Last spring I broke my cell phone. I had taken it out of the case to clean it and then left it on the back of the couch when it slipped and fell face down on the floor, shattering the screen.

While it was totally my fault and I did feel frustrated, I had gotten the phone for free so I didn't feel too bad. And I knew I could sell my broken iPhone for some quick cash.

Earlier when my laptop fizzled out after years of use I was able to sell it for top dollar.

Today I wanted to share some tips on how to make money by selling broken technology on eBay.

Just because it's a piece of broken junk to you, doesn't mean that someone else can't strip it for parts.

1. Be honest

Tell people upfront that your item is broken. Literally, it's the first thing you need to tell them. When you list an item on eBay list it something like "Broken iPhone 5S, Shattered Screen." Don't try to make a broken item not sound broken.

2. Photos, photos, photos

Take lots of pictures of the item including the broken or damaged part of the tech. But also take photos of things like the logo, photos that show the screen still works and that the earbud and charging jacks are not damaged.

3. Highlight the good stuff

Just because your phone screen is shattered or your computer won't stay charged without being plugged in doesn't mean it doesn't still have good features. If your tech has lots of memory or another great feature, be sure to include that in your listing.

4. Find the right price

It's really tempting to list something at $.99 just to get it sell. But I've found that when selling broken tech, particularly more expensive items, it's better to list it at a higher price depending on when the item was made. If you have a phone or computer that was manufactured within the last year go ahead and list it at a higher price.

What about you? What tips do you have for selling broken tech?

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