iPad Boosting iPod Resale?

It isn’t available yet – and won’t be until April – but Apple’s recent announcement of the new iPad may already boosting the number of searches on eBay for iPod, iPhone, and iTouch models. According to this week’s eBay Pulse report, all three are in the top 10 searches conducted on eBay.

iPad In fact, only two of the top 10 searches this week are outside the consumer electronics category. This week’s top 10 searches are:

1. Wii

2. iPhone

3. iPod

4. PS3

5. iPod Touch

6. Laptop

7. Xbox 360

8. Coach

9. Digital camera

10. Coach purse

This is good news for anyone wanting to purchase an iPad (or upgrade any personal electronic product), because it shows that there is still value in the personal electronics they already own.

As eBay expert Lisa Suttora told eBay Power Sellers at the company’s annual Product Trends workshop last year, “One of the questions I’ve been asked a lot recently is ‘Has the economy affected the products people are buying?’

“The answer to that question is yes, people’s buying habits and the products they buy have changed. There is a trend towards more value based products – not cheaper, but valued based,” she said.

“This means quality materials, product longevity, and dollar for dollar a good customer investment. Disposable products are out, products that last are in.”

What does that mean for the consumer electronics buyer and seller? It means that consumers are starting to think of their personal electronics and gadgets as if they were leased, and not owned. So, like a leased car, they buy the newest model, use it until they’re ready to upgrade, and then “trade it in” on a newer model. Since there isn’t much trade-in value at retail stores, that often means selling personal electronics on eBay to recoup the best possible resale value before upgrading.

Brand-name personal electronics in good condition and working order get the best prices on eBay. Owners looking to sell these items have two choices: try to sell them through a personal seller account, or bring them to a registered eBay drop off location like the five Easysale locations in Addison, Arlington, Dallas / Park Cities, Frisco / Plano, or Southlake. Pick-up can also be arranged.

Either way, the spring of 2010 may be the perfect time to sell personal electronics on eBay to fund new purchases, or put some extra cash into the spring and summer budget. To schedule a North Texas-area evaluation or pick-up, use the online form available on the Easysale website or call 817-640-easy (3279).

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiouslee/ / CC BY 2.0