How can I resell networking equipment, specifically Cisco?

March 11, 2008 7:16 PM

How can I get a reasonable price for used Cisco networking equipment that I recovered from a bankrupt business?

I recently recovered some Cisco networking equipment in perfectly fine condition from a bankrupt business. I found several sites online that sell used networking equipment, but logically this seems like the worst place to try and get a reasonable price.

I also noticed that the base model isn't necessarily enough to qualify the price appropriately, since there could be add-in cards that are worth a significant amount.

How can I properly determine what each is worth? Do I need to clear out any information before selling them?

I have a 3600, two 2950's, and a 1700.

posted by odinsdream to computers & internet (3 comments total)

Every expansion card should have a model number in the upper right or lower left corner. The 3600 should have large expansion cards starting with "NM" or "PA" and it's not uncommon for these cards to be worth more than the router itself. Getting these model numbers will help you assess their value.

You should clear any previous configuration before selling them. Log in then do a 'erase nvram' and it will be at the inital setup next time the router starts.

If you'd like to send me some pictures or any questions for more help, my email's in my profile.
I have to confess: I know nothing about routers, but the SO is a network engineer. :)
posted by youngergirl44 at 7:29 PM on March 11, 2008

I'd run the model numbers of the routers, switch, and interface cards through eBay. Check the prices of the completed items that actually sold. Armed with these figures, you might also contact a couple online resellers and ask what they would give you for the equipment.

There seem to be at least two distinct markets for Cisco equipment on eBay: Perhaps these are "I need this right now for my business" and "I'd like to scrounge up this equipment for my cool home network and/or certification practice lab".

Take, for example, the WS-X4306-GB; a 6-port gigabit Ethernet line card that I've had my eye on for a while. A quick search reveals three vendors with this item on Buy-it-Now with prices ranging from $1,475 through $2,251. There are also seven vendors who have it on Buy-it-Now ranging from $450 through $695. Finally, looking at completed item prices, several of the exact same item have recently sold for between $100 and $200. The most expensive 4306 in the completed listings page went for $379.00, and that was "sealed, new-in-box."

So, maybe a few 4306s get sold for $450+ or $1,475+ but if I were trying to sell one on eBay, I'd expect to get between $100 and $200.

Finally, if you want to provide all the juicy details to your potential buyers, consider logging into the equipment, typing "show version" at the console, and providing the results in your listing. That command will show what hardware (memory, cpu, modules) and software (IOS or CatOS) the systems contain. People have been known to buy additional copies of Cisco gear they already own just to obtain a specific IOS image.
posted by Juffo-Wup at 8:22 PM on March 11, 2008

we've sold outdated network gear on craigslist with good results. check ebay for rough prices, then set a price and put it up on craigslist.

if you can do a factory reset before selling them, that might be good. it'll also give you a chance to do a "show version" on the box and offer that info to the buyer.
posted by rmd1023 at 7:19 AM on March 12, 2008