Selling Electronics in NYC: Value, What to Bring, Getting Paid

Selling electronics in New York City is quickest in person. Bring the device, its charger and a photo ID to Computer Overhauls in Chelsea, at 26th St and 7th Ave. We test it in front of you, confirm an offer, and pay walk-in sales in cash on the spot. One item takes about 20 minutes, and walk-ins need no appointment. What your device is worth depends on its model, specs and condition, so the number comes from our quote tool and a hands-on check, not from a price list in a blog post.

What your electronics are worth

No honest buyer can price a device sight unseen. These are the things that move the offer:

• Model and age. Newer models generally sell for more. Older ones tend to drop as software support winds down.
• Specs. Processor, memory and storage matter, especially on laptops and Macs.
• Condition. Cracked screens, dents, worn keyboards and swollen batteries all lower the offer.
• Function. Every port, camera, speaker and button gets tested. Something that doesn’t work costs money to fix.
• Lock status. A phone, tablet or Mac still tied to someone’s account can’t be resold, so it can’t be bought at full value.
• Accessories. The original charger helps. Boxes are nice but rarely decisive.

To get a starting number, go to our sell electronics page and enter your device details. The final offer is confirmed once the device is tested in the store. We don’t publish prices in articles because the used market moves too fast for a written post to stay accurate.

What to bring

A sale goes quickly when these are ready before you walk in:

• A photo ID. One is required for every sale. Our guide on what ID you need to sell electronics in NYC lists what counts.
• The charger or power adapter, so the device can be powered on and tested.
• A device signed out of your accounts. On Apple gear, turn off Find My and sign out of iCloud. On Android, remove your Google account so the phone isn’t locked after a reset.
• A backup. Copy photos, files and passwords somewhere safe before you come in.

If you can’t remember a password or you’re unsure whether something is still locked, bring it anyway and ask. It is easier to sort out at the counter than to guess at home.

How fast you get paid

For a single walk-in item, the visit takes about 20 minutes and you leave with cash.

Selling a lot of gear at once works a little differently. If you have 5 or more items, the sale may be handled as a drop-off. You leave the items with us, and we wipe, test and quote them within 2 business days for up to 6 items. Drop-off sales can be paid by Venmo or PayPal, or in cash when you come back to pick up payment. That suits an office clear-out or a closet full of old laptops, since you don’t have to wait at the counter while each one is tested.

What we buy

We buy Macs, PCs, iPhone, iPad, cameras and lenses, Apple Watch, Cisco equipment and other electronics. If your item doesn’t fit a neat category, such as networking gear, audio equipment or something older, use the trade-in page for other electronics to tell us what you have.

What a walk-in sale asks of you

Every way of selling electronics asks something different of you: writing a listing, packing a box, or making a trip to a counter. Here is exactly what a walk-in sale with us involves, so you can weigh it against whatever else you are considering.

• Time: about 20 minutes for one item.
• Scheduling: none. Walk-ins need no appointment.
• Payment: cash on the spot for walk-in sales.
• Inspection: the device is tested while you are there, so any question about condition is settled with you present.
• Larger lots: 5 or more items may become a drop-off, quoted within 2 business days for up to 6 items and paid by Venmo, PayPal or cash at pickup.

What it doesn’t ask: no listing to write, nothing to ship, no meetup to arrange.

Plan your visit

Computer Overhauls is at 130 West 26th St, New York, NY 10001, in Chelsea near 26th St and 7th Ave.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 12:00–19:30
• Saturday: 12:00–16:30
• Closed Thursday and Sunday

Two planning tips. The store is closed on Thursday as well as Sunday, which catches people out, so check the day before you head over. Saturday closes at 16:30, so if you’re coming late in the afternoon, leave enough time for the roughly 20-minute sale. Questions first? Call 212-216-9711 or email contact@computeroverhauls.com.

Who you are selling to

Computer Overhauls has been in business since 2002. For a seller, that matters: you are handing over a device that held your accounts and files, and you can check our public record before you do.

• Google: 4.8-star average from 738 reviews.
• Yelp: 4.6-star average from 202 reviews.
• Better Business Bureau: A+ rating. We are not BBB-accredited; our file opened in 2006.
• Press: featured in The New York Times, USA Today, Gizmodo and Entrepreneur.

Review figures were current at our last check and can change.

FAQ

Can I sell electronics at Best Buy?

Check Best Buy’s own site for whether it takes your device right now. Its trade-in terms, eligible items and form of payment are set by Best Buy and can change. Retailer trade-in programs often pay in store credit, so read what you would actually receive. If you want cash, walk-in sales at our Chelsea store are paid in cash on the spot.

What apps can I sell my electronics on?

Several marketplace and resale apps let you list a device and sell it directly to another person. Each sets its own fees, payment rules and shipping options, so read the seller terms before you list. With any app, you write the listing, answer messages, and arrange shipping or a meetup yourself.

Does Walmart pay for old electronics?

Walmart sets its own terms for any trade-in or recycling options, so check its site for what it offers now and in what form. We can’t speak for another retailer’s program. If cash is what you’re after, we buy Macs, PCs, iPhone, iPad, cameras and other electronics and pay walk-in sales in cash on the spot.

Can you sell electronics on Amazon?

Amazon sets its own rules for trade-ins and third-party selling, so check its current terms for your device. Selling on any online marketplace generally means setting up a seller account, writing a listing, and handling shipping and returns yourself. A walk-in sale skips listing and shipping: bring the device, charger and photo ID, and one item takes about 20 minutes.

Sell electronics: where do I start?

Start with a quote. Enter your device details in our online quote tool, then bring the device, its charger and a photo ID to 130 West 26th St. We test it, confirm the offer, and pay walk-in sales in cash on the spot.

Sell your electronics now or later?

Electronics generally lose resale value as they age and as software support winds down, so a device sitting in a drawer is usually worth more now than later. Back it up, sign out of your accounts, and bring it in while it is still current. If you’re not sure it’s worth the trip, the quote tool gives you a starting number first.

How to sell electronics, step by step?

Back up your data, sign out of every account, and turn off Find My or remove your Google account. Get a starting quote online. Bring the device, charger and photo ID to the store; we test it, confirm the offer, and pay you in cash.

What is the best place to sell electronics?

If you want cash the same day, look for a buyer that pays cash on the spot, needs no appointment and finishes quickly. That is how walk-in sales work at our Chelsea store: cash in hand, no booking, about 20 minutes per item. You can also check our 4.8-star Google average from 738 reviews before you come.

Where can I buy and sell electronics in NYC?

We buy used electronics for cash at our Chelsea store, and we also sell refurbished computers, each with at least a one-year hardware warranty. For selling, get a quote online and walk in during store hours. Remember that we’re closed Thursday and Sunday.

Where can I sell my electronics near me?

If you’re in or near Manhattan, the store is at 26th St and 7th Ave in Chelsea, and no appointment is needed. Call 212-216-9711 to check something before making the trip. Plan around the Thursday and Sunday closures.