The world of technology keeps bringing changes to gadgets. The same goes for personal computers (PCs). Numerous upgrades and models of the components keep being released in quick succession. In such a case, it is not uncommon to find yourself in a situation where you need to sell your old PC to buy a new one. But how to sell PC?
The first step is to clean the computer and check for any broken parts. Then, you should create a detailed listing with photos and specs. The list should definitely highlight any upgrades and offer a warranty. Finally, ensuring a safe transaction is pivotal to closing the deal.
However, before going into the sale, there are steps to take for the sake of data safety. Besides, picking the correct selling platform needs proper attention as well. So, in this article, we will discuss every aspect related to selling a PC. Keep reading to get the most out of selling your PC.
Steps to Take Before Selling Your PC
A little housekeeping is needed before you can trade in that slow PC for cold, hard cash. You should set aside some time to get your PC ready for its new owner. This includes actions like backing up your files and wiping the hard drive. Let’s look into them in detail:
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Back Up Your Files
Losing important files from your PC is a nightmare. So, before resetting your PC for sale, back up everything to an external hard drive. If you don’t have one, use cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox.
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Sign Out of All Your Accounts
Take a moment to log out of all your email accounts, apps, and services on your PC. This ensures that your personal information remains secure even if your computer changes hands. While the chances of data breaches are low, it’s a precaution worth taking, especially if the new owner decides to sell it. You never know where it might end up.
Open each app and sign out. Let’s assume you want to do this action for Microsoft Mail on a Windows 10 PC. To do this, open Windows 10 settings, then go to Accounts > Email & accounts > Select each account > Manage > Delete account from this device.
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Erase Your Hard Drive
After you have backed up your files and folders and deleted any accounts, you can finally erase all of your data and information from your computer. It may take some time to erase the hard drive, particularly if your computer has a lot of data stored on it. If you have a Windows 10 PC, here’s a breakdown of the steps to wipe your PC:
- Open the Start menu on your PC.
- Click on the Settings gear icon.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Click on Recovery.
- Choose Get Started under Reset this PC.
- Opt for Remove Everything.
- Decide on how to reinstall Windows 10: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- Enable Clean Data to erase your files thoroughly.
- Confirm your selection and follow the prompts to reset your PC.
During the process, your PC might restart multiple times. Once it’s finished, you’ll see the initial Windows setup screen or hear Cortana start talking.
How to Sell PC – Step By Step Guide
If you have followed the above steps without any compromise, then your PC will surely be ready for the sale phase. However, this phase isn’t short of calculated steps. Let’s check them out:
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Clean the Computer
You should start by cleaning your computer. Use a dust cleaning spray and a screen cleaner that is safe for the device, and gently wipe down the keys to remove any dirt. Giving it a little TLC might increase its value.
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Check If Any Component Needs a Replacement
Smooth-running, high-performance computers are in high demand and fetch a premium price. Hence, before you put your PC up for sale, make sure it does not have any broken parts.
If this is not done in advance, the buyer might find out that the RAM, hard drive, or similar component is about to fail. He might then back out of the deal, which would make you even more embarrassed. Never mind the extra expense of replacing a defective part. The shame it would cause is too great to bear.
However, you do not have to buy new parts from the store to replace the components. An option is to buy a refurbished one from a reliable vendor. Just make sure it comes with a warranty. If you can afford it, though, it is best to buy new parts and include that expense in the PC’s selling price.
Regardless, let the buyer know about the replacement while you are closing the deal. Also, give them the paperwork regarding the warranty.
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Create a Detailed Listing
After getting full assurance that your PC is ready to sell, choose a platform and create a proper listing there. Avoid hiding anything when you list your PC. Be sure to include detailed, multi-angle, high-definition photos in addition to the item’s age, specifications, and any damage.
As for choosing the best platform to sell, we will get into that later.
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Featured Upgrades
Replacing faulty components is necessary. However, there can be times when you just upgrade your PC parts to boost performance. If you have upgraded any hardware, such as the graphics card, RAM, or storage, be sure to mention it. Computers can gain a lot of value through upgrades, particularly those that enhance performance or functionality.
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Offer a Guarantee or Warranty
This might sound a bit weird, as we are talking about selling used PCs. Notwithstanding, prospective buyers may feel more at ease with a short warranty or guarantee. It shows that you care about your PC’s stability and efficiency.
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Ensure a Safe Transaction
There are many incidents happening all around the globe every day that involve being scammed while selling used parts. That’s why it’s extremely important to make sure the transaction is safe.
Pick a public spot to meet in person if you are selling anything. If you are selling online, be sure to use a reputable payment gateway and to pack it securely.
Where to Sell Your PC?
Choosing the right platform to sell your used PC is perhaps the step that can make or break the entire deal. That’s why we are dedicating a separate discussion to this step. There are many lucrative platforms to choose from when selling a PC. Let’s look at the best possible choices out there:
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Local Buyers
A logical solution for selling computers would be to look for websites that will buy your PC locally. Let’s say you’re located in the USA or Canada. Then, SellMyPCPart will be the best choice for you when selling your PC. We strive to make the process as easy and fast as possible without sacrificing the quality of service.
Get a fast offer for your PC using our website’s easy form. Most importantly, your offer is based on a thorough evaluation of your components and other factors by a real person. Our staff will email you specific shipping instructions as soon as you respond positively to the offer.
Since receiving payment is crucial, we promise to pay you no later than three days following the components’ successful testing. For your convenience, we offer two e-transfer options: PayPal and Interac (Canada only). Also, we are always looking at new ways to pay.
As a reputed Canadian company, We are able to support tech communities. Our focus is on enhancing the customer experience. Customers in North America usually receive free shipping on all offers, usually through USPS and/or Canada Post. That’s because we understand the logistical challenges of shipping between the US and Canada.
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Online Auctions
If you’re confident about the demand for the PC you’re selling, online auctions can be a great way to sell them and make a profit. These auctions, made famous by eBay, attract bidders worldwide.
You should decide how much you want your equipment sold for before you start the auction process. This involves assessing its original retail value and factoring in its age.
After you know how much your computer gear is worth, you can decide whether to sell it all at once or break it down into specific categories like CPU, GPU, and monitor.
Typically, auctions start below the targeted value to attract bidders. The competition among bidders can drive the final price well above your target. However, if there’s less demand than anticipated, you might end up selling at a loss. Hence, you should carefully assess the market before moving forward.
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Other Platforms
Apart from the above-mentioned platforms, there are some more common options for selling your PC. You can also pick any of them to sell your PC based on your convenience. Let’s look at those platforms:
- eBay: This is an online marketplace best known for its bidding system. Impressive for reaching a large audience, but keep in mind that there are fees associated with listing and selling.
- Facebook Marketplace: Great for local sales. The listing is free, and you can deal with buyers directly.
- Craigslist: Another free alternative for local listings. However, to avoid falling for scams, always meet buyers in public places.
- Swappa: An online marketplace for electronic gadgets on sale. All listings are free of charge, and they have a flat fee structure.
Conclusion
The process of selling a PC begins with some measures before the actual selling phase. You should create a backup of your files and format the hard drive before you sell your computer. Afterward, you need to be sure to log out of every account securely. Next, you will need to follow some instructions to completely wipe your hard drive.
As for the selling phase, choosing the right platform to sell holds utmost priority. You can consider online auctions like eBay or platforms like Swappa and Facebook Marketplace.
However, among all the options, local websites should be your go-to choice due to their convenience. As such a website, SellMyPCPart is the ideal platform to choose. Visit our website today and give us the chance to give you the best value for your PC.