10 Things to Avoid When Selling IT Equipment

Businesses have a great opportunity to bring some money back into their tech budget by selling their used IT equipment to recover some of their value once they’re done with the devices.

When you’re thinking about selling your outdated or unused equipment, here are 10 pitfalls to avoid.

1. Waiting Too Long

Letting your unused IT assets sit around gathering dust is a terrible way to handle value recovery. Your IT equipment is continually losing value as time goes on, with older equipment selling for less with each passing month. Sell today to get the best return!

2. Choosing the Wrong Resale Company

When you sell your devices, you need a company that has security expertise. This will maintain the privacy of your company while reselling assets. Making the wrong choice can mean leaving money on the table, or worse, exposing data from your devices.

3. Having Unrealistic Expectations

Some businesses don’t realize just how valuable their used IT assets can be, but others have unrealistic expectations. While there is still value to recover, buyers are looking for used IT assets at a bargain price.

4. Providing Inadequate Information

If you’re selling IT equipment, you need to be specific. Models and variants of equipment vary widely and the price range for pieces that seem similar can be very wide. Make sure to provide appropriate information for the items you’re selling.

5. Failing to Includes Images

Photos help sell anything and this is particularly true for IT assets. Taking pictures is very important when it comes to the serial and product numbers. Most IT assets have multiple numbers. Taking a picture is the easiest way to communicate that info. By working with an experienced IT reseller, they can take this workload off your plate with professional-looking photos.

6. Removing Parts from Equipment

You might think that you can get ahead by taking out valuable parts that you might need or selling them on the side. However, your IT assets lose value when you do this. You can’t expect to come out ahead when you’re just making more work for prospective buyers.

7. Inaccurate Condition Reporting

It might seem tempting to play down issues with IT equipment to bag a higher price, but honesty is always the best policy here, as your business could face legal ramifications if you fraudulently report the condition of an item for sale. Buyers look to reviews and trusted sellers to make sure they are buying what is described.

8. Improper Packaging and Shipping

Depending on the type of assets you sell, you may have to ship them. If you aren’t using secure packaging, you risk damaging your IT assets enroute. If it’s clear that the packaging was the issue, your profits may take a hit. Working with a professional equipment reseller ensures all materials are properly handled and packaged to avoid any damage.

9. Working with an Individual Buyer

Someone in your company might have a connection that can help you find a buyer, but that isn’t the best way to go. Instead, you’ll be better off getting the market rate through the connections of an ITAD company.

10. Leaving Important Data Behind

Of course, the largest danger when you’re trying to sell your own IT assets is the risk of leaving behind critical information. If your hard drives are still in your equipment and haven’t been professionally wiped, anyone that buys them can gain access to your data. Trusted resellers that are certified to data destruction certifications like R2, e-Stewards, or NAID, can verify your data is completely destroyed before resale.

Get the Most When You’re Selling Your IT Equipment

SEAM is an expert provider of value recovery services for IT assets serving South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa businesses. We can get you top value for your assets while also ensuring the highest level of security and privacy. Reach out to us today to find the value in your used IT assets!

Levi Hentges is the Vice President/Business Development at SEAM. He helps clients build and manage their IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) programs to comply with legal, corporate and environmental requirements surrounding their technology devices; including asset recovery and resale, data destruction and secure electronics recycling.