When the iPhone 5 becomes available later this week, many folks will find themselves with two iPhones: one shiny and new, the other slightly less so. Those not donating the past edition to a relative or friend might want to sell it. Here's what you can do to successfully and painlessly get cash for your "old" iPhone.
Pick a retailer
The most obvious choices are Ebay and Craigslist. Expect a flood of iPhones to hit their virtual shelves later this week.
Of course, you have more choices than Ebay and Craigslist. When the Iphone 4 came out, I sold my original iPhone to Recycle4Cash. I provided information like model, condition, etc. and Recycle4Cash gave me a value estimate. Then they sent me off a pre-paid mailer within a couple days. The shipping was insured, and came with delivery confirmation. A couple of days after I sent my iphone off, Recycle4Cash sent me a check for $200. Wow.
Prep your iPhone
No matter which retailer you choose, you must prep your iPhone for resale. It's a simple process, but it's important. Here's how to get your iPhone ready for its new owner.
Before shipping, you'll want to wipe your iPhone clean. The first, crucial step is to sync with iTunes and backup everything. Once that's done, click the Restore button (you'll be prompted once again to create a backup). Continue and restore your iPhone to its factory settings. All of your personal data will be removed.
You can also perform a restore with the iPhone itself. Select general settings and then tap restore. Note that this will erase everything, so do a backup first. It also takes a long time, so be sure that your battery is fully charged or, better yet, just plug in.
If you're super paranoid, you can do an iTunes restore followed by a general settings restore, but that's probably overkill.
Avoiding scams
If you're in the market for a used iPhone this week, you'll want to be wary of scammers. They're out there, but with a little diligence you can stay safe.
Be wary of transactions that require a money order or wire transfer. Secure methods of payment like credit cards are preferred. Also, question emails advertising a "free iPhone" or telling you that you've won one. Chances are you haven't.
Also, there are many people who wait in line for new iPhones so they can re-sell them for a premium. If you plan on paying a "scalper's premium" for an iPhone 5 (we suggest you don't), at least ensure that you will receive the phone.
There you have it -- how to successfully sell your old iPhone. Good luck, and have fun on Thursday.
Visit www.Recycle4CashNow.com today to get cash for your iphone.
