Where in Toronto can you sell a used PC?

February 18, 2009 2:53 PM

We finally switched to Mac. Is there a store in Toronto where my girlfriend and I can sell our old PCs?

We just got an iMac and Macbook and want to get rid of a pretty basic PC w/flat monitor and a fairly good Toshiba laptop with lots of upgrades. The former is 3 years old, the latter 5 years old. My guess is that it'd be more profitable to sell these on Craigslist, but we don't know much about computers and would prefer not to go through the hassle. Is there a place in Toronto where we stand a chance of getting some money for these PCs? (Bonus for friendly, non-shady places...)

posted by Beardman to computers & internet (16 answers total)

PcUsed
posted by saucysault at 2:56 PM on February 18, 2009

PcUsed closed last year. The Mac side of the store (CPUsed) became BeamEcho and I believe the PC side closed for good.
posted by krunk at 3:15 PM on February 18, 2009

Honestly, at that age they're not really worth, well, anything. if you can sell them you're looking at prices like $50 for the newer one, if you're lucky. Take a look at someplace like geeks.com that sells old refurb systems- non dual core systems are selling for under $150, and that's after they've been refurbed.

Why not donate them to a school or shelter?
posted by Kellydamnit at 3:24 PM on February 18, 2009

You might find an "I buy computers" ad on craigslist.
posted by alexei at 3:36 PM on February 18, 2009

Honestly, at that age they're not really worth, well, anything.

I realized that was a possibility; do you think that means that the many non-refurb systems for sale on Craigslist for comparable prices are likely either not selling, or only being bought by fools?

(Also, any thoughts on what school or shelter to call??)
posted by Beardman at 3:38 PM on February 18, 2009

the many non-refurb systems for sale on Craigslist for comparable prices are likely either not selling, or only being bought by fools?

That has routinely been my conclusion when I've looked at what people were asking for what hardware on my local Craigslist.
posted by Zed at 4:02 PM on February 18, 2009

Here's a link to various computer donation places from the City of Toronto's website. Also, Little Geeks may be something that could work for you.
posted by melissa at 4:04 PM on February 18, 2009

Reboot Canada will take it in and give you a charitable donation tax receipt for the equipment.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 4:19 PM on February 18, 2009

Why not keep the monitor as a second for the iMac or MacBook?
posted by rokusan at 4:24 PM on February 18, 2009 [1 favorite]

Download and install SIW. Then, create an HTML report (feel free to select none for Network and Software information, it is the Hardware information that is needed). This will give full information about the exact computer so that an accurate value can be determined.

As usual, AskMe is underestimating the value of used computer gear. The contempt for anything used, or whatever it is, is really distasteful, but anyway.. There is a reasonable likelihood that the newer system is a Pentium Dual Core, which is still fairly current in terms of performance. A 5 year old laptop is also recent enough to have substancial value.
posted by Chuckles at 2:29 AM on February 22, 2009 [1 favorite]

I ♥ used computer gear, but with perfectly functional desktops going for $200 and laptops for $300, I can't recommend paying much of anything to buy used from an individual where there's no recourse if it dies on day 2.
posted by Zed at 9:49 AM on February 23, 2009

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=5214189d08fafb61d2db6fb9a8902bda

This is an html page with the info for the laptop hardware, for starters.
posted by Beardman at 1:14 PM on February 24, 2009

Depending on condition, the laptop is worth about $200.
posted by Chuckles at 3:55 PM on February 24, 2009

I sold mine on Craigslist. Take clear photos of the computer and the inside of the tower (if you can easily get it open), and any software or hardware packaging you still have. Sell each componet seperately (monitor in a separate listing from tower).

I managed to get $60 for a 5-year-old PC (a reasonably nice one, but nothing remarkable). It didn't work any more due to some mysterious reason that several computer-savvy friends were totally unable to pinpoint. The guy who bought knew it didn't work and that I'd removed & kept the hard drive, and I assume he basically stripped it for parts (it did have a working fan, DVD player, and CD burner). It was no hassle at all- we exchanged one email and a phone call, then he came & got the computer. If I could sell a non-working computer for $60, you should certainly do better with your working ones.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 3:06 PM on March 7, 2009

I sold the laptop for $225, the basic PC for $100, and the LCD monitor is going to a friend for $50 along with a vintage blender. Done deal.

Thanks for all your advice, esp. Chuckles. I got over 10 responses about the laptop in the first day it was posted, so I guess there is a bigger market for used computers out there than many people think.
posted by Beardman at 7:07 PM on March 8, 2009

Congrats, well done! Not that hard, is it :)
posted by Chuckles at 11:09 PM on March 12, 2009