We Buy Your Tech- The Complete Guide to Selling Phones

Most of us have a drawer like it. An old iPhone with a cracked back. A laptop that was “too slow” three years ago. A tablet the kids stopped using, a smartwatch, a pair of earbuds still in the case.

All of it is losing value while it sits there. And most of it is worth something, even the bits that don’t work.

It stays in the drawer because selling it is usually a hassle. Listing things online, answering messages, meeting strangers, posting things off, and hoping the price holds. So here’s everything in one place: what we buy at our shop on Oldham Road, how the process works, what affects the price, and exactly what to do before you come in.

How selling to Gadget Corner works:

It’s four steps, and it all happens in one visit.

Bring it in, or call first. Bring the device in, or call for a rough price before you come in.
We test it in front of you. A technician checks the screen, battery, ports, and buttons while you watch. Nothing disappears into a back room.
You get one offer. It’s based on the model and the condition we’ve just checked together. What we offer is what we pay.
You decide. Take the cash on the spot, or walk away with your device. The valuation is free, and you’re under no obligation to sell.

That’s the whole process. No listing, no waiting for a buyer, no posting boxes. You can start on our We Buy Your Phones page or just come in.

What we buy

Despite the name of our We Buy Your Phones page, we buy far more than phones.

Phones

We buy iPhones, Samsung, Google Pixel, Huawei, Sony, and most other major brands. Want a sense of what an iPhone might be worth before you come in? Read our model-by-model iPhone value guide.

Laptops, MacBooks and desktop PCs

Windows laptops, MacBooks and standard desktop PCs. Our guide to selling your old MacBook or laptop for cash goes into more detail on laptops specifically.

Tablets

iPads of every generation, Samsung Galaxy Tab and other Android tablets. Tablets often get forgotten once the novelty wears off, and every month in a cupboard costs you value.

Smartwatches and earbuds

Apple Watch and other smartwatches, AirPods and other wireless earbuds.

Not sure if we’d be interested? Call or bring it in. It costs nothing to ask.

Working, cracked, or dead: bring it anyway.

This is what surprises people most. You don’t need a perfect device to sell it.

Working, cracked, or “hasn’t turned on since 2022”. Bring it anyway. Faulty devices still have value for parts and refurbishment, so a phone with a smashed screen or a laptop that won’t power up can still be worth money.

The offer will reflect the condition, of course. A damaged phone is worth less than a perfect one. But even if it’s less than perfect, it’s still worth more than sitting in a drawer. If you’ve got a damaged device, find out what it’s worth before you write it off.

What affects how much you get:

We can’t list prices in a blog post because every device is different, and values change over time. We can tell you what we look at so the offer makes sense when you hear it.

Model and age

Newer models are worth more. A phone or laptop loses value as newer versions come out, so you should sell sooner rather than later.

Storage and specification

More storage usually means a higher price. On laptops, the processor, memory, and storage all count.

Condition

Scratches, dents, cracks, and missing buttons all reduce the price. The screen matters most on phones and tablets.

How well it works:

This is what the in-store test is for. We check the screen, battery, ports, and buttons. Battery condition is a big one on phones. Our iPhone value guide explains how to check it yourself.

Whether it’s still linked to your account

If a device is still tied to your Apple Account or Google account, the next owner can’t set it up properly. Sort this out before you come in (see the device checklists below). It saves time and avoids problems at the counter.

What doesn’t matter

You don’t require the original box, charger, or receipt. They’re nice to have, but they’re not required.

Five ways to get a better offer:

None of these take long, and they all help.

Sell sooner. Every new release knocks a little off the value of older models. The phone in your drawer is worth more today than it will be next year.
Charge it up. A device that switches on can be fully tested. One that’s flat takes longer, and a device we can’t test properly is harder to value.
Give it a clean. Wipe the screen, clear the fluff out of the case and ports. It won’t hide a crack, but first impressions count.
Sign out and wipe it first. A device still linked to your account slows everything down. Sorting it at home means a quicker visit.
Tell us about any faults. We’ll find them in the test anyway, and being upfront keeps things simple for everyone.

What to bring with you:

The device itself. Fully charged if you can. A flat phone takes longer to test.
ID. We need to see ID before we can buy from you. If you’re not sure what counts, call ahead.
Your passwords. If you haven’t already signed out of your accounts, you’ll need your Apple Account or Google account password to do it.
The charger, if you have it. Not required, but helpful for testing laptops.

