Anybody buy used computers, fix, and then sell them?

[brock029]

Well I finally got accepted as a Microsoft Registered Refurbisher and have been having some fun scouring craigslist for some good deals on electronics. I got an Acer Iconia A500 tablet for $60 2 days ago with loads of problems that were easily fixed, I could turn around and sell it for $300+ but I'm keeping it. I have found loads of laptops and netbooks with broken screens selling for less then $70 but I don't really know if buying them, fixing them, and trying to sell them is a good idea. Does anybody do this? I think this would be more of a hobby I might could make a few bucks on just because I am really starting to enjoy taking apart tablets and laptops, don't know why.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I don't go looking for old laptops etc to repair and sell. I have a steady stream of them either coming from clients, whose hard drives have failed (I generally offer a data recovery in place for the laptop). I then repair the laptop, and sell it on. No sooner is it repaired, then it is usually sold.

I would say, if your sure you are going to sell them quickly enough, then go for it. Purchase what you can. But remember keeping hold of stock, is not good for your cash flow.

 

[Martyn]

I agree with Nige, get them from clients not wanting a repair, you know their status then.

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

also offer free recycling!

And make sure your policy is anything over 30 days old is yours (after sufficient notice to the EU of course). I have a stack of over 30 laptops alone to go through and fix/part out.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Along with Chri's good idea of recycling. What I currently working on, is a leaflet, which will go to all local businesses within my area, to say that I am offering a setup service. Basically when they purchase a new machine, I will setup, and transfer over all their documents..

The normal cost of this service is £119.99, but if they hand over their old machine, I will knock off £50.00, irrespective of spec. Another good way of building up some stock in order to sell. Only this stock isn't costing me anything.

If you would like a copy of this leaflet, please pm me, and I will gladly send it on.

 

[PCX]

This is actually how we started our business and really how I learned how to fix computers. Its a huge chunk of our overall profit margin. We do not advertise for it often, most of the time we get calls asking if we will buy broken laptops. We take them in for a day and do a full diagnostics, then offer a price. And yes, 9 times out of 10, they are more than willing to leave their computer over night so that we can run a full diagnostics (no charge if we are interested in buying).

 

[brock029]

I currently don't have enough work to take anything in. I just got two laptops in for repair which will be my 5th computer since I started in February. I was thinking about offerinf recycling and buying old computers. The leaflet will be great ill send a pm. I feel like I could sell them fairly quick though just because I know everyone at my day job who know other people and there is always someone looking for a new pc.

Also good to hear pcx and I have had a few calls with people asking if I buy computers and didn't really know how to go about it. But taking them in for a diagnostic is a great idea. Next thing I need to figure out is giving a price because people always want close to what they paid for their computer even if its ancient and needs 1000 things done to it :sly:

 

[PCX]

I currently don't have enough work to take anything in. I just got two laptops in for repair which will be my 5th computer since I started in February. I was thinking about offerinf recycling and buying old computers. The leaflet will be great ill send a pm. I feel like I could sell them fairly quick though just because I know everyone at my day job who know other people and there is always someone looking for a new pc.

Also good to hear pcx and I have had a few calls with people asking if I buy computers and didn't really know how to go about it. But taking them in for a diagnostic is a great idea. Next thing I need to figure out is giving a price because people always want close to what they paid for their computer even if its ancient and needs 1000 things done to it :sly:

We offer between $50 and $150 for most computers. It really depends on the parts needed and the time it will take to repair the computer. Once you explain to them the cost of the service itself and the parts and then what you can offer, they usually understand. Just make sure you are fair about it and that you do not treat them like a local pawn shop would. Keep in mind, they may be your future customer, so some times paying a little extra it well worth it.

As for flipping them, for the most part they go quick. In fact, its hard to keep enough on the shelf sometimes, especially around the time the school starts back up. That said, right now we have close to 20 refurbs that are not selling now, but will probably sell immediately in August. I suggest that you just keep buying them, so that that you always have something to sell. Also, its foot traffic, which hopefully will turn into repair work in the future.

 

[SilverLeaf]

I currently don't have enough work to take anything in.

I'm in a similar situation. I don't have a consistent supply yet. I would like to keep a few machines on hand for resale (especially with back-to-school coming), and have been browsing ebay and craigslist for some, mostly laptops.

I wonder what the "sweet spot" is for pricing used machines? Seems like a fine line between making enough margin to make it worthwhile vs. selling it cheap enough to prevent the "Walmart temptation".

I've been looking at some T60 Thinkpads for around $140, for example. But, by the time I get them prepped for resale (with the huge assumption that it has no major defects when I get it) and provide a short warranty, can I sell it for a price to make a reasonable profit and still provide a decent value to the customer?

