Before new iPads are announced: Where to sell your Apple tablet
Apple’s next media event is just a few days away, and the tech giant is expected to announce new iPads. That means now is the time to sell your old iPad before it loses a lot of its value.
The Cupertino company will make its announcement Tuesday in San Francisco. Rumors and reports say Apple will likely unveil the fifth generation of its iPad, with a redesigned look, and the second generation of the iPad mini, which might possibly feature the company’s high-resolution retina display.
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So where should you sell your device? Well there’s a variety of good websites and trade-in programs that you can choose from, and it all depends on your preferences.
Strictly Apple
If don’t want to venture away from Apple, you can simply use the company’s Reuse and Recycling program to trade-in your old iPad.
The process can be done in stores or online. You’ll be asked a series of questions about your device, starting with the model and other details, the most important being about the condition of the device.
If you decide to trade-in with Apple, the company will give you a gift card that can be used toward a purchase from one of the company’s retail stores or its website.
For a 16 GB Wi-Fi-only fourth generation iPad in perfect condition, customers can get as much as $231. A 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad mini, meanwhile, will fetch $185.
If you trade-in your program online, you’ll receive a package so that you can ship in your iPad. Later on, you’ll receive your gift card.
Show me the in-store credit: GameStop. Honorable mention: Amazon.com
If you want the most value possible for your iPad, you’ll want to trade in your device to GameStop.
The video game retailer will offer customers up to $305 in store credit for the fourth generation 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad. Customers can also choose $242 in cash. GameStop also offers $180 in store credit, or $142 cash, for a 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad mini.
To trade in, customers get a quote from GameStop’s trade-in calculator, print it, then head to a GameStop store.
GameStop is a great option for gamers, but if that’s not your thing, you might want to trade in your iPad to Amazon.com’s trade-in program.
The Seattle online retailer will offer users less in-store credit than GameStop for the fourth generation iPad, but Amazon.com will offer more for the iPad mini. Plus, Amazon.com also sells more kinds of items than GameStop, so an Amazon.com gift card can be used to buy all sorts of things.
Customers can get up to $273 for a fourth generation Wi-Fi iPad with 16 GB that’s in perfect condition. And a 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad mini in perfect condition will get $189.25.
Money, money, money: Glyde.com
If you want the absolute most cash you can get from a trade-in website, Glyde.com is the way to go.
Glyde.com asks customers about the condition of their device, then suggests a price for the tablet. Users can list it at the suggested price or set their own price. Once listed, other Glyde.com users can see the iPad and purchase it.
At Glyde.com’s current price suggestions, customers who want to sell a mint-condition fourth generation 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad could get $298.86. A 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad mini, meanwhile, can bring in $197.91 for its owner.
If you try to sell through Glyde.com, there’s no guarantee someone will buy your device, but the website says Apple products can sell within a matter of hours. Once you sell, you’ll get the payment in your Glyde.com account, which can then be withdrawn electronically to your bank account.
Sell your device after the new iPads come out: Gazelle.com
If you want to get a good price on your gadget but don’t want to get rid of it until after the new iPads come out, go with Gazelle.com.
The electronics website will give you a quote for your gadget, and then let you keep it for up to 30 days. Once you finally send in your device, Gazelle.com will pay you the price that it originally quoted you. Gazelle.com also lets sellers choose how they get paid -- either by check, through PayPal or with an Amazon.com gift card.
Right now, Gazelle.com is quoting $260 for a fourth generation 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad and $180 for a 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad mini.
Conclusion
Check out all of these trade-in websites and programs to make sure you get the best price for your specific iPad model (there are dozens of versions).
Other good places include NextWorth.com, iCracked.com and Wal-Mart’s trade-in program. There’s also a good chance you can get even more money if you sell through EBay or Craigslist, but that requires more work on the seller’s part.
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