A couple of months ago, I found myself staring at a drawer full of old gadgets that had been collecting dust for years. There was my iPhone 12 from 2021, a Samsung Galaxy S10 that I’d switched away from, an old MacBook Air that was just too slow for my current work, and even a pair of Beats headphones I barely used anymore. Like most people, I kept telling myself I’d “sell them someday,” but the hassle of listing on eBay, dealing with lowball offers on Facebook Marketplace, or worrying about shipping scams always stopped me.
Then, with the new iPhone 17 announcements heating up in early 2026, I finally decided it was time to clear out the clutter—and hopefully fund part of an upgrade. I started researching the easiest ways to sell used electronics online, and that’s when I kept coming across Gizmogo.
I’d seen a few mentions on Reddit (mostly people sharing referral codes for an extra $10 bonus), but there weren’t a ton of in-depth reviews. So I figured I’d try it myself and see if it was actually as straightforward as the site claimed. Spoiler: it was, and I ended up walking away with more cash than I expected. Here’s the full breakdown of my experience—think of it as a real-world case study if you’re considering doing the same thing.
Why I Chose Gizmogo Over the Usual Options
I’ve sold stuff on Gazelle and Decluttr before, and while they’re fine, the quotes always felt a little low, and the process could drag on with revisions after they inspected the device. I also looked at Swappa and eBay, but the idea of photographing everything, writing descriptions, and handling buyer messages just wasn’t appealing this time around.
Gizmogo stood out for a few reasons:
- They accept a huge range of devices—phones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, smartwatches, even broken ones.
- Instant online quotes with no account required to start.
- Free insured shipping and a 15-day price lock.
- Fast payment (they promise within one business day after inspection).
- A focus on responsible recycling, which made me feel better about not just tossing everything in a landfill.
I also noticed they often beat competitor quotes, especially for Apple devices, which was perfect since my iPhone 12 was in good condition.
Step 1: Getting the Quotes
The process starts on their website (Gizmogo). You just select your device category, brand, model, storage, and carrier (if applicable), then answer a few quick questions about condition—things like “Does it power on?” “Screen cracks?” “Water damage?”
I started with my iPhone 12 (128GB, unlocked, minor scratches on the back but perfect screen and 88% battery health). The quote came back instantly: $285. Not bad for a phone that’s now several generations old.
Next, the MacBook Air (2020 M1, 256GB): $420 in “good” condition.
Samsung Galaxy S10: $95.
Beats Solo3 headphones: $45.
Total before any bonuses: $845.
I double-checked against Gazelle and Decluttr—Gazelle offered about $240 for the iPhone and $380 for the MacBook, so Gizmogo was clearly higher. That sealed it.
Pro tip: If you sign up or use a referral code, you can often get an extra $10–$20 bonus per device. I found a code floating around Reddit that gave me an extra $10 on my first trade-in (here’s a current one if you want to try: feel free to use my referral link for an extra boost—Gizmogo if you have one, or just head to gizmogo.com and check for active promotions).
Step 2: Packing and Shipping
Once I accepted the quotes, Gizmogo emailed me prepaid UPS shipping labels—fully insured and trackable. No cost to me at all.
They provide clear packing instructions: factory reset your devices, remove any cases or screen protectors, and pack securely to avoid damage claims. I wiped everything using Apple’s and Google’s built-in tools (super important for privacy—they even have guides on the site if you need help).
I boxed everything up separately, dropped the packages at a UPS store, and had tracking numbers within minutes. The whole shipping part took maybe 20 minutes total.
Step 3: Inspection and Payment
This is where I was a little nervous—would they try to lower the quote after seeing the devices in person?
My packages arrived at their facility in California within 3–4 days. I got email updates every step: “Received,” “In inspection,” then “Approved—no revisions needed.”
Total time from drop-off to approval: 2 business days.
Payment options include PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, check, or even Bitcoin. I chose PayPal and had the full $845 (plus the $10 referral bonus) in my account the next morning. Smooth as it gets.
The Results: What I Got and What I Learned
- Total cash earned: $855
- Time invested: Less than an hour spread over a few days
- Hassle level: Basically zero compared to private sales
- Eco bonus: Knowing the devices would either be refurbished and resold or properly recycled felt good
With that money, I put a solid chunk toward my new phone and even treated myself to some accessories. The drawer is now empty, and I’m not kicking myself for letting perfectly good tech go to waste.
A few takeaways from my experience:
- Be honest about condition—you’ll get the quoted price if your description matches.
- Battery health and cosmetics matter a lot, especially for phones.
- Do it soon after new models launch; resale values drop fast.
- Broken devices still have value here—my friend later sold a cracked-screen iPhone 11 for $80.
If you’ve got old phones, laptops, or other gadgets sitting around, I honestly recommend giving Gizmogo a shot. It’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to turn e-waste into actual cash without the usual headaches. You can start by getting a free quote here: Gizmogo (and if you use a referral link, you might snag that extra bonus too).
Have you tried selling old tech online? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments—I’m curious if others have had similar results!
