Post by whisker on Dec 22, 2011 18:30:00 GMT
According to ?Which? Magazine - you need to beware.
Think twice before using 'cash for laptops' sites
Selling your laptop at specialist 'cash for laptop' sites could net you less than a quarter of what you'd get by selling it yourself on eBay.
Which? found that while these laptop-buying sites may be user-friendly, they offered just a fraction of their value. The investigation also tested Asda's Tech Trade-in scheme, which in one instance offered almost six times less than eBay for the same laptop.
Laptops quickly depreciate in value
We also found that laptops quickly depreciate in value. For a 2009 13in MacBook, worth £1,125 in 2009, sellyourlaptops.co.uk only offered £67, despite eBay selling it for £350. Likewise, the Acer Aspite 8920G was worth £750 in 2009, but webuyanylaptop.co.uk offered just £87
Disposing of laptops
Our research discovered people's preference for giving away old laptops rather than selling them. Some 44% of people who buy a new laptop to replace an old model would give it to a friend, while 11% would recycle it.
Similarly, 43% who said they wouldn’t sell their laptop would rather give it to someone who can’t afford one. Charities like ComputerAid offer people the opportunity to donate old laptops and computers, which are then refurbished for use in education, health, agriculture and the not-for-profit sector in developing countries.
Remove your data before selling a laptop
Before giving away your laptop you must remove any private and valuable data yourself. ComputerAid told us it uses OnTrack Eraser, which it said has been approved by the UK secret services to wipe data.