Technician checking a used smartphone and laptop before making a cash offer at Gadget Corner in Failsworth

How to get each device ready to sell:

Wiping your device protects your photos, messages, banking apps, and everything else. If you can, do it before you come in. If the device doesn’t turn on, bring it anyway and tell us.

For the full step-by-step version, read our guide on wiping your phone or laptop before selling it. Here’s the short version for each device.

iPhone and iPad

Apple’s UK guide, What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone or iPad, covers the steps:

Back up your device.
Sign out of iCloud and the App Store. If Find My is turned on, you may need to enter your Apple Account password.
Go to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset, and tap Erase All Content and Settings. When you erase your device, Apple turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
If your device uses an eSIM, choose the option to erase the eSIM profile too.
Remove the old device from your list of trusted devices.

Android phones and tablets

Back up your photos and contacts, remove your Google account, then factory reset from the Settings menu. Menu names vary by brand and version, so our wipe guide walks you through it.

MacBooks and Windows laptops

Back up your files, sign out of your accounts, then erase or reset the laptop. Apple and Microsoft both publish guides, and our wipe guide links to them with the steps in plain English. If you use BitLocker on Windows, make sure you can get to your recovery key before you start.

Apple Watch

Apple’s guide, What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your Apple Watch, says to unpair the watch from your iPhone in the Apple Watch app. When asked, enter your Apple Account password to turn off Activation Lock.

AirPods

Apple’s guide, Before you sell, give away, return or recycle your AirPods, says to open the Find My app, select the Devices tab, tap your AirPods, and choose Remove This Device.

Why sell to a local shop?

There are plenty of ways to sell old tech. Marketplaces, trade-in apps, postal buyback services, a friend of a friend. They all work for some people. Here’s why our customers choose to walk in instead.

You see the test

When you post a device away, you’re trusting that whoever opens the box records its condition the way you would. With us, the test happens on the counter in front of you. If we spot a fault, we show you.

One offer, no haggling

You hear one number, based on what we’ve both just seen. What we offer is what we pay—no knock-down offers from strangers, and no price that drops after you’ve handed it over.

Paid in the same visit

You walk out with cash, no waiting for a bank transfer after you’ve received and checked the device.

No strangers, no posting, no hassle

No meeting someone in a car park, no “is this still available?” messages, no bubble wrap.

A real shop with a real address

We’re on Oldham Road in Failsworth, open six days a week. If you have questions afterward, you know where to find us.

If that sounds better than another round of marketplace messages, here’s how to sell to us.

Sell it or fix it?

Because we repair and buy tech, we can give you both options in one place. That matters, because sometimes the right answer is to fix it, not sell it.

If you’re not sure, these guides help you decide:

Or bring the device in and ask. We’ll give you a rough idea of what a repair would cost and what we’d pay for it as-is. Then you choose. Our mobile phone repairs and laptop, PC and tablet repairs pages show what we fix.

What if it really is worth nothing?

Occasionally a device is too old or too damaged to be worth anything to us. When that happens, we’ll tell you straight. It still shouldn’t go in the bin. Electricals belong in proper recycling, not landfill.

Our guide on what happens to your old phone when you recycle it explains your options, including local recycling centers in Oldham.

Ready to sell?

Gather up the drawer. Charge what you can, wipe what you can, and bring the lot. Even the ones that don’t turn on.

Start on our We Buy Your Phones page, or call 0161 681 1111 ahead for a rough price. We’ll test everything in front of you and make you a fair offer on the spot.

FAQs

Do you buy broken or cracked phones?

Yes. We buy working, cracked, and faulty phones because damaged devices still have value for parts and refurbishment. The offer shows the condition, but a broken phone is still worth bringing in. See how it works on our We Buy Your Phones page.

Do I require the original box or charger?

No. We don’t need the box, charger, or receipt. Bring the charger if you have it, as it helps with testing laptops.

Do I need ID to sell my tech?

Yes, we need to see ID before we can buy a device from you. If you’re unsure what ID to bring, call us before you visit.

How will I be paid?

You’ll be paid in cash at the time of the visit. If you don’t like the offer, you’re free to leave with your device. There’s no obligation.

Should I wipe my phone or laptop before I bring it in?

Yes, if you can. Back up what you want to keep, sign out of your accounts, and erase the device. Our guide on wiping your phone or laptop before selling it walks you through the process. If the device won’t turn on, bring it anyway and let us know.

Gadget Corner

770 Oldham Road, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9FE

Phone: 0161 681 1111

Open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm