There are two stores selling the same electronics, just that one sells second-hand electronics and the other sells new electronics. Which one would you want to shop from?
“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”
If it was a year ago, approximately 80% of the people would enter the shop that sells new electronics. But now, the number of people entering the second-hand shop has increased manifold. The trend of buying and selling old electronics is becoming this decade’s best upcoming business.But where do these second-hand appliances come from? These appliances are mostly acquired from customers or businesses selling their old appliances. They are then refurbished and brought back for sale through the second-hand market.
Here are some reasons which drive the sale of old electronics in turn helping the second-hand market to flourish in India.
1. More to choose from
Earlier when you wanted to sell or buy old electronics, there were not many choices. Either you went on eBay, OLX and or some other websites or local vendors which are not many. But now the platform for selling and buying old appliances has widened with the upcoming of many re-commerce companies. Not only the number of companies has increased but also the industry has become more organized.
2. Good quality
As I mentioned in the beginning, which store would you enter if you want to buy an appliance- a store selling new electronics or a second-hand store? With the increase of standardized electronics flowing into the second-hand market, many consumers prefer buying second-hand electronics over new electronics. And why not? We Indians look out for the best products with the most reasonable price.
3. Word of the decade- Online
If you want to buy a TV or any other appliance, the first thing you do is go online to check your options. Now you can even sell your old appliances online.We prefer to have everything on our finger tips and re-commerce companies have done that for us by taking it online. You wouldn’t want to take the pain and go to a shop just to sell your old appliance when you can sell it by just clicking your mouse.
4. Win-Win situation
A retailer selling a second-hand electronic appliance gets a better margin than the retailer selling a new electronic appliance. Therefore, it’s a win-win for both the buyers and sellers. The buyers get their electronics at a much cheaper rate from the market price and the seller gets a good margin for the same. The base of this market is primarily the consumers who sell their old appliances to re-commerce companies. The consumers also benefit by getting cash for their old electronics.
So, now that you know what to choose and why choose it, I leave you at it.
Note: This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.