Search eBay for mobile phones that match your model to give you a sense of current prices and popularity on eBay. This can help you set reasonable expectations of how much money you might get for your cell. Many phones sell at close to their original sale price, even after a few years. This is especially true for iPhones, but also tends to be the case for other popular cell and smartphones a year or two after their launch.
Find out how other eBay sellers describe and price their items to get ideas and insights into best practices for how to sell a cell phone online.
When you’re ready to list your cell phone on eBay, be sure to wipe all of your data and purchased apps before you list and sell it. Follow the instructions in your manual or from the manufacturer's web site. Wipe your phone clean with a "factory" or "default reset," but make sure you back up any needed files before resetting your phone. Once reset, you will not be able to retrieve any data from your phone.
If your mobile phone has an SD data card where you stored data, remember to back up and wipe (also known as “format”) the card, or remove and replace it. If your phone came with a carrier-specific SIM card, you may need to remove it prior to selling. Contact your current cell phone service provider for specific instructions.
Most cell phones are built for a specific carrier, usually indicated somewhere on the outside of the phone. Make sure you identify the carrier in your listing, or else your buyer may end up with a phone he or she cannot use with his/her carrier of choice.
If you do not own the phone outright—you are currently under contract for a 2- or 3-year plan where the carrier subsidized the cost of your phone—make sure you have fulfilled the terms of your contract with that carrier. For example, you have no outstanding balance on the account used for the phone, or you already paid any penalties for switching phones prior to the end of your 2- or 3-year service agreement.
It’s very important to include carrier information or contract status in your listing. Otherwise, your buyer could possibly receive a phone that cannot be activated, which could lead to dissatisfaction and bad feedback from your buyer. Contact your cell phone service provider for more information.
Great photos sell items on eBay. Your photos should be clear, well lit, and compelling.
Remove smudges and dust from your cell phone prior to photographing it. Use a lens cleaning cloth to polish the screen. Once you've made it look as close to new as possible, you can start photographing it.
Take clear shots of the front and back of your mobile phone. Place the phone on a plain white background on a flat surface, like a table or counter. Sometimes, a single sheet of white printer paper will suffice. Take close-ups of any scratches or blemishes on the screen, as well as the back. (Make sure to use your camera’s "macro" feature to take extreme close-ups in sharp focus.
Take photos of any extras that either came with the cell phone or that you have purchased later, (headphones, extra batteries, a cover, wall and car chargers, cradles or docks) that will be included in our listing. If you have the original box, manual, and/or documentation, show them in your photos and inlude them in your shipping package. (Note: the original box and manual aren't required in order to sell on eBay, but they can help make cell phone listings more attractive to potential buyers.)
Include a crips, focused close-up shot of your phone's serial number and IMEI. If you cell phone is not an iPhone, the IMEI (or MEID) number and serial number are usually located on a white or black sticker inside the phone's battery or SIM card pocket. (you may have ot remove your phones' battery to view them.)
Listing your phone on eBay http://pages.ebay.com/
Click the Start selling button, or open the Sell option on your eBay mobile phone app.
· From your desktop, simply select your device, see its current value, and list it on eBay.
· On the eBay mobile app, you should add your own cell phone information.
· Follow the next steps and fill in the requested information. Make sure that you add information requested for "Condition," and that you type in the MPN (Manufacturer's Part Number) into the box provided.
· If not provided as defaults, create custom "Item Specifics" for the phone's important identifying numbers, like its serial number, IMEI, or MEID numbers.
When describing your cell phone, indicate any specific condition issues, like a screen scratch, or back cover crack, etc. It also helps to point out any bundled accessories and, if applicable, that the listing includes the phone's original box and manuals.
You can choose between auction-style listings with an optional "Buy It Now" price, or fixed price listings. Your previous research will provide some guidance about pricing and listing type—what offers the best chance of your item finding a buyer.
Rule of thumb: Fixed price listings give you more control over the sale price, but items can take longer to sell than with an auction-style listing. Auction-style listings can give you a faster sale, but do not provide as much control over the final price.
If you chose a fixed price listing, make sure your price is reasonable based on your research. If you chose an auction-style listing, make sure your opening bid is also an acceptable amount for the phone. This will ensure you get the minimum amount you want, in case the item sells to the first bidder.
Whether you list on your desktop or the eBay mobile app, you’ll get suggestions on shipping services and price guidance. In many cases, you don’t need to weigh your item to determine shipping costs, since shipping guidance is provided based on items similar to what you are selling.
Here are quick tips to get started:
- For easy shipping, select either of the following:
· USPS Flat Rate padded or legal envelope. Many phones fit easily in these envelopes.
· USPS Flat Rate boxes. These boxes are side-loading, which are great for phones with original boxes and accessories.
· The cost for Flat Rate is always the same, regardless of destination or weight.
- Provide your buyers with a shipping cost based on their location.You’ll need your and your buyer’s zip codes to do this.
Gather the following information:
· Use a postage scale to get a close estimate of the phone’s weight.
· Estimate the weight of packing materials, including the shipping box, and add this to your total.
· Estimate the package’s dimensions. If you plan to use a shipping box, use the dimensions provided on the box.
You will need to select at least one shipping service. USPS First Class Package is convenient for items up to 13 ounces. For items over 13 ounces, select USPS Media Mail.
Whether you list on your desktop or the eBay mobile app, you’ll get suggestions on shipping services and price guidance. In many cases, you don’t need to weigh your item to determine shipping costs, since shipping guidance is provided based on items similar to what you are selling.
Here are quick tips to get started:
- For easy shipping, select either of the following:
· USPS Flat Rate padded or legal envelope. Many phones fit easily in these envelopes.
· USPS Flat Rate boxes. These boxes are side-loading, which are great for phones with original boxes and accessories.
· The cost for Flat Rate is always the same, regardless of destination or weight.
- Provide your buyers with a shipping cost based on their location.You’ll need your and your buyer’s zip codes to do this.
Gather the following information:
· Use a postage scale to get a close estimate of the phone’s weight.
· Estimate the weight of packing materials, including the shipping box, and add this to your total.
· Estimate the package’s dimensions. If you plan to use a shipping box, use the dimensions provided on the box.
You will need to select at least one shipping service. USPS First Class Package is convenient for items up to 13 ounces. For items over 13 ounces, select USPS Media Mail.
Post-sales tasks
When your buyer pays for a purchase, PayPal will alert you with an email. You can keep the payment in your PayPal account or transfer it to a different bank account. If you keep the funds in your PayPal account, you can withdraw from them with your PayPal debit card or use them to purchase items on other websites that accept PayPal.
Though small and compact, a mobile phone can be damaged in transit if not properly packed. Protect the outer surface of the phone by wrapping it in one or two layers of bubble wrap before boxing it. Select a box that is big enough to provide at least an inch of buffer material around the phone or the phone box, plus any extras.
For more details on shipping and packing, read eBay’s Shipping pages.
Use eBay’s Print Postage feature to select, pay for, and print out a USPS authentic shipping label that you can tape or stick to the package.
As soon as you can, take the box to your local post office or, better yet, hand it to your USPS mail carrier on his or her next round. It’s a good idea to send a note to your buyer when the items have shipped. Provide a tracking number, if applicable.
Buyers love to receive positive recognition from sellers. It’s an important part of good customer service. Be sure to leave them a positive comment the minute you receive cleared payment.
