot of the older technology is just that, old, out-of-date tech, there are some absolute finds.
If you happen to be a forgetful shopper. If you bought some video games a few decades ago, tucked them away and forgot to gift them, you may be in a position to receive a payout, or payday, from a collector.
"If you still have it, and it’s unopened, or at least in mint condition, we’ve seen some (games), I think the record last year was $1.56 million US, for an unopened copy of Nintendo’s Super Mario 64 game for the Nintendo N64 platform, from the mid-90s. That got a record at an auction."
While that is, of course, a rare find, other games can still hold their value and fetch a nice little profit decades later, as well.
"If you have unopened or mint-condition games or game consoles – like Atari, ColecoVision, Intellivision or Sega -- anything like that from the 80s or 90s, wow, go online, places like eBay they’ll give you a rough sense of what you could expect," explains Saltzman.
“And, as you likely know, eBay lets people bid. It is not a one-time purchase where you likely set your price. People can bid on it."
Marc Saltzman says unopened or mind-condition video games can sell for money. (Photo courtesy: Marc Saltzman)
An unopened, original iPod may also be worth a 'pretty iPenny'.
Maybe you bought one as a gift for a girlfriend and that relationship fizzled before you presented it 20 years ago.
If it has been in the dresser drawer all this time, you may feel a bit better about getting dumped way back.
"The original iPod classic--one of them went for $90,000 US. The U2 edition, I think. It was unopened," says Saltzman.
When I told Marc that my nephew got really excited that my Dad hung onto the old Commodore 64, I asked if that basement find had more than nostalgic value, he said, "Maybe, depending on its condition."
Old vintage computers - the VIC- 20, the Commodore 64, the original Apple, or Apple IIe - can also get you some cash but don’t expect tens of thousands, says Saltzman.
"But it could be worth a couple of grand, which is still nice but that’s probably what you paid for it in the 80s anyway," chuckles Saltzman
"Definitely, if it’s in good condition working condition, there are collectors out there who will pay for old tech, including personal computers."
While it doesn’t count as tech, old turntables do put a glint in the eyes of the 20-somethings. Do they hold value?
Saltzman says not really.
"Unless it was a rare one, vintage turntable or something really old that’s in great condition but the vinyl may hold value."
Here’s an example that will have you shake, rattle and rolling all the way to the bank.
"I think it was an Elvis Presley album that went for $300,000 US. It was ‘My Happiness’. That was the name of it."
You can say happiness again if you were the seller of this one-off pressing album.
"It was open but it was in mint condition. So yes, if you have old vinyl and it’s not scratched, there are places you can go online that will give you a rough idea of what it goes for among collectors," Saltzman advises.
Marc Saltzman says old vintage computers can get you some cash if you sell it. (Photo courtesy: Marc Saltzman/CTV News Ottawa)
TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR OLD TECH
Here are some tips to test selling your old tech that extend to any type of sale.
"It could be clothing, it could be home decor items, anything that you want to get rid of, let’s face it — inflation is affecting everyone, for groceries, and also gas prices!" says the cost-conscious tech writer.
Saltzman sees the value in selling what you don’t need and says these tips will help you make money to spend on what you do need, like groceries and gas.
TOP TIPS TO SELLING YOUR STUFF ONLINE
- Pick some things to sell, take good photos
- Have a catchy headline, write descriptions
- Find the pricing “sweet spot”
- Post to nearby cities/suburbs
- Meet in public place during the day
Marc suggests:
"Take good photos and write a good description of the items that you have in your home that you want to sell."
"Have a catchy headline. People often just scroll through the categories they’re interested in. Make sure something stands out maybe in bold letters. Put “great price” or “brand new” or “unopened”-- anything that can catch the eye," said Saltzman.
"Find the sweet spot when pricing. Put it a little higher than you’re willing to let it go for because people will want to negotiate on these platforms. You don’t want to have sellers’ remorse where you feel I should’ve sold it for more-- but don’t price it too high that it’s going to scare somebody off. Expect people to try to bargain with you."
“Not only can you post to your exact city, like Ottawa but you can post to suburbs like Kanata or Nepean, or you can go to Gatineau. That way you’re expanding without having to drive too far to meet with them.”
“Finally, if I mentioned if you are going to meet somebody in person, do it at a coffee shop or in front of a fast food restaurant. Resist going into someone’s home. You don’t want to invite any trouble. Make sure you do it during the day.”
And always remember when selling old tech, ensure your private data has been deleted.
KEEP OLD TECH OUT OF THE LANDFILL
Saltzman says if you can’t sell it or you can’t gift it or hand it down to someone who can use it, make sure you keep your tech from ending up in landfill.
"All you have to do go to www.recyclemyelectronics.ca and type in your postal code or your address," says Saltzman.
There are many drop-off locations - big bins often inside of a big box store or outside of a school or a community centre, office building.
"It’s free for you to take your old tech, your ‘end-of-life electronics’ and drop it off. It will be properly dismantled and shredded.
"Even If you forgot to remove information off an old hard drive from an old desktop tower or a broken iPad or something, it will be completely shredded. Then those precious materials are going to go into all new products."
Saltzman says you can feel great knowing those components containing gold and palladium will be properly used and kept out of landfill.
Marc Saltzman’s Tech Talk is on 580 CFRA on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.