Make hundreds of dollars from your unwanted technology

Tech-obsessed Australians stand to make serious cash from trading in old phone and tablets currently collecting dust.

EXCLUSIVE

Two in three Australians could be missing out on hundreds of dollars by failing to sell unwanted devices stuffed in their drawers.

Technology was one of the most popular gifts this Christmas but new independent research commissioned on behalf of telco Telstra found 66 per cent of Australians have at least one device laying idle at home, worth $418 on average.

Collectively, Australians have an estimated $5.6 billion in wanted tech items they no longer use.

Telstra’s group executive of consumer and small business Michael Ackland said as more Australians upgrade to the latest devices particularly smartphones, there’s plenty of money to be made selling unused technology.

“We know the holiday period can often be an expensive time of the year with extra expenses and budgets stretched for many Aussie families,” he said.

Australians should consider trading in their unwanted devices to make some extra money.

“There has never been a better time to get some value back from old phones and tech hidden away in drawers or gathering dusty on a shelf around the house.

“By trading in your eligible unwanted devices you ensure they stay out of landfill.”

Mr Ackland said many Australians are on the hunt for unwanted or preloved devices at a discounted price.

And unused technology items belonging to one in 10 Australians surveyed was found to be were worth more than $1000.

Telstra has joined forces with Kingfisher Mobile Australia to allow consumers to trade in eligible and out-of-contract devices on specific Apple, Samsung and Google phones and selected Apple and Samsung devices.

Customers are given a market price and the devices are then reconditioned, resold and recycled rather than ending up as landfill.

A credit is then given the customer’s Telstra account.

Most Australians just have at least one old device in the drawer at home collecting dust. Picture: iStock

Phone trading business Mobile Monster’s chief executive officer Tim Duggal said they had a surge in people selling unwanted devices in December.

“People looking to sell their unwanted mobile phones/devices can get up to $1,800 for an iPhone 12 Pro Max in as new condition on our website,” he said.

“The average price consumers are getting for their old phone is around $380.”

He said the most common phone sold in December was the iPhone 11 which consumers can fetch as much as $870 for.

Phone recycling business Mazuma Mobile’s Aid Rawlins said consumers should consider cashing in technology that’s “recently damaged, replaced or updated”.

“It’s great to see more mainstream carriers like Telstra getting on-board and encouraging reuse by offering value for unwanted tech,” he said.

“The circular economy is great for the environment and it’s fantastic to stimulate your own home or business budget too.”

@sophieelsworth