Perhaps I should start advertising for broken laptops?

 

[brock029]

I'm in a similar situation. I don't have a consistent supply yet. I would like to keep a few machines on hand for resale (especially with back-to-school coming), and have been browsing ebay and craigslist for some, mostly laptops.

I wonder what the "sweet spot" is for pricing used machines? Seems like a fine line between making enough margin to make it worthwhile vs. selling it cheap enough to prevent the "Walmart temptation".

I've been looking at some T60 Thinkpads for around $140, for example. But, by the time I get them prepped for resale (with the huge assumption that it has no major defects when I get it) and provide a short warranty, can I sell it for a price to make a reasonable profit and still provide a decent value to the customer?

Perhaps I should start advertising for broken laptops?

Ive been looking for one's for less then $80. Im picking up an Asus eee pc 1000he tomorrow. A little old but I can buy it, upgrade it, put windows 7 for less then $150. Then hopefully make $100 off of it. That's my plan anyways.

 

[datagnostic]

I don't go looking for old laptops etc to repair and sell. I have a steady stream of them either coming from clients, whose hard drives have failed (I generally offer a data recovery in place for the laptop). I then repair the laptop, and sell it on. No sooner is it repaired, then it is usually sold.

I would say, if your sure you are going to sell them quickly enough, then go for it. Purchase what you can. But remember keeping hold of stock, is not good for your cash flow.

That is actually a good way of getting laptops in.

I had a look at the Microsoft Refurb program but it takes some special VAT considerations in my own country if you're "buying" hardware from private sellers.

 

[iladelf]

Here's what I have found. Have refurbished about 6 or 7 older Windows XP desktop computers by either adding more memory lying around from older computers that customers had me recycle; using extra, larger, older hard drives I had lying around and/or adding any DVD or CD burner drives I had lying around. But...

the profit margin? She ain't much. When trying to sell 'em for $100, I think I sold two, and they were customers that had older computers that just died, so I saved them money from buying new. After lowering the price to $80, I've sold one. I just lowered the price of the remaining 3 to $70 today (Craigslist), and have already received a call from a potential buyer that will visit later today.

Keep in mind that there are lots of places selling a complete, used XP machine for $99 WITH keyboard, mouse and monitor (yes, even flat panels!). Hard to make money that way. IF you have extra parts lying around, and IF you have decent Sysprepped images pre-configured for quick use after imaging so that your labor time is minimal, then yes, I'd say you can make SOME dough doing this. Just don't expect to be able to buy a Lamborghini Aventador with the scratch you earn. View it more as giving you extra spending cash or help for paying pesky bills.

Laptops? Likely a whole 'nuther story. If there isn't much work to do, great. If there is, the parts can be prohibitively expensive depending on the model, even on eBay.

 

[KC Tech]

If it's from spare parts you have lying around sure. In my opinion new computers are very cheap now so it isn't worth buying an old one and fixing it to sell. When you buy a old computer you don't know how much you would have to spend to fix it. Also, when you do fix the problems it had, It may be close to developing new problems that the buying customer may blame you for.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Which is where you do a full and thorough diagnostic before you even think of purchasing any laptop. Then take this into consideration in your offer to buy.

Coupled with a minimal warranty, say 30 days to what ever you wish.. (Mine is usually 6 months, parts and labour, 0 Software). What you cannot do, least in my eyes, is sell a client something, and offer no warranty. How would that look to a client?.

 

[PCX]

I initially wrote a response, then it turned into a novel . . . here it is

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?p=302986#post302986

 

[brock029]

Awesome read PCX, thanks alot that whole thing not only helps me out alot but probably alot of people on TN.

 

[HelloRog55]

Maybe completely off topic, but I don't understand why PCX's link is blocked because I have less than 5 posts here. Geesh.

Not directed at you PCX, of course.

 

[brock029]

Maybe completely off topic, but I don't understand why your post is blocked because I have less than 5 posts here. Geesh.

Not directed at you PCX, of course

It's in a hidden section you can only see after having a good amount of post...I dont remember how many

 

[HelloRog55]

Thanks Brock. I'll figure it out eventually.

 

[drpcfix]

For us it's more of a hobby.. if we get a real nice one to recycle, we'll try to sell it..

We usually keep a steady inventory of d630's from cedarpc/amazon.

CedarPC usually has some good enough deals that you can stock refurbished stuff without dealing with craigslist, and know you can return it if there is a problem..

I'm sure there are other sources like that, we've bought about 30 laptops from them though.. only had to return like 1