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byAlma Abell
Leaving old computers, laptops, hard drives and power supplies just lying around, collecting dust doesn’t make sense. This is especially so when the market for recycled electronics is so lucrative. Sellers across the world are discovering this fact and they’re turning what they’d normally throw away into cold, hard cash.
Why People Want Them
Buyers who scan online auctions looking for recycled electronics tend to do so to help their own businesses along. These buyers might do such things as:
- Recycle the metals for resale – Electronic items such as computers tend to have some valuable parts inside. One of materials that can fetch a nice price is the copper used in wiring and other components. People who make their living – or a portion of it – recycling copper and other metals tend to seek out online electronics auctions to help them find the supplies they need to feed their own coffers. In many cases, they don’t even care if the materials are stripped.
- Recycle the materials for manufacturing – In some cases, buyers use the materials they find in recycled electronics for repurposing in their own manufactured goods. That copper, for example, can be melted down and reworked into a host of other products. Rather than buy the copper new at a premium price, they purchase it used and rework it for their own designs. While this saves them money, it does put cash in sellers’ pockets, too.
- Use components to fix broken items – A lot of computer power supplies, for example, can easily be used to repair other broken machines. That’s why some people who fix computers and other electronics look for recycled electronics and components for use in their own businesses. Even if parts don’t work, they may still have value for those who refurbish machines.
Getting Involved in the Action
Getting involved in selling recycled electronics and components is fairly easy. One of the fastest ways to turn unwanted items into extra cash is to join an online auction site that caters to this market. These sites bring buyers and sellers from all over the world together and provide sellers access to top dollar prices for their items thanks to the competitive nature of online auctions. To find a good site, look for those that stick with electronics and related materials. That way they appeal to buyers who know the true value of things like broken servers, old computers and so on.