Selling your iPhone 3G: Cha-ching!
Apple and AT&T aren't the only ones who can make a little money off selling iPhones. You can, too.
Apparently, there's still a fairly robust resale market for the iPhone 3G -- even after Apple dropped it's price by a $100 a few weeks back.
Just check out eBay: you'll see prices all over the map -- yet pretty generous -- for used 3G phones. Some are even making a profit on selling their used iPhones.
Mind you, Apple cut the price of the 3G version to $99 for the 8GB model, while the new 3G S phone (the faster one, with video recording capability) is now $199 for the 16GB version.
For some of you who are trapped in an AT&T contract, aren't eligible for the $199 3GS price, and don't want to pay the $399(oops, thanks, Jeff S.) $499 to buy the new handset, then selling your iPhone may help you recoup some money to put toward the new one.
Heck, you may even make a profit on selling your iPhone, if you're lucky. Hit the jump for details on how to do it, and more:
There's some friendly advice out there on how to go about selling your iPhone 3G:
:: The Apple Blog (not affiliated with Apple itself) has a "how-to" on how to prep your iPhone 3G for resale.
:: CNET's Rick Broida has his own tips and links on how to sell your iPhone, including selling to Rapid Repair, a shop that refurbishes them. As of today, they'll give you $180 for your 8GB iPhone 3G (which you paid $199 for.) Not bad.
:: Oh, and if you're wondering if anyone is really selling their iPhone 3Gs on eBay, just check out this stream of tweets on Twitter. All the kids are doing it!
This crazy iPhone resale market is nothing new. We saw it last year when Apple introduced the 3G. eBay and Craigslist was suddenly awash with people selling their older iPhones at robust prices.
So, what's going on here?
Are people looking to buy the handsets to unlock them to use as they wish with any carrier they choose countries? A hot market for iPhone parts for refurbs?
The iPhone wiki entry gives a pretty good overview on the SIM-card unlocking phenomenon, and how it works.
Another thing to note: Generally, the Apple fanboys say that Apple products traditionally have a great resale value when compared to its competitors.
I would love to hear your feedback and what you think. Have you sold your iPhone on eBay or Craiglist? Tell me your experience. Better yet: have you bought an iPhone 3G in the resale market recently, and paid more than the list price for the 3G? Tell us why.
(Photo credit: AP, during the iPhone 3GS roll-out in Japan)
This is an archived version of the technology blog. For updated coverage, see the current baltTech location: baltimoresun.com/balttech
Comments
Just to add to this, if you plan to sell your phone, the below link shows how to use the built-in secure erase to ensure all your personal data has been removed prior to sale.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/06/25/secure_data_wipe_built_into_iphone_software_v2_0.html
Posted by: Tom Callahan | June 26, 2009 10:25 AM
Gus -
Two things. Apples sight lists $499/$599 for the 16GB/32GB respectively if you are out of contract.
The other point, it isn't just the used 3G's that have a strong resale market. 2G's are selling for nearly $200 as well. It's really remarkable, but when you consider that the 2G data plan is $20 and includes 200 text messages where the 3G/3G S requires a $30 data plan and 200 messages are $5 extra a month. Even a week preceding the 3G S launch, 2G iPhones were selling for $200-250. I've tossed my 2G up on eBay and it's already over $100. I imagine I will come close to breaking even. Everyone who has complained about the contract causing them to be "penalized" for adopting the new tech early. However, Apple's followers are extremely rewarding in terms of a willingness to pay great money for used goods. I sold my two year old black MB for $150 less than I bought it for ... so I basically rented a $1200 laptop for $5/month. This is standard across almost all Apple products.
Posted by: Jeff Shepherd | June 26, 2009 10:30 AM
I just couldn't wait for my eligibility date to get the new 3GS. I justified paying the $399 (discounted for ATT customers) by selling my 3G on Ebay for $300. Last summer, I sold my iphone 2g on Ebay for $400 in order to get the 3g for which I paid $199. My advice is to keep your iphone in good shape, keep all of the original "stuff" including the box in came in (which by the way just the box is listed on ebay!) and you should be able to keep up with the latest models without breaking the bank.
Posted by: Brenda | June 26, 2009 11:23 AM
Can anybody explain why the demand for the 2G is so high? It does make it more likely that I'll upgrade.
Posted by: Scott Paley | June 26, 2009 12:07 PM
Demand for the first and 2nd generation Edge only devices might be high because T-Mobile unlockers are trying to scoop them up on the cheap.
Posted by: Paul | June 26, 2009 2:36 PM
I sold my 1st gen iPhone @ $300 to buy 3g last year. It was easy sell since there's not much iPhones on the resell market. This year I sold my 3g @ $350. I listed at $400 but I realized three are too many used on CL and eBay. So I lowered the price and sold right away. I have kept all the box and accessories to increased the value. And always BIG and high quality photos are best sales tool. Good luck to who wants to seek theirs.
Posted by: MacCritter | June 28, 2009 11:25 PM
So even if Tmobile da? What good is that ? How much does it cost to have a data /phone plan with TM? Over the Att plan ? Knowing that the big deal about an iPhone is more about the apps on the phone right? Anyone got some tips for me pls tell.
Posted by: Michael Tmobile | June 28, 2009 11:33 PM
Last year, about a week after getting my 3G iPhone, I sold my 2G iPhone for $620 on eBay to some guy in Canada. It was in great condition with all the packaging, accessories, etc. I truly don't understand why someone would pay that much, but I was happy to sell it for that much. It must somehow make sense for the buyers, it certainly makes great sense for the sellers.
Posted by: william | June 29, 2009 9:29 AM
Just put my iPhone 3G on ebay, keeping my fingers crossed, I will share the results soon! Here we go....
Good luck. Let us know how you do! -gs
Posted by: Chip Dizard | July 6, 2009 4:48 PM
Sold! Shipping to Hong Kong tomorrow for $350. Just bought the 3GS. Love the video, so glad I took your advice. My iphone was in poor condition and I was clear on eBay and told the guy that via email, but he still wanted it. Gotta love these phones!
holy cow!! -gs
Posted by: Chip Dizard | July 10, 2009 7:01 PM